This hearty, bean-free Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili is just what you need to ward off winter’s chill (Includes Instant Pot & Stovetop directions, too)
I dream of chili
No kidding. It has to be one of my most favorite foods. I just love how versatile it is and how everyone – EVERYONE – has their own idea of what ‘chili’ should be. Some like beans, others don’t. Some like big hunks of meat and others like theirs heavy on the veg. Some like it hot, some like it mild. And you’ve even got the red versus white thing going on here, too. There are about as many different chili recipes in the world as their are hairs you on your head. Maybe even more, depending on your genetics.
I fall into pretty much all of those camps when it comes to chili. The only chili I DON’T like is chili in a can. Not a fan of that chili in a can.
What I do love though is a hearty bowl of this just-spicy-enough Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili – perfect for cold wintery days and slurping from my favorite insulated food flask after a day on the slopes while my kids try to pelt me with snowballs and beg me sweetly for a cup of hot cocoa to sip on the ride home (by the way, their strategy is pretty effective ’cause they’re so darn cute with those bright pink rosy cheeks tucked under even brighter pink ski helmets….can you tell I’d rather be skiing than blogging today? I digress…)
Start your own Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili love fest in just 10 minutes
I thought that’d get your attention. All teasing aside, you need only 10 minutes of prepping and chopping to get this chili going in your slow cooker – and then it’s another 7-8 hours of hands-off cooking. Of course, you can also make it on the stovetop if you don’t have a slow cooker or just like the act of cooking (which, admittedly, sometimes I really like to stand over the stove and stir up beautiful pots of soup and such) – so I’ve also included directions for making this on the stove as well.
When the chicken is cooked through you can either remove it to a plate and shred it with two forks or carefully shred it right in the slow cooker before you add the coconut milk.
Then all you have left to do is stir in a little fresh lime juice and chopped cilantro then serve it up in big bowls and dig in.
Your perfectly warm and satisfying bowl of Whole30-compliant Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili is waiting!
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Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili
Our hearty, bean-free Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili takes just 10 minutes to prep! Great for busy weeknights & freezer meal cooking sessions. Paleo | Whole30 | Dairy-free
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 7 hours
- Total Time: 7 hours 10 mins
- Yield: 5
- Category: Soups & Stews, Paleo, Whole30
Ingredients
- 1 ½ lbs. Boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- 1 Tbsp. ghee or avocado oil (for stovetop version only)
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 1 medium bell pepper, any color; diced
- 1 small jalapeno, seeds and membranes removed and finely diced
- 6 cloves garlic. minced
- 2 ½ tsp. ground cumin (add more to taste)
- 1 tsp. dried oregano
- 2 tsp. chili powder (add more to taste)
- 1 tsp. sea salt
- ¼ tsp. black pepper
- 4 cups organic chicken broth (or homemade bone broth) for thicker soup reduce broth to 2-3 cups
- 1 14-ounce can full-fat coconut milk
- Juice of ½ lime
- ½ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- Fresh cilantro and lime wedges for garnish, optional
Instructions
Slow Cooker Directions
- Add onion, peppers, garlic and spices (cumin through black pepper) to the bottom of a slow cooker. Arrange chicken on top of vegetables in a single layer.
- Add broth and place lid on slow cooker.
- Set heat to LOW and cook 7-8 hours or until chicken is done and vegetables are tender.
- Remove chicken from slow cooker and shred with two forks. Return chicken to slow cooker.
- Turn heat to HIGH. Add coconut milk, stir and replace lid. Continue heating an additional 10-15 minutes or until soup is heated through.
- Stir in lime juice and cilantro. Taste and adjust seasonings as desired. Serve in bowls garnished with chopped cilantro and lime wedges, if desired.
Stovetop Directions
- Place a large saucepan with lid (or Dutch oven) over medium heat. Add 1 Tbsp. ghee or coconut oil and allow to melt. When ghee just starts to shimmer, add onions and peppers. Saute 5-6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until onion and peppers starts to soften.
- Add garlic, cumin, oregano, chili powder, salt and pepper. Continue to cook an additional 30-60 seconds or until fragrant.
- Lay chicken in pan over the onion and pepper mixture. Add 2 cups broth and bring just to a boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer for 10-12 minutes or until chicken is cooked through. Shred chicken in the pan using two forks.
- Add remaining 2 cups of broth and coconut milk and return to a simmer. Cover pan and allow chili to simmer for an additional 10 minutes.
- Remove from heat and stir in lime juice and cilantro. Taste and adjust seasonings as desired. Serve in bowls garnished with chopped parsley and lime wedges, if desired.
Instant Pot Directions
- Select ‘Saute’ function on Instant Pot
- Add oil. When oil is melted, add onion, bell pepper and jalapeno.
- Saute 5-6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until onion and peppers starts to soften.
- Add garlic and spices and cook an additional 30 seconds or until fragrant.
- Press ‘Cancel’. Add chicken breasts and broth.
- Lock lid into place. Turn vent valve to ‘Sealing’ position.
- Select ‘Manual’ setting and set cook time to 20 minutes.
