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    Home » Entrees

    Published: Apr 18, 2019 · Modified: Mar 4, 2022 · By Susan

    Slow Cooker Bean Free Chicken Chili

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    Slow cooker bean-free chicken chili is a delicious and easy dish that is worthy of a spot on your regular dinner rotation. All the goodness of chili, just without the beans. This flavorful dish, made with chicken breasts, salsa verde, creamed corn, and spices will disappear about as quickly as you can make it.

    finished bowl of bean free chicken chili topped with fresh cilantro
    Great to serve with a variety of garnishes

    Have I mentioned that I don't really like red meat? And that Mr. Wonderful doesn't do dairy? And that Number Three doesn't eat beans? To say that making one dinner for everyone can be a challenge is an understatement.

    When this healthy white chicken chili recipe entered our world it was a game-changer. It is a crowd pleaser that is filling, and versatile. I have been known to freeze the leftovers and then repurpose them as either taco or enchilada filling.  

    A finished bowl of chili topped with cheese

    To make everyone happy from the same slow cooker, I developed a few different bean-free slow cooker delicious chili recipes. I alternate between this recipe, bean-free traditional chili, and my turkey chili made with edamame (healthy comfort food!).

    Shopping list

    Jump to Recipe Card For Exact Quantities
    all chili ingredients with labels

    To make this easy slow cooker recipe you will need:

    • Chicken - breasts or thighs would both work, we prefer breasts
    • Onion - chopped. I use frozen, pre-chopped
    • Creamed corn - I use canned
    • Green chilis - chopped. I used canned
    • Salsa Verde
    • Garlic - minced
    • Cumin
    • Chili powder
    • Cilantro - fresh chopped, if possible
    • Chicken broth
    • Lime juice
    • Salt and pepper - to taste

    Method

    For this easy white chili recipe, place chicken breasts in your slow cooker. Next, add in all the rest of the healthy ingredients. Cover and cook for 4-6 hours or until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165º F on a meat thermometer.

    thermometer in chicken that is in slow cooker showing that the proper temperature has been reached

    Once the chicken is fully cooked, remove breasts and shred. Return breasts to slow cooker and stir to fully combine. Keep on warm until ready to serve.

    Serving suggestions

    My favorite way to eat this dish is to scoop loads of it onto tortilla chips - almost like a dip. In fact, it makes a great topping for loaded nachos. However, this slow cooker white chili is great eaten with a fork too!

    We love it topped with some shredded cheddar cheese, a dollop of sour cream, and a squeeze of fresh lime juice. Sliced green onions, chopped green chilies, chopped fresh jalapenos, and Monterey jack cheese are also favorite toppings.

    A close up of a bowl of finished chili topped with sour cream

    It is perfect served alongside some white rice, brown rice, or riced cauliflower. A side of sweet corn spoonbread is always a perfect addition.

    Storing leftovers

    Leftover white bean chicken chili can be stored in an airtight container. I like to store in smaller, individual serving size containers for easy reheat-and-eat meals.

    This easy dinner will last about 3 days in the refrigerator and several months in the freezer.

    a close up shot of finished bean free chili

    Hints & hacks

    1. You can turn easily turn this dish into a creamy white chicken chili. Adding coconut milk(to keep it dairy free) or heavy cream will do the trick. Adding a block of cream cheese is also a delicious option.
    2. To thicken chili without adding anything, cook with the lid off for the last hour or so.
    3. Use a meat thermometer for confirmation that chicken is safe to eat. According to the FDA, chicken is safe to eat when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F
    4. Slow cooker liners are an optional but helpful hack whenever using a crockpot. They allow you to cook with little to no cleanup. I like to buy mine in bulk for a better per-piece price. 
    5. In the market for a new slow cooker? Here is my current favorite model.

    finished slow cooker chili in crockpot

    So glad you asked!

    I like my chili spicy. How can I spice it up?

    Looking to spice up this easy recipe? Swap out half of the diced chili peppers for a can of diced jalapenos. Hot sauce, red pepper flakes, or a dash of cayenne pepper can also be used to spice up individual servings.

    I don't have any fresh cilantro, is that ok?

    I love using fresh cilantro. The smell alone is wonderful. However, you can substitute dried and still have a delicious dish. Similarly, minced fresh garlic can be swapped out for garlic powder.

    I am always short on time. Can I prepare this in advance?

    Slow cooker chicken chili is a great meal prep dish. All ingredients can be added together in advance and stored in the refrigerator.

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    📖 Recipe

    A close up of a bowl of finished chili topped with sour cream

    Slow Cooker Bean Free Chicken Chili

    Slow cooker bean-free chicken chili is a delicious and easy dish that is worthy of a spot on your regular dinner rotation. All the goodness of chili, just without the beans. This flavorful dish, made with chicken breasts, salsa verde, creamed corn, and spices will disappear about as quickly as you can make it.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Pin Rate Save Saved!
    Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 6 hours hours
    5 minutes to shred chicken: 5 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 6 hours hours 20 minutes minutes
    Servings: 6 servings
    Calories: 160kcal
    Author: The Lazy slow cooker
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Equipment

    • 6 qt slow cooker
    • measuring spoons and cups
    • two forks to shred chicken
    • slow cooker liner (optional)

    Ingredients

    • 1 small onion chopped
    • 3-4 chicken breasts our about 6-8 thighs
    • 2 14 oz cans, creamed corn
    • 2 4 oz green chilies chopped
    • 1 cup salsa verde
    • 1½ tablespoon garlic minced
    • 1 heaping tsp cumin
    • 1 heaping tsp chili powder
    • 2 tablespoon fresh cilantro chopped
    • ½ cups chicken broth
    • 1 lime juiced
    • salt and pepper to taste

    Instructions

    • place chicken into slow cooker
      3-4 chicken breasts
    • add in all remaining ingredients
      1 small onion, 2 14 oz cans, creamed corn, 2 4 oz green chilies, 1 cup salsa verde, 1½ tablespoon garlic, 1 heaping teaspoon cumin, 1 heaping teaspoon chili powder, 2 tablespoon fresh cilantro, ½ cups chicken broth, 1 lime
    • place lid on pot and cook on low for 6 hours
    • remove chicken and shred
    • add salt and pepper to taste if needed
      salt and pepper to taste
    • return chicken to pot and keep on warm until time to serve

    Notes

    Notes: 
    To make this dish creamy, add 1 cup of heavy cream about 15 minutes before serving.  If you want to keep it dairy-free, add 1 cup creamy coconut milk instead.  
    Adding a block of cream cheese about 30 minutes before serving is another delicious option.  

    Nutrition

    Calories: 160kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 24g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 72mg | Sodium: 480mg | Potassium: 554mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 336IU | Vitamin C: 9mg | Calcium: 19mg | Iron: 1mg

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Annie says

      August 02, 2022 at 1:41 am

      Can you still freeze with all the dairy products added for creaminess?

      Reply
      • The Lazy Slow Cooker says

        August 02, 2022 at 11:41 am

        I have frozen this recipe as written without a problem. It just needed to be well stirred once defrosted.
        Thanks for asking!!

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    Welcome to The Lazy Slow Cooker. I am so happy you are here! My name is Susan (yep - I am Lazy Susan!) and I am the recipe developer/blogger behind these posts. I am the mom of three amazing but super busy kids and the wife of one awesome and also super busy guy. All 5 of us have very different schedules and I would not survive mealtime without my crockpot. Read More…

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