Instant Pot White Chicken Chili is a quick-and-easy weeknight meal that’s got that “cooked all day” kinda feel. It’s packed full of chicken, corn, beans, green chilies, and a warm, perfectly balanced blend of spices. It’s great on its own, or loaded up with tortilla chips, cilantro, cheese, and a squeeze of lime!
If you’ve enjoyed my Crock Pot Creamy White Chicken Chili but you’ve been wishing for an Instant Pot version, wish no more! It’s here, and it’s totally yummy and so much quicker! Can you believe it only takes 18 minutes in the Instant Pot? Well okay, it does take a little time for the Instant Pot to get up to pressure… so maybe 30ish minutes total. But seriously, Creamy White Chicken Chili cooked to perfection so quickly? Hellooo, sign me up! I still can’t believe how great it came out. I truly didn’t change a thing when it comes to portions or flavor. I just put it all together in the pot, set it to 18 minutes, crossed my fingers, grated some cheese and did some dishes and it was done before I could even finish cleaning the kitchen up! Say what? Yep, not even kidding. Seriously, go make this… tonight. I betcha have all the ingredients on hand!
Ohhhh yeah. Here’s the Instant Pot I use!
Here we go… Let’s get into the kitchen, folks!
Step one: Gather the goods!
- 2 cans Great Northern Beans.
- 2 small cans o’ Green Chiles. Unless you Love spice, make sure they’re mild. Because if you get the hot kind… it’s gonna get all kinds of spicy!
- Chicken Broth
- A variety of perfectly balanced spices: cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, cayenne pepper, kosher salt, pepper, and Lawry’s Seasoned salt.
Not pictured, but very necessary: chicken breast, corn (frozen or fresh’ll do), half and half, and light cream cheese.
Add everything into the Instant Pot EXCEPT FOR THE CREAM CHEESE & HALF & HALF!
I mean it, y’all. Everything!
Wait wait… Don’t add the Cream Cheese or Half & Half, okay? We’ll add those later.
Give it a good ol’ stir.
Cover and seal the lid. Switch the valve to the “sealing” position, and cook on Manual High Pressure for 18 minutes. When it’s done cooking and the timer beeps, let it naturally depressurize for 10 minutes, then switch the valve to the “venting” position to completely release the steam before opening. I like to throw a towel over the valve and use a wooden spoon to release the steam, but it’s not absolutely necessary. However you release the pressure on your Instant Pot, BE SAFE!
Remove the chicken. Place it in a bowl or on a cutting board, and shred it up with two forks. A mixer also works amazingly well for shredding up that freshly-cooked chicken breast, and it’s really fast! Just remember to keep your fingers away, or else you’re probably gonna have a really bad time. And don’t rev up your mixer too fast, or you’ll find that chicken in the dogs fur 5 days from now.
Add the shredded chicken back into the pot, along with the Half & Half and the chunks of cream cheese. Stir everything well, then put the cover back on, and let it simmer for about 10 minutes to let the cheese melt.
As soon as that cream cheese is nicely melted throughout the soup, grab a bowl and some toppings, and make your bowl of White Chicken Chili. Now strictly speaking, it doesn’t need it… but I just love me some good ol’ fashioned toppings! Things like tortilla strips (you can find these with the salad toppings like croutons), freshly chopped tomatoes and cilantro, and a squeeze of lime. And oh yeah, I almost forgot… cheese!!!
If you’re not feelin’ like a fancy bowl of White Chicken Chili loaded with a bazillion toppings, don’t freak out! It’s all gravy, because they aren’t needed. This chili all by itself tastes like angels made it. I usually chop up just a bit of cilantro (if I have it), and do a squeeze of fresh lime. Because delicious Mexican cuisine and fresh lime go together like tacos and Tuesday!
I hope y’all enjoy! Leave a comment, and let me know how it goes. Or just tag me on Instagram or Facebook. I love to see y’all makin’ up my recipes!
