By Becky Hardin
Updated Feb 2, 2026
Instant Pot White Chicken Chili features shredded chicken and white beans in a creamy, flavorful broth. I love to top this warm and comforting chili off with lime juice, avocado, cilantro, and sliced jalapeños to add a burst of freshness to my bowl.
Pin this recipe for later!
Easy Instant Pot White Chicken Chili Recipe
Creamy white chicken chili is one of my favorite comforting recipes, but when I don’t have the time to pull it together, I’ll make this Instant Pot White Chicken Chili instead. Using the Instant Pot makes making a big batch of homemade white chicken chili so much easier. The prep time for this recipe is just 15 minutes and always yields the heartiest, creamiest, and most comforting results. This is one of those dinners I love serving on a cold evening.
There’s just enough tender shredded chicken and white beans in the mix to make sure you don’t leave the table still hungry, Plus, the broth is incredibly rich and creamy, making this hearty chili even more filling. You’ll love every flavor-packed, creamy, decadent bite.
If you don’t have an Instant Pot, but are in the mood for white chicken chili, this crockpot white chicken chili recipe is a great option.
Tips for Beginners
- Use cooked chicken. You can make this recipe with leftover shredded or diced cooked chicken; reduce the cook time to 5 minutes at high pressure.
- Add more or less spice. Feel free to reduce or increase the amount of cayenne to suit your tastes.
- For thicker chili . Stir in 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon water and simmer on the sauté setting until thickened, about 1-2 minutes.
- To make white chicken chili on the stovetop . Sauté the onion and spices, then add the remaining ingredients except for the cream cheese and cilantro. Cover, bring to a boil, reduce to medium-low, and simmer for 20 minutes. Shred the chicken and stir in the cream cheese and cilantro.
Ingredients1x2x3x
- ▢ 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts boneless, skinless chicken thighs also work
- ▢ ½ tsp kosher salt
- ▢ ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper
- ▢ ½ tsp ground cumin
- ▢ ½ tsp dried oregano
- ▢ ½ tsp chili powder
- ▢ ⅛ tsp ground cayenne pepper
- ▢ 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- ▢ 1 onion chopped
- ▢ 3 cloves garlic minced
- ▢ 30 oz. canned white beans drained and rinsed (2 cans), such as cannellini
- ▢ 8 oz. diced green chilis drained (1 can)
- ▢ 8 oz. cream cheese cut into 1-inch cubes (1 brick)
- ▢ ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro
Video
Instructions
- Season both sides of the chicken with salt, pepper, cumin, oregano, chili powder, and cayenne. 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, ½ tsp kosher salt, ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper, ½ tsp ground cumin, ½ tsp dried oregano, ½ tsp chili powder, ⅛ tsp ground cayenne pepper
- Pour the chicken broth into the instant pot and then add the chicken. 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- Add in the onion, garlic, white beans, and green chilis. Stir to combine. Place the cream cheese cubes on top. 1 onion, 3 cloves garlic, 30 oz. canned white beans, 8 oz. diced green chilis, 8 oz. cream cheese
- Place the lid on the instant pot and pressure cook on high for 20 minutes. Let it naturally pressure release for 10 minutes, then manually release the pressure.
- Shred the chicken and then return it to the pot. Add in the cilantro and stir until well mixed. Serve with desired garnishes! ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro
Equipment
- Instant Pot
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
How to Make Instant Pot White Chicken Chili Step by Step
Season the chicken : Season both sides of 2 boneless chicken breasts with ½ tsp kosher salt, ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper, ½ tsp ground cumin, ½ tsp dried oregano, ½ tsp chili powder, and ⅛ tsp ground cayenne pepper.
Get the Instant Pot ready: Pour 1 cup chicken broth into the Instant Pot and then add the seasoned chicken.
Add in 1 onion, 3 cloves garlic, 30 oz. canned white beans, and 8 oz. diced green chilis. Stir well, then place 8 oz. of cream cheese cubes on top.
Cover the Instant Pot and pressure cook on high for 20 minutes. Let it naturally pressure release for 10 minutes, then manually release the pressure.
