Confession time: I LOVE quick dinners. And seriously flavorful ones? Even better! That’s why I’m obsessed with this Instant Pot White Chili. It’s ready in a flash, cleans up in a snap, and tastes like you spent hours slaving over the stove. As a Texas home cook, I grew up on chili, but sometimes you just need something *fast*. That’s where this magical, incredibly easy Instant Pot White Chili comes in. It has all the comforting flavors of a classic white chili, pressure-cooked to perfection. Trust me, your weeknights will never be the same!

Why You’ll Love This Instant Pot White Chili
Okay, so why is this Instant Pot White Chili about to become your new go-to dinner? Let me tell you:
- Speed Demon: Seriously, we’re talking dinner on the table in under 40 minutes. That’s faster than takeout!
- Cleanup is a Breeze: One pot, people! Need I say more?
- FLAVOR, Flavor, Flavor: It’s packed with delicious chili flavor, the spices are amazing and it’s just so comforting.
- Weeknight Warrior: Perfect for those crazy busy weeknights when you need something fast and satisfying.
- Crowd-Pleaser: Even picky eaters love this one! Plus, it’s easy to double (or triple!) for a larger group.
- Customize It!: Want it spicier? Add more chili powder! Vegetarian? No problem. Check out my classic chili recipe for inspiration, or browse all my Instant Pot recipes!
Ingredients for Instant Pot White Chili
Alright, let’s gather our ingredients! Nothing too crazy here – just simple, flavorful stuff that’ll make this Instant Pot White Chili sing. Make sure you have:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 pound ground chicken or turkey
- 2 (15-ounce) cans cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 (4-ounce) can diced green chilies
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional toppings: shredded cheese, sour cream, cilantro – because toppings are life!
See? Super straightforward! And the best part? You probably already have most of these in your pantry. Now, let’s get cooking!

How to Make Instant Pot White Chili: Step-by-Step
Okay, time to get down to business! Don’t worry, this Instant Pot White Chili is seriously easy. Just follow these steps, and you’ll be chowing down in no time!
- Sauté Time! Turn your Instant Pot on and hit that glorious “sauté” button. Pour in the olive oil, then toss in the chopped onion. Cook for about 3 minutes, until it’s softened and translucent. Next, add the minced garlic and cook for just one more minute, until it smells amazing! Careful not to burn it! Burnt garlic is NOT anyone’s friend.
- Brown the Meat: Now, add the ground chicken or turkey to the Instant Pot. Break it up with a spoon and cook until it’s nicely browned. Make sure you drain any excess fat – nobody wants greasy chili!
- Add All the Good Stuff: This is the fun part! Stir in the cannellini beans (make sure they’re rinsed and drained!), diced green chilies, chicken broth, cumin, oregano, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Give it all a good stir to combine everything.
- Pressure Cook: Close and lock the Instant Pot lid. Make sure the valve is set to “sealing.” Cook on high pressure for 15 minutes. Fifteen! It’s so fast!
- Release the Pressure: Once the 15 minutes are up, let the Instant Pot naturally release pressure for 10 minutes. This is important! After 10 minutes, do a quick release of any remaining pressure. Be careful – the steam is HOT!
- Stir and Thicken (If You Want): Open the Instant Pot and give the chili a good stir. If you like a thicker chili (I usually do!), mash some of the beans with a spoon. This releases their starch and helps thicken things up beautifully.
- Serve It Up! Ladle that amazing Instant Pot White Chili into bowls and top with your favorite goodies. Shredded cheese, sour cream, and cilantro are my go-to’s, but feel free to get creative! Enjoy!
See? Told ya it was easy! This Instant Pot White Chili is a total weeknight win!