With love from my kitchen to yours,
Star
Instant Pot White Chicken Chili
Quick and Easy White Chicken Chili made in the Instant Pot. It's loaded with tender juicy chicken breast, corn, beans, spices, and a little light cream cheese.
Ingredients
- 1-½ lbs chicken breast, trimmed, raw
- 2- 15.5 oz cans Great Northern Beans (3 cups) drained, but not rinsed
- 2- 4 oz cans mild green chiles
- 1-½ cups corn frozen, canned (drained), or fresh
- 1-3/4 cup chicken broth low sodium if available
- 2 tsp cumin
- 2 tsp garlic powder
- 2 tsp onion powder
- 2 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp kosher salt reduce by half if using regular table salt or sea salt
- 1 tsp Lawry’s Seasoned Salt
- 1 tsp pepper
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper more or less depending on spice preference, remember you can add spice.. but you can’t really take it out
- 1/2 cup half and half
- 4 oz light cream cheese
Instructions
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In the Instant Pot, add all of the ingredients above EXCEPT for the cream cheese and half and half.
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Cover the Instant Pot and securely lock the lid in place. Set to Manual High Pressure for 18 minutes. When 18 minutes is up and the timer beeps, let the pressure naturally release for about 10 minutes. Then press the valve down with a wooden spoon to do a quick release.
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Remove chicken from pot, and shred with two forks. (A mixer also works well for shredding – watch your fingers!) Stir shredded chicken back into the pot, along with the cream cheese and Half & Half. Put the Instant Pot lid back on, and simmer for about 5 minutes to let the cream cheese melt into your chili.
This recipe is amazing!!
This is the best white chicken chili I’ve ever had and I CANNOT believe how much one serving is for only 269 calories. Filling and delicious and easy. A dream.
OMG! This is the best chili i’ve ever eaten. So easy to make it’s creamy and satisfying. You’d never know it was so low in points. It has a rich and smooth texture. It’s a great meal to freeze. I can pull it out of the freezer and have a hot dinner when I get home from work.
I made this about a month ago and we loved it so much, I’m making it again tonight. It’s delicious!
My family loves so many of your recipes but this is one we have made multiple times. So delicious and hits the spot each time. I always make a double batch for leftovers.
imomica
I love many of your recipes but White Chicken Chili is my all time favorite. I have shared this recipe so many times! Coachjen247
This is the BEST white chicken chili recipe. I am making this for dinner tonight, for the 600th time. So much flavor. Santa Fe tortilla strips give it a little extra! <3
I have loved absolutely every recipe I have made from Star’s page. This one has definitely been my most used. Anytime I make this for company I am always asked for the recipe. It is so easy, quick and delicious! What more could you ask for?! Definitely give this dish a try!
Me and my family love @theskinnyishdish. This is one of our main go to’s. It’s super simple, quick because it’s in the instant pot and it’s delicious. Most importantly it’s toddler approved
@Lauratittle
Not the highest bean fan so wasn’t sure if I’d like this, but it is so, so delicious. Perfect for meal prep and those cold winter nights. @mpg422
I’m pretty sure this is the first recipe of yours I made and it is hands down my favorite. We make it year round and when we find a jar in the freezer its like I won the golden ticket!
Instagram @townsendtoe
This is my favorite go to dinner for a cold winter day. My toddler doesn’t like to eat chicken that isn’t chicken nuggets, but He eats this every time. I recommend it to all my friends and family. @alexxis_marie_
Love love love this recipe. Made it in the instant pot for my parents and they can’t wait to eat it again. Such a great comfort food!
Instagram: porrecas_18
I loooooooooove this chili. It’s so so good and filling. I squeeze lime over my serving right before I eat it.
Mmmmm this one is my favorite!!!!
@Sarahhoffman28
This is one of my and my husband’s favorite recipes, soo good, so easy, just the right about if heat.
