Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili Mac

My White Chicken Chili Recipe is hearty, packed with chicken, beans and vegetables that make for the perfect dinner! This Slow Cooker Chili Mac is flavor packed and makes a delicious meal for your family.

white chicken chili recipe in serving bowl

White Chicken Chili Recipe

Have you had white chicken chili before? It’s got all of the same great chili flavors but it is not red like traditional chili. There’s no chili powder or tomatoes which makes your chili that deep red color. What you will find is lots of vegetables, chicken, cumin, spices, lime, cilantro and diced avocado on top. This was such a favorite family dinner. It makes the best leftovers to. Every time I use my crock pot I wonder why I don’t use it more often! It’s so great to use in the summer so you don’t have to turn on the oven. Break out your crock pot and enjoy!!

Try my Perfect Weeknight Chili Recipe too! Follow Picky Palate on Instagram for daily recipe inspiration.

white chicken chili recipe ingredients on counter

What You’ll Need

Let’s take a look the ingredients you’ll need to make White Chicken Chili Mac. See bottom of post’s recipe card for full instructions.

  • extra virgin olive oil– The olive oil in the recipe is used to saute the vegetables.
  • white onion– I prefer white onion, but yellow or sweet works fine too. Finely chop the onions.
  • garlic– You can mince your own garlic clove or use the already minced garlic that is sold in a jar in the produce department.
  • anaheim chili pepper– Find anaheim peppers in the produce often times near the jalapenos and other peppers. It adds a nice spice to the chili when simmering in the slow cooker.
  • zucchini– Diced zucchini is added to the chili, it can be found in the produce department at the grocery store.
  • bell pepper– I use green bell pepper in my chili, I recommend to finely dice before sauteeing.
  • cooked chicken– In most of my recipes that call for cooked chicken, I use a rotisserie chicken that I shred and keep in the refrigerator for quick use.
  • white beans– Cannellini beans work great here. Find them canned in the canned vegetable section of the grocery store. Drain and rinse before adding to recipe.
  • chicken broth– Use a reduced sodium chicken broth found in the soup section of the grocery store.
  • ranch dressing seasoning packet– Find this in the salad dressing section of the grocery store. Comes in individual packets or a box of 4 usually.

More Ingredients For White Chicken Chili Recipe

  • fresh limes– Fresh limes add to the fresh zest of the chili. Roll onto counter before slicing and squeezing juice to help.
  • ground cumin– Ground cumin in a key ingredient in chili recipes. It adds a smoky flavor that can’t be beat!
  • kosher salt– Kosher salt is a more coarse salt, I use it in all of my cooking and baking.
  • garlic salt– Look for Lawry’s brand if you can find it, it’s a good one.
  • black pepper– Fresh ground black pepper is preferred.
  • small pasta– Small shell pasta or elbow pasta is great in this chili mac.
  • fresh cilantro– Fresh chopped cilantro is the perfect garnish to your white chicken chili. Find it in the produce department of your grocery store. No need to cook it in advance, it will cook in the slow cooker.
  • avocado– Dice an avocado for each serving of chili. It’s a delicious addition.

cooking zucchini in large pot

How To Make White Chicken Chili

  1. Saute and Cook. Heat oil in a large dutch oven over medium heat. Saute onions and garlic until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in Anaheim peppers, zucchini, green bell peppers, chicken and beans. Saute for 10 minutes, stirring often.

What Is White Chili?

White Chili is basically chili that is made with white beans, chicken, mild peppers without the traditional chili powder and tomato base. It can be made creamy as well by adding sour cream or heavy cream to the broth.

transferring white chicken chili to slow cooker

2. Transfer To Crockpot. Transfer to a large crock pot over high heat. Add broth, Ranch seasoning, lime juice, cumin, garlic salt, salt, pepper and pasta.

What Type Of Slow Cooker Should I Use?

