You will love this Easy Crock Pot Cream Cheese Chicken Chili Recipe! It’s my family’s favorite chili! This dish is perfect for busy weeknights or cozy weekends. The combination of creamy texture and zesty flavors makes it a hit for any occasion, from family dinners to game day gatherings. Plus, it’s a one-pot meal that requires minimal prep, allowing you to enjoy delicious chili with ease.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Easy Preparation: With just a few minutes of prep time, this recipe is simple enough for even beginner cooks.
- Rich Flavor: The blend of cream cheese and spices creates a rich, creamy chili that’s bursting with flavor.
- Versatile Meal: Serve it as is, or use it as a filling for tacos, burritos, or on top of rice.
- Healthy Ingredients: Packed with protein from chicken and fiber from beans, this dish is nutritious too.
- Slow-Cooked Goodness: Letting it simmer in the crock pot enhances the flavors and makes the chicken tender.
Tools and Preparation
To make this Easy Crock Pot Cream Cheese Chicken Chili, you’ll need a few essential tools to ensure everything goes smoothly.
Essential Tools and Equipment
- Slow cooker
- Cutting board
- Knife
- Measuring spoons
- Can opener
Importance of Each Tool
- Slow cooker: This is the star of the show. It allows the ingredients to meld together beautifully over hours of low heat.
- Knife: A sharp knife makes chopping ingredients quick and safe.
- Cutting board: Provides a clean surface for cutting and prepping your ingredients efficiently.
Ingredients
You will love this Easy Crock Pot Cream Cheese Chicken Chili Recipe! It’s my family’s favorite chili!
Main Ingredients
- 1 15- oz. can black beans
- 1 15.25- oz. can corn (undrained)
- 1 10- oz. can Rotel tomatoes (undrained)
- 1 package ranch dressing mix
- 1 tsp. cumin
- 1 Tbsp. chili powder
- 1 tsp. onion powder
- 1 8- oz package light cream cheese
- 2 chicken breasts
How to Make Easy Crock Pot Cream Cheese Chicken Chili
Step 1: Prepare the Beans
Drain and rinse the black beans thoroughly. This step helps remove excess sodium and improves the overall taste of your chili.
Step 2: Layer the Ingredients in the Crock Pot
Place the chicken breasts at the bottom of the crock pot. Pour in the entire can of corn (undrained), followed by the Rotel tomatoes and black beans on top of the chicken.
Step 3: Add Seasonings
Sprinkle the cumin, chili powder, onion powder, and ranch dressing mix over the layered ingredients. Gently stir everything together to distribute the spices evenly.
Step 4: Add Cream Cheese and Cook
Place the block of cream cheese on top of all other ingredients without stirring it in. Cover with lid and set your slow cooker to low heat for 6–8 hours.
Step 5: Shred Chicken and Serve
Once cooking time is complete, carefully remove the chicken breasts from the crock pot. Shred them using two forks before adding them back into the chili mixture. Stir well to combine all ingredients before serving hot.
Enjoy your delicious Easy Crock Pot Cream Cheese Chicken Chili!
How to Serve Easy Crock Pot Cream Cheese Chicken Chili
This Easy Crock Pot Cream Cheese Chicken Chili can be enjoyed in many delightful ways. Whether you prefer it as a hearty meal or a topping, these serving suggestions will elevate your dining experience.
With Tortilla Chips
- Serve the chili warm with crunchy tortilla chips for a fun and delicious appetizer or snack.
Over Rice
- Spoon the chili over a bed of fluffy white or brown rice to make it a filling main dish.
In a Bowl with Toppings
- Offer a variety of toppings like shredded cheese, diced avocado, or sour cream on the side for guests to customize their bowls.
In Tacos
- Use the chili as a flavorful filling for soft or hard taco shells, adding fresh cilantro and lime for extra zest.
With Cornbread
- Pair with warm cornbread for a comforting meal that complements the chili’s flavors perfectly.
How to Perfect Easy Crock Pot Cream Cheese Chicken Chili
To make your Easy Crock Pot Cream Cheese Chicken Chili even better, follow these simple tips that enhance flavor and texture.
- Use Fresh Ingredients: Fresh herbs and spices can boost flavor significantly compared to dried options.
- Adjust Spice Level: If you prefer more heat, add jalapeños or cayenne pepper according to your taste.
- Let It Sit: Allowing the chili to sit for 30 minutes after cooking helps meld all the flavors together.
- Experiment with Beans: Feel free to mix different beans like kidney beans or pinto beans for added variety and nutrition.
Best Side Dishes for Easy Crock Pot Cream Cheese Chicken Chili
Pairing side dishes with your Easy Crock Pot Cream Cheese Chicken Chili can enhance your meal. Here are some fantastic options:
- Cornbread: Sweet, moist cornbread is perfect for soaking up the spicy chili.