IG – ww_tonya_1225
This is one of my ALL time favorite recipes!! Star is a genius!! I have recommended this recipe(and so many others!!) To my friends and family and they all love it too! Perfect when you want a warm, filling, delicious and healthy meal!!
This was a hit! I’ve made chicken chili recipes before but this is the best yet and I love how low in points it is! This will be a part of our winter chili rotation for sure. @wosmith
I make this all the time and love it!!! @shaunabarret
One of my absolute favorites!! It’s so macro friendly. I love making this in big batches. It heats up so well!
This has become one of our favorite recipes. My hubby who is not a fan of chicken in things like,well chili, loves this recipe!!! We have it on a regular rotation for family dinner and meal prep. A win for sure!!
OMGOODNESS!!! I absolutely LOVE this recipe! I’ve made it for people I work with, for neighbors, for parties, and for a million dinners! This is my favorite go-to meal for any occasion. I have a neighbor who just asks me to make it just because! Thank you for this one!
Lisa….on Instagram Choclitg
Another great one. I make this almost year round. I am telling you–Star’s recipes never fail. I absolutely love all the recipes you share with us. What a talent and just an awesome person all-around. Thank you for all you share, for your giveaways, for the time and effort you take to share pictures of food and family, all your sweet posts and recipes that you create. It is not lost on us how much work you put forth for our enjoyment. Thank you so so much, Star!!
This is my most made recipe of all time. It always turns out perfectly, and it always hits the spot. So good!
I absolutely love this recipe! Not only does it have AMAZING flavor, but it is SO EASY! Definitely a favorite in this house, and I tell all my friends! @mdfoley22
Love this recipe!! Have made it many times!!! True comfort food!
5 stars. Recipe couldn’t be easier and more delicious. Love having leftovers for easy relatable lunches for work @lisamlaird
Hi! Alyssa_schlener from IG here. This is seriously the BEST recipe! I tell everyone who will listen to make it. Thanks for always giving us the best options for any meal!
This was so good! We call is crack chili.
Instagram: Lindyc13
@jessicadevine16
Such a yummy recipe! Makes a good amount and the family loved it! It is definitely in the rotation for sure!
I love this chili!! I also love the stuffed pepper soup!! I can’t wait to try some of your other recipes like the creamy potato soup and the chicken fajita pasta!! My instagram name is kay.gregory and I would love to win the Circulon pan!!
This is a family favorite! I make it at least once a week and meal prep it for lunches! My favorite recipe of all time!! Yes it’s that good!
One of our favorites in our house. Even my kids love this meal!!
Instagram @hsteakin
We love this in the Instapot and it was delicious!! Used one can of green chilies and one can of jalapeños for an extra kick!!
A big hit in our house! We all loved it (including the kids). Spice level was perfect – without kids, we could handle more spice but with kids it was perfect! And a big big win for it being in the instant pot. This will be on repeat!
We always add extra hot sauce! So happy everyone enjoyed!!
I made this a few weeks ago on the stove and it was so delicious!! Another winner, Star!!
We LOVE this recipe sooooo much! My husband isn’t a fan of soup/chili, but he asks for this one!!! DELICIOUS and soooo flavorful!!!!
So good. My husband is picky, and this was a win. I added 1 extra can of puréed beans, and omitted the heavy cream (for preference). This recipe still lacks nothing, the seasonings are spot-on!
Don’t know why I waited so long to try this! I’ve been a fan of Star’s recipes for years & they never let me down! I did use a little less cumin than what’s called for (personal preference…I reduce it in most recipes). Soooo good! And don’t wait as long as I did to try it!
I never use my instapot and today, I thought, why the heck not. So I scrounged up the ingredients, most of which I already had on hand, and went on my way to making this. And BOY, was this one of the most delicious thing i’ve ever made! My significant other ate it faster than I’ve ever seen him eat. After one bite, he let out a loud MmmmMmmm, and after finishing his bowl, exclaimed “holy ****, that was the best thing you’ve ever made”! Will definitely add this to a regular rotation! The only change I made was adding sliced jalapeños from a jar instead of the cayenne pepper. I topped ours with a squeeze of lime, reduced fat mexican blend cheese, cilantro, light sour cream, and crumbled tortilla chips.
so so so awesome! I’m happy you got to use your Instant Pot and yall enjoyed it so much!
