Easy Crock Pot Chicken Chili – A Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup with Salsa

Easy Crock Pot Chicken Chili is made with four ingredients including chicken breast, salsa, Randall’s Great Northern Beans and Monterrey Jack Cheese.  This slow cooker chicken tortilla soup with salsa is easily modified to your family’s tastes and preferences.

Slow Cooker Shredded Chicken Chili Recipe

My family has always called this soup Crock Pot Chicken Chili; however, it is truly more of a Crock Pot Chicken Tortilla Soup recipe since it honestly doesn’t contain any chili powder whatsoever.  Instead, the flavor and heat comes from the combination of salsa and Monterrey Jack cheese.

This is a perfect soup to start on a weekend morning to have ready to eat when your favorite team kicks off.

Crock Pot Chicken Tortilla Soup comes from a family friend, and you know it is a good recipe when they serve it at every family gathering. That is the case with this Chicken Chili made in the Crock Pot. It is definitely a tried and true recipe that is sure to please!

White Chicken Tortilla Soup in the Crock Pot

The great thing is that this slow cooker chicken tortilla soup can be customized to fit your family’s tastes, including how much heat is preferred.

If you like a hot and spicy chicken tortilla soup, use your favorite medium or hot salsa.  My family prefers little to no heat at all, so I typically use mild salsa from Aldi.

Another easy change based your family’s tastes is to swap in your favorite type of cheese for the Monterey Jack. Pepper Jack, Colby Jack or even basic cheddar cheese would all work just fine.

Lastly, if you’re having trouble finding Randall’s Great Northern Beans, use any other brand or swap in other types of beans including Pintos or black beans.

Ingredients for Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup with Salsa

Chicken Breasts (2 – 4 based on what your family needs)

Salsa, your favorite type

Randall’s Great Northern Beans, do not drain

Monterrey Jack Cheese, cubed or shredded

How to Make White Chicken Chili in the Crock Pot

Step by Step Instructions

1. Add chicken and salsa to crock pot; cook on high for 3 hours.
2. Remove chicken; shred with two forks. Return chicken to crock pot.
3. Add beans and cheese; cook for an additional 30 to 60 minutes.
4. Stir to incorporate cheese before serving with tortilla strips or chips. Taste, and add salt, if desired.

Storage Instructions

Let leftovers cool. Transfer to an airtight container, and store in the refrigerator for up to a week.

For the full recipe amounts and steps for slow cooker white chicken chili, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of this post. 

Recipe FAQs

With just four simple ingredients, this Easy Crock Pot Chicken Chili recipe is one that you can easily customize in several different ways:

• The recipe calls from Randall Great Northern Beans but if you have another type of preferred bean, just be sure you use a 48 ounce jar of fully cooked, ready to eat beans and do not drain them.
• Use skinless, boneless chicken breast or thighs depending on your preference.
• Do you or your family like a bit more heat in your chili? Switch out the Monterrey Jack cheese with a Monterrey Jack cheese with jalapenos.
• Use whatever kind of salsa prefer so if your family has a favorite brand, style or flavor, use it!

You have so many options to make this chili your own! Serve this slow cooker chicken chili with tortilla chips or crackers.

Recipe Variations

• Add your favorite seasonings or spices such as cumin, chili powder, red pepper flakes, onion powder, garlic powder, oregano, cayenne pepper, etc.
• Minced garlic and diced onions are always a great addition.
• Use up any fresh chopped tomatoes by adding it to your soup.
• Toss in a can of green chiles.
• Add a packet of taco seasoning.
• Skinless chicken thighs can be substituted for chicken breasts.
• Use regular canned cannellini beans.
• Top with a dollop of sour cream, sliced avocados, a squeeze of fresh lime juice and/or fresh cilantro.
• Serve with cornbread.

Soups in the Slow Cooker

We love fixing soups in the Crockpot and here are a few of our other favorites.

• Aunt Peggy’s Chicken Noodle Soup
• Easy Crock Pot Taco Soup
• Crock Pot Chicken Corn Chowder
• Creamy Chicken Chili
• Crock Pot Sloppy Joe Soup
• Slow Cooker Bloody Mary Beef Vegetable Soup

How long to cook chicken chili in crock pot?

Chicken breasts should be cooked to the temperature of 165 degrees F. To achieve this temperature in the crock pot, it will take approximately 3 hours on high. The easiest way to not under or over cook the chicken is to use a instant read thermometer.