Instant Pot White Chicken Chili
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Easy Instant Pot White Chicken Chili is a creamy and delicious soup recipe that’s both gluten free and dairy free. It’s made with beans, corn, chicken, and plenty of spices, and then topped with cilantro, avocado and tortilla strips, making it incredibly filling, too.
I think I’ve just found my new favorite soup! White chicken chili is creamy and delicious, and even easier when prepped in the Instant Pot!
I know I’ve said in the past that I don’t love my Instant Pot, but I think that’s changing. The more I use it, the more I like it! Plus, the Instant Pot makes the chicken in this recipe both juicy and tender — I know you’re going to love it.
Speaking of chicken, my instant pot whole chicken recipe is a game-changer, along with my instant pot vegetable soup and my instant pot Spanish rice — it makes prep work and clean up a breeze. And, if you have leftover turkey, you should absolutely make this paleo/whole30 homemade turkey soup!
For vegetarians, be sure to check out my favorite butternut squash chickpea chili!
Recipe features
- Loaded with plenty of chicken, and flavored with garlic, green chile’s and tons of spices
- Besides chicken it’s filled with great northern beans, meaning this soup is filled with protein and will keep you full all day long
- It can easily be made dairy-free, and the toppings are customizable, too!
Ingredient notes:
Beans – The recipe calls for great northern beans, but you could also sub navy beans or even chickpeas if you prefer. I recommend using canned beans; just make sure you drain and rinse them first.
Corn – I try to always have a bag of frozen corn in the refrigerator; that way, I can enjoy it any time of year and easily use it in recipes like this one.
Hatch green chiles – You can find these in the Mexican food aisle in either a 4 oz. can, or you might be able to find a larger jar of them. They’re not spicy (I mean, maybe a little), but they give this soup plenty of flavor and are a key ingredient in white chicken chili.
Chicken – You can just chicken breast, thighs or a combination of both, just make sure to use boneless + skinless.
Cream cheese – I only tested this recipe using dairy-free cream cheese, but I know regular cream cheese will work. I used Kite Hill brand the first time and Daiya the second, and both were delicious.
Lime juice – Optional. Make sure to add it as a “topping” once the soup is done, rather than adding to the Instant Pot with the other soup ingredients. And the “2 tbsp” measurement is a TOTAL, so divide the soup into bowls, then add a squirt of lime juice to each one.
How to Make Instant Pot White Chicken Chili
Like most Instant Pot recipes, this one is incredibly easy. But, let’s walk through how to make it!
First: Add all of the ingredients to the Instant Pot in the following order:
- Beans
- Corn
- Onion/garlic/chiles/spices
- Chicken
- Cream cheese
- Chicken broth
Second: Close the lid and make sure the valve on top is in the “seal” position. Pressure cook for 15 minutes, then natural release for 10 minutes. Once the time is up, manually release the remaining pressure.
Third: Remove the chicken, place it on a cutting board and use two forks to shred it. At this point, you should also stir the chili so that the rest of the cream cheese melts (if it hasn’t already).
Fourth: Add the shredded chicken back into the Instant Pot and stir everything together. Divide into bowls, add optional toppings and dig in!
Erin’s tips and tricks
-Make sure to add the cream cheese in chunks, (rather than just throwing the whole block in), which will allow it to melt better.
-Drizzle lime juice on top of the soup once it’s been cooked; don’t add it into the pressure cooker.
How should leftovers be stored?
Store leftovers in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
NOTE: the beans WILL absorb a good bit of the broth in the refrigerator. So, when you go to reheat the soup, I recommend doing so over the stove, and also adding more broth (the amount you need will vary depending on how much soup you’re heating up).
Can this be made in the Crockpot?
Yup! Follow the exact steps, but throw everything into your slow cooker and cook on low for 4-6 hours.
More soup recipes
If you made this recipe, be sure to leave a comment and star rating below. Thanks!
Instant Pot White Chicken Chili
Ingredients
- 30 oz. great northern beans, drained and rinsed (canned)
- 2 cups frozen corn
- 1/2 cup yellow onion, diced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 4 oz. hatch green chiles
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper , plus more to taste
- 1 lb. boneless skinless chicken , breast or thighs
- 1/2 cup plain cream cheese, regular or dairy-free
- 1 1/4 cup chicken broth
toppings:
- 2 tbsp lime juice
- cilantro, avocado, jalapeño, tortilla chips
Instructions
- Add the beans to your Instant Pot, then add the corn on top of them. Next, add the onion, garlic, green chilies, and spices, then lay the chicken on top of those. Add the cream cheese in small chunks (about 5-6 chunks), then pour the chicken broth on top.
- Close the lid, making sure the valve on top is in the "seal" position. Pressure cook for 15 minutes, then natural release for 10 minutes before manually releasing. NOTE: the Instant Pot takes about 10 minutes to come to pressure.
- Remove the chicken and place it on a cutting board, then use two forks to shred it. Meanwhile, give the soup a good stir, making sure the cream cheese has completely melted. Then, add the chicken back into the Instant Pot and stir everything together.
- Add the optional toppings and enjoy!
Notes
- Heat oil in a large pot over medium heat, then add the onion and sauté for 4 minutes. Then, add the garlic and spices and sauté for 1 minute.
- Add the beans, corn and chicken, then bring the soup to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer and simmer for 15-20 minutes or until the chicken is cooked and can easily be shred with a fork.
- Remove the chicken to a cutting board and shred it. Then, add in the cream cheese and whisk until it’s mostly melted. Add the chicken back in, stir and enjoy with your toppings of choice!
Nutrition
If I am using frozen chicken breasts, will that change the cooking times at all?
Yes, you’ll probably want to increase the cook time by a few minutes.
Yum, it was sooo good! Can it be frozen?
I’m going to say yes, though freezing things with cream cheese in them can alter the texture a bit.
Can I use canned corn instead of frozen?
Yes! Just make sure to drain any excess liquid from the can first.
A perfect fall supper. I appreciate the stove top instructions as I don’t have an insta-pot. The garnishes add a special pop! Thanks Erin. I really love your recipes
My daughter’s favorite. She requested it for her birthday meal she loves it so much!
Thanks Ann! Glad you enjoyed the chili!
Can you make this in the crockpot? If so, can you provide cooking times and any adjustments needed?!
Yep! To make in the crockpot, follow the same instructions but place everything in your slow cooker and cook on low for 4-6 hours.
Hi Erin, so I don’t have an instant pot so I would like to use my crock pot. What would be the difference in cooking time? Also what about liquid portions, would that change?
Thank you so much for your lovely recipes. I’m so excited to make this.
Would also love to know!
Sounds amazing! For the beans….Is that canned or dry beans?
Canned!
I love this Chili. I am allergic to beans so I use zucchini instead to make it bean free. I make it every other week in the winter.
Thanks Jordan! Glad you loved the chili!
Best chili ever
Thanks so much Jennifer! Glad you love the chili so much!