Shred the chicken: Once the chicken is cooked, remove it and shred it.
Return the chicken to the pot.
Serve: Add ¼ cup cilantro and stir until well mixed. Serve with desired garnishes .
Garnishes
I like topping my chili with a combination of these garnishes:
- Tortilla strips
- Lime wedges
- Extra cilantro
- Sliced fresh jalapeños
- Diced avocado
- Sour cream
- Shredded cheese
How to Store
You can combine and refrigerate the ingredients in the inner pot of your Instant Pot covered for up to 2 days. Add the chicken just before cooking.
Store leftover Instant Pot white chicken chili in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in a large saucepan set over low heat until heated through.
Freeze Instant Pot white chicken chili in an airtight container or Ziplock bag for up to 3 months. Let thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
Serving Suggestions
When I make this white chicken chili, I like to serve it with a dollop of creamy guacamole , a side of cilantro lime rice , and then have a slice of this decadent churro cheesecake for dessert.
More Instant Pot Recipes To Try
Instant Pot Pot Roast: When I’m craving hearty comfort food, this recipe delivers all my favorite comforting flavors, fall-apart beef, savory gravy, and tender vegetables, in a fraction of the time.
Instant Pot Queso Dip : I love making cheese dip, and this Instant Pot version makes it so quick and so easy. Made with two types of cheese, this dip is incredibly delicious and ideal for sharing.
Instant Pot Zuppa Toscana: This Olive Garden copycat recipe is quick and easy to prepare. Loaded with sausage, bacon, potatoes, and spinach, it’s bursting with flavor.
more chicken recipes
Jerk Chicken Wings
Hot Honey Chicken Sliders
Creamy Tuscan Chicken
Creamy Chicken Soup
Instant Pot White Chicken Chili Recipe
Equipment
- Instant Pot
Ingredients
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts boneless, skinless chicken thighs also work
- ½ tsp kosher salt
- ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper
- ½ tsp ground cumin
- ½ tsp dried oregano
- ½ tsp chili powder
- ⅛ tsp ground cayenne pepper
- 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 onion chopped
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 30 oz. canned white beans drained and rinsed (2 cans), such as cannellini
- 8 oz. diced green chilis drained (1 can)
- 8 oz. cream cheese cut into 1-inch cubes (1 brick)
- ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro
Instructions
- Season both sides of the chicken with salt, pepper, cumin, oregano, chili powder, and cayenne. 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, ½ tsp kosher salt, ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper, ½ tsp ground cumin, ½ tsp dried oregano, ½ tsp chili powder, ⅛ tsp ground cayenne pepper
- Pour the chicken broth into the instant pot and then add the chicken. 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- Add in the onion, garlic, white beans, and green chilis. Stir to combine. Place the cream cheese cubes on top. 1 onion, 3 cloves garlic, 30 oz. canned white beans, 8 oz. diced green chilis, 8 oz. cream cheese
- Place the lid on the instant pot and pressure cook on high for 20 minutes. Let it naturally pressure release for 10 minutes, then manually release the pressure.
- Shred the chicken and then return it to the pot. Add in the cilantro and stir until well mixed. Serve with desired garnishes! ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro
Video
Nutrition
By Becky Hardin
Published Jul 12, 2017
This Essential Grocery List is an absolute life saver for my family on the busy weeks. When I started this journey to learn how to cook, I quickly realized that the first step in cooking is having staple ingredients on hand. I want to avoid having to run out to the grocery store every single time I prepare a new recipe. Having a well-stocked pantry has made my life in the kitchen so much simpler, because when it’s time to cook, I have what I need.
Essential Grocery List
It’s so helpful to have a basic grocery list to help me remember which foods to buy at the store. This food shopping list is my go-to!
It’s better to stock up on things like grains, seasonings and spices, baking essentials, oils, condiments, canned and frozen foods, etc. so I can just grab them when I need them. These things have a long shelf life , so I keep them in my kitchen for convenience.
