Originally named "Low-Fat High-Taste" chicken chili by my wife, this healthy dinner has everything you want in great white bean chicken chili. It is dump-and-go easy with a wonderful mellow taste with just the right touch of heat.
Introduction
With only about 250 calories and 2 grams of fat per serving qualifies as healthy for almost any diet. Or just enjoy its great filling taste even if you have no dietary needs.
I love white chicken chili. Maybe not as much as a good filet but on some days, almost. But my problem was my old reliable white chicken chili has a ton of cheese... read not very healthy.
So with this recipe, I wanted the "dream" chicken chili recipe.
- No pre-cooked chicken. I don't normally have precooked chicken. It is ok to use but not required. I need some flex in my cooking choices.
- Crock Pot "dump and run" easy.
- Healthy or at least healthier than my normal chicken chili.
I have a recipe for Excellent White Chicken Chili, which is a modification of a Pioneer Woman recipe. That recipe had the basics of my dream chicken chili, almost. I just needed a nip and tuck here and there.
Add in a conversion to the crock pot, and it would do as a starting point. This one is low in calories and fat. I also kicked up the spices from the "excellent" recipe—so good.
Take it out for a spin today for one of the best-tasting crock pot white chicken chili you will ever make. You won't regret it.
My Rating
My wife is not quite the chili fan I am, and the five is from her (two servings). A nice five from me also. (PS- originally named by my wife.)
🐓The Chicken
For low fat, there is no choice but to use skinless boneless chicken breasts. I'm letting the chicken cook in the liquid. Pull it out after a few hours, then shred and place it back in the pot.
The chicken needs to reach 165° to shred well. Crock pots can vary some. My larger crock pots will be there in 1 ½ hours on high, but my smaller crockpot takes 2 hours.
You can use precooked chicken. 4-5 cups will do nicely, but even 2-3 cups will be good. Skip the first 2 hours of cooking. Just add everything and cook for about 2-3 hours on high or 4.
If you are not going for "low-fat," a pound or a bit more of chicken thighs will be fine.
🥣The Broth
I usually use a good brand of chicken broth or stock, just depending on which I have, but I try to buy low sodium if available.
This is a good place to save on the sodium load. Use low sodium broth or chicken broth with no salt if available.
♨️The Crock Pot
This fits nicely in a small 3.5 quart crock pot, but it just fit and would not fit in a smaller crock pot. You may use a larger crock pot here. A larger crock pot can cook a little faster when only partially filled.
For a double recipe, you need a 7 quarts or larger crock pot. For a half recipe the smallest crock pot to use is 2 quart.
Some crock pots, especially older crock pots will run hot. Overcooked chicken breast can be dry so know your pot. If unsure, cook on low and double the times.
What Makes it Healthy?
Healthy means different things to different people, but for me, it means lower calorie density and lower fat. I believe this recipe fits most reasonable diets. At least it is much healthier than my previous cheese filled chicken chili.
The sodium can easily get out of control with chili. This one is not too bad; definitely not low sodium, but you can fix that somewhat.
The sodium is mostly from the beans and the added salt. You can skip the added salt or cut it down. Rinsing the beans will cut about 100-150 mg of sodium per serving. Add a cup of water if you do that to replace the liquid. The added salt is about 200 mg per serving.
📖Crock Pot Chili Recipes
Ultra Simple Crock Pot White Chicken Chili
Crock Pot Three Bean Turkey Chili
This recipe is listed in these categories. See them for more similar recipes.
🖼️Step-by-Step Photo Instructions
Trim two medium-size skinless boneless chicken breast.
Chop one medium onion.
Mince one jalapeno.
Add to the crock pot; one 14 oz can low sodium chicken broth, one tablespoon cumin, one to two teaspoon paprika, two teaspoon chili powder, three garlic cloves minced, one teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon pepper, and optionally ½ teaspoon of cayenne pepper. Add chicken and cook on high for 1 ½ to 2 hours.
Remove the chicken from crock pot and shred. Place back in crock pot with the liquid.
Add one 48 oz jar pre-cooked Northern beans and one small can of green chilies.
Cook on high for 1 ½ to 2 hours more.
