Keto White Chicken Chili: Easy & Delicious

This Keto White Chicken Chili is the perfect hearty soup that is fast, easy, and delicious. This low-carb white chicken chili is made using chicken breasts, heavy whipping cream, and other simple pantry staples and spices that take the flavor over the top.

Keto White Chicken Chili

It’s no secret that homemade chili makes an easy and delicious meal. I’m a huge fan of the tender chicken meat combined with the creamy texture of the whipping cream and cream cheese to make this simple keto white chicken chili. Get ready to fall in love with the flavor of this simple keto soup recipe.

Does White Chicken Chili Have Carbs?

The standard recipe for white chicken chili has many carbs, so you would want to avoid it if you are following a low-carb diet. However, this keto White Chicken Chili recipe omits the beans and uses only keto-friendly ingredients for a delicious low-carb version.

Ingredients needed to make this Low Carb White Chicken Chili recipe

• Chicken breasts – I use shredded chicken breasts, but you could use thighs instead
• Onion, garlic, and celery – add heartiness and flavor
• Chili powder, cumin, oregano, paprika, salt/pepper, and cayenne pepper (optional) – spices are the stars of this soup recipe to take the flavor over the top
• Heavy whipping cream – adds a deliciously rich flavor and creaminess 
• Chicken stock – base of the soup 
• Chopped green chiles – you’ve got to have green chilis for the best flavor in white chicken chili 
• butter– for added flavor when sauteing veggies
• cream cheese– contributes to the creaminess of the soup and adds flavor
• sour cream – a little goes a long way for an added depth of flavor 
• pepper jack & cheddar cheese – cheese makes everything better
• xanthan gum 
• Cilantro & Jalapeno for garnishing 

Steps to make this soup

Below I have included a step-by-step short pictorial for those who are visual learners. Make sure to scroll to the bottom of the post for the full recipe with detailed ingredients and a printable recipe card.

Step 1: Slow cook chicken breasts in the crockpot, then shred. You can find my complete instructions for making shredded chicken in the crockpot. I find it’s the easiest way to make the chicken ahead of time for many recipes. 

Tip: If you forget to make your shredded chicken in the crockpot, feel free to pick up a rotisserie chicken for convenience.

Step 2: Melt the butter in a dutch oven. Then add onion and celery and saute until translucent.

Step 3: Next, add drained green chilis and spices to the sauteed veggies. The mixture will be thick, but all the ingredients will have the perfect proportion once you add the liquid. 

Step 5: Add the rest of the ingredients except the xanthan gum until they are combined. Then mix the xanthan gum with 1/4 cup of the soup, whisk until combined, then return to the pan and simmer for 15-20 min on low or until it thickens to desired consistency. Be patient with the xanthan gum, as it does take a few minutes to thicken. 

Garnish with cilantro and jalapenos, and enjoy!! 

How to store leftover chili

If you have chili leftover, you’re going to want to store it in the fridge for later. Store in the fridge in a container with the lid on for 3-4 days. You can rewarm it in the microwave or on the stove.

Variations to this recipe

• While this recipe uses boneless skinless chicken breasts, you could easily use boneless chicken thighs instead to add more fat. I personally only eat white meat chicken, but I know a lot of people enjoy other cuts.
• Experiment with different kinds of cheese. While I used Pepper Jack and Cheddar, you could try using gruyere cheese, Colby jack, Monterrey jack, or other smokey cheeses for a nice kick.
• Change out the veggies. Feel free to add mushrooms, cauliflower rice, spinach, or green peppers to make it a bit more hearty.

Side Dish Options to serve with keto chicken chili

While chicken chili is quite the meal on its own, there is always something delicious that you can serve up with it, too! Some of my favorite keto-friendly side dishes that I think pair perfectly well are:

• Cheesy Keto Breadsticks (Low Carb)
• 90-Second Keto Bread
• Easy Keto Chaffle Recipe
• fresh leafy garden salad

You can absolutely have hearty comfort food without feeling guilty or straying for the keto lifestyle at all.

How to thicken this soup:

Xanthan Gum is a keto-friendly thickener that works great with this most any recipe to reduce sauces or thicken soups. You need only a very small amount as too much can make the texture of the soup or dish slimy. By mixing it first with a bit of the liquid from the soup then pouring it back into the pot, I get the best results. Then, it is a waiting game. It will feel like nothing is happening, then all of a sudden, it begins to thicken. You might be tempted to add more xanthan gum during the first 10 minutes or so, but I would suggest waiting at least 15 minutes to give it time to work.

CAN YOU MAKE THIS SOUP IN A SLOW COOKER?

I do not recommend making this soup in a slow cooker. Because it is made with cream, it has the chance of separating, which is not appealing. My recommendation is to cook it in a Dutch oven. This is best for soups since the thick bottom does not cause food to burn easily. Simmering the soup gently is ideal for cream-based soups.

How to Make this Soup in the Instant Pot

1. Turn the Instant Pot on saute mode and add melt the two tablespoons of butter.
2. Add celery and onions and sautee until translucent.
3. Add a splash of chicken broth to deglaze the pan and scrape the bottom to remove the brown bits. Keep those browned bits as they add incredible flavor.
4. Remove the celery and onions from the Instant Pot, then add the chicken breasts and two cups of chicken broth.
5. Place the lid on the instant pot and set the timer for 20 minutes high pressure. It will take the Instant Pot a few minutes to come to pressure.
6. Once it is finished pressure cooking, allow the pressure to naturally release for 10 minutes then turn the valve for a quick release, so the pin can drop if it hasn’t already.
7. Remove the chicken from the Instant Pot to cool for 5 minutes, then shred with two forks.
8. Meanwhile, turn the instant pot back to saute and add the sauteed veggies, green chilis, rest of the chicken broth, heavy whipping cream, sour cream, softened cream cheese, and spices.
9. Whisk until everything is combined, then add shredded chicken and cheeses to the pot and stir lightly.
10. Mix ½ tsp of xanthan gum with ¼ cup of the soup, then return to the pan and simmer for 15-20 min on low or until it thickens to desired consistency.

How to serve low carb white chicken chili

This is part of what makes chili so delicious! You can choose a wide variety of fun toppings to add to your chili. A few topping ideas include:

• Cilantro
• Chives
• Chopped onion
• Freshly diced jalapenos
• Shredded cheese
• sour cream

More Chili Recipes:

• If you haven’t tried my standard Keto Chili recipe, give it a try too. It is hearty, delicious, and full of incredible flavor with a secret ingredient you might not expect.
• My Instant Pot Best Keto Chili Recipe will knock your socks off if you are in a hurry. It tastes just like you’ve been simmering it on the stove all day long, but no one has to know how quickly you made it in your Instant Pot.
• Not really in the mood for soup? Quick & Easy Low Carb Chili Casserole gives you all the flavors of chili in an easy and delicious casserole form.

More Keto Chicken Recipes:

• Keto Chicken & Cauliflower Rice Casserole
• Keto Chicken Salad (Quick & Easy)
• Low Carb Keto Chicken Stir Fry with Vegetables
• Keto BBQ Chicken Casserole Recipe
• Low Carb Chicken Philly Cheesesteak {Keto Friendly}

Don’t Miss Any New Recipes:

Don’t miss any recipes like this Keto White Chicken Chili. If you aren’t already following my Easy Keto/Low Carb Recipe Page on Facebook, where I post all my new recipes and content, join here. Follow me on Pinterest for inspiration, recipe ideas, and more low carb/keto recipes here. If you are just getting started following the keto/ low carb diet and would like more information, tons of fantastic resources and help are available. Amazon also has several excellent books you may want to check out here.