- When cook time is up, allow pressure to naturally release 5-10 minutes then release remaining pressure using quick-release method (i.e. flip the vent valve to ‘Venting’ position)
- Add coconut milk, lime juice and fresh cilantro. Stir to combine. Taste and season with additional salt and pepper as desired.
Notes
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Note: We only test the recipes with the listed ingredients and measurements, unless otherwise noted. If you would like to try a substitution, we would love to have you share what you used and how it turned out in the comments below. Thanks!
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/5 recipe
- Calories: 327
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 676mg
- Fat: 17g
- Carbohydrates: 6g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 28g
How do you like your chili? Spill the beans in the comments below and tell us about your favorite chili!
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So we are “snowed in” today and this looks perfect HOWEVER, I don’t have a can of full fat coconut milk in my pantry. Is there an alternative? Is this ingredient a deal breaker on the flavor / consistency? thanks in advance!
Hi Emily!
Sorry for the late reply – I was enjoying some fresh air and shoveling out the chicken coop after yesterday’s big storm here in Colorado.
The full-fat coconut milk isn’t a deal breaker – it just adds creaminess and makes it ‘white’. It also adds fat to make what would be a relatively low-fat chili more satisfying.
You can sub almond or cashew milk if you’re keeping it Whole30 and still want a creamier texture (or add milk/cream if you’re not Whole30-ing). If you leave out the milk entirely, I’d suggest adding some diced avocado to the top when you serve it for some fat to keep you satisfied longer.
Hope that helps!
Thanks Jessica for the thorough / helpful response! I am making this tomorrow night (finally no snow & made it to Trader Joe’s for full fat coconut milk) so I will let you know how it turns out!
Thanks for this information. I’m allergic to coconut so I’m glad to see the substitution. I’m also healing my gut so I can’t use any of the peppers or chili powder. Any suggestions on substitutions?
Hi Sandy,
I’m not sure you could substitute anything for the peppers or chili powder and retain any sort of ‘chili’ flavor. Cumin, as it’s a seed, is also contraindicated on an auto-immune paleo protocol. So basically, what we’re looking at is creating an entirely different flavor profile.
I would suggest replacing the bell pepper with more onion or even carrots. If you leave out the peppers, cumin and chili powder then I’d suggest taking a more traditional ‘chicken soup’ twist on things by using dried thyme, sage, rosemary, etc. You’ll still have an easy dish to prepare that’s hearty and nourishing, but it won’t be chili.
Hope that helps!
Hey Jessica! I could only figure out how to reply lol just a quick question. I am making this in the instant pot later. I don’t have a can of coconut milk but I have the refrigerated box kind. Will that work the same or should I skip it? I was thinking of adding sweet potato and maybe cauliflower also topping with avocado so wouldn’t be a huge deal if I couldn’t add the milk.
Hi Tara,
If all you have is the carton coconut milk then I would just skip it all together. The coconut milk from the can is really thick which keeps the dish from getting too watery. However… since you’re using the Instant Pot for this recipe, you can decrease the broth by 1-1 ½ cups during cooking and then add the coconut milk from the carton after removing the lid and you may get really good results (sorry…kind of thinking out loud here as I type!)
Hi Jessica! I’m clearly late to the party (by like a year) but better late than never 🙂 if i’m subbing regular milk or cream for the coconut milk which i couldn’t find anywhere in our market (grumble) how much should i use? Would it still be 14 oz? Thanks in advance!
Hi Nicolle,
Better late than never, right?! If you’re using heavy cream in place of the coconut milk I would start with 4-6 ounces then add more if you feel it needs to be creamier.
Thanks for sharing! I made this tonight for dinner, it turned out amazing! I added a can of Rotel to my batch for a little extra spice and flavor – definitely my favorite whole30 recipe now!
★★★★★
This is so great to hear – “favorite Whole30 recipe”..that’s quite the compliment! 🙂 Thank you for sharing your feedback…we appreciate it!
Hi from England…
Please excuse my ignorance, but what is “Whole30”?
Hi Ron,
We’re glad you asked! The Whole30 is a very popular 30-day nutrition reset program that’s based on whole, nutritious foods. You can learn more about the Whole30 here: and read our thoughts as dietitians here:
I just discovered this website & the recipe for slow cooker white chicken chili. I’m planning to make it this weekend and will also add a can of Rotel tomatoes, as suggested by Maria on 01/09/17. Sounds yummy!
Enjoy! We hope you enjoy this recipe!
Have you tried in a pressure cooker? I am wondering if I could saute veggies in the instant pot then add chicken and let the pressure cooker do the work! Thanks!
Hi Sara,
Yes, I have and you’re right on about sauteing the veggies first then adding the chicken and remaining ingredients (except coconut oil and cilantro) – I cook mine at high pressure for 17 minutes with natural release.
Hi Jessica! I have a Q RE: instant pot happenings – you said except coconut oil and cilantro above. Did you mean the coconut milk? And if so, when did you add in the coconut milk? After cooking at high pressure for 17 minutes with natural release? Do I turn on a heat setting at that point? Sorry, I’m SUPER new to the IP (bought one because of you guys!) and I am trying not to botch this recipe in it :o) Thanks in advance!!