For soups and chili recipes use a slow cooker that is at least 5 quarts. You’ll find slow cookers of many price points. Take a look online to see your options. It doesn’t have to be a fancy or expensive slow cooker to make great food. I have a number of crock pot/slow cookers of low end and high end. They both work just fine. The more expensive slow cookers will have more heating options which can be convenient, but it’s definitely not necessary if you just need a basic slow cooker. Check Walmart and Target, they’ll have a number available. The KitchenAid Slow Cooker is a great choice for a higher end option.

Can I Use Other Beans In This Chili Recipe?

Since this is a white chicken chili, I use Cannellini beans that keep the traditional “white” chili. You can use other beans such as black, pinto, and kidney beans, but they’re not traditionally used in a white chili.

adding pasta to slow cooker

3. Add Pasta. Add your dry pasta to slow cooker. It will cook right inside the broth. I used a small shell pasta for my chili mac today, but small elbow pasta or even the spiral rotini works great too. Note, you can also leave out the pasta if you want just a regular slow cooker chili.

4. Slow Cook. Close lid and close for 2 hours, until pasta is al dente.

white chicken chili recipe in slow cooker

5. Add Cilantro. Add chopped fresh cilantro shortly before serving chili. It adds the perfect freshness to each bowl of chili.

white chicken chili recipe in serving bowl

How To Choose a Ripe Avocado at the Store?

If gently press the avocado and it feels just slightly soft, you’ll know it’s ripe and ready-to-eat. Ripe, ready to eat avocados may have a darker color but color can vary so it is best to go by feel as well as color. It will feel lightly soft but it will not feel “mushy” to the touch. Carefully slice the avocado in half, remove the center pit and dice the avocado to add to each bowl of chili.

How To Serve

Serve each bowl of hot chili topped with diced avocado and a pinch of cilantro if desired. It’s also great with a dollop of sour cream and your favorite hot sauce. Shredded cheese and green onion are delicious on top too. Try serving with my Fluffy Mexican Cornbread Recipe too.

How To Store Leftovers

Store any leftover chili in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat as needed in a heat proof bowl in the microwave, covered in 60 second intervals until hot.

Freezing Instructions

Store cooled chili in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw before re-heating.

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Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili Mac

This Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili Mac is packed with flavor and always a hit with the whole family!
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Mexican
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 15 minutes
Servings: 12 servings
Calories: 163kcal
Author: Jenny
Cost: $25
Print Pin Rate

Equipment

  • Stove
  • Dutch Oven or large pot
  • Crock Pot / Slow Cooker
  • cutting board
  • chef knife
  • measuring spoons
  • measuring cups

Ingredients

  • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 large onion finely chopped
  • 2 tablespoons minced garlic
  • 1 diced Anaheim Pepper
  • 2 cups sliced zucchini
  • 3/4 cup diced green bell pepper
  • 3 cups cooked shredded chicken breast
  • Three 15 ounce cans white beans, Cannellini
  • 64 ounces reduced sodium chicken broth
  • 1 ounce package Ranch seasoning mix
  • 3 limes juiced
  • 1/4 cup ground cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 3 cups small dry pasta
  • 1/2 cup fresh chopped cilantro
  • 1 avocado diced

Instructions

  • Heat oil in a large dutch oven over medium heat. Saute onions and garlic until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in Anaheim peppers, zucchini, green bell peppers, chicken and beans. Saute for 10 minutes, stirring often.
  • Transfer to a large crock pot over high heat. Add broth, Ranch seasoning, lime juice, cumin, garlic salt, salt, pepper and pasta. Close lid and let cook for 2 hours on high. Reduce heat to low or warm. Right before serving stir in cilantro and top each individual bowl with diced avocado.

Nutrition

Calories: 163kcal | Carbohydrates: 20g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 423mg | Potassium: 359mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 154IU | Vitamin C: 19mg | Calcium: 28mg | Iron: 1mg
Keywords: chili mac, easy white chicken chili, slow cooker white chicken chili, white chicken chili, white chicken chili recipe

photo collage white chicken chili recipe

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45 Responses
  1. flat stomach pills by avon

    All thanks to you, Christina you have added spice to my life.

    Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated and minimize bloating caused by water retention. You just have to be
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    plenty of fruit and vegetables.

  2. Sara Simmons

    Looks delicious. Cant wait to try! After the 2 hours on high, how much longer does it need to be cooking on low?

  3. Sam Barnes

    Just wondering, but if you were use raw chicken and removed it, diced, and re-added it, do you think that might make it up the cooking time a bit? I’m in the market for recipes I can leave on over night for the next day after work since I’m gone almost 12 hours. (6 hours over night is much safer I think.)

  4. Maddie

    Hi Jenny 🙂
    First of all LOVE YOUR BLOG … I have followed it for years but only commented once or twice over the years 🙂 your blog was actually the very first blog I ever followed and thereafter my blog roll just kept growing LOL
    Well, I know that this is completely off topic from this post but since this is your newest post I decided to write it here instead of writing in one of your old posts 🙂
    Ever since you posted a picture of the Kate Spade crossbody bag (the pink and orange one) in one of your chit chat posts this spring I have been WANTING if ….ha ha… Well, now I finally have a little extra to spend on myself (most of our money is spent on the kiddos LOL)… But before purchasing it I just wanted to ask you if you still love yours as much as when you bought it, or have you changed your mind about it?
    And is yours the smaller (Tenley) or the larger (Cora) version of this bag?
    Thank you so much for all your wonderful recipes. I will definitely be making this white chili 🙂

  5. Capturing Joy with Kristen Duke Photography

    Looks delicious! I just got your book and flagged several recipes to try soon–love it!!

  6. Shana Norris

    The addition of pasta & ranch seasoning has me intrigued. Yum! And of course I’m always on the lookout for a great slow cooker recipe.

  7. Simone

    This is currently in my crockpot for dinner tonight! I am having my husband’s guy friends over and thought it’d be a good rainy day meal. I have to admit that I had to come back on here to check that it said 1/4 cup of cumin, because I’ve been worrying it was tsp and I read it wrong. I added 1/8 to be safe.

    I put mine on low and just had my husband add the noodles, since work didn’t allow me to do 2 hours. Excited to try it, thanks for the great recipe!

  8. Deborah

    I am the same – I love the slow cooker in the summer so I don’t have to heat up the house! This looks so good!

  9. Jennifer

    How long do you keep it on low, after you have cooked it on high 2 hours? Does it still need to cook more? Will the pasta get too soft if you keep it on low for a few hours (after the 2 hours of high)?

  10. BestAndWorstOfGermany

    Even I am not a cooking blogger but I am sure the pictures form my kitchen are nicer than in any posh cooking blog, including you! 😉 😛

    http://bestandworstofgermany.wordpress.com/2013/07/29/if-you-consider-moving-to-germany-make-sure-you-got-a-chef-that-works-daily-and-creates-masterpieces-for-free/

    On a different topic. Even if I found this blog listed as one of wordpress blogs, I really hate when I can’t find a typical Follow function on its usual place!

  11. Maegan @ The BakerMama

    This sounds so delicious! Love how it has lots of zucchini in it! I think my family would eat it up!

  12. Pamela @ Brooklyn Farm Girl

    This looks amazing, your pictures scream fresh! They also scream “eat me” because I really want this dish!

    1. Jenny

      That is correct 🙂 You scan always start w less if you’re nervous, but it’s a giant pot of chili 🙂

  13. Lauren @ Climbing Grier Mountain

    This chili has my name written all over it! It was rainy this past weekend in Denver and totally put me in the mood for slow cooker meals:)

  14. Ali | Gimme Some Oven

    This looks soooooo comforting. And I love the fresh zucchini in there! 🙂

    Totally want to try this.

  15. Meagan @ A Zesty Bite

    I like white chicken chili more than just the regular stuff. Like that you added pasta to yours.

  16. Megan

    That looks AMAZING! We are a big white chili family. I never even thought to add noodles. Can’t wait to try this version.

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