Dreamy Crock Pot Cream Cheese Chicken Chili Recipe For Fall

Whipping up a hearty cream cheese chicken chili in the crock pot promises pure comfort on chilly evenings.

Slow cookers transform simple ingredients into magic with minimal effort.

Friends always request this recipe after their first bite.

Creamy, spicy, and packed with tender chicken, this dish satisfies deep hunger pangs.

Rich flavors meld together during hours of gentle simmering.

Weeknight meals rarely come this delicious and easy.

You’ll want to save this recipe for future cozy dinners.

Cream Cheese Chicken Chili Breakdown

• Toss ingredients into the crock pot with minimal chopping, creating a hands-off cooking experience that saves time and reduces kitchen cleanup.
• Easily adapt the chili with optional toppings like cheese, sour cream, or jalapenos, allowing each family member to personalize their bowl according to taste preferences.
• Slow cooker method ensures tender chicken and deep flavor development without constant monitoring, perfect for busy weekdays or lazy weekends when you want a hearty meal with zero stress.
• Combines chicken, beans, and cream cheese for a satisfying, creamy dish that delivers balanced nutrition and keeps everyone feeling full and content.

Ingredients You’ll Need for This Crock Pot Chili

• Chicken Breasts: Main protein source, provides tender and juicy meat for the chili.
• Black Beans: Plant-based protein that adds heartiness and texture to the dish.

• Corn: Sweet kernels that add color and freshness to the chili.
• Diced Tomatoes with Green Chilies: Provides tangy flavor and mild heat to the dish.
• Onion Powder, Garlic Powder: Aromatic seasonings that enhance overall flavor profile.

• Ranch Seasoning: Adds creamy and herbal flavor to the chili.
• Chili Powder: Gives traditional chili warmth and depth.
• Cumin: Earthy spice that complements Mexican-style dishes.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Basic seasonings for balanced taste.

• Cream Cheese: Adds rich, smooth texture and creamy finish to the chili.

• Cheese, Sour Cream, Jalapenos, Tortilla Chips: Customizable garnishes for extra flavor and crunch.

• Chicken Broth: Provides moisture and enhances overall liquid consistency.

Crock Pot Instructions for Chicken Chili

Step 1: Prep the Chicken Base

Place whole chicken breasts into the bottom of your slow cooker, creating a tender foundation for this mouthwatering meal.

Step 2: Layer Flavor Powerhouses

• Black beans
• Corn kernels
• Diced tomatoes with green chilies
• Chicken broth
• Ranch seasoning mix
• Chili powder
• Ground cumin
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Salt
• Black pepper

Step 3: Initial Mixing Magic

Gently stir ingredients to ensure everything is wonderfully combined and coated.

Step 4: Slow Cook to Perfection

Cover and cook on LOW setting for 6-8 hours or HIGH setting for 3-4 hours until chicken becomes fork-tender.

Step 5: Shred and Transform

Remove chicken breasts and use two forks to shred meat into delectable bite-sized pieces. Return shredded chicken back to the slow cooker.

Step 6: Cream Cheese Finale

Drop cubed cream cheese into the mixture and stir until it melts completely, creating a luxuriously creamy texture. Let it simmer for an additional 15 minutes.

Step 7: Serve and Garnish

• Shredded cheese
• Sour cream
• Chopped jalapeños
• Crispy tortilla chips

Enjoy this comforting meal straight from your slow cooker!

Tips for Rich Cheese Chicken Chili

• Boost Chicken Tenderness: Let chicken breasts rest in the slow cooker without overcrowding to ensure even cooking and maximum moisture retention.
• Cream Cheese Melting Hack: Cut cream cheese into small cubes and let them sit at room temperature before adding to help them melt more smoothly and quickly into the chili.
• Customize Spice Levels: Adjust ranch seasoning and chili powder according to personal heat preference, adding more for extra kick or reducing for milder flavors.
• Low-Sodium Option: Replace regular chicken broth with low-sodium versions and reduce added salt to control sodium intake without compromising taste.
• Meal Prep Friendly: Double the recipe and freeze portions in airtight containers for quick, delicious meals during busy weeks, maintaining flavor and texture when reheated.

Reheat and Storage Tips for Chicken Chili

• Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping them fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Transfer cooled chili to freezer-safe containers, leaving some space for expansion, and freeze up to 3 months for later enjoyment.
• Warm chili in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally and adding a splash of chicken broth to maintain creamy consistency.
• Place portion in microwave-safe dish, cover loosely, and heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval to ensure even warming.