Hey Christina,
Sorry, that should have been “except coconut milk and cilantro”. You’ll add both of those at the end after you’ve released the pressure naturally (then flipped the vent valve to release anything still left in there).
Once you’ve removed the lid and stirred in the coconut milk you can turn the pot to ‘Saute’ to warm it up a bit. Add the cilantro just before serving.
Hope that helps – enjoy your chili!
Awesome, thank you soooooooo much!! Really appreciate it!
Of course!
At what point do we add the oil? Its not in the steps.
Hey Ryan,
If you’re making the stovetop version you’ll add it before you saute the onions. The slow cooker version doesn’t require oil since you’re just tossing everything into the slow cooker.
What about for the Instant Pot method? It says add oil as first step – is it the same amount as you would for the stovetop version?
Yes, that is correct.
Hi
Was the ghee/avocado oil/coconut oil purposely left out of the slow cooker option? I noticed it in the stovetop direction but not in the slow cooker direction…. Just checking. Thanks 🙂
Hi Nek,
No, it wasn’t. The slow cooker option has you tossing everything right into the slow cooker versus sauteing the vegetables in the stovetop option – so you don’t need to add the oil to the slow cooker. However, you certainly can do so to add more flavor and some fat.
I made this yesterday in the slow cooker, and it was fantastic! Creamy, satisfying and delicious. I tossed some avocado on top, which was great, but not necessary. This will definitely be a favorite go-to recipe for me–easy, delicious and great to pack for work lunches. Thank you for sharing!
★★★★★
Hi Joni,
Thanks for your kind words — we’re so happy to hear you loved it. It makes such a great lunch – so warm and satisfying. Enjoy!
Made this tonight and I’m disappointed. Not sure where the red color in your picture comes from. Mine is white and very bland. Glad I didn’t make a double batch for leftovers.
Hi Michelle,
I’m sorry to hear that you found the chili disappointing. The red color in the photos (and all of the other batches I’ve prepared since) comes from the chili powder.
Your tastes may be different than others and/or your chili powder may be old and lacking flavor – in either case, tasting and adding more spice to your taste is always recommended.
Hopefully you’ll try again with your own tweaks to meet your tastes.
Can I cook this on high for 3 hours instead of low for 6? Thanks!
Hey Emily,
You sure can – though the exact cooking time will ultimately depend on your slow cooker (some run hotter than others).
What about adding in quinoa?
Hey Kristen,
You certainly can add cooked quinoa before serving, if you’d like. I wouldn’t add it uncooked with the other ingredients though as it would likely become overcooked and possibly lend a bitter flavor to the chili.
I made this a few weeks ago and it tasted amazing! Broth was a bit watery, though. Any suggestions? I was thinking of putting the coconut milk in the whole cooking time. Would that work?
Hey Morgan!
If you used broth from a box (rather than homemade broth) it may feel more ‘watery’. Also, depending on how tightly your slow cooker lid fits, you may have had less evaporative liquid loss so your broth was thinner. I’d suggest cutting back the broth by 1 cup next time as you can always add more later if you need it. I don’t usually add the coconut milk at the beginning because it can sometimes separate and feel gritty, IMHO.
Hope that helps!
At what point in the cooking process would you freeze this chili?
Hi!
I cook the recipe all the way through (including adding the coconut milk). Then I allow it to cool slightly before transferring it to freezer-safe containers which I then put in the fridge until completely cooled then I move them to the freezer. Thoroughly chilling foods before freezing them decreases ice crystal formation on the surface of the food thereby decreasing the risk of freezer burn.
To serve, I place the container in the fridge for up to 48 hours to thaw then I reheat it on the stove. Hope that helps!
Planning to make this for dinner. Quick question. Do you chop or crush the garlic or throw the cloves in whole? Thanks!
Hi Erica,
You’ll want to mince or finely chop the garlic before adding it. Sorry about that – just updated the recipe to clarify. Thanks for the catch!
So good!! We had this last night and my husband and son loooved it! I did change a few things…used only 1/2 onion, about 2.5 lb of chicken breasts, only 2 cups of broth, and all the juice from the lime. I served it over GF pasta in a bowl. Delicious! I am definitely a subscriber now!
Five stars! Thank you!
★★★★★
Thanks, Kelly!
I love that you served it over GF pasta and that the hubs and son loved it too! So happy you found us here in our little corner of the internet 🙂
Though a bit soupy than what I’m used to, this was the best chili I ever had! Will use less broth next time. Husband liked it, too and wanted a second bowl. Will definitely make this recipe again! If adventurous, have a serving with Avocado, like we did.
That’s great to hear! Hubby-approved is always good news.
With slow cookers I find that sometimes I need to adjust the liquid based on how long the chili cooks, how hot my slow cooker runs (mine runs pretty hot) and whether or not the lid is tight fitting (mine is not – it’s been dropped one to many times in the last 24 years) – so I suspect your lid fits tighter and thus doesn’t allow for as much evaporation.
This is delicious. I made in the Instant Pot and when I added the lime and coconut milk, the coconut milk got kind of curdly…still tastes great, but does not look like it should. Any idea why? Should I have added the milk first?
