Cream Cheese Chicken Chili
This creamy chicken chili is a perfect weeknight meal that combines the richness of cream cheese with the heartiness of chili, all made in your slow cooker for an effortless dinner.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2–3 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs Thighs add more richness.
- 1 8 oz block cream cheese, cubed Full-fat for best texture.
- 1 15 oz can diced tomatoes with green chiles (Rotel) Or plain diced tomatoes + 1 can diced green chiles.
- 1 15 oz can black beans, drained and rinsed Optional.
- 1 cup corn kernels Fresh/frozen or canned, optional.
- 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2–3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1–2 teaspoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika Optional.
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon lime juice, fresh
Optional Garnishes
- shredded cheddar or pepper jack
- chopped cilantro
- sliced green onions
- avocado
- tortilla chips
- sour cream
Instructions
Preparation
- Spray the slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray or use a liner for easy cleanup.
- Place diced onion and minced garlic in the bottom. Sprinkle chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper over the aromatics and stir.
- Add the chicken pieces on top of the seasoned onions. Pour in the diced tomatoes (with their juices) and chicken broth. Add black beans and corn if using.
Cooking
- Cover and cook on LOW for 6–8 hours or HIGH for 3–4 hours, until the chicken is tender and easily shreds. Internal temperature should reach 165°F.
- Remove chicken to a cutting board, shred with two forks, then return shredded chicken to the slow cooker.
- Cut cream cheese into cubes and stir into the hot chili until melted and integrated into a creamy sauce.
- If the cream cheese doesn’t melt fully, remove a cup of hot liquid, whisk in the cubes on the stovetop until smooth, then return.
- Stir in lime juice and adjust seasoning. Let sit 5–10 minutes before serving so flavors settle.
- Serve hot with desired garnishes.
Notes
To make it lower in dairy, swap cream cheese for a dairy-free cream cheese alternative.