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    Home » Recipes » Chili + Stew » Crock Pot Cream Cheese Chicken Chili

    Crock Pot Cream Cheese Chicken Chili

    Published : July 25, 2022 Updated : July 25, 2022 by Together As Family Leave a Comment

    Jump to Recipe Pin Recipe Print Recipe

    Cream Cheese Chicken Chili is an easy, dump & go, chicken chili that's made in the Crock Pot! Shredded Chicken, tomatoes, beans, and corn in a creamy chicken broth base with seasonings and cream cheese.

    For another family favorite creamy chili recipe be sure and try my Slow Cooker Creamy White Chicken Chili.

    A ladle with a scoop of chicken chili in it, up close photo to show detail.

    Cream Cheese Chicken Chili Recipe (Made In The Crock Pot)

    Your family will love this easy, dump & go, crock pot recipe for cream cheese chicken chili. It uses convenient ingredients like fresh chicken breasts, canned items, dried seasonings, and a packet of ranch seasoning mix. 

    You literally just dump the ingredients into the crock pot and let it work it's magic all day. Come home to a creamy, warm, and comforting dinner that is ready whenever you are!

    A white bowl filled with cream chili inside of it and topped with cilantro pieces.

    Ingredients Needed

    Here are the simple ingredients that you will need to make cream cheese chicken chili for an easy family dinner in your own kitchen. 

    • Chicken Breast - You will need 2 large chicken breast or 3 if they're smaller in size. I like to trim off the white fatty pieces before I place it into the slow cooker. 
    • Chicken Broth - I prefer the full salt version of chicken broth when I make this. Reduced sodium chicken broth can be used if that's what you prefer or to accommodate diet needs. 
    • Black Beans - The beans need to be drained and rinsed before adding into the crock pot. 
    • Petite Diced Tomatoes
    • Corn - No need to drain the corn. We want all the sweet corn juice inside the chili. 
    • Ranch Seasoning Packet
    • Chili Powder, Garlic Powder, Cumin, Kosher Salt
    • Cream Cheese - Regular fat cream cheese or reduced-fat cream cheese both work. I prefer using full fat because it tastes better and makes the chili much more creamier. 

    Ingredients for this chili recipe with each one labeled in black text with what it is.

    How to Make Crock Pot Cream Cheese Chicken Chili

    Learn how to make this easy crock pot recipe with these simple steps. Be sure and read to the bottom of the post where there is a printable recipe card, a pin it button, and a detailed recipe card with all the ingredients and detailed instructions. Plus all my tips!

    • Chicken : Lay the chicken breasts on the bottom of the insert of the crock pot. 
    • Chili Ingredients : Add the chicken broth, beans, petite diced tomatoes, corn (do not drain), ranch seasoning packet, and all the dried seasonings. Mix together. 
    • Cream Cheese : Cut the cream cheese into small cubes, about 8-12 cubes, and lay them on top of the mixture. 
    • Cook : Cover with the lid and cook on LOW heat for 6-7 hours. 
    • Shred Chicken : Take chicken out and shred it with two forks. Return it to the chili and stir. 

    And you're ready to eat! You can eat this chicken chili with cream cheese as is, or top it with avocado slices and chopped cilantro, shredded cheese, or try using tortilla chips as "dippers". Kids love this!

    How to make chicken chili with step by step photos showing each step needed in the recipe.

    How to make chicken chili with step by step photos showing each step needed in the recipe.

    How to make chicken chili with step by step photos showing each step needed in the recipe.

    Tips For Success

    Here are a few of my helpful tips that will hopefully make this recipe easy to recreate in your own kitchen!

    • Cream Cheese : If you're worried about the cream cheese not melting completely smooth into the chili, microwave the cream cheese chunks for about 20 seconds before putting them into the chili. If you add the cream cheese at the beginning of the cook time, I have never found that it does not melt smoothly into the chili. Also, for best taste and thickness, use the full-fat cream cheese rather than reduced-fat in this recipe. 
    • Corn : You can use a can of yellow corn, white corn, or a can of gold n' white corn. Be sure that you do not drain this before adding it into the crock pot. Just dump all the contents from the can straight in. 
    • Chicken Breast : If these are larger then just use two of them. For smaller sized chicken breast, use 3-4 of them. I normally buy the packs of chicken from the grocery store so I end up using 3-4 smaller ones. There also is not a set amount of chicken to use. So use as much or as little as you want. Using 2-3 makes for the perfect ratio of lots of tender shredded chicken + broth and sauce for the chili + other ingredients. 
    • Spice Level : This chicken chili is not spicy. If you want it spicy then it's really easy to do with a few changes. Add more chili powder, add some cayenne red pepper, add a can of diced green chilies or a can of jalapeños, or use a can of Rotel instead of plain diced tomatoes. 

    A white bowl with chicken chili with a spoon inside of it taking a scoop.

