A Deliciously Simple High-Protein White Chicken Chili Crockpot Recipe

Are you searching for a genuinely comforting meal that’s both effortless to prepare and brimming with the protein you need to power through your day? A dish you can prepare in minutes, leave to cook, and return to find your home filled with the most incredible aroma? We have just the thing for you. It’s time to move beyond mundane meal prep and embrace our deeply satisfying High-Protein White Chicken Chili Crockpot Recipe.

This is far from your average chili. We’ve developed a lighter, more vibrant take on the classic, replacing the usual heavy, tomato-based sauce with a zesty and creamy alternative. It’s the kind of meal that warms you right to your core without feeling heavy. We use lean chicken breast, fibre-rich beans, and a clever creamy element that also adds a significant protein boost. Whether you’re after a simple dinner for the family or a dependable recipe for your weekly fitness meal prep, this chili ticks every box. Let’s explore just how easy it is to bring this wonderful dish to life in your own kitchen.

Why You’ll Adore This Recipe

• Wonderfully Simple: We designed this as a “set and forget” meal. We find it so convenient that you can just add the ingredients to the slow cooker and arrive home to a delicious, hot dinner. It removes all the usual stress from cooking.
• Rich in Lean Protein: Thanks to the generous helpings of chicken breast, cannellini beans, and Greek yoghurt, every bowl is loaded with protein. This helps to support muscle growth, keep you feeling full, and achieve your fitness targets.
• Incredibly Delicious: The fantastic combination of mild green chillies, fresh lime, cumin, and coriander results in a layered flavour that is both comforting and wonderfully fresh. It’s a truly satisfying dish that we’re sure you’ll want to make time and time again.
• Easy to Customise: You have full creative freedom! Tailor the spice level by adding more or fewer chillies, and have fun with toppings like creamy avocado, fresh herbs, or an extra spoonful of Greek yoghurt.
• Ideal for Meal Prep: This chili develops even more flavour overnight. It keeps and reheats perfectly, making it a brilliant option for healthy work lunches or quick and easy dinners during a busy week.

Ingredients

• 1 kg boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 2 x 400g tins of cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 large white onion, chopped
• 4 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 x 225g tin of chopped green chillies, mild
• 1 litre of low-sodium chicken stock
• 2 teaspoons of ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon of dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon of ground coriander
• 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne pepper (optional, for extra heat)
• 200g plain Greek yoghurt (full-fat for creaminess)
• 1 large lime, juiced
• A large handful of fresh coriander, chopped
• Salt to taste

Crafting Your Slow Cooker Protein Chili: A Step-by-Step Guide

What we adore most about this recipe is its straightforwardness. The slow cooker does all the heavy lifting, gently developing incredible flavours from a handful of simple ingredients. Follow these easy steps to get perfect chili every single time.

1. Create the Foundation: Arrange the chicken breasts in a single layer at the bottom of your slow cooker. Sprinkle the chopped onion and minced garlic evenly over the chicken.
2. Add Flavour and Beans: Tip the rinsed and drained cannellini beans over the base, followed by the tinned green chillies. In a separate small bowl, combine the cumin, oregano, ground coriander, black pepper, and cayenne pepper if you’re using it. Scatter this spice mix over the contents of the slow cooker.
3. Pour in the Liquid: Gently pour the chicken stock over everything in the pot. The liquid should nearly cover all the ingredients. Give it a light stir to mix everything together.
4. Cook Low and Slow: Place the lid on your slow cooker and set it to cook on LOW for 6-8 hours or on HIGH for 3-4 hours. For the most tender and flavourful results, we always recommend the ‘low and slow’ approach.
5. Shred the Chicken: When the cooking time is up, the chicken will be beautifully tender and ready to shred. Carefully lift the chicken breasts out of the crockpot and place them onto a board. Use two forks to pull the meat apart into shreds.
6. Achieve Creaminess: Transfer the shredded chicken back into the slow cooker. Now, stir in the Greek yoghurt, fresh lime juice, and chopped coriander. The yoghurt introduces a wonderful creaminess and another layer of protein, creating a truly healthy white chicken chili.
7. Final Touches: Stir until everything is well incorporated. Taste the chili and season with salt as required. Allow it to rest for another 10-15 minutes on the ‘keep warm’ setting, which lets all the final flavours mingle beautifully.

