Healthy White Chicken Chili (2024)

01/21/2021 |

Last updated: 03/12/2024

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This Easy Healthy White Chicken Chili Recipe is the perfect quick dinner! Make it in the crockpot, instant pot or on the stove.

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Healthy chili is so amazing for a simple, yet flavorful dinner because you just throw delicious ingredients in a pot and let them meld together until you get the perfect comfort meal!

There is nothing more comforting than a cozy bowl of chili! This healthy chicken chili recipe is just the thing when you need a quick and easy meal that is equally as delicious.

Why We Love This Healthy Chili Recipe

There are so many reasons we love this delicious white chicken chili:

Easy to make – This easy soup takes less than an hour to make if you are using your stovetop or Instant Pot. If you want to let your crockpot do all the work for you, it can still be done in just over 6 hours! It also has less than 15 ingredients, most of which you probably already have in your pantry.
Customizable – See below for all the easy and delicious ways you can customize this recipe.
Protein packed – There are 32 grams of protein for every cup of this white chicken chili, so it is guaranteed to keep you full!
Delicious – This chili really is just so incredibly delicious. It’s sure to be one of your family’s favorites!

Ingredients for Healthy White Chicken Chili

To make healthy chicken chili you will need:

chicken breasts
onion
diced green chiles
cannellini beans
frozen corn
chicken broth
garlic
paprika, chili powder, cumin, turmeric, salt and pepper.

For the full recipe and ingredient substitutions, see the green box below.

How To Make Healthy White Chicken Chili

You can make this healthy white chicken chili in the crockpot, the instant pot, or on the stovetop. Here’s how to make it in the crockpot (for the other directions, see below):

Lay chicken breasts along the bottom of the crockpot and cover with onions, garlic, green chiles, broth and spices.
Cover and cook on low for 6 hours.
After 6 hours, shred chicken breasts. You can shred them right in the crockpot with two forks or remove from the pan and pull apart on a cutting board. The chicken will be tender enough that it falls apart. Stir the chicken back in with the other ingredients. Add cannellini beans and frozen corn.
Optional if you have time: Allow the chicken to sit for an additional 10-20 minutes after shredding the chicken. The chicken will absorb some of the liquid and thicken the chili.
Garnish + enjoy!

If you love your crockpot check out these 45 Healthy Best Chicken Slow Cooker Recipes Ever.

Chili Topping Ideas

This white chicken chili is delicious on its own, but it is so versatile with the amount of toppings you can use, so go crazy! These are some of our favorite toppings:

Cheese
Sour cream
Avocado
Cilantro
Green or red onions
Tomatoes
Corn
Tortilla chips

How to serve Chicken Chili

There are lots of different ways you can serve this healthy white chicken chili. Here are some of our favorites.

If you’re looking for lower carbs: You can serve this over steamed cauliflower rice. A baked potato, over Crispy Sheet Pan Roasted Potatoes, or with your own homemade roasted plantains are other great ideas.

Over rice: Rice, quinoa or even farro are all great for serving with this white chicken chili.

Over a salad: We love to serve chili over salad to get extra greens in!

Toppings: Go crazy with the toppings here! See above for our favorite topping ideas.

SUBSTITUTIONS FOR CHICKEN CHILI

This chili is SO versatile. Here are a few ways you can customize it!

Meat: We haven’t tried this recipe with chicken thighs or tenders, but I think that would work as well. You can also make this chili with beef or turkey instead of chicken. It is just as delicious! Simply brown the beef or turkey before you put it in the crockpot! We also have a Ground Beef and Sweet Potato Chili that you might like and a Turkey Chili.

Beans: If you are paleo/whole 30, you can omit the beans. Black beans, pinto beans or even chickpeas can be substituted for cannellini beans if you prefer.We also have a delicious Red Chicken Chili!

Veggies: You can add extra veggies to this recipe if you’d like. We recommend 1 cup chopped carrots or 1 cup chopped peppers. Both are delicious!

Cheese: I recommend serving with a sprinkle of cheddar cheese if you’re not paleo/whole30- the sharpness of the cheese is so delicious with the flavors of the chili!

Broth: Any broth will work in this.. vegetable, chicken, beef. Opt for low sodium if you are buying your broth, or make homemade broth (ours is so easy to make, is paleo, whole30 & SO nutritious).

Jalapeño: This is not an overly spicy chili. If you want to add spice, add 1/2 tablespoon of chopped jalapeño. Be sure to deseed before adding.

Can I Use Rotisserie Chicken?

Yes, you absolutely can. Using rotisserie chicken is great if you need dinner on the table quickly.

Sub raw chicken breasts for shredded cooked rotisserie chicken and make sure to cut down the chili cooking time by half.

Freezing and Reheating Healthy Chicken Chili

Freezing: This white chicken chili freezes very well. We like these containers for freezing.

Fridge: You can store this healthy chicken chili in your refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Reheating: When you’re ready to enjoy, you can take a container out of the fridge or freezer and heat over the stove or in the microwave. It’s great for a quick meal!