Tips for the Best Instant Pot White Chili
Want to take your Instant Pot White Chili from “good” to “OMG, this is amazing?!” Here are my top tips for chili perfection:
- Don’t skimp on browning: Seriously, that little bit of caramelization adds SO much flavor. Make sure that ground chicken or turkey gets nice and brown!
- Season, season, season!: Taste as you go! Chili powder is a game changer, but add a little and then taste. Adjust the seasonings to your liking. Don’t be afraid to add a pinch more salt, pepper, or even a dash of cayenne for heat.
- Thickening things up: If your chili’s too thin after cooking, don’t panic! Mashing some of the beans works wonders, or you could even stir in a tablespoon of cornstarch mixed with a little cold water.
- Burn Notice Blues: Getting that dreaded “burn” notice from your Instant Pot? Make sure there’s enough liquid in the pot and that nothing’s stuck to the bottom before pressure cooking. Deglaze the pot really well after browning the meat. For even more inspiration, check out more ground chicken recipes that will blow your mind!
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions for Instant Pot White Chili
Okay, let’s talk swapsies! Sometimes you don’t have *exactly* what a recipe calls for, and that’s totally okay. Here’s the lowdown on ingredient subs for this Instant Pot White Chili:
- Ground Meat: Turkey or chicken are my faves, but you could totally use ground pork or even a plant-based ground.
- Beans, Beans: Cannellini beans are classic, but Great Northern or Navy beans work great too! Just make sure they’re cooked or canned.
- Broth: Chicken broth adds richness, but vegetable broth is a fantastic vegetarian option (or if you’re just out of chicken broth – we’ve all been there!).
- Go Veggie!: Want a vegetarian Instant Pot White Chili? Easy peasy! Skip the meat altogether and add another can of beans, or even some chopped veggies like zucchini or corn. For even more vegetarian chili inspiration, take a peek at another white chicken chili recipe – just skip the chicken!
Don’t be afraid to experiment! That’s the beauty of cooking, right?
Serving Suggestions for Your Instant Pot White Chili
Okay, you’ve got this amazing Instant Pot White Chili… now what to serve with it? Here are a few ideas to take it to the next level!
- Cornbread – because chili and cornbread are a match made in heaven. Seriously, try this corn casserole!
- Tortilla chips for dipping – because who doesn’t love a good chip dip situation?
- A simple side salad for a little bit of green.
- A dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt – so creamy and delicious!
Honestly, you can’t go wrong! This chili is delicious on its own, but these sides just make it even better.

How to Store Leftover Instant Pot White Chili
Got leftovers? Lucky you! This Instant Pot White Chili is even better the next day! To store it, just let it cool completely, then pop it into an airtight container. It’ll keep in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. For longer storage, freeze it in freezer-safe containers for up to 2-3 months. Thaw it overnight in the fridge, then reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave until heated through. Easy peasy!
Frequently Asked Questions About Instant Pot White Chili
Got questions about making the *best* Instant Pot White Chili? I’ve got answers! Here are a few common questions I get asked all the time:
How do I make my Instant Pot White Chili thicker?
Great question! If your chili’s not as thick as you’d like, there are a couple of easy fixes. First, try mashing some of the cannellini beans with a spoon. That releases their starch and thickens things up naturally. If that’s not enough, you can mix a tablespoon of cornstarch with a little cold water to make a slurry, then stir it into the chili. Let it simmer for a few minutes until it reaches your desired consistency. Works like a charm!
Can I adjust the spice level in this Instant Pot White Chili?
Absolutely! If you like a milder chili, start with just 1/4 teaspoon of chili powder. If you want to kick up the heat for your *quick White Chili*, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a dash of your favorite hot sauce. Taste as you go and adjust to your liking… heat in chilis is always a personal preference!
How can I make this Instant Pot White Chili recipe even *easier*?
Okay, so it’s already pretty darn easy, right? BUT if you’re super short on time, you can use pre-chopped onions and garlic from the grocery store. Also, using pre-cooked chicken is fine but you will miss the browning the chicken.
What if my Instant Pot White Chili is too watery?
Oh no! Don’t sweat it. If your *Instant Pot White Chili easy* recipe came out a bit watery despite mashing some beans, you can simmer it on the “sauté” setting with the lid off for 5-10 minutes. This will allow some of the excess liquid to evaporate, giving you a thicker, heartier chili *quick*!
Nutritional Information Disclaimer
Please note that nutritional information can vary based on specific ingredients and brands. The values provided are estimates and should not be considered a precise measurement.
Print
Instant Pot White Chili
- Prep Time: 10 min
- Cook Time: 25 min
- Total Time: 35 min
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Pressure Cooking
- Cuisine: Tex-Mex
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
Prepare a flavorful white chili quickly in your Instant Pot with minimal cleanup. This recipe delivers rich taste and is perfect for a fast weeknight meal.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 pound ground chicken or turkey
- 2 (15-ounce) cans cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 (4-ounce) can diced green chilies
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional toppings: shredded cheese, sour cream, cilantro
Instructions
- Turn on your Instant Pot and select the sauté function. Add olive oil, then add the chopped onion and cook until softened, about 3 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more.
- Add ground chicken or turkey and cook, breaking it apart, until browned. Drain any excess fat.
- Stir in cannellini beans, diced green chilies, chicken broth, cumin, oregano, chili powder, salt, and pepper.
- Close and lock the Instant Pot lid. Cook on high pressure for 15 minutes, then allow a 10-minute natural pressure release, followed by a quick release of any remaining pressure.
- Open the Instant Pot and stir the chili. If you prefer a thicker chili, you can mash some of the beans with a spoon.
- Serve hot, topped with shredded cheese, sour cream, and cilantro, if desired.
Notes
- Adjust the amount of chili powder to suit your taste.
- For a vegetarian version, omit the ground meat and add an extra can of cannellini beans.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 10g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 50mg