📝Full Recipe
Healthy Crock Pot White Chicken Chili
Ingredients
- 2 skinless boneless chicken breasts
- 14 oz low-sodium chicken broth - one can
- 1 onion - medium chopped
- 1 jalapeno pepper - minced - optional
- 3 cloves garlic - crushed or minced
- 1 tablespoon cumin
- 1 to 2 teaspoon paprika
- 2 teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper - optional
- 1 teaspoon salt - to taste. Skip to decrease sodium.
- ½ teaspoon pepper
Part Two
- 48 oz Northern Beans - precooked a large jar
- 4 oz diced green chilis - a small can
Instructions
- Trim two skinless boneless chicken breast.
- Chop one medium onion and one jalapeno.
- Add to the crock pot; one 14 oz can low sodium chicken broth, one tablespoon cumin, one to two teaspoon paprika, two teaspoon chili powder, three garlic cloves minced, one teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon pepper, and optionally ½ teaspoon of cayenne pepper. Add chicken and cook on high for 1 ½ to 2 hours.
- Remove the chicken from the crock pot and shred. Return the chicken to the crock pot.
- Add the green chilis and the beans. See notes about rinsing beans.
- Mix well and cook on high for 1 ½ to 2 more hours on high.
My Private Notes
Recipe Notes
Pro Tips:
- The crock pot can be 3 ½ qt minimum, but bigger is ok. A double recipe needs 7 quarts or larger. A half recipe needs 2 quarts or larger.
- If your crock pot runs hot, use the short times. Normal crock pots are fine at the suggested times.
- I have the recipe written for cooking on high. Double times if using low.
- To decrease the sodium, rinse the beans and add one cup of water to replace the liquid. Also, decrease or skip the salt.
- I like 2 teaspoons of paprika, one jalapeno, and ½ teaspoon of cayenne pepper.
- Good in the refrigerator for 3-4 days and freezes well for 3-4 months.
- A serving is a little under 1 ½ cups so a nice serving size.
- Heat note: this has some heat in it so adjust to your taste.
To adjust the recipe size:
You may adjust the number of servings in this recipe card under servings. This does the math for the ingredients for you. BUT it does NOT adjust the text of the instructions. So you need to do that yourself.
Nutrition Estimate
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Editors Note: This is one of my best and most healthy chili recipes. This is one of those unusual dishes which combines great taste with a low calorie and fat profile — originally published September 21, 2014. Updated with expanded options, refreshed photos, and a table of contents to help navigation.
Michael
Hi, Dan! If I need to add all ingredients and leave the house until the dish is done (so can't shred chicken and add chilis and beans in the middle), can I cube the chicken and add green chilis and beans in the beginning - then cook it all for roughly 7 hrs on low? Essentially completely set it and forget it?
Dan Mikesell AKA DrDan
Hi Michael,
Welcome to the blog and the answer is yes. Or you can leave the chicken whole, shred it when you get home and add back to absorb some flavor for a few minutes. The beans and chilis can go in at the beginning either way.
Dan
Tor Hembre
Hi again Dan :-)
I’ve made this chili several times now, and I love it !!
Today I noticed that the “instructions” says 1 teaspoon of paprika, while the “recipe” says 2 teaspoons.
I’ve been using 2 teaspoons every time, but how much of a difference would it make to do only 1 teaspoon ?
Either way, this is a solid 5 on the rating !
Thnx again for your fantastic blog !!
Tor :-
Dan Mikesell AKA DrDan
Hi Tor,
Thanks for the note. I was to be 1 teaspoon which is double the Pioneer Woman recipe. But I also noted to increase if you want. And I usually do two teaspoons. So I'm officially changing the discussion to 2 teaspoons. It has a much better taste.
Dan
Fitting
Just checking, 14 oz of chicken broth? Will it be a thick chili?
Dan Mikesell AKA DrDan
Hi Fitting,
Welcome to the blog.
This is not a thin nor thick chili. If you want to make it thicker, drain the beans which will make it thicker. You need to leave the broth to cook the raw chicken.
Dan
Tiffany
Do I drain the jar of beans or add it directly to the crock? Super excited to eat this!!
DrDan
Hi Tiffany,
Welcome to the blog.
Just dump the whole thing in. There is a lot of taste in the liquid.
Dan