Spicy Buffalo Chicken Chili Recipe: Cozy Bowl of Fiery Flavor

Whipping up a hearty buffalo chicken chili brings zesty comfort to your dinner table like nothing else.

Spicy flavors dance through this robust meal, promising a delightful twist on classic chili recipes.

Tender chicken pieces mingle with bold hot sauce, creating a mouthwatering experience that sparks excitement.

Each spoonful delivers a kick of warmth and tangy goodness that makes taste buds sing.

Colorful bell peppers and creamy beans add depth and texture to this crowd-pleasing dish.

Weeknight meals just got way more interesting with this simple yet explosive recipe.

Reasons Buffalo Chicken Chili Brings The Perfect Kick

• Quick Meal Prep: Toss ingredients into the slow cooker with minimal effort, creating a hands-off cooking experience that saves precious time during busy weekdays.
• Flavor Explosion: Combines classic buffalo chicken wing taste with hearty chili, delivering a spicy and creamy comfort food that satisfies intense cravings in every bite.
• Crowd-Pleasing Versatility: Perfect for game day gatherings, potlucks, or family dinners, offering customizable toppings that allow everyone to personalize their bowl with blue cheese, cheddar, or crunchy tortilla chips.
• Protein-Packed Nutrition: Delivers a protein-rich meal with chicken and beans, making it a filling and balanced option for health-conscious eaters who want a delicious, nutritious dinner.

Chili Base for Buffalo Chicken Version

• Chicken: Lean protein that creates the base of the chili, choose boneless and skinless for easy shredding.

• Black Beans, Kidney Beans: Hearty legumes that add texture and extra protein to the chili.
• Diced Tomatoes: Provides moisture and tangy flavor to the dish, canned tomatoes work best.

• Buffalo Wing Sauce: Signature spicy and tangy element that gives the chili its buffalo chicken character.
• Onion Powder, Garlic Powder: Dried seasonings that provide deep, concentrated flavor without added moisture.
• Salt: Essential for balancing and enhancing overall taste.

• Cream Cheese: Adds rich, smooth texture and mild tanginess when melted into the chili.
• Chicken Broth: Provides liquid base and additional savory depth to the recipe.

• Blue Cheese Crumbles, Cheddar Cheese: Optional cheesy garnishes that add extra flavor and richness.
• Tortilla Chips: Crunchy topping for added texture.
• Celery Sticks: Optional fresh side that complements the buffalo chicken flavor.

Simmer Buffalo Chicken Chili Easily

Step 1: Prepare Slow Cooker Mixture

Grab your slow cooker and toss in shredded chicken, beans, tomatoes with their juice, broth, buffalo wing sauce, onion powder, garlic powder, and salt.

Mix everything together so the flavors start mingling and getting excited to become a delicious chili.

Step 2: Slow Cook the Base

Cover the slow cooker and let it work its magic.

Cook on low heat for 6 hours or high heat for 3-4 hours.

This allows all the ingredients to become tender and develop deep, rich flavors.

Step 3: Add Creamy Texture

Slice cream cheese into small cubes and gently stir them into the slow cooker.

Watch as the cream cheese melts and creates a luxurious, smooth texture throughout the chili.

Step 4: Shred the Chicken

Remove the cooked chicken onto a cutting board.

Using two forks, shred the chicken into bite-sized pieces.

Return the shredded chicken back to the slow cooker and stir to combine.

Step 5: Final Melding of Flavors

Once the cream cheese is completely melted and incorporated, your chili is ready to serve.

Ladle the steaming chili into serving bowls.

Step 6: Garnish and Serve

• Blue cheese crumbles
• Shredded cheddar cheese
• Crushed tortilla chips

Optional: Serve with crisp celery sticks on the side for a classic buffalo wing experience.

Chili Tips With Bold Buffalo Chicken Heat

• Use two forks to pull apart the cooked chicken, creating tender, even pieces that mix beautifully into the chili.
• Adjust the buffalo wing sauce amount to control heat – less sauce means milder flavor, more sauce adds extra kick.
• Cut cream cheese into small cubes before adding to ensure smooth melting and even distribution throughout the chili.
• Make this chili in advance and store in refrigerator; flavors intensify overnight, making it even more delicious the next day.
• Swap cream cheese for dairy-free alternative and use vegan cheese toppings to accommodate dietary restrictions.