★★★★★
Hi Lani,
I’m not sure why some brands of coconut milk curdle with the addition of the lime juice and others don’t. Next time I’d suggest adding the coconut milk first then waiting to add the lime juice just before serving (after it’s cooled down just a bit) Bonus: You get more of that bright citrus flavor this way as well.
i had chicken already shredded in the freezer, how would you suggest working that?
Hi Rachel,
I would make this recipe using the stove top directions as directed but omitting the chicken (essentially you’ll be making a vegetable and broth soup) then add the cooked, shredded chicken to the soup once the vegetables are tender. Followed by the lime juice, coconut milk, cilantro, etc.
I have made this soup several times since I found this recipe. It’s easy to throw together in the crockpot and so so delicious!
★★★★★
So great to hear you love this recipe!
This is THE best tasting meal, ever. We aren’t following whole 30, we do eat dairy, but just trying to be healthy. Other than adding extra salt and one less cup of broth, I followed the directions exactly. The coconut milk and like are a must in my opinion! I will be making this a few times a month.
★★★★★
This is so great to hear! Thanks for the feedback.
Hi! So excited to find this recipe! Do you know if I could add crushed tomatoes to it? Would that taste odd with the coconut milk? Thank you!!
Hi Emily,
You could definitely add crushed tomatoes to the recipe. The acidity however, may cause the coconut milk to curdle or separate. I would just leave it out all together and call it Chicken Chili 🙂
This recipe was SO DELICIOUS! Healthy and full of flavor! And so easy to make! Thanks for the recipe!
Thanks, Megan! Glad you loved it – it’s one of my favorites, too!
Making this for dinner tomorrow! Do you think I can add sweet potatoes? If so, would you cook them the whole 7-8 hours with the chicken or add them later?
Hi Tori,
You can certainly add sweet potatoes. I’d suggest adding them about half-way through the cooking time to keep them from getting too soft. But if you’re not home to add them (i.e. you’re at work) it won’t ruin the dish if they cook the whole time, they’ll just be very soft and possibly fall apart (which may actually thicken the dish a bit – like it does in our Instant Pot Sweet Potato Chicken Curry)
Hi! Do you use everything in the coconut milk can, or only the solid portion?
Hi Sarah,
You’ll want to blend the solid with the liquid then use that.
So delicious!! A perfect blend of flavors! Will definitely make again ????
★★★★★
So great hear! We love this recipe, too!
Any suggestions for adding more vegetables? Was thinking of adding in some chopped frozen spinach. I have found that many Whole30 recipes, despite the plan calling for lots of veggies, don’t have enough for me. If you were to add veggies (not potatoes) which would you choose and when would you add?
Hi Danielle,
I’m with you on needing a LOT of veggies since they’re often my primary carb source. I’d add more onion, carrots, celery early in the cooking – things that can withstand more time – then toss in some zucchini or greens toward the end since those take very little time to cook. I always add a hefty handful of greens to my bowl before adding any kind of soup or chili as my work-around for kids who aren’t as veggie-obsessed as I am 😉
Put this in the slow cooker this morning and had it for dinner. My only complaint is that it needs more veggies and maybe a bit more body. Its kind of thin and soupy, not the thick stew i often associate with chili. I am going to add carrots and maybe zucchini next time to make it hartier. I did put cubed avocado as a garnish along with raw onion and jalapeno (i hate cilantro, so i left it out). The lime is absolutely necessary. I didnt dislike the coconut flavor, but the lime cancelled it out and i could bareky taste it after the addition of lime juice.
★★★★
Hey Vian,
Yes, you’re right about being more on the soupy side than the thick chili side. I’ve experimented with adding a thickener like coconut flour or arrowroot starch but didn’t feel it was the best texture. Adding more veggies is always a good way to go, too.
I thought this was a really great recipe, but I did add some tweaks of my own. I doubled the spices and lime juice, replaced the jalapeno with a poblano, added a thai chili and topped with avocado. Mine wasn’t watery at all and really held up after reheating for lunch!
★★★★★
Yummmmm! Glad to hear this recipe turned out for you. Those sound like awesome and delicious tweaks!
I’ve got this going in the Pressure Cooker now and am pretty excited to try it! I’m making 19 servings that are about 15 ounces each, so I doubled the recipe for this first batch, but I’m curious if you know how big your servings are so I know how many batches to make. 🙂
★★★★★
Hi Diane,
Unfortunately, I can’t recall the exact size of each portion. Our servings were pretty big as they were intended to be the bulk of the meal (served with a small salad or other vegetable).
Hi Jessica!
I am hoping to make this today or tomorrow and would love some advice on what to look for when buying coconut milk for cooking. I am new to the Whole30 and using coconut milk in my cooking. I bought the So Deliciois brand of coconut milk but the more research I’ve done makes me think that this is used more as a beverage than I’m cooking. What brands do you suggest? Do you recommend canned vs. boxed? There are so many different kinds and brands out there it’s hard to know what to use!
Thanks!