However, I do have to go to the supermarket sometimes, and there’s a way to make that trip easy and hassle-free: I keep a grocery list! If I go in blindly, I’ll leave with things I don’t need, and nothing that actually helps me prepare a good meal.
In the list below, I’ve compiled everything I always have on my stock-up grocery list.
I’ve got you covered! I created an easy grocery list filled with all of the essentials. Plus there’s a free printable version that you can take with you to the grocery store. It has everything you need to stock your pantry, your freezer, and your refrigerator.
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List
What to Buy at the Grocery Store
This is the perfect grocery list filled with all the basics and essentials. It should help get you going if you’re new to cooking, or if you’re just left staring helplessly at an empty pantry and don’t know how to fill it.
When I first started cooking, things could seem overwhelming. I quickly realized that they more prepared I could be, the more confident I felt. If you already have the basics in your kitchen, then you can shop stress-free.
So print out our easy grocery list, stock up your pantry and fridge, and you’ll be cooking in no time!
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Fresh Produce
- Apples
- Bananas
- Strawberries
- Avocados
- Bell Peppers
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Garlic
- Lemons/Limes
- Onion
- Parsley
- Cilantro
- Basil
- Potatoes
- Spinach
- Tomatoes
GRAINS
- Breadcrumbs
- Pasta
- Quinoa
- Rice
- Sandwich Bread
- Tortillas
MEAT/PROTEIN
- Chicken
- Eggs
- Ground Beef
- Sliced Turkey
- Lunch Meat
DAIRY
- Butter
- Sliced Cheese
- Shredded Cheese
- Milk
- Sour Cream
- Greek Yogurt
BAKING GOODS
- Baking powder
- Baking Soda
- Granulated Sugar
- Brown Sugar
- Flour
- Honey
- Vanilla Extract
- Dry Yeast
- Chocolate Chips
- Cocoa Powder
- Powdered Sugar
FREEZER
- Fruit and Berries
- Frozen Veggies (Corn, Peas, Broccoli, etc)
- Juice Concentrate
- Pizza or Other Convenience Meals
- Pie Crust
- Cookie Dough
CANNED/DRIED GOODS
- Chicken stock/broth
- Salsa
- Diced Tomatoes
- Jam/Jelly
- Peanut Butter
- Pasta Sauce
- Beans (Black Beans, Chickpeas, Baked Beans, etc)
- Soups
- Tuna
- Green Chiles
- Canned Veggies
- Coffee or Tea
Get more details on the best non-perishable and pantry foods
CONDIMENTS/SPICES
- Black Pepper
- Chili Powder
- Cinnamon
- Crushed Red Pepper
- Cumin
- Garlic Powder
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Mayo
- Nutmeg
- Paprika
- Salt (Course Sea Salt and Kosher Salt)
- Soy Sauce
- Steak Sauce
- Hot Sauce/ Buffalo Sauce
- Salad Dressings
OILS/VINEGARS
- Apple cider vinegar
- Balsamic vinegar
- Coconut Oil
- Olive Oil
- Vegetable/Canola Oil
- Red Wine Vinegar
- White Vinegar
- Cooking Wine
- White Wine Vinegar
SNACKS
- Crackers
- Nuts
- Quick Oats
- Popcorn
- Tortilla Chips
- Cereal
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Click ☝🏻 for my FREE Grocery List Printable!
I hope this essential grocery list can help you buy what you need and make your home cooking so much easier!
Stock Your Kitchen
Find more ideas for your grocery list, stock up your kitchen, and print more cooking guides and charts to keep handy!
Non-Perishable Foods to Stock Up On
Frozen Vegetables to Stock Up On (and Recipes to Make)
Ultimate List of Cooking Herbs for Your Kitchen
Ultimate List of Cooking Spices for Your Kitchen
Cooking Oil 101: Types of Cooking Oils to Use
26 Types of Pasta and When to Use Them
What Fruits and Vegetables are in Season?
Meat Temperature Chart (Free Printable)
How to Meal Prep (Guide for Beginners)
Basic Cooking Measurements & Kitchen Conversion Chart
