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Hearty, creamy, and delicious, Instant Pot White Chicken Chili is the cozy comfort food that will warm you up on the coldest nights. Made with simple ingredients and naturally gluten free, your pressure cooker gives you slow-cooked taste with little time and effort.
Easy Instant Pot White Chicken Chili – Gluten Free Comfort Food
When the temperature drops, there isn’t much better than a bowl of something thick and hearty and creamy. It warms the body and soothes the soul. But sometimes comfort food takes so much time that you have to wait until the weekend to have the time to make it or let it simmer.
Not the case with this chicken chili recipe because it’s made in the Instant Pot. You get all the best parts of slow-cooked food, but with minimal time and effort. The other benefit is that no matter what time of year you crave a dish like this, you can make it without heating up the kitchen!
Why You’ll Love this Recipe
Minimal hands-on time. Chop the veggies, dump it in the Instant Pot, then when it is done cooking, just shred the chicken and sitr it all together. The prep work is a breeze, and most of the cooking time is totally hands-off.
So creamy. Other versions are more like a soup. This recipe has cream cheese to make it rich and thick. It’s so hearty and satisfying.
Fresh ingredients. Unlike some white chicken chili recipes that call for seasoning packets or canned sauces, this one uses mainly fresh ingredients, with a couple of exceptions for canned beans and frozen corn. So not only are you avoiding lots of processed ingredients, but it is also naturally gluten free.
Versatile. You can add more or less spice, depending on what you and your family like. You can cut down the fat and calories, or reduct the sodium. Change out the beans based on what you have. Or even try replacing the beans and corn with other veggies for a low carb option.
Ingredients
You’ll love the simple and fresh ingredients in this Instant Pot White Chicken Chili recipe. Here’s what you need:
- Boneless skinless chicken breasts: You’ll need two large ones, or about 1-1 1/2 pounds total. You can leave them whole.
- Canned chickpeas: Drained and rinsed. You can use low sodium, if desired. You can also substitute small white beans, cannellini beans, or Great Northern beans.
- Onion
- Bell pepper: Yellow is a nice color with this white chicken chili, but you can also use orange or red. Green peppers are too bitter.
- Jalapeno: You can leave the seeds for extra heat, or remove them if you don’t want it too spicy. You can also substitute a small can of chopped green chilis.
- Corn kernels: Fresh or frozen. They do not have to be thawed. You can even cut kernels off of Air Fryer Corn on the Cob.
- Chicken broth
- Chili powder: Feel free to use more or less for the level of spice you like.
- Cumin
- Cream cheese: Cut the block in half.
- Salt and pepper: To taste.
How to Make White Chicken Chili in the Instant Pot
Once you prep the ingredients, you can just let the pressure cooker do its thing.
Add the ingredients. Place the chicken in the bottom of the Instant Pot, then add the ingredients in the order listed, layering the chickpeas, onion, bell pepper, jalapeno, and corn. Pour the broth over the top, then sprinkle on the chili powder and cumin. Place the pieces of cream cheese on the top so that they aren’t touching the sides of bottom of the Instant Pot bowl.
Let it cook. Close the lid and place the valve on sealing mode. Select Manual (high pressure if you Instant Pot has that setting) and cook for 12 minutes. Once the cooking time is complete, let the pressure release naturally for 10-15 minutes before opening the valve for a quick release.
Finish the chili. Remove the chicken breasts and place them on a cutting board or on a plate. Use two forks to shred the chicken. Place the shredded chicken back into the Instant Pot and stir to combine everything. If desired, set to Saute to heat it through. Serve with your favorite garnishes and toppings.
Serving Suggestions
While you can just spoon it into a bowl and enjoy, chili is always better with toppings.
Chicken Chili Toppings
- Fresh cilantro
- Minced red onions, bell peppers, or jalapenos
- Tortilla chips
- Cheddar cheese or Monterey Jack cheese
- Sour cream or plain Greek yogurt
Side Dishes
- Gluten Free Cornbread
- Coleslaw
- Chili-Lime Baked Sweet Potato Home Fries
- Air Fryer Cauliflower
- Salad with Jalapeno Ranch Dressing
Tips for Success
Adjust to your level of heat. You can use the seeds of the jalapeno or leave them out. Toss in an extra one or use more chili powder. It’s up to you.