Hi Rachel,
For cooking I always recommend the full-fat canned coconut milk since this is what most recipe creators will use in a recipe (unless otherwise specified). I personally but the Whole Foods Everyday 365 organic coconut milk because it’s affordable and comes in a BPA-free can. Native Forest and That Kitchen are also good brands (though I’m not sure Thai Kitchen has a BPA-free can or not) For drinking or using in smoothies or hot cocoa, I use the So Delicious unsweetened variety in the box. I hope that helps!
Yikes! I accidentally put in the cocoanut milk in at the same time as everything else and I am cooking on high to be ready by dinner. Will it still be good or have I ruined it?
Hi Karla,
It will be fine. It may separate a bit but it will still be safe (and delicious) to eat!
I can’t wait to make this! My plan is to make it the day before then bring it to work in the crock pot and let it sit on the “warm” setting for people to enjoy all day. Would it still be okay to add the coconut milk at the end when I cook it?
Hi Michelle,
What a great idea to bring this to work. It should be fine on ‘warm’ after you’ve added the coconut milk. Enjoy!
This was yummy but next time I will definitely cut back on the broth by a cup. Will probably add another pepper of a different color for more veg and color. I served over some baby spinach for more stuff and my husband added white beans to his. Avocado on top is delish! Very good and will make again!
★★★★
Glad you loved it, Sheri! Those all sound like great substitutions.
Wonder how it would be if put a whole chicken there and at the end take the bones out ? But then I guess would have to take the skin out too ?may be too much trouble
Hi Dootsie,
You could use a whole chicken or even cut up fryer parts with the skin removed. That way you could just remove the chicken and slip the meat from the bones without having to wrangle the whole bird out of the slow cooker while it’s literally falling apart.
I made this today and decided to chop up cauliflower and add it when I put in the coconut milk. I then cooked it on low for about 2 more hours. I also added a tad bit more broth and Himalayan salt. The additions were an excellent choice. The cauliflower was an excellent substitute for beans.
★★★★★
Hi Leah,
I love the idea of adding chopped cauliflower – I’ll be doing that next time, too!
Looks like a perfect Fall / Winter recipe. Can’t wait to try it. But so I’m clear – it’s called “chili” because of the spice, right? We’re not to add beans to this?
Hi Anjali,
Thank you! It’s really delicious. Yes, the name ‘chili’ refers to the spice in this recipe. However, not all chilis contain beans depending on local and cultural food customs.
The written portion before the recipe states 5-6 hours, but in the recipe itself it says 7-8 hours. I know certain slow cookers run hotter than others but in your experience is it closer to 5-6 hours for the chicken to cook through or 7-8? Trying to time it correctly for dinner time!
Hi Sarah,
It should read 7-8 hours. I forgot to update the text when I updated the recipe after retesting it with a new slow cooker. Though you are right, all slow cookers will differ so if yours in done in 5-6 hours (meaning the chicken is cooked through) then I’d suggest turning off the heat then to avoid overcooking the chicken.
Thank you for this recipe! It was absolutely delicious! I didn’t allow myself enough time to cook it on Low heat so I did 3 hours on high. My chicken and veggies were thoroughly cooked! Such an easy, simple, and tasty recipe. Our two-year-old loved the meal too!
★★★★★
Great to hear you enjoyed this recipe!
Flavor was amazing! I would add only 3 cups of broth as this is definitely more like soup. I am following a FODMAP diet so I eliminated the onion but added garbanzo beans and rice upon serving. Will definitely make again!
★★★★
Awesome! Thanks for sharing your feedback and good to hear you were able to make substitutions to make it FODMAP friendly.
Absolutely wonderful, Thank You for sharing!
★★★★★
You’re so welcome!
I made this over the weekend, and it was delicious! I wanted leftovers for the week so I doubled everything except the onion and bell pepper, I just used one large of each… I did use 2 jalapenos and we didn’t find it spicy at all, they just add a great flavor. I also only used 1 tsp of salt and 6 cups of broth. Remember, this was a double recipe.
I cooked the chicken on high for about 5 hours (I put it in frozen) and then tore it up and added everything else. All I could find was Goya full fat coconut milk and it worked just fine. I didn’t add the cilantro to the whole pot, just to my bowl, and I separated out half the leftovers and added cannelini beans to hubby’s. He took it to work.
Definitely will make again! Thanks for the great recipe!
★★★★★
Great to hear you enjoyed this recipe! Thanks for sharing your feedback and the changes you made. Always helpful!
I just made this, and it is super delicious! I feel certain that people who said it was bland did something wrong, because it is quite flavorful. I did double the lime because I love lime. The consistency is more like a soup than a chili, so if you want it to be thicker, isuggest not putting in the full 4 c of broth. Make sure you use the full fat coconut milk from the can, not the stuff in a carton, not a cab that says lite. I ate some on its own, topped with avocado, and some with white beans (from a can) mixed in. I loved it both ways. Thanks for a new favorite!
