You can make this Instant Pot White Chicken Chili in no time at all! Let the pressure cooker do the work while you take all the credit for this delicious chili with tender shredded chicken.
The Instant Pot was made for making soups, stews, and chilis! You are going to want to make our Instant Pot Cauliflower Soup too - it's amazing and so easy.
Instant Pot cooking allows you to create a flavorful dish that tastes like it was simmering on the stove all day, but in a fraction of the time.
INSTANT POT CHICKEN CHILI RECIPE
Chicken chili is also called White Chicken Chili. This is because the recipe uses fewer tomatoes than traditional chili, so the resulting stew is lighter in color. The recipe for Instant pot white chicken chili also calls for white beans or pinto beans rather than red ones.
Making chili without using beef can be a healthier option, as chicken is lower in fat. This recipe also includes lots of protein from the added beans, and nutritious vegetables too.
Are you looking for a white chili recipe that's keto? I'll give you tips below to adjust the ingredients to make this recipe low carb.
For another incredible chili recipe, you'll want to make this Chipotle Chili next.
INGREDIENTS IN INSTANT POT CHICKEN CHILI
This chili is amazing because of the layers of flavor we're adding to the pot. Fresh aromatic vegetables, savory and warm spices, and meaty chicken thighs get the white chili flavor party started!
Don't be alarmed by the number of ingredients! Most of them are seasonings.
Olive Oil - A bit of oil helps to saute the onion and garlic in the instant pot.
Onion - A regular yellow cooking onion is perfect, but feel free to use a different type of onion if that's what you have.
Garlic - 3 fresh garlic cloves, minced, make this chili so tasty.
White Chili Spices - These are similar to the spices you'd add to a red chili. Ground cumin, chili powder, paprika, and oregano blend together to give you the flavor you'll recognize.
Salt and Pepper - Just a bit makes this a well-seasoned dish. You can adjust these to your own taste preferences.
Chicken Broth - I typically buy low-sodium chicken broth to cook with so that I can add my own seasonings.
Diced Tomatoes - One standard can of tomatoes is the perfect amount for this recipe.
Pinto Beans - A can of pinto beans adds bulk as well as protein and fiber to the recipe. Other types of beans, such as black beans, white (cannellini) beans, or kidney beans can be used as well. Be sure to drain and rinse the beans first.
Chopped Green Chilis - You'll find these in a small 4-ounce can near the Mexican food items in the grocery store. These add the perfect amount of heat.
Chicken - I like to use chicken thighs to make white chicken chili. The dark meat pieces are more flavorful and they shred up wonderfully. Feel free to use breasts if you like those better, just be sure that your meat is skinless and boneless.
Corn - Frozen or canned corn adds color and sweetness to this recipe.
Cream Cheese - This isn't a cream soup, but the broth of this chili is slightly creamy because were going to add half a block of cream cheese.
Chili Toppings - Add what you enjoy! Diced avocado, cilantro leaves, shredded cheese, green onions, and lime wedges are all excellent options.
If you have any questions, please leave a comment below and I will get back to you.
HOW TO MAKE INSTANT POT WHITE CHICKEN CHILI
- Press SAUTE on your Instant Pot. Add the oil and let it heat, then add the onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened. Stir in the garlic and cook for 45 seconds, then press CANCEL.
- Add the cumin, chili powder, paprika, oregano, salt, and pepper and stir until coated.
- Pour in the chicken broth, scraping up anything stuck on the bottom of the pot.
- Add the diced tomato, beans, and green chiles, stirring to combine.
- Place the chicken inside the pot, secure and seal the lid, and cook on MANUAL HIGH for 16 minutes. Allow a Natural Release for 10 minutes, then release the remaining pressure by venting the valve.
- Carefully remove the lid, transfer the chicken to a bowl, and shred.
- Press SAUTE and add the corn and cream cheese into the pot, cooking until melted.
- Add the shredded chicken back into the pot and stir just until mixed in.
These numbered steps match the numbered photos above and are for illustration purposes. For the complete list of ingredients and instructions, please see the recipe below.
IS CHILI KETO FRIENDLY?
Most chili recipes call for beans, which are generally not low carb enough to be eaten on a keto diet. If you want to make this recipe (or any chili recipe) lower in carbs, you can make a few substitutions.
Substitute Chopped cauliflower or cauliflower rice for the beans. I suggest adding cooked cauliflower to the pot after the pressure cooking step or it will overcook.
Leave out the corn, or substitute it with low-carb vegetables such as zucchini or green beans.
WHITE CHILI ADJUSTMENTS
The great thing about this recipe is that there is lots of room for you to make it your own based on the toppings you add. You can also adjust the flavors to suit your family's tastes.
To adjust the spice level of the chili, adjust the amounts of chili powder and green chilis that you add. If you're cooking for kids you might want to start with less, and if you like things very spicy, add a little bit more. It's easy to add more heat at the end, but not so easy to take it away!
