Name: Instant Pot White Chicken Chili Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 30 oz. great northern beans (drained and rinsed, canned); 2 cups frozen corn; 1/2 cup yellow onion (diced); 2 garlic cloves (minced); 4 oz. hatch green chiles; 1 tsp chili powder; 1 tsp cumin; 1 tsp salt; 1/4 tsp black pepper (plus more to taste); 1 lb. boneless skinless chicken (breast or thighs); 1/2 cup plain cream cheese (regular or dairy-free); 1 1/4 cup chicken broth; Cilantro; Avocado; Jalapeño; Tortilla chips

Nothing beats a cozy bowl of chili that’s both creamy and spicy, especially when it comes together quickly. This Instant Pot White Chicken Chili Recipe is one of those gems—rich, hearty, and endlessly comforting with just the right kick from green chiles and spices. It’s a real crowd-pleaser and super simple to whip up on busy nights.

A white bowl sits on a white marbled surface holding a creamy soup with visible layers of white beans and yellow corn mixed in. On top, there are golden brown crispy tortilla strips placed over the soup on one side. On the opposite side, avocado slices with a smooth green texture and a wedge of lime with a bright green rind are arranged. Finely chopped green herbs are sprinkled over the avocado, lime, and soup, adding fresh color. A silver spoon is inserted on the right side inside the bowl. Nearby, an avocado half with its pit in view and some fresh green herbs rest on the surface, along with a white cloth with blue stripes. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Instant Pot White Chicken Chili Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Instant Pot White Chicken Chili Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Instant Pot White Chicken Chili Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I can’t tell you how many times this Instant Pot White Chicken Chili Recipe has saved dinner around here. It’s comfort food that feels a little fancy but takes hardly any effort — which is my kind of cooking. Plus, every time I make it, the family goes back for seconds! It’s creamy without being heavy and has just enough spice to keep things interesting.

Speed and Convenience: Thanks to the Instant Pot, this chili is ready in under an hour with minimal hands-on time.
Balanced Flavors: The combination of green chiles, cumin, and chili powder creates a deliciously layered spicy profile.
Creamy Texture: Cream cheese adds richness without needing heavy cream, making the recipe lighter and dairy-free friendly depending on your choice.
Customizable Add-Ons: From avocado to jalapeño to crispy tortilla chips, you get to personalize every bowl to your liking.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this Instant Pot White Chicken Chili Recipe plays a role in making the flavor pop and the texture just right. Here’s a quick rundown of what you need and why these ingredients work so well together:

Flat lay of great northern beans in a small pile, frozen corn kernels scattered, diced yellow onion in a neat mound, two whole garlic cloves, fresh green hatch chiles whole and uncut, small white ceramic bowls with chili powder, cumin, salt, and black pepper, a raw boneless skinless chicken breast, cream cheese formed into several small chunks, a small white bowl of chicken broth, a small white bowl of lime juice, sprigs of fresh cilantro, one halved avocado with bright green flesh, a whole green jalapeño, and a small white bowl filled with golden tortilla chips, all arranged symmetrically on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Great Northern Beans: These beans bring a creamy, mild base texture that soaks up all the spices perfectly.
Frozen Corn: Adds sweetness and a bit of crunch for contrast in each spoonful.
Yellow Onion: Provides a subtle savory depth to balance the creaminess.
Garlic Cloves: Just a touch to enhance flavor without overpowering.
Hatch Green Chiles: These are the soul of this chili, giving it a smoky, spicy personality.
Chili Powder & Cumin: Together they bring warmth and complexity to the dish.
Salt and Black Pepper: Simple seasonings that adjust all flavors and bring everything together.
Boneless Skinless Chicken (Breast or Thighs): Either works, but I tend to use thighs for extra tenderness and flavor.
Cream Cheese: This melts into the soup creating that silky creaminess without extra cream.
Chicken Broth: The cooking liquid that enhances the chicken flavor and keeps things moist.
Lime Juice: Adds brightness and a refreshing zing right at the end.
Toppings (Cilantro, Avocado, Jalapeño, Tortilla Chips): Optional but highly recommended to add freshness, creaminess, heat, and crunch.

📝

Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

This recipe is such a fun canvas for customization. Over time, I’ve played with different chili powders and even swapped in dairy-free cream cheese to suit my family’s tastes. You can really make it your own and still end up with a fabulous dish.

Variation: When I want a bit more heat, I toss in a diced jalapeño with the onions for cooking. It gives a gentle smokiness without making it too spicy for the kids.
Dietary Swap: Using boneless chicken thighs instead of breasts adds juiciness that I swear makes leftovers even better.
Seasonal Twist: In summer, I like to add fresh corn instead of frozen for a pop of freshness.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Instant Pot White Chicken Chili Recipe

A white bowl filled with creamy chicken soup as the base layer, showing visible shredded white chicken and yellow corn kernels mixed together. On top, there are crushed white beans scattered across, with thin, crispy golden tortilla strips placed in a neat cluster to one side. Fresh sliced green avocado parts lay beside the tortilla strips, sprinkled with finely chopped dark green herbs evenly spread over the surface. A wedge of lime sits on the edge of the bowl, and the whole dish has a light sprinkle of black pepper on top. The bowl is set against a white marbled surface, and there is a metal spoon resting inside the bowl. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Layer Your Ingredients

Start by adding the rinsed great northern beans into the Instant Pot as your base layer. Then simply dump the frozen corn right on top—they’ll thaw and blend beautifully during cooking. Next, add the diced onion, minced garlic, and hatch green chiles. Sprinkle in the chili powder, cumin, salt, and black pepper evenly to let all those spices mingle. I like to lay the chicken right on top of everything so it steams nicely and stays tender. Finally, scatter the cream cheese in small chunks over the top and pour the chicken broth last to keep it all moist.