Tips for the Perfect High-Protein White Chicken Chili

To take your chili from simply delicious to absolutely unforgettable, we have a few simple tricks to share.

• Don’t Forget the Lime: The squeeze of fresh lime juice stirred in at the end is vital. It cuts through the creamy richness and makes all the other flavours pop. We always recommend using freshly squeezed juice for the best possible taste.
• Pick Your Yoghurt Wisely: To achieve the creamiest texture, we suggest using a full-fat Greek yoghurt. It has a lower chance of separating when added to the hot liquid. If you prefer to use a low-fat variety, temper it first by mixing a spoonful of the hot chili broth into the yoghurt before adding it all back to the pot.
• How to Thicken Your Chili: If you like a thicker consistency, you can mash about a cup of the cannellini beans with a fork before you start. Alternatively, about 20 minutes before serving, whisk a tablespoon of cornflour with two tablespoons of cold water to create a slurry, then stir it into the chili to thicken.

Serving Suggestions and Toppings

Serving this chili is where you can truly make it your own. The right toppings add wonderful new textures and flavours to each bowl. Here are some of our top choices:

• Sliced avocado or a dollop of guacamole
• Extra fresh coriander
• A spoonful of soured cream or more Greek yoghurt
• Sliced jalapeños for those who like it hot
• Crushed tortilla chips for a satisfying crunch
• Grated Monterey Jack or mature cheddar cheese

Nutritional Powerhouse: More Than Just a Low Carb Chicken Chili

We created this recipe with nourishment firmly in mind. It’s a gluten-free dish that works beautifully as a fantastic low carb chicken chili when you’re mindful of the toppings. The advantages of lean protein sources, such as the chicken breast in this recipe, are widely recognised. As highlighted by the NHS Eatwell Guide, protein is vital for our bodies to grow and repair. This makes our chili an outstanding choice for a post-workout meal or a delicious way to meet your nutritional needs.

The cannellini beans are another key player, offering not only protein but also a brilliant source of dietary fibre, which supports digestive health. This powerful pairing of protein and fibre is what makes our slow cooker protein chili so satisfying, helping you feel fuller for longer. If you appreciate wholesome meals like this one, you might also enjoy the comforting nature of our Low Carb Chicken Casserole, which also proves that healthy eating can be a true delight. For more nutritious meal inspiration, please explore our complete collection of Healthy Chicken Recipes.

FAQ

Your New Go-To Healthy Meal

We truly believe that this High-Protein White Chicken Chili Crockpot Recipe will quickly earn its place as a favourite in your household. It masterfully combines convenience, amazing taste, and excellent nutritional value in a single, comforting bowl. It is a testament to the fact that eating well doesn’t have to involve complex ingredients or long hours in the kitchen.

This is the type of meal that brings everyone to the table, whether for a relaxed family dinner or as a satisfying refuel after the gym. It’s warming, nourishing, and wholesome in every sense.

So, why not get out your slow cooker and give this recipe a go this week? We would be delighted to hear how you get on. Feel free to leave a comment below to share your thoughts or tell us about your go-to toppings. Happy cooking!

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Prep: 15 mins
Cook: 4 hours
Serves: 6

Ingredients

• 1 kg boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 2 x 400g tins of cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 large white onion, chopped
• 4 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 x 225g tin of chopped green chillies, mild
• 1 litre of low-sodium chicken stock
• 2 teaspoons of ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon of dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon of ground coriander
• 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne pepper (optional, for extra heat)
• 200g plain Greek yoghurt (full-fat for creaminess)
• 1 large lime, juiced
• A large handful of fresh coriander, chopped
• Salt to taste

Instructions

1. Place the chicken breasts, onion, and garlic in the bottom of the slow cooker. Top with the rinsed cannellini beans, green chillies, cumin, oregano, coriander, black pepper, and optional cayenne.
2. Pour the chicken stock over all the ingredients and give it a gentle stir to combine.
3. Cover and cook on LOW for 6-8 hours or on HIGH for 3-4 hours, until the chicken is cooked through and tender.
4. Carefully remove the chicken breasts and place them on a board. Shred the meat using two forks, then return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker.
5. Stir in the Greek yoghurt, fresh lime juice, and chopped coriander until everything is well combined.
6. Taste and season with salt as needed. Let it warm through for a few minutes before serving.

Nutrition (per serving): Calories: 433, Carbs: 26 g, Protein: 61 g, Fat: 8 g