Hi June,
Thank you for your kind words – I’m so glad to hear you enjoyed this recipe. You’re right about the consistency, it’s thinner than a traditional chili and that, as you noted, can be remedied by using less broth (sometimes it’s also related to how much liquid evaporates during cooking, especially if the slow cooker lid is not tight fitting). As for the spices, using the freshest, highest quality spices available to you will always give you more flavor and also, what is one person’s spicy can be another person’s bland so I always say ‘adjust seasonings to your taste’ (which for me is really spicy – but my kids? Not so much!)
I just threw this in the crock pot and accidently put the coconut milk in with everything else right at the beginning! I am planning to cook on low for 7-8 hours. Will it be ok?
I even put the can of coconut milk to the side so I wouldn’t grab it and put it in. *sigh*
Hi Lindsey,
Chances are good it will be just fine. The coconut milk may separate a bit (and it may not) but it will still be safe to eat- and delicious!
I wonder if my coconut milk was “off”. I can’t describe the taste at all but everything smelled and tasted good up to that addition (I used my Instant Pot to make this)…. I did turn the IP to saute again so that it would heat through once I added the lime juice, coconut milk and cilantro. Any thoughts? Thanks!
Hi Laura,
I’m sorry to hear that your chili tasted ‘off’ – it very well may have been the coconut milk since you said it was fine before you added it. Preparing it in the IP versus stovetop or slow cooker shouldn’t affect the flavor at all. Perhaps try again – this time tasting the coconut milk before adding it.
I doubled this recipe in the instant pot today minus the jalapenos (so the toddlers will eat it) and it came out delish! I would make again.
Great to hear you enjoyed this recipe and that it’s toddler approved with modifications!
I made this tonight-it’s excellent! Will definitely make again!
Fantastic! So glad you loved it.
Made this for my husband and I for our Day 2 Whole30 dinner and it was delicious and super easy! Will definitely make this again. We both loved it. Was nervous it would have a coconutty flavor, but it didn’t at all!
Hey Ali,
Glad you loved it! You’re right about the coconut – you can’t taste it thanks to the chili powder.
hello! This looks like a great recipe 🙂 I am trying to figure out where the carbs and sugars in the nutritional info are coming from though? I am following THM and trying to keep out as many carbs as possible.
Hi Laura,
The carbs and sugars in this recipe, 6g and 3g, respectively are coming from the tomatoes, onions and bell pepper. Hope that helps!
thanks for your response…I have read over the recipe a few times and I don’t see the tomatoes! Lol!! Am I totally missing it?!
Hey Laura,
Sorry! You’re right – there are no tomatoes. I mistyped that during a flurry of comment answering 🙂
haha…it’s all good! Thanks so much! Can’t wait to try it.
This was sooooo good! It’s a whole 30 staple!
Thanks for the recipe????
Awesome! So great to hear you loved it!
I currently have this in my crockpot and I can’t wait to eat it for dinner! I accidentally put in the full amount of broth instead of only putting 2 cups at first….hope it will be okay! Thank you for this recipe.
★★★★★
Hi Jerene,
Adding extra broth won’t be a deal breaker – it will be thinner, like soup, but still taste great.
Is the serving size really 1/5c?
Hi Carla,
The serving size is 1/5th of the recipe which comes out to be about 1 ½ – 2 cups per serving if my memory serves me.
I just got an instant pot and want to use it for this. Can I use frozen chicken? Does it change the directions at all?
Hi Emily,
Yes, you can use frozen chicken. You do not need to adjust the cooking time – the Instant Pot will automatically adjust (meaning it will take a few more minutes to come to pressure – during which time it will be essentially flash thawing the chicken inside).
Hi!
I’m planning on making this over the weekend (so excited!) and was wondering when it is you add the jalapeño? Is that just something you put on top at the end or do you cook it with everything else? I’ll be using my crock pot for this recipe.
Thanks!
This is such a good recipe! Excited to hear how you like it. You can do either or. Add it with the rest of the ingredients or if some don’t like it as spicy you could add it as a topping.
I made this for dinner tonight, and it was delicious!! This recipe will definitely become a staple in our home!
★★★★★
This is so great to hear, Jenn! Glad you loved it.
Does the coconut milk make it taste sweet?
Hi Megan,
We don’t think so. The onion, garlic and chili covers it well. If you’re not doing a Whole30 you can use cream in place of the coconut milk or if you are Whole30 you can also use unflavored/unsweetened Nutpods or a similar compliant non-dairy milk or creamer in it’s place.
Made this tonight and was so good! Added a little cayenne pepper since we like spicy. My husband even loved it and he is a very picky eater! Thank you so much for this wonderful, easy recipe! Will definitely make again!
I’m making this in my instant pot since I really don’t have many for it and I’m still learning how to “wing it” in the IP. I didn’t select manual, but I still need to choose high or low pressure. 20 min on high with slow release seems long for chicken breasts. Maybe better suited for thighs?
I’m looking forward to this chili! Both of my kids love coconut milk I’m recipes (my daughter is allergic to almond milk) so finding a recipe that uses it is always a plus. Thanks!
I found this very bland, even with increasing the spices. I used a carton of the Pacific Free Range Chicken Broth and Penzey’s spices.
★★★
Thank you for the great recipe! I served this over cauliflower rice and it was wonderful! Will definitely be making again — and you can’t beat how easy it is. ????