Don’t burn the cream cheese. Dairy can scorch in the Instant Pot, so make sure the cream cheese is resting on top of the other ingredients, away from the sides of the Instant Pot.
You can use frozen chicken. Just be sure it isn’t frozen together into one large clump. As long as the breasts are separated, you can just add another 5 minutes or so to the cooking time.
Or try leftover or rotisserie chicken. Just chop up about 3-4 cups of leftover rotisserie chicken and use it in place of the chicken breasts to make white chicken chili. Then you can skip the shredding step and just stir everythign together at the end of the cooking time.
Make it heart-healthy. Be sure to use low sodium beans and chicken broth. Reduce the cream cheese by half and even try substituting light cream cheese (not fat free). Then stir in 1/4 to 1/2 cup of lowfat or nonfat Greek yogurt to make it creamy.
Storing Leftover Instant Pot White Chicken Chili
Any leftover white chicken chili can be packed in an airtight container and refrigerated. It is best if you enjoy it within 4 days.
Because it has dairy, if you freeze it, the texture will change and it won’t be as smooth. One option, if you want to make it ahead, if to cook it without the cream cheese and freeze it in an airtight container or plastic freezer storage bag for up to 2 months. Then let it thaw over ngiht and reheat in the Instant Pot or on a stove. Stir in the cream cheese as soon as it is nice and hot.
What Instant Pot Should I Use
Which Instant Pot you buy depends on your budget and the size you need based on the many people you usually cook for. However, for this instant pot white chicken chili recipe, the smaller 3-quart Instant Pot will not be large enough. You’ll need one that is at least 6 quarts so that ts isn’t overfilled. Here are some options.
Instant Pot Duo 6 Quart 7-in-1 – your best budget-friendly option for all of the basic functions, including pressure cooker, slow cooker, rice cooker, yogurt maker, steamer, saute pan, and food warmer.
Instant Pot Duo Plus 6 Quart 9-in-1 – gives you more functionality, including sous vide and sterilizer.
Instant Pot Ultra 8 Qt 10-in-1 – has even more features and is great for feeding a crowd.
Instant Pot Duo Crisp 6 Quart 11-in-1 – a single appliance that does double-duty as a pressure cooker and an air fryer.
Each of these models are available in multiple sizes to find the one that meets your needs.
More Instant Pot Recipes
- Sassy and saucy Instant Pot BBQ Pulled Pork
- Healthy and versatile Instant Pot Pineapple Teriyaki Chicken
- Velvety and comforting Instant Pot Creamy Tomato Soup
Instant Pot White Chicken Chili
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 large boneless skinless chicken breasts, about 1-1 1/2 pounds total
- 2 cans (15 oz. each) chickpeas, drained and rinsed (can substitute small white beans, cannellini beans, or Great Northern beans)
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 1 yellow bell pepper, diced (can substitute orange or red)
- 1 jalapeno, finely chopped, seeds removed if you don't want it too spicy
- 1 cup corn kernels, frozen or fresh
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 2 teaspoons chili powder, or to taste
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 8 oz. package cream cheese, cut in half
- Salt and pepper to taste
- ¼ cup chopped cilantro for garnish
- Sour cream, shredded cheese, minced red onion, or any of your favorite chili toppings for serving
Instructions
- Place the chicken in the bottom of the Instant Pot, then add the ingredients in the order listed, layering the chickpeas, onion, bell pepper, jalapeno, and corn. Pour the broth over the top, then sprinkle on the chili powder and cumin. Place the pieces of cream cheese on the top so that they aren't touching the sides or bottom of the Instant Pot bowl.
- Close the lid and place the valve on sealing mode. Select Manual (high pressure if your Instant Pot has that setting) and cook for 12 minutes. (it will take about 20 minutes for it to pressurize and start cooking).
- Once the cooking time is complete, let the pressure release naturally for 10-15 minutes before opening the valve for a quick release.
- Remove the chicken breasts and place them on a cutting board or on a plate. Use two forks to shred the chicken.
- Place the shredded chicken back into the Instant Pot and stir to combine everything. If desired, set to Saute to heat it through.
- Serve garnished with cilantro and any other favorite toppings, if desired.
Notes
Did you make this?
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Excellent flavor, super easy. Will make it again and again!