Is there anything more comforting than a bowl of warm, rich chili on a crisp fall day? I don’t think so homie.
I originally posted a version of this white chicken chili recipe last December when this blog was in its infant stage. This was the stage where I had and published several posts, but never actually promoted them or told anyone I had a blog to begin with. I wanted to get content out so I could start improving, but was terrified for anyone to actually see it. I found it much easier to just creep around the blog world. In some ways, I still kind of do that. When friends or acquaintances try to talk to me about the blog in real life (ie: not on the internet) I get really awkward and immediately try to change the subject. I’m trying to get better about that. Sorry for creepin’ so much guys.
Back to the chili.
When I originally posted this recipe last December, I wanted to make a copycat version of the white chicken chili from Taco Time. For those of you not from the Pacific Northwest, Taco Time is a Tex-Mex fast food chain that prides itself on using fresh, high-quality ingredients. There was a Taco Time right across the street from my high school, and back in the day their white chicken chili was my JAM. I’m pretty sure I had it on a weekly basis, which was a far better nutritional choice than the doughnuts I ate on a near-daily basis.
Thankfully, my mass doughnut consumption days are over. However, my love of white chicken chili still lives on.
The recipe I posted last year was really tasty, but wasn’t quite the Taco Time dupe I was looking for. After a few tweaks, I’ve got a winner this time around. I also ended the post saying “xoxo”. Clearly I wanted to channel my inner Gossip Girl. We have certainly come a long way.
So now that fall is in full effect, bust out that crockpot and make a batch of this amazing chili to eat all week long. Bonus: it’s stupid easy, and requires minimal effort. Step 1: put the ingredients in the crockpot. Step 2: turn the slow cooker on. Step 3: come back several hours later to delicious food.
Girl, you got this.
- 1 1b Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts
- 1 11 oz Jar Green Salsa
- 3 Cloves of Minced Garlic
- 3 15 oz Cans of Beans (I used one can each of Pinto Beans, White Beans and Black Beans), drained
- 1 Medium Onion, diced
- 3 Cups Low Sodium Chicken Broth
- 2 Teaspoons Cumin
- 1 Cup of Frozen Corn
- 1 Cup Unsweetened Almond or Cashew Milk
- 3 Tablespoons Arrowroot
- Salt and Pepper to taste
- Combine the chicken, broth, salsa, garlic, drained beans, onion, chicken broth and cumin in a crockpot or slow cooker.
- Cover and cook on high for 4 hours, or low for 8-10 hours.
- When the chicken is cooked through, shred into bite sized pieces with a fork.
- In a separate small bowl, whisk together milk and arrowroot until dissolved. Add the milk/arrowroot mixture to the chili along with the corn. Stir until chili thickens slightly and corn is warmed through.
- Keep in crockpot on "warm" or serve immediately.
Talk to me:
- What are your favorite dishes to make in the crockpot?
- What were some of your high school fast food favorites?
- Have you made any good copycat recipes lately? Share the link below!
Wow that looks sooo good! I love crock pots but for some reason hardly use mine now! This would be good to try:)
It turns out sooooo good! Using the crockpot is the only way I survive winter 🙂
I need to get my chili game on! It’s been over a year since I’ve had any soup/stew/chili! AH!
Now is the time Rebecca! 🙂 What’s your favorite kind of soup/stew/chili?
This sounds amazing! I haven’t been eating meat recently, but this is definitely on the list for when I start again 😀
Thanks Giselle! I’d love to hear what you think 🙂 How long have you been going without meat?
This looks sooo good! I loooove white chicken chili but you seriously had me at healthy and crockpot, a lot of crockpot recipes are far from healthy but this looks perfect! I want to start using my crockpot more so this is perfect 🙂
Thank you so much Heidi! I’m with you – I love white chicken chili too but am not always a fan of the ingredients. I hope you love it!
This is so easy to make and absolutely delicious! The 2nd batch I made with 4 large carrots (peeled and cut into coin shapes). By the time the chili was ready, the carrots were full of flavor and so soft. I love that you can adjust the recipe so easily. This is now a staple soup/chili in my household. Well done and thank you!
I am so glad you and your family like the recipe – carrots would make a yummy addition!
Is arrowroot for thickening? And, if I don’t have it, can I use xantham?
Hi Alison! Yes, the arrowroot is for thickening. I haven’t used xantham gum before so I’m not sure if that would work. Flour would probably be a better substitute.
I am always looking for new and tasty recipes. I usually do my shopping at Publix and have found Publix to carry a nice variety of ingredients needed for most recipes that I try. However, I have not been able to find arrowroot at any of my local supermarkets (I live in the Central Florida area). Can you tell me what arrowroot is, where I might be able to find it, and is there a substitute for this ingredient?
Hi Tammy – arrowroot is a type of starch that I used as a thickener for the chili. If you can’t find it, you can try substituting tapioca flour/starch (to keep the chili gluten-free) or flour if you aren’t gluten free. I hope that helps!
This looks so good! I shared to my FB wall!
Thank you so much for sharing Laura!
This looks awesome! What would you think about subbing a can of full-fat coconut milk for the almond milk?
Thanks Lindsay! I think you can totally sub for coconut milk. I personally wouldn’t just because I wouldn’t want the coconutty flavor, but if that floats your boat go for it!
We are Taco Time addicts — my kids love the Chicken Chili so I see lots of crockpot usage in my future! Thank you so much!
Can I substitute half and half for the almond milk? Also, do you think grilling corn cobs for a smokey flavor and then cutting off the kernels would change the flavor too much? Thank you for all your hard work!
Hi Nancy! I haven’t tried those subs so I can’t vouch for how it will turn out – but I say give it a try!