Love this yummy recipe!
Hands down best white chicken chili. It is so filling and has great macros! The perfect combination of ingredients. It is so creamy! I could eat this all year round!
So good!!!!!
This is the best Chili I’ve ever found! I have turned so many of my friends on to it and they are not on WW.
I love this recipe! I used to always get the white chicken chili that Wawa sold during the winter season and loved that. This recipe blows that one out of the park by a landslide. It has amazing flavor and super hearty.
This is one of my favorite recipes ever–WW or not. I always have the ingredients on hand and it’s so easy to toss into the instant pot and not worry. I even use frozen chicken without adding time and it comes out great. Lately I’ve been adding a can of diced jalapenos for heat; it adds such a great subtle kick.
This is so easy and so delicious. It’s a huge hit with the whole family every time I make it. We top with corn tortilla strips, cilantro, tomatoes, avocado it’s great! Thanks for the recipe.
Quick, easy, delicious, and filling.
I meal prepped this for lunches this week and it is AMAZING. Super easy to throw together in the instant pot. Only problem was my kids trying to eat it out of my bowl before I could
I can’t get the cream cheese to melt completely even though I cut it in very small cubes.
It might need a lil longer in the crockpot.
This was fabulous! Easy to pull together and forget . . . . we all loved the flavors and consistency was great. Thanks for the great tip on using a mixer to shred the chicken – I’m going to use this on other meats I need to shred. Enjoy your Instagram feed too. Thanks for the yummy recipe. Definitely a keeper! PS: did use boneless chicken thighs rather than breasts since that’s what I had and added a bit more corn since I had it on hand.
Hi! Do you think this recipe could be doubled and if so should I up the cooking time? My family loves this recipe so much that I want to make it for a crowd tonight!!
Hi Whitney! I think the same time for a doubled recipe would be just fine. I’m so happy you enjoy!
Just to clarify the half and half isnt fat free?
Yep, Regular half and half! Other people have used fat free though and said it tasted just fine
Can you use dried beans and not soak them?
Hi Sara! I’m sorry I haven’t tested this recipe out with dried beans so I’m not entirely sure, but off the top of my head I know it would need more water/broth for dried beans. Let me know if you give it a try!
This recipe is amazing! I put my own spin since I used what I had available. I used a can of Diced tomatoes w/Green chilies and used a whole box of Chicken Stock. I also left out the half and half and Cr Cheese but we added lite sour cream. Have made this several times and even with the mods, I still come back this as the basis of my version. Thanks for all your posts and mostly for the WW Friendliness of them. Look forward to exploring more of your recipes for the Instant Pot which I just got.
Just thought I would share. Last year I took your recipe and made it up for our chili cook off and won 3rd place!!! Haha!!! It’s so yummy! Thanks!
You should try the half and half and cr. cheese, that is what makes it. My husband doesn’t like cr. cheese but he loves this.
This is one of my favorite recipes to have in the fridge for easy low point lunches. I have made it exactly as written, but prefer to leave out the Cream Cheese. I find cream cheese unpleasant in soups, a little too much sweetness. The half and half adds enough creaminess/fat for my taste. Thanks for this tastey recipe!
This is amazing! I made a couple of changes because I’m impatient, my son has food allergies (allergic to milk/eggs), and the Louisiana girl in me has to have her rice! I cooked frozen thighs for 25 mins and quick release. doubled all the seasonings, left out the half and half and cream cheese, used a can of regular corn and creamed corn for the thickness and served over rice. I love it and my kids well they are hopeless. (Heaven forbid I put corn in something…)
This was amazing! My husband does not like white chicken Chili, but I convinced him to try it, and he loved it! I have tried different recipes over the years, but this is by far the best I have ever tried. We loved it!
