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Instant Pot White Chicken Chili, instant pot soup recipes
Brittany Stage

Instant Pot White Chicken Chili

This Instant Pot white chicken chili skips the long simmer but delivers a creamy, well-seasoned bowl every time. Cream cheese stirred in at the end gives it a thick, restaurant-style texture that keeps everyone coming back for seconds.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American
Calories: 430

Ingredients
  

  • 1 1/2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts
  • 2 cans cannellini beans 15 oz each, drained and rinsed
  • 2 cans diced green chiles 4 oz each, mild or hot
  • 1 medium yellow onion diced
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 1/2 cups chicken broth low-sodium preferred
  • 1 1/2 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1/2 tsp chili powder
  • 1 tsp salt plus more to taste
  • 4 oz cream cheese softened to room temperature, cut into chunks
  • 1/2 cup sour cream for extra creaminess, optional
  • 1 cup shredded pepper jack cheese for topping
  • 1 cup tortilla chips for serving

Equipment

  • 6-quart Instant Pot or electric pressure cooker
  • two forks for shredding

Method
 

  1. Place the chicken breasts in the bottom of the Instant Pot insert in a single layer. Add the drained beans, green chiles, diced onion, minced garlic, and chicken broth on top. Sprinkle in the cumin, garlic powder, oregano, chili powder, and salt. Stir gently to combine everything around the chicken.
  2. Lock the lid and set the valve to Sealing. Select Pressure Cook or Manual on High and set the timer for 18 minutes. The pot will take about 10 to 12 minutes to come to pressure before counting down.
  3. When the cook time ends, switch the valve to Venting for a quick pressure release. Stand back from the steam and keep your hand clear of the vent. Once the pin drops and all steam has escaped, carefully open the lid.
  4. Use two forks to shred the chicken directly in the pot. It should pull apart easily. Stir everything together so the shredded chicken mixes into the broth and beans.
  5. Add the softened cream cheese chunks to the hot chili. Stir steadily for about 2 minutes until the cream cheese fully melts into the broth and you no longer see white pieces. If you want extra creaminess, stir in the sour cream at this point too.
  6. Taste and adjust salt as needed. Ladle into bowls and top with shredded pepper jack cheese and a handful of tortilla chips. Sliced jalapenos or a squeeze of lime juice are great additions if you have them on hand.

Notes

Room-temperature cream cheese is essential here. Cold cream cheese will clump and not blend smoothly into the hot broth. Set it out 30 minutes before you start cooking. If your chili looks thinner than you like after adding the cream cheese, switch to Saute mode and simmer for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring frequently, until it tightens up.