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Instant Pot White Chicken Chili

Published / Updated / 20 Comments

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This Instant Pot creamy white chicken chili recipe is quick, incredibly flavorful, warming, and delicious. Ready in about half an hour!

two white bowls of Instant Pot creamy white chicken chili topped with avocado, tortilla chips, and lime

This is an awesome game day recipe. 

I have plenty of chili recipes on my blog, including (but not limited to) my Instant Pot turkey chili, Crockpot turkey chili, and quick beef chili, but my favorite so far is this white chicken chili. 

It's probably due to the fact that it's creamy. Yeah, I can't help myself.

bowl of Instant Pot easy white chicken chili with avocado, lime, and tortilla chips

Other than the way this recipe tastes, my favorite part is probably how fast it is. Being able to get this on the table in 30 minutes after a busy day at work is a good thing. I know I'm always ready to gnaw my arm off if I don't get something in my belly STAT. 

This chili isn't too spicy, but it does have a bit of kick. If you do want to add some spice, I suggest adding a bit of cayenne pepper, using spicy green chilis (vs. the mild ones I used) or adding some chopped fresh jalapenos as toppings. 

Pro tip: Leave the cream cheese sitting on the counter so it softens up while everything is cooking. That'll make the recipe even faster.

Don't own an Instant Pot? Make this creamy white chicken chili on the stove!

an Instant Pot electric pressure cooker filled with creamy white chicken chili
Weeknight dinner dilemma? Instant Pot to the rescue!

How to top white chicken chili

Add any/all of these tasty toppings would work:

  • Lime wedges (I love to squeeze in extra lime juice!)
  • Tortilla strips
  • Cilantro
  • Jalapeno peppers
  • Tex-Mex or Monterey Jack shredded cheese
  • Avocado
  • Sour cream or Greek yogurt
  • ...etc. 

creamy white chicken chili in a white bowl with avocado and lime

Have you made chili in the Instant Pot before?

Questions about this recipe? Ask me in the comments below.

This easy white chicken chili is made fast and easy in the Instant Pot. It's quick enough for a weeknight dinner, and the whole family will love to customize their toppings.
5 from 3 votes
Print

Instant Pot White Chicken Chili

This Instant Pot creamy white chicken chili recipe is quick, incredibly flavorful, warming, and delicious. Ready in about half an hour!

Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Keyword Instant Pot white chicken chili
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Inactive time 10 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 4
Calories 515 kcal
Author Natasha Bull

Ingredients

  • 1 medium onion chopped
  • 1/2 tablespoon olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 large chicken breasts
  • 2 cups chicken broth
  • 2 (4 fluid ounce) cans mild chopped green chilis with juices
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 2 teaspoons chili powder
  • 2 (14 fluid ounce) cans white beans drained
  • 4.4 ounces cream cheese (1/2 block Philly) softened
  • Salt & pepper to taste

Toppings (optional, to taste):

  • Lime juice
  • Avocado chopped
  • Cilantro chopped
  • Tex-Mex cheese blend
  • Tortilla strips

Instructions

  1. Sauté the onion in your Instant Pot for 4-5 minutes. 

  2. Stir in the garlic.

  3. Add the remaining chili ingredients to your Instant Pot except for the cream cheese.

  4. Give it a good stir, close the lid, set the valve on "sealing", and cook on high pressure for 8 minutes. It'll take about 10 minutes for the Instant Pot to get up to pressure. I like to prep the toppings while it's getting up to pressure and cooking.

  5. Once the countdown has finished, do a quick pressure release. 

  6. Take the chicken out of the Instant Pot. Add the cream cheese to the Instant Pot and press the "sauté" button so it heats through. Meanwhile, shred the chicken using 2 forks. Stir the chili until the cream cheese nicely incorporates into the sauce (this may take a few minutes). Add the chicken back into the Instant Pot and give it a good stir. Season with salt & pepper as needed.

  7. Serve chili into bowls and top with desired toppings.

Recipe Notes

  • I used about 1 pound of chicken breasts in this recipe. Feel free to use chicken thighs instead.
  • I like the tanginess the cream cheese gives to the chili, but you could also use heavy cream (I'd start with 1/2 cup). I'd add some lime juice to provide tanginess if you go this route. Sour cream also works in a pinch.
  • If you want to double the recipe, keep cooking time the same.
  • Makes 4 generous portions (especially with toppings).
  • Want to make this recipe on the stove? Check out my stovetop creamy white chicken chili recipe instead.
  • Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy only and should be construed as an estimate rather than a guarantee. Ingredients can vary and Salt & Lavender makes no guarantees to the accuracy of this information.
Nutrition Facts
Instant Pot White Chicken Chili
Amount Per Serving
Calories 515 Calories from Fat 153
% Daily Value*
Fat 17g26%
Saturated Fat 7g44%
Cholesterol 107mg36%
Sodium 915mg40%
Potassium 1598mg46%
Carbohydrates 51g17%
Fiber 11g46%
Sugar 3g3%
Protein 42g84%
Vitamin A 821IU16%
Vitamin C 32mg39%
Calcium 231mg23%
Iron 8mg44%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Reader Interactions

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  1. Anne says

    Great recipient! Is it possible to make this dairy free? I want that tang of cream cheese, but would love a way to use a dairy free alternative! Any suggestions?

    Thank you!
    Anne

    Reply

    • Natasha says

      Hi Anne! I haven't tested one. I heard there's vegan sour cream and cream cheese available, so maybe one of those options would work?

      Reply

  3. Tracy says

    5 stars
    Made this last week and everyone is already begging me to make it, again. Really delicious! I’ll, definitely, double the recipe this time so we can have some leftover.

    Reply

  4. Brook B. says

    5 stars
    Made this the other day and it was ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC. So flavorful and delicious. Tasted even better on day two when the flavors keep melding together. This will be my new go to recipe by far. Ate the soup with Naan bread, it was the perfect combination!

    Reply

  5. Stefanie says

    How can I reduce the “kick” in this for a kid friendly meal? My little ones are sensitive to heat. The chili powder or the chili’s??

    Reply

  6. Dana Tagliafico says

    I love your recipes! My husband is doing a keto-ish diet and I’m thinking of subbing Lima beans. Have you done this with dried beans?

    Reply

    • Natasha says

      Thanks, Dana!! Hmmm... my only concern is that they may not be cooked unless you soak them first. Otherwise, I think it should work fine.

      Reply

      • Dana Tagliafico says

        It worked out great! I used about a cup of Lima beans and added a few extra cups of water. Took out the chicken as the recipe noted and then pressure cooked the beans for another 20 min or so. I’m not very precise at measuring, but it was delicious! Thx!

        Reply

  7. Brittney says

    5 stars
    This was absolutely delicious! I've made quite a few versions of white chicken chili, but this is my favorite. I followed this recipe but added a little less cream cheese (3.5 oz 1/3 reduced fat) and added thyme, parsley, celery salt, basil and coriander. I also added 1 tsp lime juice & cilantro before pressure cooking and a little extra chicken broth (I like mine a little soupier). It was SOOOO good. I didn't feel like it needed sour cream or cheese toppings, I just added avocado and tortilla chips. Very much looking forward to leftovers later 😉

    Reply