What to Serve with Cream Cheese Chili

• Mexican-inspired margaritas perfectly complement the zesty chili's bold southwestern spices, cutting through the creamy richness while enhancing the dish's tangy notes.
• Serve with a fresh, crunchy green salad featuring cilantro and lime vinaigrette to balance the hearty, rich chicken chili and provide a light, refreshing contrast.
• Warm, buttery cornbread or jalapeño cheddar biscuits make an ideal side, soaking up the creamy chili sauce and adding delightful texture to each comforting bite.
• Choose a medium-bodied red like Zinfandel or a crisp, slightly acidic white such as Sauvignon Blanc to match the chili's complex flavor profile and cut through its creamy texture.

Chili Variations You’ll Love Trying

• Low-Carb Cauliflower Base: Replace corn and beans with riced cauliflower for a keto-friendly version that maintains the creamy texture and rich flavor profile.
• Vegetarian Bean Swap: Substitute chicken with extra firm tofu or plant-based chicken alternatives, using vegetable broth and maintaining the same seasoning blend for a protein-packed meatless option.
• Dairy-Free Adaptation: Use dairy-free cream cheese alternatives like cashew-based cream cheese and skip traditional cheese toppings, replacing with nutritional yeast or dairy-free shredded cheese for those with lactose intolerance.
• Spicy Southwest Version: Increase chili powder, add diced green chiles, and incorporate chipotle powder for a more intense heat level that elevates the original recipe's flavor complexity.

Chicken Chili Questions Answered

• Is this recipe spicy?

The ranch seasoning and green chilies add a mild kick, but you can control the heat by adjusting chili powder or adding jalapeños as a topping.

• Can I use frozen chicken breasts?

Yes, you can use frozen chicken breasts. Just add 1-2 hours to the cooking time to ensure they’re fully cooked and tender.

• What if I don't have ranch seasoning?

You can substitute with a homemade mix of dried dill, parsley, chives, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper, or use a similar dry seasoning packet.

• Is this recipe gluten-free?

Most ingredients are naturally gluten-free, but check your ranch seasoning and chicken broth labels to confirm they don’t contain gluten.

Crock Pot Cream Cheese Chicken Chili Recipe

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4.6 from 9 reviews

• Total Time: 8 hours 10 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Creamy comfort arrives with this Crock Pot Cream Cheese Chicken Chili, blending rich southwestern flavors into a hearty one-pot marvel. Spicy, smooth, and satisfying, this dish promises a delightful meal you can savor without complex kitchen maneuvers.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Protein:

• 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

Canned Ingredients:

• 1 (15 ounces / 425 grams) can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 (15 ounces / 425 grams) can corn, drained
• 1 (10 ounces / 283 grams) can diced tomatoes with green chilies (Rotel)

Seasoning and Flavor Enhancers:

• 1 (8 ounces / 226 grams) package cream cheese, cubed
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1 packet (1 ounce / 28 grams) ranch seasoning mix
• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon onion powder
• ½ teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper

Optional Toppings:

• Shredded cheddar cheese
• Sour cream or Greek yogurt
• Sliced jalapenos
• Chopped cilantro
• Tortilla chips or crackers

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Instructions

1. Nestle whole chicken breasts at the base of the slow cooker, creating an even layer.
2. Scatter black beans, corn, diced tomatoes with green chilies across the chicken, ensuring even distribution.
3. Pour chicken broth over the ingredients, then sprinkle ranch seasoning, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper evenly.
4. Gently mix ingredients to allow seasonings to coat everything without disturbing the chicken placement.
5. Secure the lid and cook on LOW for 6-8 hours or HIGH for 3-4 hours until chicken becomes fork-tender.
6. Extract chicken breasts and shred them using two forks, then return the shredded meat back to the slow cooker.
7. Introduce cubed cream cheese into the mixture, stirring continuously until it melts completely and creates a smooth, creamy texture.
8. Allow the chili to simmer for an additional 15 minutes to fully incorporate the cream cheese.
9. Serve hot in individual bowls, garnishing with optional toppings like shredded cheese, sour cream, sliced jalapenos, or crunchy tortilla chips.

Notes

• Ensure chicken is fully submerged in liquid for even, tender cooking that prevents drying out.
• Swap out ingredients to create dietary variations like using low-fat cream cheese for lighter version or black bean alternatives for protein flexibility.
• Enhance flavor depth by sautéing onions and garlic before adding to slow cooker, which intensifies the overall taste profile.
• Reduce sodium content by selecting low-sodium chicken broth and controlling salt portions in ranch seasoning mix.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 6-8 hours (low) or 3-4 hours (high)
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 360
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 7 g
• Protein: 28 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg