Description
Simmering with creamy goodness, this crockpot cream cheese chicken chili delivers comfort in a bowl, blending hearty ingredients into a soul-warming Mexican-inspired delight. Spicy, rich, and irresistibly smooth, you’ll find this dish becoming an instant favorite for cozy dinners and laid-back gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Beans and Vegetables:
- 1 (15 ounces) can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 (15 ounces) can corn, drained
- 1 (10 ounces) can diced tomatoes with green chilies
Seasonings and Dairy:
- 1 packet ranch seasoning mix
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 block (8 ounces) cream cheese
Optional Toppings:
- Shredded cheddar cheese
- Chopped green onions
- Sour cream
- Tortilla chips
- Cornbread
Instructions
- Arrange raw chicken breasts at the bottom of the crockpot, creating a solid base for the chili.
- Cascade black beans, corn, and diced tomatoes with green chilies over the chicken, ensuring even distribution of ingredients.
- Generously dust the layers with ranch seasoning, chili powder, cumin, onion powder, garlic powder, and optional smoked paprika to build complex flavor profiles.
- Delicately position the entire cream cheese block atop the seasoned mixture, which will melt and create a luxurious texture during cooking.
- Secure the crockpot lid and slow cook on low temperature for 6-8 hours or high temperature for 3-4 hours until chicken reaches complete tenderness.
- Extract chicken from the crockpot and meticulously shred using two forks, breaking down into bite-sized pieces.
- Reintegrate shredded chicken into the chili, stirring thoroughly to incorporate the now-melted cream cheese and create a harmonious, creamy consistency.
- Transfer chili into serving bowls and embellish with shredded cheddar cheese, freshly chopped green onions, and a generous dollop of sour cream.
- Complement the dish with crispy tortilla chips or warm cornbread for an enhanced dining experience.
Notes
- Swap chicken breasts for thighs if you prefer more flavorful, tender meat that stays moist during slow cooking.
- Use reduced-fat cream cheese to lower the calorie content without sacrificing creamy texture.
- Customize heat levels by choosing mild or spicy diced tomatoes with green chilies.
- Add extra vegetables like bell peppers or zucchini to boost nutritional value and introduce more depth to the chili.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 hours (on Low) or 4 hours (on High)
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 260 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 13 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 65 mg