- Mexican Street Corn Salad: This refreshing salad adds crunch and creaminess alongside the chili.
- Guacamole: The creaminess of guacamole balances the spiciness of the chili beautifully.
- Coleslaw: A tangy coleslaw provides a crisp contrast to the warm, hearty chili.
- Jalapeño Poppers: These spicy bites add an extra kick and fun element to your meal.
- Rice: A simple side of rice absorbs the flavors and rounds out your dinner perfectly.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
When making Easy Crock Pot Cream Cheese Chicken Chili, it’s easy to make a few common mistakes. Here are some tips to ensure your chili turns out perfect every time.
- Skipping the rinsing step: Not rinsing the black beans can result in a salty and overly starchy chili. Always rinse and drain them before adding.
- Overloading on spices: While spices add flavor, too much can overwhelm the dish. Stick to the recommended amounts unless you know your preference.
- Not shredding chicken properly: Leaving large chunks of chicken can lead to uneven texture. Shred it thoroughly before mixing back into the chili for a consistent taste.
- Ignoring cooking times: Cooking the chili for too long or too short can affect texture and flavor. Stick to the 6-8 hours on low for best results.
- Forgetting about leftovers: Chili can be delicious as leftovers! Don’t let it sit in the fridge indefinitely; store it properly instead.
Storage & Reheating Instructions
Refrigerator Storage
- Store in an airtight container.
- Lasts up to 4 days in the fridge.
Freezing Easy Crock Pot Cream Cheese Chicken Chili
- Use freezer-safe containers or bags.
- Can be frozen for up to 3 months.
Reheating Easy Crock Pot Cream Cheese Chicken Chili
- Oven: Preheat to 350°F (175°C) and heat in a covered dish until warm throughout.
- Microwave: Heat in microwave-safe bowls, stirring occasionally until hot.
- Stovetop: Warm over medium heat in a pot, stirring regularly until heated through.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some frequently asked questions about Easy Crock Pot Cream Cheese Chicken Chili.
What is Easy Crock Pot Cream Cheese Chicken Chili?
Easy Crock Pot Cream Cheese Chicken Chili is a flavorful, creamy chili made with chicken, beans, corn, and cream cheese that cooks effortlessly in a slow cooker.
How long does it take to cook Easy Crock Pot Cream Cheese Chicken Chili?
It takes about 6-8 hours on low heat in the crock pot for this dish to become perfectly cooked and flavorful.
Can I customize my Easy Crock Pot Cream Cheese Chicken Chili?
Absolutely! You can add different vegetables or adjust the spice levels according to your taste preferences.
How do I serve Easy Crock Pot Cream Cheese Chicken Chili?
Serve it hot with toppings such as shredded cheese, sour cream, or fresh cilantro for added flavor.
Is Easy Crock Pot Cream Cheese Chicken Chili healthy?
This chili is relatively healthy with lean chicken, beans, and vegetables. It provides good protein and fiber while being satisfying.
Final Thoughts
Easy Crock Pot Cream Cheese Chicken Chili is not just easy to make but also incredibly versatile. You can customize it with your favorite ingredients or toppings. This recipe offers comfort and joy; it’s perfect for cozy dinners or meal prep for busy weeks ahead. Give it a try—you’ll love how simple yet delicious it is!
Easy Crock Pot Cream Cheese Chicken Chili
Discover the comforting warmth of Easy Crock Pot Cream Cheese Chicken Chili, a beloved family favorite that’s perfect for busy weeknights or cozy weekends. This creamy chili blends tender chicken, zesty spices, and savory beans for a delightful one-pot meal that everyone will enjoy. With minimal prep time and the slow cooker doing all the work, you can savor rich flavors without the hassle. Ideal for game day gatherings or a hearty family dinner, this recipe is versatile enough to serve on its own or as a filling for tacos, burritos, or over rice.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 6–8 hours
- Total Time: 0 hours
- Yield: Approximately 8 servings
- Category: Main
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 1 can black beans (15 oz)
- 1 can corn (15.25 oz, undrained)
- 1 can Rotel tomatoes (10 oz, undrained)
- 1 package ranch dressing mix
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 Tbsp chili powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 8 oz light cream cheese
- 2 chicken breasts
Instructions
- Drain and rinse black beans; set aside.
- Place chicken breasts at the bottom of the slow cooker and layer with corn, Rotel tomatoes, and black beans.
- Sprinkle cumin, chili powder, onion powder, and ranch dressing mix over ingredients; stir gently.
- Place cream cheese on top without stirring in. Cover and cook on low for 6–8 hours.
- After cooking, shred chicken with two forks and stir back into the chili mixture before serving hot.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 550mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 7g
- Protein: 24g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
