Hey there! Craving a cozy, home-cooked meal that doesn't chain you to the stove all day? I've got just the thing: Cream Cheese Crack Chicken Chili! This is your ticket to a family-pleasing, flavor-packed dinner that’s surprisingly quick to make and loaded with all the good stuff. Imagine creamy, cheesy goodness melding with hearty chicken and a kick of chili spice. Plus, we sneak in some healthy ingredients so you can feel good about what you're serving. Trust me, after a long day, throwing this together is a breeze, and the smiles around the table make it totally worth it. Let's get cooking!
Why You Will Love This Recipe
This recipe is more than just a quick weeknight dinner; it's a hug in a bowl. I developed this recipe after struggling to find quick, nutritious dinners my kids would actually eat. It started as a way to use leftover rotisserie chicken, but it quickly evolved into a family favorite. The best part? Even my pickiest eater devours it! It's creamy, cheesy, and has just the right amount of spice. It's comfort food without the guilt!
Ingredients
- Chicken:
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded (rotisserie or leftover)
- Chili Base:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (15-ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 (15-ounce) can corn, drained
- 1 (10-ounce) can diced tomatoes and green chilies (like Rotel), undrained
- 1 packet ranch seasoning
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- Creamy Component:
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- Toppings (Optional):
- Shredded cheddar cheese
- Sour cream
- Green onions, chopped
- Tortilla chips
Step-by-Step Instructions for Making the Recipe
- Sauté the Aromatics: In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute more, until fragrant.
- Combine the Base: Stir in black beans, corn, diced tomatoes with green chilies, ranch seasoning, chili powder, and cumin.
- Incorporate the Chicken: Add the shredded chicken to the pot. Mix well to ensure everything is combined.
- Make it Creamy: In a separate bowl, whisk together the softened cream cheese and chicken broth until smooth and creamy.
- Melt the Cream Cheese: Pour the cream cheese mixture into the chili pot. Stir until the cream cheese is fully melted and incorporated, creating a creamy, cheesy chili.
- Simmer and Serve: Bring the chili to a simmer, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, to allow the flavors to meld.
- Garnish and Enjoy: Ladle the Cream Cheese Crack Chicken Chili into bowls. Top with shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream, and green onions, if desired. Serve with tortilla chips for dipping.
Cream Cheese Crack Chicken Chili
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute more, until fragrant.1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 medium onion, chopped, 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Stir in black beans, corn, diced tomatoes with green chilies, ranch seasoning, chili powder, and cumin.1 15-ounce can black beans, rinsed and drained, 1 15-ounce can corn, drained, 1 10-ounce can diced tomatoes and green chilies, 1 packet ranch seasoning, 1 teaspoon chili powder, 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- Add the shredded chicken to the pot. Mix well to ensure everything is combined.2 cups cooked chicken, shredded
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the softened cream cheese and chicken broth until smooth and creamy.8 ounces cream cheese, softened, 1/2 cup chicken broth
- Pour the cream cheese mixture into the chili pot. Stir until the cream cheese is fully melted and incorporated, creating a creamy, cheesy chili.8 ounces cream cheese, softened, 1/2 cup chicken broth
- Bring the chili to a simmer, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, to allow the flavors to meld.
- Ladle the Cream Cheese Crack Chicken Chili into bowls. Top with shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream, and green onions, if desired. Serve with tortilla chips for dipping.shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream, green onions, chopped, tortilla chips