Yesssssss!!
As I was making this I thought, I don’t think the teenagers will like it but at least I’ll have something for lunches. I was wrong – all my kids liked it! Thanks for another great recipe. My daughter suggested adding sweet potatoes next time.
★★★★★
Hi Anna,
I love this! Sweet potatoes are a great addition. Especially the white ones if you can find them. They slightly starchier and hold up a little better than the orange ones.
This looks delicious, only question I have is I see sugar in it, what ingredients has the sugar?
Hi Kelly,
Thank you! The ‘sugar’ listed in the nutrition information are those naturally occurring in onions and peppers.
Love your slow cooker recipes and IG feed, but this recipe was not my favourite… Sorry! It was fast, easy and warm. My H and I just felt like something was missing. Maybe we will try avocado on the leftovers tomorrow.
★★★
I’m very picky with soups and I rarely like them. This soup was AMAZING and was filling at the same time. Thanks for the recipe and an instant pot version!
the instant post recipe turned out very watery, any ideas why?
Hi Katie,
When adapting a slow cooker recipe for the Instant Pot you need to decrease the amount of liquid (sometime up to half) to account for the fact that you don’t have the same amount of evaporative loss as you do with a slow cooker that’s perking away for several hours.
When converting a soup/stew/chili for the Instant Pot at home, I always start with less liquid then add more in after the cooking as completed if I feel like it needs it.
Help me reduce the sodium please
Hi Oveeda,
Using canned tomatoes without added salt and omitting the additional salt called for in the recipe will help you lower to total sodium content of this dish.
Wonderful! Loved this soup! I did this in the instant pot, and it turned out great!
I would recommend that you specify how much chicken is (1 1/2 pounds) I had to google how many pieces of chicken that is… I’m so dumb lol.
I would also recommend you specify to dice up the bell pepper… I had to look at the picture to see if it was diced or sliced.
Anyways, great meal! I served mine with Tortilla Chips.
★★★★★
Hey Caitlin,
You’re definitely not dumb! How many pieces of chicken make up 1 ½ lb. is dependent on the type of chicken (breast vs. thigh) and how BIG each piece is. A kitchen scale is definitely a worthwhile investment for things like this.
This soup is simply delicious!!
Hi! I am a college student so slow cooker is my best option, however I already bought a rotisserie chicken and want to use that for the meat. How long would you suggest cooking the veggies and broth in the slow cooker before adding the chicken? Thanks!
Hi Audrey,
I would say you would need to cook the veggies and broth about 6 hours before adding the chicken. Of course, depending on how hot your slow cooker runs you may need to increase or decrease that time.
I made this tonight and it was delicious. My husband even said how good it smelled when he came in. Thanks!
★★★★
When do I add Beans if I want beans?
Hi Angela, if they are canned beans you can add them towards the end of the cooking time.
I’m wondering if the coconut cream has a strong flavor in the chili? I very much dislike anything coconut flavored so I’m wondering if it would ruin it for me. I’m not opposed to just subbing heavy cream but am trying to limit my dairy.
Hi Amanda, it will have a little bit of a coconut flavor. You might be best to go with heavy cream.
Favorite meal I have eaten on Whole 30 to date! So badly just want to add bit of jasmine rice to it! Love the asian/curry feel to it. Very satisfying!
That’s amazing!!!! Thanks for the feedback. You’ll be able to add Jasmine rice back soon. Thankfully the Whole30 is only 30 days 🙂
Can you leave out or substitute the coconut milk?
Hi Denise,
Yes, you can leave out the coconut milk. If you don’t need the dish to be Whole30 you can substitute heavy cream or half & half as well.
This is delicious. I added some white sweet potatoes and parsnips for more veggies and it turned out great!
★★★★★
Love the addition of the sweet potato and parsnips! Yum!
If you’re short on time can you put the slow cooker on high for 4-5 hours?
Yes, you can use the HIGH setting though you likely won’t need to cook it a full 5 hours.
My husband and I love it! This is the second time I make it at his request.
★★★★
It’s so great to hear that you AND your husband like this recipe! 🙂
It was absolutely amazing! Good taste and flavour. I added rice for my husband as well as I topped it up with cheese and avocado.
So great to hear!
We love this recipe!!! It is a staple in our house. I’m doubling the recipe for guests to join tomorrow and only have one can of coconut milk. I was thinking I could use regular milk for the second can, but what are your thoughts on adding Greek Yogurt? And how much would you add? I’m afraid to try this without asking for input because I don’t want it to be a fail for when our guests come!
★★★★★
You could certainly add Greek Yogurt. I would think 1 cup would be a good amount. Let us know how it turns out with the yogurt.
One of our favorite recipes! What are your thoughts about using Greek Yogurt instead of coconut milk for creaminess? I know it won’t be whole30 then.
Yes, you could certainly add Greek Yogurt in this recipe. It will change the flavor just a bit but not in a bad way. Let us know if you try it with the yogurt and how it turns out 🙂
Hi, I’d like to make this, but I have a question-Is this soup something like that Thia lime soup since it’s asking for(Lime and coconut milk) I do like the Thia lime soup, is that what it’s like/ thanks for your time
Hi Dee,
Great question! Because this soup uses chili powder, cumin and oregano it has a more of a Mexican flavor than Thai (which is typically coconut, lime, lemongrass, fish sauce and something sweet like sugar).