Healthy Chicken Chili FAQ

What is the healthiest chili?

The healthiest chili is one that’s loaded with protein, healthy carbs and veggies. This chicken chili is all of that!

Is chicken chili good for weight loss?

Chicken chili can be good for weight loss. This chili is pretty high in protein, which can help keep you full. If weight loss is your goal I would serve this with some veggies and rice mixed with cauliflower rice.

Is chili chicken healthy?

Yes it is! This is a healthy dinner that you’ll love. We also love these Chili Chicken Meatballs!

Is white chicken chili supposed to be thick?

Usually white chicken chili is thicker than red chicken chili. The tomatoes are what thins chili out. Most white chicken chilis do not have tomatoes, so they are often thicker. This is a thicker white chicken chili recipe!

Love chicken? Check out our favorite healthy chicken breast recipes!

Other healthy crockpot recipes:

If you love soup as much as we do, we actually have a free healthy soup ebook that you will love! We also have a post filled with 25 Healthy Soup Recipes! Here are some of our other favorite crockpot recipes:

45 Healthy Crockpot Recipes
20 Easy Whole30 CrockPot Recipes
Chicken White Bean Chili
Crockpot Shredded Chicken
Chicken Noodle Soup Crock Pot
The Best Vegetarian Chili You’ll Ever Have
Slow Cooker Chicken Stew
Healthy Crockpot Tomato Sauce
Whole30 Crockpot Picadillo
Whole30 Stuffed Peppers

Looking for other healthy slow cooker recipes? Check out these Healthy Crockpot Recipes!

Healthy Chicken Chili

5 from 13 votes

This Easy Healthy White Chicken Chili Recipe is the perfect quick dinner! Make it in the crockpot, instant pot or on the stove.

WW Freestyle Points 1

Prep Time : 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time : 30 minutes minutes

Total Time : 45 minutes minutes

Serves : 4 people

(hover over # to adjust)

PRINTPINRATE

Ingredients

1 cup onion diced
1 tablespoon garlic minced
1 lb chicken breasts
4 oz canned diced green chiles
1 cup chicken broth low or no salt
1/2 tablespoons paprika
1/4 teaspoon pepper
2 teaspoons chili powder
1/2 teaspoon cumin
1/4 teaspoon salt omit for low salt
1/4 teaspoon ground turmeric
13.4 oz cannellini beans canned, rinsed + drained
1 cup frozen corn optional

Instructions

Crockpot Instructions:

Chop onions and garlic. (Optional: you can sauté in 1 teaspoon of olive oil for 2 minutes before adding to the crockpot.)
Lay chicken breasts along the bottom of the crockpot.
Cover chicken with onions, garlic, green chiles, broth and spices.
Cover and cook on low for 6 hours.
After 6 hours, shred chicken breasts. You can shred them right in the crockpot with two forks or remove from the pan and pull apart on a cutting board. The chicken will be tender enough that it falls apart. Stir the chicken in with the other ingredients. Add cannellini beans and frozen corn.
Optional if you have time: Allow the chicken to sit for an additional 10-20 minutes after shredding the chicken. The chicken will absorb some of the liquid and thicken the chili.
Garnish with avocado or guacamole + enjoy!

Instant Pot Instructions

Set your instant pot to sauté and add 1 teaspoon of olive oil. Sauté the onions and garlic for 2 minutes.
Add chicken, green chiles, broth and spices.
Cook on high pressure for 10 minutes. Allow a 5 minute natural release.
Remove the chicken from the pot. The chicken will be tender enough that it falls apart. Stir the chicken in with the other ingredients. Add cannellini beans and frozen corn.
Optional if you have time: Allow the chicken to sit for an additional 10-20 minutes after shredding the chicken. The chicken will absorb some of the liquid and thicken the chili.
Garnish with avocado or guacamole + enjoy!

StoveTop Instructions

In a large soup pot, heat 1 teaspoon of olive oil. Sauté the onions and garlic for 2 minutes.
Add chicken, green chiles, broth and spices.
Cover and bring to a low boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes
Remove the chicken from the pot. The chicken will be tender enough that it falls apart. Stir the chicken in with the other ingredients. Add cannellini beans and frozen corn.
Optional if you have time: Allow the chicken to sit for an additional 10-20 minutes after shredding the chicken. The chicken will absorb some of the liquid and thicken the chili.

Nutrition Facts

Healthy Chicken Chili

Amount Per Serving (1 cup chili)

Calories 273Calories from Fat 36

% Daily Value*

Fat 4g6%

Saturated Fat 1g6%

Cholesterol 73mg24%

Sodium 415mg18%

Potassium 718mg21%

Carbohydrates 31g10%

Fiber 8g33%

Sugar 2g2%

Protein 32g64%

Vitamin A 797IU16%

Vitamin C 22mg27%

Calcium 93mg9%

Iron 4mg22%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet. This is an estimate and can vary pending your ingredients

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