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Home Freezer Cooking Can You Freeze It?

Can You Freeze White Chicken Chili?

By: Rachel TiemeyerPosted: 3/22/23Updated: 10/16/24

This post may contain affiliate or sponsored links. Please read our disclosure policy.

Yes, there are two effective methods for how to freeze white chicken chili. Use our expert tips for freezing and reheating this comfort food dish.

White chicken chili in a Souper Cubes container with a label on top. this …


 
Table of Contents
  • How to Freeze White Chicken Chili
  • Make Crock Pot White Chicken Chili
  • White Chicken Chili FAQs
  • Tips & Tricks for Freezing Chicken
  • What Else Can You Freeze?

How to Freeze White Chicken Chili

As authors of two popular freezer meal cookbooks, we’ve done our fair share of testing freezer meals of all kinds and have become experts at the best methods for freezing.

This cozy dinner happens to be one of my personal favorites, especially our Crock Pot White Chicken Chili or our Instant Pot White Chicken Chili. We’ve frozen this recipe many times, so you can be assured our directions are correct.

You have two options for freezing this chili–before fully cooking it and after it’s fully cooked.

Method #1: Freeze Before Fully Cooking

If you like to prep freezer meals in bulk (which is our specialty!), this is a great freezing method. The chili will turn out tasting just like a fresh meal when you use this technique. I recommend making a double batch to use your time in the kitchen efficiently. Here’s how to use this method…

  1. Saute the aromatics in the recipe, if directed to. Then, add all the ingredients to a gallon-size freezer bag or freezer container and seal. (Here are our favorite freezer containers.)
  2. Label the package with the date and contents, and freeze in the back of the freezer for up to 3 months for best quality. (Our printable Freezer Labels can be helpful.)
  3. To prepare the chili from frozen, it’s best to thaw it in the refrigerator for about 24 hours first or use one of these other safe thawing methods. Then, cook according to recipe instructions.

Method #2: Freeze Chili After Cooking

If you have leftovers of the chili, you can freeze those after cooking. Even white chicken chili with cream cheese or dairy in it will freeze and rewarm just fine. Here’s how…

  1. Fully cook and then fully cool the soup. It’s really important that the soup is entirely cooled down before freezing to avoid ice crystals forming on the top. It can sit at room temp up to 2 hours but then you will need to refrigerate it after that.
  2. Ladle the soup into individual containers like Souper Cubes or 2-cup Pyrex glass containers OR into a gallon-size freezer bag and seal.
  3. Label the container(s) with the date and contents. (Our printable Freezer Labels can be helpful.)
  4. Place the meal in the back of the freezer where it’s coldest. It’s best to use this freezer meal within 3 months.
  5. To prepare the chili from frozen, either thaw it in the refrigerator or use the defrost setting on the microwave. Then, warm in the microwave, in a pot on the stove, or in the slow cooker.
A ladle full of white chicken chili being served from a crock pot.

Make Crock Pot White Chicken Chili

Our healthy Crockpot White Chicken Chili recipe is a little lighter than others yet still so comforting and packed with flavor! It’s also gluten-free, dairy-free, and freezer-friendly.

P.S. We have an Instant Pot White Chicken Chili version, too.

Crock Pot White Chicken Chili

White Chicken Chili FAQs

Is white chicken chili healthy?

Our version is healthy! We’ve created a chili that’s filled with high-quality protein and packed with veggies. It’s relatively low in fat and carbs, too. If you’re watching your salt intake, be sure to use low-sodium broth and “no salt” canned ingredients.

Lastly, to kick up the nutritional value, add in some healthy toppings such as diced avocado, plain Greek yogurt, a squeeze of fresh lime juice, diced green or red onion, and fresh cilantro.

Is white chicken chili gluten-free?

Our version is because we use smashed beans to thicken the chili instead of flour. Our recipe is also dairy-free.

How do you thicken up white chicken chili?

In this recipe, we use smashed beans to help thicken the chili. The soup will thicken some as it sits, so give it some time after cooking.

If you’d like it even thicker, you can make a cornstarch slurry to stir into the chili at the end. To do this, mix a 1:1 ratio of cornstarch and water in a small bowl and stir into the soup. I’d suggest starting with 1 or 2 tablespoons of each. Slow cook the soup for 30 minutes after adding it.

Which white beans are best for chili?

You can use a few different types of white beans in white chicken chili–cannellini beans, Great Northern beans, or even pinto beans work.

What to do with leftover white chicken chili?

Either refrigerate or freeze leftovers for later. The USDA says that most leftovers if refrigerated properly, are safe to eat within 3-4 days. You can also freeze the chili and it will be safe indefinitely, although it will taste best if eaten within about 3 months.

Frozen chicken in marinades in freezer bags lined up in a freezer.

Tips & Tricks for Freezing Chicken

Learn how long you can freeze raw and cooked chicken, best methods for different cuts, the benefits, and the best chicken freezer meals.

How Long Can You Freeze Chicken?

What Else Can You Freeze?

Wondering what else you can stock up on and freeze? Here are more well-researched and well-tested articles we wrote from our experience.

  • How to Freeze Tortillas
  • How to Freeze Butter
  • How to Freeze Muffins
  • How to Freeze Bananas
  • How to Freeze Zucchini
  • How to Freeze Rice
  • How to Freeze Avocados
  • How to Freeze Cheese
  • How to Freeze Pesto
  • How to Freeze Quiche
  • How to Freeze Chicken Pot Pie
  • How to Freeze Chicken and Dumplings
  • How to Freeze White Chicken Chili
  • How Long Steak Is Good in the Freezer
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Rachel Tiemeyer

As co-founder of Thriving Home, Rachel dreams about creating recipes (literally) and uses her husband, her 3 kids, and even the neighbors as guinea pigs several nights a week. She believes that good food has the power to bring families and friends closer together and continues to wake up excited about her job each day, even after 10+ years!

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  1. Lars Thomas says

    Posted on 10/20/23 at 9:19 am

    Thanks for the directions for freezing the chili. I live alone so when I cook it’s always enough for a football team 🤣 however after a couple of days of enjoying there’s always more still available. So since I love chili this is very helpful 😋

    Reply
    • Carla from Thriving HomeCarla from Thriving Home says

      Posted on 10/20/23 at 10:29 am

      Hi Lars! So glad you found this post so you could save up all that yummy chili. My family doesn’t love chili, but I do, so I often freeze the leftovers individually for myself later. 🙂

      Reply

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