Does it work to add chicken thighs while cooking in the crockpot or will it get too watery?
Hi Kristin,
Chicken thighs will definitely work in this recipe.
Hi!
This recipe is fabulous and a go to for my family! Would it be okay to share on my facebook group? I’m a hairstylist/makeup artist and I share recipes every Tuesday! Until now, I’ve only shared mine, but this one needs shared and shared! I’d post with the link to this original post of course giving you all credit! But I did want to double check to make sure it’s okay!
Thanks so much!
Hi Nancy,
Thank you for your kind words. Yes, you may share the recipe with credit and a link to the post. Thanks for asking!
My husband went back for thirds and he says he “hates soups” haha I will definitely be making this again!
Thank you!!
★★★★★
Hahahahahaha! You sure showed him!
I am new to the dairy free life and I did not like this at all. It had zero flavor and I followed the recipe exactly.
Hi Aimee,
Thanks for your feedback. We’re sorry you didn’t find this recipe to be pleasing to you. It’s definitely not the same as it is when made with dairy.
Hi- I’m new to using the instant pot and this seemed like a good recipe to try . It’s cold here in NE today and I had chicken and jalapeños that I wanted to cook with. I didn’t have a green bell pepper but I had two jalapeños that I diced up. I used two onions and four large chicken breasts so I doubled the seasonings as well. I only put 6 cups of chicken broth in but added one can of Rotel. I also only had one can of lite coconut milk so I added some 1/2 & half to add creaminess. I must say that even with all of my omissions, this was delicious! Looking forward to making it when I actually have the right ingredients on hand. I’m sure it will be fantastic. Thank you. I’ll look for more of your recipes.
Hi Laurie,
Way to get creative with what you have on hand – it sounds delicious.
What can I sub for the coconut milk?
Heavy cream or half and half would work too if you tolerate dairy. Hope you enjoy!
Can we substitute the coconut milk for cream or something else ?
Yes absolutely! You could sub half and half or heavy cream.
Made this last night for a group of 11 people and everyone loved it. But down in south Texas we call this taco soup. Served up with avocado and tortilla chips (for the non-whole30ers). I added diced tomatoes and chopped zucchini and yellow squash to make it a little more hearty.
Why do you use full fat coconut milk? Not fan of light?
Hi Mary,
We use full-fat coconut milk because it gives you a richer end product. It’s also more economical in that ‘light’ coconut milk is simply full-fat coconut milk that has been watered down – so you’re paying for water. If you prefer the texture, etc. of light coconut milk we recommend adding your own water at home to save a few bucks. Hope that helps!
So… does this take 6 hours or 7-8?
Hi Rachel,
Depending on how hot your slow cooker runs and how thick your chicken breasts are this could take anywhere from 6 to 8 hours. I’ve updated the cook time in the recipe for the sake of clarity but it’s best to base the timing on your equipment and these are just rough guidelines. Thanks for asking and bringing that discrepancy to our attention.
This is an amazing chili! The coconut milk and lime made such an amazing flavor combo. I’m not whole 30 so I added pinto beans and served it with crushed tortilla chips and avocado. Perfect crock pot dinner for when it’s 105° outside and I don’t want to use the oven.
You’re so right! Perfect for those hot summer days when the oven is the last thing you want heating up the house! Glad you enjoyed this recipe!
This is delicious. My super picky husband even likes it!! I’ll be making it again and again. It took me about 35 mins from start to finish which was also awesome!! Thank you!
★★★★★
Hi Ashlee – this is great news! Glad you loved it and that it was so quick to make.
What can I replace the coconut milk with?
Hi Jenn,
If you’re not opposed to using dairy, heavy cream or half and half work great in this recipe. If you can’t do dairy, you can just leave the coconut milk out and replace it an equal amount of water or broth.
Just reading the ingredients, it reminds me of a chicken tortilla soup, which is fine, and right up my alley. This chili really sounds and looks delicious and I look forward to making it! If I remember to, I’ll leave another review with a rating! My favorite chili is a vegan, red lentil chili. It’s truly phenomenal.
This is one of our favorite recipes!!! So delicious!!
★★★★★
Love this!
Awesome! Glad you loved it!
40 Dollars for a can of coconut milk???????????????????????????????????
Hi John,
That is the price for a case of coconut milk (12 cans).
Hi Jessica! I love and appreciate all your recipes and I can’t wait to try this one! I wanted to know your thoughts on using vegan cream cheese instead of Coconut milk…do you think that would work?
Thanks!
Hi Chelsea,
Thank you – that’s so kind of you! I think you might be able to use something like Kite Hill Cream ‘Cheese’ since it’s very smooth. I’d test it by adding a spoonful to a bowl rather than adding it the entire batch. It MAY curdle with the lime juice – but I can’t say for sure. NutPods (original flavor) also works in this recipe – though it contains coconut which you may be trying to avoid.