Holy moly this is delicious! This is only the second recipe I’ve made in my instant pot, but it is certainly my favorite! We didn’t have any seasoning salt so I didn’t add that, but it was really flavorful without it! I will be making this many many more times I am sure.
I can’t find Great Northern Beans in cans here in Ontario, Canada. Can I use dry beans? Or is there a close alternative to great northern?
You can try pinto or black beans too! If using black beans just be sure to rinse them off well.
I love this recipe. Best chicken chili I have ever made, and I have tried a lot of different recipes. My husband is a truck driver so I do a lot of meal prep and this recipe works great.- easy to make and reheats reallly well.
@wendy693311
Has anyone froze this? I’m curious how it’ll turn out because of the dairy.
It freezes just fine!
Soooo delicious! My husband is picky and even he loves this- especially with tortilla chips, cilantro, and a squeeze of lime on top! Thank you Star!!!
This was amazing! Thank you. I made it tonight with left over turkey from Thanksgiving. My hubby LOVED it and even went back for seconds ( which is saying something for him! Ha) thanks again I love many of your recipes but this is for sure one of our new favorites!
I’m so happy to hear!
One of my all time faves!! I could eat it every day!!!! DELICIOUS!!!
Did this tonight & it was great BUT…I did have the BURN occur. So removed the pot & chicken. Put chicken in another pot liner & did it separate. Then put the shredded chicken back into the other pot.
I need to read tsp & tbl better as I did all the spices as 2 Tbl, Vs 2 tsp :-(, but was great.
My fiancé’ and I love this recipe. Thank you for sharing. It’s super easy and delicious. How would I use frozen chicken breasts instead of fresh/thawed?
Hi Wendy! I am soooo happy you enjoy. I would add about 5 minutes to the cook time if you use frozen breasts!
I use frozen chicken breasts and still just do 18 minutes and it is perfect. That’s why I love the instant pot and this recipe! So delicious!
This was SO amazingly good!!! I have 2 teenagers and it’s tough finding meals everyone will like that are also healthy. They LOVED this!!! I think I might take out one can of corn and replace it with another can of the beans. But it was good just like it is!
When I put it in my recipe builder it is telling me it is 3 points a serving, what did I do wrong?
Hi Kaitlynn- I’m sorry, but I can’t look at your tracker/recipe builder so I’m not sure. It’s probably just the specific ingredients that you used. I hope you enjoyed!
Hi! I actually just loaded the nutritional info from your recipe page into the recipe builder as well (no products or anything, just your nutritional value) and it says 5 points per serving for blue, not 3…..
Nutritional info includes beans corn and chicken for people who are not doing WW. On WW Blue Plan those ingredients have zero points making it lower in points. I always encourage double checking because I mess up from time to time, but I would use the Recipe Builder on the WW app and load your ingredients in to get the point value. I hope that helps and I hope you enjoy the chili!
This was awesome! I forgot to buy any “toppings” for it but as you said it really doesn’t need it. Another winner!
This was absolutely delicious.
I’m so happy you enjoyed!
For people like me can you please add to the instructions to drain the ingredients in the cans :(. I’ve made the recipe so many times and it’s always runny and I think why did I put to much liquid in and then I use this instant pot recipe and notice by the picture you drained everything lol. I don’t always look at the pictures
Hi Shannon! I’m so sorry. I didn’t realize I didn’t include that in the instructions. I just updated it! I hope you enjoyed it.
Whoop whoop, I did enjoy it. So well we made it again this week lol. 😉 the moms in our homeschool co-op love this soup 🙂
My sister made this on Christmas, so good!! I want to make it; but don’t have an instant pot. Can it be made in a regular crock pot? If so, any idea on timing? Thanks!
Crockpot Creamy White Chicken Chili
Here’s the link to the crockpot version! Enjoy!
Are you supposed to drain the cans prior to placing in the pot?
How many servings does this pot make?