Other aromatics - Diced bell pepper can be added in with the onions to give you yet another layer of flavor.
Make dairy-free chicken chili by leaving out the cream cheese, or substitute with vegan sour cream or vegan yogurt.
INSTANT POT CHICKEN CHILI TOPPINGS
This list is just the beginning of things you can add to your white chicken chili! If you're making chili for a crowd or bringing it to a party, put the toppings in a divided tray and set up a chili bar.
- Diced avocado, tomatoes, or fresh onions.
- Sliced jalapeno or scallions.
- Fresh cilantro or parsley.
- Shredded lettuce.
- Cheese - cheddar, Monteray Jack, or pepper Jack are all good.
- Crushed low-carb tortilla chips, or tortilla chip strips.
- Crackers or croutons
- Crumbled bacon
- Sour cream, ranch dressing, hot sauce, or salsa.
- Lime wedges, for squeezing.
WHAT TO SERVE WITH CHICKEN CHILI
This dish is a full meal all on its own because it's packed with so many delicious and nutritious ingredients, but feel free to add other things to your dinner.
Slices of keto bread with butter or homemade low-carb cheddar biscuits will be delicious dipped into your chili.
If you want to be more aligned to the Tex-Mex roots of this dish, try keto tortillas or cornbread instead.
Add a side of chips or pork rinds with homemade Queso Dip.
A side salad is always welcome with chili too. Soup and salad are a classic combination.
CAN I MAKE THIS RECIPE WITH DRIED BEANS?
You will need to cook the beans first before cooking the chili. Use 1.5 cups of freshly cooked beans in place of the 14-ounce can called for in the recipe.
CAN I FREEZE WHITE CHICKEN CHILI?
Yes, chili freezes well. Add cooled leftovers to an airtight container and store in the freezer for up to 2 months. Let the chili thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
CAN YOU COOK FROZEN MEAT IN THE INSTANT POT?
I use the instant pot to cook frozen meat all the time! It's a great option when you forget to thaw something out for dinner. The chicken will cook in the same amount of time as not frozen chicken, but it will take a bit longer for the pot to come up to pressure.
You should check the internal temperature of the chicken in either case. The same temperature for cooked chicken is 160°F/74°C.
CAN I USE THE CHILI SETTING ON THE INSTANT POT?
The chili setting on the instant pot is ideal for cooking dry beans, but it won't give you the correct amount of time for this recipe. Typically this setting will default to high pressure for 30 minutes, and we only need 16. Manual cooking is the way to go with this chili recipe.
MORE DELICIOUS INSTANT POT RECIPES
Instant Pot Whole Chicken is an easy meal or a great way to make shredded chicken for other recipes (like our Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole).
Make a delicious Pot Roast in the Instant pot that the whole family will love.
Salmon is super easy to make in the Instant Pot too, and much cheaper than ordering at a restaurant! Instant Pot Artichokes are also delicious and healthy.
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Instant Pot Chicken Chili
You can make this Instant Pot White Chicken Chili in no time at all! Let the pressure cooker do the work while you take all the credit for this delicious chili with tender shredded chicken.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 small yellow onion, chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup low sodium chicken broth
- 1 14 oz can diced tomatoes
- 1 14 oz can pinto beans, drained
- 1 4 oz can chopped green chiles
- 1 ¼-1 ½ pounds chicken breasts or thighs
- 1 cup frozen or canned corn
- 4 oz cream cheese
- Avocado, cilantro, shredded cheese, chopped green onions, lime wedges, for serving
Instructions
- Press SAUTE on your Instant Pot. Add the oil and let it heat, then add the onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened.
- Stir in the garlic and cook for 45 seconds, then press CANCEL.
- Add the cumin, chili powder, paprika, oregano, salt, and pepper and stir until coated.
- Pour in the chicken broth, scraping up anything stuck on the bottom of the pot.
- Add the diced tomato, beans, and green chiles, stirring to combine.
- Place the chicken inside the pot, secure and seal the lid, and cook on MANUAL HIGH for 16 minutes. Allow a Natural Release for 10 minutes, then release the remaining pressure by venting the valve.
- Carefully remove the lid, transfer the chicken to a bowl, and shred. Press SAUTE and add the corn and cream cheese into the pot, cooking until melted. Add the shredded chicken back into the pot and stir just until mixed in.
- Serve with your desired toppings.
Notes
- Make your chili keto by replacing the beans with 2-3 cups of cauliflower and leaving out the corn.
- Any type of beans can be used in this recipe. Try pinto beans, white beans, or black beans.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 6 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 526Total Fat: 26gSaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 15gCholesterol: 148mgSodium: 729mgCarbohydrates: 26gFiber: 8gSugar: 6gProtein: 49g
The nutrition information for this recipe is an approximate total per serving. Please double check the nutrition information for your exact ingredients and brands.
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