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Slow Cooker Cream Cheese Chicken Chili

Slow Cooker Cream Cheese Chicken Chili
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Slow Cooker Cream Cheese Chicken Chili is a creamy, comforting, and incredibly easy to prepare dish that combines tender chicken, velvety cream cheese, and a medley of flavorful spices slow-cooked to perfection. Perfect for weeknight dinners or lazy weekends, it offers rich, cozy flavors with minimal prep and hands-off cooking.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

  • 1.5 to 2 pounds chicken breasts or thighs
  • 8 oz cream cheese (full-fat recommended)
  • 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 1 to 2 tablespoons chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 can (15 oz) black beans or pinto beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 2 to 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Optional Ingredients

  • 1 to 2 diced jalapeños or 1 can (4 oz) green chilies for heat
  • Bell peppers, corn, or zucchini (for veggie variations)
  • Dairy-free cream cheese alternative (for dairy-free version)
  • Ground chicken (substitute for chicken pieces)
  • Alternative beans such as kidney beans or cannellini beans

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Ingredients: Chop the onion, mince the garlic, and dice any optional veggies you plan to add. Rinse the beans if using canned, and set aside the chicken pieces.
  2. Combine Everything in the Slow Cooker: Add the chicken breasts or thighs to the slow cooker. Pour in the diced tomatoes, chicken broth, beans, onion, garlic, chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper. Stir gently to distribute the spices evenly.
  3. Slow Cook the Chili: Cover and cook on low for 6 to 7 hours or on high for 3 to 4 hours until the chicken is cooked through and tender, allowing the flavors to meld beautifully.
  4. Add the Cream Cheese: About 30 minutes before serving, add the cream cheese in chunks to the slow cooker. Stir gently until smooth and fully melted, creating a luscious, creamy texture.
  5. Shred the Chicken: Remove the chicken pieces, shred them with two forks, then stir the shredded chicken back into the chili to ensure every bite is flavorful and tender.
  6. Final Taste and Adjustments: Taste the chili and adjust salt, pepper, or spices as needed. For thicker chili, cook uncovered a little longer. For thinner chili, stir in a splash of chicken broth.

Notes

  • Use full-fat cream cheese for a richer, smoother texture.
  • Toast spices briefly before adding for more intense aroma and flavor.
  • Shredded chicken absorbs flavors better—don’t skip shredding.
  • Keep the slow cooker lid closed during cooking to maintain heat and reduce cooking time.
  • Adjust chili powder gradually to control spice level.

Nutrition

Keywords: slow cooker chili, cream cheese chicken chili, easy dinner, comfort food, gluten free chili, creamy chili, slow cooker recipe

Find it online: https://mealsbylina.com/slow-cooker-cream-cheese-chicken-chili/