Just started WW on Monday and was excited to try this tonight….ABSOLUTELY DELICIOUS!! So yummy & filling!
Yay!!! I’m so happy you enjoyed it, Meg!! Good luck on WW too!
How many freestyle points is this? Sounds delicious!
Two, points and nutritional information is always located in the recipe note section. I hope you enjoy!
One word AMAZING!
Is the cook time the same if your chicken is frozen??!
No, you’ll need to add time for frozen chicken. 5 minutes should do the trick. Make sure the chicken is separated and not sticking together. I hope that helps!
This looks awesome! If I double the recipe, do I need to increase the cook time? I am new to the instapot
Could I make this in the. Crock pot?
Yep here’s the recipe: https://theskinnyishdish.com/crockpot-creamy-white-chicken-chili/
Can this be made in the crockpot? I don’t yet own an instapot it’s definitely on my list!!
Yep! Here’s the link for the crock pot version: https://theskinnyishdish.com/crockpot-creamy-white-chicken-chili/
Fat free half & half? Or regular? Thanks! Looks delicious!
regular
Recipe is super yummy!!
Question… I was wondering about the nutrition info listed – I get the same smart points when I build the recipe in the WW app, but when I try to use the nutrition listed (300 calories, etc.), the points are really high. Are those nutrition facts for the full pot of chili? Thanks!!
the nutritional information includes ALL ingredients in the recipe (like chicken, corn, and beans) those are zero points on WW. So that makes the difference. I’m happy to hear you enjoyed!
I looked up corn on the green plan though and it DOES count. It isn’t zero points. Just made it and it tastes awesome but for 1 1/2 cups it’s now 16 points and that makes me sad 🙁
Hi Emily one and a half cups isn’t 16 points. I’m not sure how you came to that conclusion but it’s 6 points. I hope that helps make you a bit happier! 6 points for 1.5 cups and so filling. good deal to me. =)
I made this and I want to eat it every night! So easy (which I love) and my Latina mother in law is in town and also loved it. Double bonus as my toddler also devoured it! Thank you again for another bomb recipe.
This soup is absolutely delicious! My husband loved it and it’s even better the next day. Love the instant pot version! Had a great meal in very little time and I used my mixer to shred the chicken, done in less than a minute!
Can this be doubled or would it be too full for the IP.
Hi
This is is absolutely delicious and sooo easy!! Do you think the leftovers can be frozen since there is dairy in it?
Thank you for a great recipe!
DELICIOUS! I’ve recently learned of your site and have made a few things, I’ve just not gotten around to writing a review. I’ll start with this chili, it’s the bomb! This will be a regular in my house. Thank you for all you do!
Hi Lisa! Thanks so much for stopping by to let me know. I’m so happy you’re enjoying the recipes!
This was absolutely delicious! Putting this recipe in my regular rotation.
So happy you enjoyed!
My favorite soup is White Chicken Chili! I’ve recently joined WW and came across your site and this was the first recipe to pop up. Of course I had to try it because it’s my favorite and the recipe I have is made with heavy cream and sour cream. Not so nutritional or point worthy, LOL. This was so dang good and tasted almost exactly the same as my recipe! I will definitely be adding this to my lunch prep rotation! So dang delicious. And very easy to make. Thank you!
I’m so happy you were able to find something so close to your own recipe and stay on track better! Glad you loved it!
Too funny! This is my favorite recipe of yours but as you know, your previous version of this is fixed this in the crockpot and guess what? This is what I had for lunch today (this week too). Looking forward to your updated recipe using the IP!!!!
I’m wondering if this will work with non-fat yogurt instead of half and half and cream cheese. What do you think?
Hey Amber, I really don’t know since I haven’t tried it. I actually haven’t used non fat greek yogurt in a soup. If you give it a try, let me know how it goes please! I personally prefer the half and half and cream cheese because it gives it a really creamy and indulgent feel without adding too many calories/points since it’s a smaller amount.