This Instant Pot creamy white chicken chili recipe is quick, incredibly flavorful, warming, and delicious. Ready in about half an hour!
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.
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!
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.
Have you made chili in the Instant Pot before?
Questions about this recipe? Ask me in the comments below.
Instant Pot White Chicken Chili
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
- Sauté the onion in your Instant Pot for 4-5 minutes.
- Stir in the garlic.
- Add the remaining chili ingredients to your Instant Pot except for the cream cheese.
- 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.
- Once the countdown has finished, do a quick pressure release.
- 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.
- Serve chili into bowls and top with desired toppings.
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.
Sheryll says
Good recipe. But any hot recipe like this I can never get my chucks of cream cheese to melt completely. I try making them small and flat but still doesn’t work! Any other suggestions?
Thanks!
Natasha says
I like to microwave it for about 30 seconds or so so it's super soft.
Lil says
I was craving white chicken chili the other day and this recipe really hits the spot in so many ways. It’s flavorful, super easy to make, hearty and cozy, but also zingy which a lot of chili recipes lack. I’ve been making it since 2020 during quarantine when we were all craving comfort, and everyone who I’ve served it to raves about it. It also somehow tastes even better the next day?! I add lots of lime, and sliced green onions on top. My fiancé likes hot sauce added. It doesn’t need any subs though, it’s really the best I’ve come across!
Natasha says
I'm so glad it's a favorite!! 😀 Thanks for your detailed review, Lil!
Arianna says
This is my husbands absolute favorite thing ever. I do one can of hot chilies, one mild. Add a splash of green salsa and about 1/3 of a Mexican lager as a portion of the liquid. Sometimes even add in a fresh jalapeño. I’ve made this countless times and it never ever gets old. And it’s even better the next day if you can stop yourself from eating it all the first night! 10/10!!!
Miranda @ Salt & Lavender says
Aw that makes us so happy to hear, Arianna! Thank you so much for your review!
JANET ROBINSON says
This is the first time to make this. I have been wanting to make white chili and ran into your recipe. Thank you for this. Janet
Natasha says
You're very welcome! 🙂
Peri Gardner says
This white chicken chili is everything you hope it will be. It is tangy, zesty, and creamy! It is so delicious. I doubled the batch because I couldn’t get enough of it last time I made it. My husband, toddler, and I all licked our bowls (don’t worry, we were at home!) like animals. Absolutely a recipe going into our dinner arsenal!
Natasha says
Aww thank you!! I'm so pleased it's a hit with your family. Appreciate your review! 😀
Alison P says
I meant to say beans lol
Alison P says
Hi! I’m so looking forward to making this chili for an event I’m having, but I need to have at least 36 servings and I read serving size is 4-6. I know I have to use 6 pounds of chicken, but I’m concerned with the longer cook time that the means will get mushy. Any suggestions? Thanks so much.
Natasha says
Hi! I would cook it in batches. That's a lot of servings. I think you could easily double it with the same cook time (that's what IP recommends when doubling most recipes), but you're right that more than that could potentially impact the recipe results. I do have a stove top version of this recipe (it's linked in the blog post), so if you do have a LARGE pot (like commercial kitchen size) and want to do it in one go, you may want to opt for that method.
Diane L. says
My favorite white chicken chili recipe. I have made it in the instapot and on the stove. Yum!!
Natasha says
Yay!! That's great to hear!! Thanks, Diane. 🙂
Elizabeth Guido says
I've made this a few times and we love it! Have a question though tonight...
Can I use a cooked rotisserie chicken and add it in, shredded, after the 8 minute cook time?
I don't think I would put it in if its already cooked? I'm not sure when to add it.
Natasha says
Hi! Yes, that's what I would do. 🙂 You're right that it'll dry out even more if it's pressure cooked. I'd add it in around the same time as the cream cheese.
Monica says
Made this tonight!! It turned out great!
Somehow ran out of white beans so I used 1 can black beans and 1 can chickpeas, and minus 1 can of chiles because I was worried my 7yo would freak out about it being "spicy" lol. She told me I "did a good job on the soup" and she has NEVER made a comment like that before, so this was a win!!
Thanks so much for the awesome recipe, as usual!!
Natasha says
I'm so glad you enjoyed it and were able to improvise!! That's awesome your daughter liked it too. You're very welcome! 🙂
Dot says
I made this for dinner tonight and it was delicious. Doubled the recipe so that I wouldn’t have half a block of cream cheese floating around the fridge. The only changes I made was:
- left out canned chilis as that isn’t something that we have in South Africa (or at least I’ve never seen it and couldn’t find online) and I was scared to substitute
- I removed about two cups of liquid before adding in cream cheese to make it less soupy
It was hot enough with 4tsp of chili powder. 🙂
Thanks!
Natasha says
You're very welcome, Dot!! Thanks for the tips... I'm sure they will be useful for other readers. 🙂
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
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?
Haley says
Can you use frozen chicken? If so what do you set the pressure cook to?
Natasha says
Hi! I think that should be fine. Give it an extra couple minutes and just make sure it’s fully cooked prior to serving.
Haley says
Thank you!! We did frozen chicken for 12 minutes and it turned out as awesome as the thawed way.
Natasha says
Yay that's great!
Tracy says
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.
Natasha says
That's awesome!! I am so happy to hear it! 🙂
Brook B. says
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!
Natasha says
I am so happy to hear that, Brook! Thanks so much for leaving me a comment! 🙂
Sarah Packham says
Do I set the timer for 8 minutes or 18? Not comfortable with my instantpot yet.
Natasha says
8 min ♥️
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??
Natasha says
Hi Stefanie, you could probably reduce both the chili powder and mild green chilies.
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?
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.
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!
Natasha says
That's awesome!! Thanks for letting me know! 🙂
Brittney says
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 😉
Natasha says
I am so pleased that you liked it, Brittney! 🙂 Thanks for the tips!