Description
Hearty crockpot cream cheese chicken chili delivers comfort in a bowl, perfect for chilly evenings. Mexican-inspired flavors meld together, promising a satisfying meal you’ll savor to the last spoonful.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 (8 oz/225 g) block cream cheese, softened
- 1 (15 oz/425 g) can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 (15 oz/425 g) can corn, drained
- 1 (10 oz/283 g) can rotel tomatoes (or diced tomatoes with green chilies)
- 1 (4 oz/113 g) can diced green chilies (optional, for extra heat)
- 1 packet (1 oz/28 g) ranch seasoning mix
- 1 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp smoked paprika (optional)
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp salt (adjust to taste)
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 1 cup (240 ml) chicken broth (optional, for a thinner chili)
- Shredded cheddar cheese (for garnish)
- Chopped cilantro (for garnish)
- Sliced jalapenos (for garnish)
- Sour cream (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preparation: Layer chicken breasts at the bottom of the slow cooker, creating a solid foundation for the chili.
- Seasoning: Scatter black beans, corn, Rotel tomatoes, green chilies, ranch seasoning, cumin, chili powder, and garlic powder across the chicken, ensuring comprehensive flavor distribution.
- Moisture Integration: Delicately position the cream cheese block on top of the ingredients and gently pour chicken broth around the mixture to maintain optimal moisture levels.
- Slow Cooking: Cover the crockpot and set to low temperature, allowing ingredients to simmer and harmonize for 6-7 hours until chicken becomes supremely tender.
- Shredding and Blending: Remove chicken breasts, shred with two forks, then return to the crockpot. Vigorously stir to dissolve cream cheese, creating a velvety, rich sauce that envelops all ingredients.
- Serving: Ladle the aromatic chili into serving bowls and adorn with optional garnishes like sharp cheddar cheese, fresh cilantro, sliced jalapeños, or a generous dollop of sour cream.
- Accompaniment: Serve alongside crisp tortilla chips or warm cornbread to complete this comforting and satisfying meal.
Notes
- Prevent Dry Chicken: Avoid overcooking by checking chicken’s internal temperature around 5-6 hours to maintain tender, juicy meat.
- Cream Cheese Melting Hack: Cut cream cheese into cubes beforehand to ensure smoother, faster integration into the sauce.
- Customize Spice Levels: Adjust ranch seasoning and chili powder according to personal heat tolerance or swap Rotel for mild tomatoes.
- Low-Sodium Option: Replace store-bought ranch seasoning with homemade blend using reduced-sodium ingredients for healthier preparation.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 6-8 hours (low) or 3-4 hours (high)
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 360
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 7 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg