Quick & Easy Instant Pot White Chicken Chili: A Flavorful Weeknight Meal

Craving a warm, comforting, and flavorful meal but short on time? Look no further than this incredibly easy and delicious Instant Pot White Chicken Chili! This recipe is perfect for busy weeknights, offering a creamy, satisfying chili that’s packed with tender chicken, flavorful beans, and a hint of spice. The Instant Pot makes it unbelievably quick to prepare, cutting down the simmering time significantly. Get ready to enjoy a bowl of pure comfort in under an hour!

This Instant Pot White Chicken Chili is a game-changer for several reasons:

• Speed: The Instant Pot drastically reduces the cooking time compared to traditional stovetop methods.
• Flavor: Pressure cooking intensifies the flavors, resulting in a richer and more complex chili.
• Ease: It’s a dump-and-go recipe – simply add the ingredients to the Instant Pot, set it, and forget it!
• Customizable: Easily adjust the spice level and add your favorite toppings to personalize your bowl.
• Healthy: Packed with protein, fiber, and essential nutrients, this chili is a wholesome and satisfying meal.

Why Instant Pot White Chicken Chili is a Winner

Forget about spending hours simmering chili on the stovetop. The Instant Pot streamlines the entire process, delivering a restaurant-quality dish in a fraction of the time. The pressure cooking method not only speeds up the cooking process but also infuses the ingredients with incredible flavor. The chicken becomes incredibly tender, the beans perfectly cooked, and the spices meld together beautifully. Plus, clean-up is a breeze!

Ingredients You’ll Need

Here’s a breakdown of the key ingredients for this delicious Instant Pot White Chicken Chili:

• Chicken: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are ideal for this recipe. They cook quickly and shred easily. You can also use boneless, skinless chicken thighs for a richer flavor. About 1.5 to 2 pounds is the perfect amount.
• Aromatics: Onion and garlic form the base of the chili, adding depth and complexity to the flavor. Diced yellow or white onion works well. Use fresh garlic for the best flavor.
• Canned Beans: Great Northern beans are the classic choice for white chicken chili. You can also use cannellini beans or navy beans. Make sure to drain and rinse the beans before adding them to the Instant Pot to remove excess starch and sodium. 2 cans (15 ounces each) are typically sufficient.
• Green Chiles: Diced green chiles add a mild heat and a distinct Southwestern flavor. Use a can of mild green chiles for a subtle kick, or choose a spicier variety if you prefer more heat. 4 ounces is the standard size of the canned chiles.
• Chicken Broth: Low-sodium chicken broth provides the liquid base for the chili and helps to cook the ingredients. Using low-sodium broth allows you to control the salt level. 4 cups is a good starting point.
• Spices: A blend of spices is essential for creating a flavorful chili. Cumin, chili powder, oregano, and salt and pepper are the staples. Adjust the amounts to your taste preferences. Consider adding a pinch of cayenne pepper for extra heat.
• Cream Cheese: This is the secret ingredient that adds creaminess and richness to the chili. Use full-fat cream cheese for the best results. It’s added at the end of cooking to prevent it from curdling. 4 ounces is typically sufficient.
• Optional Toppings: The toppings are where you can really customize your chili. Some popular choices include shredded cheese (cheddar, Monterey Jack, or pepper jack), sour cream or Greek yogurt, avocado, cilantro, green onions, tortilla chips, and lime wedges.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these simple steps to make a mouthwatering Instant Pot White Chicken Chili:

1. Sauté the Aromatics: Turn on the Instant Pot to the sauté function. Add olive oil or your preferred cooking oil to the pot. Once the oil is heated, add the diced onion and cook until softened, about 3-5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
2. Add the Chicken and Spices: Place the chicken breasts on top of the sautéed onions and garlic. Sprinkle with cumin, chili powder, oregano, salt, and pepper.
3. Add the Remaining Ingredients: Pour in the chicken broth, then add the drained and rinsed Great Northern beans and diced green chiles. Stir to combine.
4. Pressure Cook: Secure the Instant Pot lid and set the valve to the sealing position. Cook on high pressure for 10-12 minutes. The exact cooking time will depend on the thickness of your chicken breasts. If they are very thick, you may need to add a few more minutes.
5. Natural Pressure Release: Allow the Instant Pot to naturally release pressure for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, carefully release any remaining pressure manually.
6. Shred the Chicken: Remove the chicken breasts from the Instant Pot and shred them using two forks. Return the shredded chicken to the pot.
7. Stir in the Cream Cheese: Cut the cream cheese into small cubes and add it to the Instant Pot. Stir until the cream cheese is melted and the chili is creamy.
8. Adjust Seasoning: Taste the chili and adjust the seasoning as needed. Add more salt, pepper, or spices to your liking. If you want a thinner chili, add more chicken broth.
9. Serve and Enjoy: Ladle the Instant Pot White Chicken Chili into bowls and garnish with your favorite toppings. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Tips and Tricks for the Best Instant Pot White Chicken Chili

Here are some helpful tips and tricks to ensure your Instant Pot White Chicken Chili turns out perfectly every time:

• Don’t Overcook the Chicken: Overcooked chicken can become dry and tough. Stick to the recommended cooking time and use the natural pressure release method to ensure the chicken remains tender and juicy.
• Adjust the Spice Level: Customize the spice level to your preference by adjusting the amount of chili powder and adding a pinch of cayenne pepper for extra heat.
• Use High-Quality Ingredients: Using fresh, high-quality ingredients will make a noticeable difference in the flavor of your chili.
• Thicken the Chili (If Needed): If your chili is too thin, you can thicken it by adding a cornstarch slurry (1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons cold water) to the Instant Pot during the last few minutes of cooking. Stir continuously until the chili thickens.
• Don’t Skip the Cream Cheese: The cream cheese is essential for creating the creamy texture that defines white chicken chili. Use full-fat cream cheese for the best results.
• Make it Ahead of Time: This Instant Pot White Chicken Chili is a great make-ahead meal. It can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
• Double the Batch: This recipe is easily doubled or tripled to feed a crowd. Simply adjust the ingredient quantities accordingly and use a larger Instant Pot if necessary.
• Sauté Function is Your Friend: Don’t skip the sautéing step. It builds the flavor base of the chili.

Variations and Substitutions

Here are some variations and substitutions you can try to customize your Instant Pot White Chicken Chili:

• Use Different Beans: Experiment with different types of beans, such as cannellini beans, navy beans, or even black beans.
• Add Corn: Add a can of drained corn or frozen corn kernels for extra sweetness and texture.
• Add Vegetables: Incorporate other vegetables, such as diced bell peppers, zucchini, or spinach.
• Use Rotisserie Chicken: Save time by using shredded rotisserie chicken instead of cooking chicken breasts in the Instant Pot. Add the shredded chicken after pressure cooking.
• Make it Vegetarian: Omit the chicken and add extra beans or vegetables to make a vegetarian version of this chili.
• Spicy Version: Add chopped jalapenos or a dash of hot sauce for extra heat.
• Use Different Spices: Experiment with different spices, such as smoked paprika, garlic powder, or onion powder.
• Dairy-Free Version: Substitute the cream cheese with a dairy-free cream cheese alternative or a can of coconut milk for a similar creamy texture.

Serving Suggestions

Here are some delicious ways to serve your Instant Pot White Chicken Chili:

• Classic Chili Bowl: Ladle the chili into bowls and top with shredded cheese, sour cream, avocado, cilantro, and tortilla chips.
• Chili Dogs: Use the chili as a topping for hot dogs.
• Chili Cheese Fries: Pour the chili over a bed of french fries and top with shredded cheese.
• Chili Nachos: Spread tortilla chips on a plate and top with the chili, cheese, and your favorite nacho toppings.
• Baked Potatoes: Serve the chili over baked potatoes for a hearty and satisfying meal.
• Chili Mac: Combine the chili with cooked macaroni and cheese for a comforting and delicious dish.
• Taco Salad: Use the chili as a base for a taco salad.
• Stuffed Peppers: Fill bell peppers with a mixture of the chili and rice.

Storage Instructions

Here’s how to properly store your Instant Pot White Chicken Chili:

• Refrigerate: Allow the chili to cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
• Freeze: Allow the chili to cool completely before transferring it to a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.

Reheating Instructions

Here’s how to reheat your Instant Pot White Chicken Chili:

• Stovetop: Reheat the chili in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until heated through.
• Microwave: Reheat the chili in a microwave-safe bowl in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until heated through.
• Instant Pot: Reheat the chili in the Instant Pot using the sauté function. Stir occasionally until heated through.

Recipe

Instant Pot White Chicken Chili

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Servings: 6-8

Ingredients:

• 1.5-2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 cans (15 oz each) Great Northern beans, drained and rinsed
• 4 oz can diced green chiles, undrained
• 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
• 1 tbsp cumin
• 1 tbsp chili powder
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1/2 tsp salt, or to taste
• 1/4 tsp black pepper, or to taste
• 4 oz cream cheese, softened
• Optional toppings: shredded cheese, sour cream, avocado, cilantro, green onions, tortilla chips, lime wedges

Instructions:

1. Turn on the Instant Pot to the sauté function. Add olive oil to the pot. Once the oil is heated, add the diced onion and cook until softened, about 3-5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
2. Place the chicken breasts on top of the sautéed onions and garlic. Sprinkle with cumin, chili powder, oregano, salt, and pepper.
3. Pour in the chicken broth, then add the drained and rinsed Great Northern beans and diced green chiles. Stir to combine.
4. Secure the Instant Pot lid and set the valve to the sealing position. Cook on high pressure for 10-12 minutes.
5. Allow the Instant Pot to naturally release pressure for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, carefully release any remaining pressure manually.
6. Remove the chicken breasts from the Instant Pot and shred them using two forks. Return the shredded chicken to the pot.
7. Cut the cream cheese into small cubes and add it to the Instant Pot. Stir until the cream cheese is melted and the chili is creamy.
8. Taste the chili and adjust the seasoning as needed. Add more salt, pepper, or spices to your liking. If you want a thinner chili, add more chicken broth.
9. Ladle the Instant Pot White Chicken Chili into bowls and garnish with your favorite toppings. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Nutrition Information (approximate, per serving)

• Calories: Approximately 350-450
• Protein: 30-40g
• Carbohydrates: 30-40g
• Fat: 15-25g (depending on cream cheese and toppings)

Note: Nutritional information is an estimate and may vary based on specific ingredients and portion sizes.

Enjoy!

This Instant Pot White Chicken Chili is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. It’s a simple, flavorful, and satisfying meal that’s perfect for any occasion. Whether you’re looking for a quick weeknight dinner or a hearty dish to share with friends and family, this recipe is sure to impress. So gather your ingredients, fire up your Instant Pot, and get ready to enjoy a bowl of pure comfort!

Bon appétit!