Creamy White Chicken Chili with Salsa Verde

Some nights, the hardest part of dinner isn’t cooking, it’s the chopping. 

When you’ve hit the wall at 5 p.m., the last thing you want to do is dice an onion or mince garlic. This Slow Cooker Creamy White Chicken and Salsa Verde Soup skips all that. With pantry staples like canned beans, corn, and a jar of salsa verde, plus chicken breasts that go in whole? This dinner practically makes itself.

It’s creamy, tangy, and packed with flavor thanks to a few warm spices and a block of cream cheese stirred in at the end. 

The result? A cozy, filling bowl of soup (or chili, if you prefer calling it that) that’s family-friendly, meal-prep-ready, and zero-stress.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• No chopping required. Every ingredient comes straight from a can, jar, or package.
  
• Dump-and-go prep. Add everything to the slow cooker and walk away.
  
• Family-friendly heat. Salsa verde brings brightness without too much spice.
  
• Freezer-friendly. Makes enough for leftovers, and reheats beautifully.
  

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Ingredients You’ll Need

• 1½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  
• 2 (14.5-ounce) cans white beans (Great Northern or cannellini), drained and rinsed
  
• 1 (14.5-ounce) can corn, drained
  
• 1 (10-ounce) jar salsa verde (choose mild or medium based on your family’s heat tolerance)
  
• 6 cups chicken broth
  
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin
  
• 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
  
• ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for a little kick)
  
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  
• Salt and black pepper, to taste
  
• 1 (8-ounce) block cream cheese, cubed
  

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How to Make It (Slow Cooker Method)

1. Add everything to the slow cooker.
   Place the chicken, beans, corn, salsa verde, broth, and seasonings in a 7-quart slow cooker. Stir gently to mix.
   
2. Set it and forget it.
   Cook on Low for 6 hours or High for 3–4 hours, until the chicken is tender and cooked through.
   
3. Shred the chicken.
   Remove the chicken breasts and shred with two forks. Set aside.
   
4. Make it creamy.
   Add the cubed cream cheese to the slow cooker and stir until melted and smooth.
   
5. Finish and serve.
   Return the shredded chicken to the pot, stir, taste, and adjust salt or pepper. Serve hot with your favorite toppings — shredded cheese, avocado, cilantro, or crunchy tortilla strips.
   

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Ingredient Swaps and Substitutions

• Chicken: Boneless thighs or leftover rotisserie chicken work just as well.
  
• Beans: Swap for pinto beans or chickpeas. For a thicker soup, mash a few beans before adding them.
  
• Dairy-free: Use dairy-free cream cheese or stir in a can of full-fat coconut milk instead.
  
• Extra veggies: Add a handful of baby spinach or chopped kale during the last 15 minutes of cooking.
  
• Make it spicier: Stir in a few dashes of hot sauce or diced green chiles.
  

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Cook Time and Storage Tips

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
  
• Cook Time: 3 hours on High or 6 hours on Low
  
• Total Time: About 3 hours, 5 minutes
  
• Servings: 6
  

Leftovers:
Store in an airtight container up to 4 days in the fridge or freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave, adding a splash of broth to loosen it up.

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Serving Suggestions

This soup is hearty enough to stand alone, but it pairs perfectly with:

• Warm cornbread or garlic bread for dipping.
• A crisp side salad like this Lemony Arugula Salad
• Tortilla chips sprinkled right into the bowl for crunch.
  

Make it feel like a “choose-your-own adventure” dinner by setting out toppings: shredded cheese, sour cream, avocado, hot sauce, lime wedges, or chopped cilantro. Everyone can customize their bowl exactly how they like it.

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Make-Ahead Magic

If you’re a planner, assemble all the ingredients (except the cream cheese) in a large freezer bag and freeze flat. When you’re ready to cook, thaw overnight in the fridge, dump it into the slow cooker, and go. Add the cream cheese at the end of cooking as usual. It’s an ideal meal-prep hack for those weeks when you need dinner to just… happen.

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Why This Recipe Works

Between the smoky paprika, bright salsa verde, and creamy finish, this slow cooker chicken chili strikes a perfect balance of cozy and fresh. It’s a lifesaver on nights when you want comfort food without the effort — the kind of meal that earns a spot in your regular rotation.Whether you call it soup or chili, it’s the ultimate weeknight comfort dinner with almost no prep.