Step 2: Cook and Pressure Release

Seal the Instant Pot lid and make sure the valve is set to "seal". Pressure cook on high for 15 minutes. Don’t worry about the 10 extra minutes it takes to reach full pressure—that’s normal and it helps deepen the flavors. When the timer goes off, let it naturally release pressure for 10 minutes before carefully flipping the valve to quick release any remaining pressure.

Step 3: Shred and Stir

Open the pot and carefully remove the chicken to a cutting board. Use two forks to shred it finely—this part is so satisfying! While the chicken’s resting, stir the chili soup vigorously to make sure the cream cheese has completely melted and blended in for that creamy texture. Then, toss the shredded chicken back into the pot and stir everything together.

Step 4: Finish with Lime and Serve

Stir in the lime juice last for a fresh, bright note. It really pops against the rich creaminess. Now your Instant Pot White Chicken Chili Recipe is ready to be ladled into bowls and dressed with your favorite toppings.

Top Tip

Over the years, I’ve learned a few tricks that take this Instant Pot White Chicken Chili Recipe from great to unforgettable. These tips really help you avoid common hiccups and get the best flavor and texture every time.

Don’t Skip the Natural Release: It helps the chicken stay moist and lets flavors marry instead of drying out your meat.
Cut the Cream Cheese Into Chunks: Adding small pieces instead of one big block helps it melt smoothly without clumping.
Shred Chicken While Soup Cooks: Using the natural pressure release time to shred the chicken saves a step and keeps things efficient.
Adjust Seasoning After Cooking: Taste before serving and feel free to add more salt, pepper, or lime juice as needed to suit your palate.

How to Serve Instant Pot White Chicken Chili Recipe

White Chicken Chili - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

For me, garnishes are where the magic happens. I always top my bowls with fresh cilantro because it brightens every bite. Sliced avocado adds creaminess and cools the mild heat from the chilies. A few thin jalapeño slices bring in a fresh, spicy snap when I want a little extra kick. Finally, I can’t resist a handful of crunchy tortilla chips for texture and flavor contrast—they make every spoonful an adventure.

Side Dishes

This chili is a meal on its own, but I like pairing it with a simple green salad or a batch of warm cornbread for a full, cozy dinner vibe. Sometimes I serve it alongside rice or quinoa to stretch it out when feeding a crowd.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday dinners or get-togethers, I’ve served this chili in mini bread bowls or scooped it over baked potatoes. It’s an easy way to elevate the presentation and impress guests without extra fuss.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover chili in airtight containers in the fridge—it keeps beautifully for 3 to 4 days. After a day or two, the flavors really deepen, so sometimes leftovers taste even better than the first serving!

Freezing

This chili freezes wonderfully. I portion it into freezer-safe containers or bags and frozen portions thaw quickly in the fridge overnight. I usually freeze it without garnishes, then add them fresh after reheating.

Reheating

To reheat, I prefer warming it gently on the stovetop over low heat, stirring frequently to keep the cream cheese smooth. If it looks too thick, a splash of chicken broth or water helps loosen the texture and revives that fresh flavor.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use dried beans instead of canned for this recipe?

You can absolutely use dried great northern beans, but be sure to pre-soak them overnight and cook them until tender before adding to the Instant Pot with the rest of the ingredients. Using canned beans is a time-saver and recommended for ease, but dried beans will deepen the flavor if prepared properly.

Is this recipe dairy-free friendly?

Yes! Just swap the regular cream cheese for a dairy-free version, and it’s equally creamy and delicious. The rest of the ingredients in this chili are naturally dairy-free and gluten-free, making it a great option for those with dietary restrictions.

Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?

Definitely! I actually prefer chicken thighs because they stay more tender and juicy after pressure cooking. Either option works fine — just adjust the cooking time slightly if the thighs are bone-in, though boneless thighs are ideal for this recipe.

What toppings do you recommend for the best flavor?

I love topping this chili with fresh cilantro for brightness, ripe avocado slices for creaminess, thinly sliced jalapeños if you want a bit of extra heat, and crunchy tortilla chips or strips to add texture. A squeeze of fresh lime juice right before serving also boosts all the flavors beautifully.

Final Thoughts

Honestly, this Instant Pot White Chicken Chili Recipe quickly became one of my go-to dinners because it smells amazing, tastes like it took hours to make, and yet it’s done in no time. It’s the perfect balance of creamy, spicy, and fresh that feels like a warm hug on a plate. Give it a try—I’m betting it’ll be a family favorite for you too!