    Cream Cheese Chicken Chili FAQ's

    • Serving Suggestions
      • You can eat it as is or try topping it with shredded cheese (any variety), chopped cilantro, jalapeño slices (for spice), or avocado slices. 
      • My family's favorite way to eat it is with tortilla chips! My kids love to use the chips as 'dippers' into their bowl of chili. 
      • To serve more people and make it heartier, try serving some of the chicken chili over rice. 
    • How To Store Leftovers
      • Leftovers can be stored, in an air-tight container, in the fridge for up to 4 days. 
      • Reheat in the microwave or on the stove top before serving. 
    • Can I Freeze Cream Cheese Chicken Chili?
      • I personally do not recommend freezing this chili. It has the cream cheese in it, so once thawed from frozen, the texture will be slightly grainy and it won't be smooth. Dairy tends to separate once frozen and then thawed. 
      • But that also just may be my personal opinion. I am sure it would freeze just fine, just know that the cream cheese might curdle or appear different once thawed from frozen. All the flavors will still be the same. 
      • You can also make this into a freezer meal if wanted. Simply add all the ingredients into a large freezer-safe Ziploc bag (not the cream cheese or chicken broth). Freeze for up to 3 months. When ready to use, dump the frozen contents from the bag into the slow cooker and add a can of chicken broth + the cubed block of cream cheese. Cook time may increase slightly to account for the frozen ingredients. 
    • Substitution & Variation Ideas
      • Beans : Use any canned bean you prefer. Use two cans if you want more beans! 
      • Spicy! : This recipe as is, is not spicy. There are several ways to spice it up if that's what you want. Add additional chili powder, add some cayenne red pepper, add a can of diced green chilies or jalapeños, top each serving with pepper jack cheese, or try using a can of Rotel instead of the plain diced tomatoes. 
    • Can I Use Frozen Chicken Breast?
      • Yes, you can use fresh chicken breasts or frozen chicken breasts in this recipe. I highly recommend using fresh chicken breast, that's what I always use with slow cooker recipes, because it will cook faster and I feel like the meat comes out better and more shreddable/tender. 
      • If using frozen chicken breasts, you will want to add about 30 minutes - 1 hour onto the cook time to accommodate. Using frozen chicken can also add more water, because as the chicken thaws it gives off more moisture, so it may very slightly affect the final outcome of the flavors and thickness. 

    Chili inside a white bowl with a bowl of shredded cheese in the background.

    Overhead shot of a bowl of chili with avoacao chunks and shredded cheese in the background.

    More Crock Pot Chicken Recipes You'll Love

    • Crock Pot Creamy Chicken Stew
    • Slow Cooker Creamy Italian Chicken
    • Crock Pot Shredded Chicken Tacos
    • Slow Cooker Creamy Fiesta Chicken
    • Taco Ranch Chicken Chili
    • Chicken Mexican Haystacks
    • Slow Cooker Zesty BBQ Chicken
    A ladle with a scoop of chicken chili in it, up close photo to show detail.

    Cream Cheese Chicken Chili

    Jessica - Together as Family
    Cream Cheese Chicken Chili is an easy, dump & go, chicken chili that's made in the Crock Pot! Shredded Chicken, tomatoes, beans, and corn in a creamy chicken broth base with seasonings. 
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 3 mins
    Cook Time 8 hrs
    Total Time 8 hrs 3 mins
    Course Dinner
    Cuisine American
    Servings 8
    Calories 350 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 3 skinless, boneless chicken breasts
    • 1 can (14.5 oz) chicken broth
    • 1 can (14.5 oz) petite diced tomatoes do not drain
    • 1 can (15 oz) black beans drained & rinsed
    • 1 can (15 oz) corn do not drain
    • 1 packet ranch seasoning mix
    • 1 teaspoon chili powder
    • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
    • 1 teaspoon cumin
    • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
    • 8 ounces cream cheese cubed

    Instructions
     

    • Spray the insert of a slow cooker with cooking spray. Lay the chicken breasts on the bottom.
    • Pour the chicken broth, petite diced tomatoes, black beans, and corn over top of the chicken. Sprinkle the ranch seasoning packet, chili powder, garlic powder, cumin, and kosher salt over top. Stir together to combine.
    • Cut the cream cheese into small cubes, about 8-12 pieces, and lay them on top.
    • Cover with the lid and cook on LOW heat for 7-8 hours.
    • Remove chicken and shred with two forks. Return it back to the slow cooker and stir everything together until it’s creamy and the cream cheese is combined and melted smoothly in.
    • Serve with tortilla chips, shredded cheese of choice, chopped cilantro, and avocado slices.

    Notes

    Chicken : I use 3 chicken breasts (grocery store size) and it comes out to about 1.5 pounds. The chicken does not have an exact amount or weighted measurement. Use 2-3 chicken breast depending on the size of them. If they are larger, just use two of them. 
    Cream Cheese : For best taste and texture, I recommend using full-fat cream cheese. 
    Make It Spicy! : Add more chili powder, add cayenne red pepper, add a can of diced green chilies or sliced jalapeños, use a can of Rotel instead of plain tomatoes, etc. 
    Nutrition Information : This is for a total of 8 servings, with each serving being about 1.25 cups of chicken chili. It does not include any toppings. 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 350kcalCarbohydrates: 32gProtein: 28gFat: 13gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0.01gCholesterol: 84mgSodium: 869mgPotassium: 836mgFiber: 7gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 742IUVitamin C: 9mgCalcium: 71mgIron: 3mg
    Keyword chicken chili with cream cheese, cream cheese chicken chili, crock pot cream cheese chicken chili
    Did you make this recipe?Tag @togetherasfamilyblog on Instagram

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    I am so glad that you are here. I love sharing recipes and I am very passionate about families sitting together at the table for dinner. Even if it's takeout or a homecooked meal, eat together! I hope I can help you find some delicious recipes that your family will love just as much as mine does.

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