Reheating Buffalo Chicken Chili Without Losing Flavor

• Store leftover buffalo chicken chili in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping it fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Transfer cooled chili to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags, removing excess air. Freeze for up to 3 months, maintaining optimal flavor and texture.
• Warm gently in a saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent scorching. Add a splash of chicken broth if the chili seems too thick.
• Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then reheat in a saucepan or microwave, stirring periodically to ensure even heating and preserve the creamy consistency.

Zesty Combos For Chicken Chili

• Pair Buffalo Boldly with Blue Cheese Beer: Crisp, hoppy craft beer cuts through the spicy chili's heat, while complementing its tangy buffalo sauce flavor profile.
• Crunch and Cool Celery Sidekick: Fresh celery sticks provide a refreshing, crisp counterpoint to the rich, creamy chili, enhancing the overall eating experience.
• Smooth Ranch Dressing Drizzle: Creamy ranch adds a cooling element that balances the buffalo wing sauce's spiciness, creating a harmonious flavor blend.
• Cornbread Comfort Companion: Slightly sweet, buttery cornbread offers a perfect textural contrast and helps absorb the chili's robust sauce, completing the meal.

Spicy Comfort in Buffalo Chicken Chili

• Vegetarian Buffalo Chili: Replace chicken with plant-based protein like crumbled tofu, tempeh, or textured vegetable protein. Use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth for a meat-free version.
• Keto-Friendly Buffalo Chili: Eliminate beans and use extra chicken or cauliflower rice. Add more low-carb vegetables like zucchini or bell peppers to increase volume.
• Dairy-Free Buffalo Chili: Substitute cream cheese with dairy-free cream cheese alternatives made from cashews or almond milk. Top with dairy-free cheese shreds or nutritional yeast for similar flavor profile.
• Spice Level Customizer: Adjust buffalo wing sauce quantity to create mild, medium, or extra hot versions. Use hot sauce brands like Cholula, Frank's RedHot, or Louisiana-style sauces for varied heat intensity.

FAQs

• What makes buffalo chicken chili different from traditional chili?

This recipe combines classic chili ingredients with buffalo wing sauce, creating a spicy twist that brings the popular chicken wing flavor into a hearty, comforting chili.

• How spicy is this buffalo chicken chili?

The spice level depends on the buffalo wing sauce you use. You can control the heat by choosing a mild, medium, or hot buffalo sauce, or adjusting the amount of sauce added to the recipe.

• Can I make this recipe on the stovetop instead of a slow cooker?

Yes, you can adapt this recipe for stovetop cooking. Simply combine all ingredients except cream cheese in a large pot, simmer for 45-60 minutes, then add cream cheese and shredded chicken.

• Is this recipe good for meal prep?

Absolutely! Buffalo chicken chili stores well in the refrigerator for 3-4 days and reheats easily, making it an excellent option for preparing meals in advance.

Buffalo Chicken Chili Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.6 from 32 reviews

• Total Time: 4 hours 10 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Spicy buffalo chicken chili brings fiery flavor to classic comfort food, delivering a zesty kick that warms winter nights. Hearty ingredients blend seamlessly, creating a bold meal you’ll crave again and again.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 1.5 pounds (680 grams) boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs

Beans and Tomatoes:

• 2 (14.5 ounces / 410 grams) cans great northern beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 (14.5 ounces / 410 grams) can fire roasted tomatoes with juice

Liquids and Seasonings:

• 2 cups (473 milliliters) chicken broth
• 1/4 to 1/2 cup (60–120 milliliters) buffalo wing sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 8 ounces (226 grams) cream cheese

Garnish (Optional):

• Blue cheese crumbles
• Celery slices

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Pour chicken, kidney beans, diced tomatoes, chicken broth, buffalo wing sauce, onion powder, garlic powder, and salt into the slow cooker, mixing ingredients thoroughly to ensure even distribution.
2. Secure the lid and let the mixture simmer on low temperature for 6 hours or on high temperature for 3-4 hours, allowing flavors to meld and chicken to become tender.
3. Dice cream cheese into small, uniform cubes and gently fold into the slow cooker, stirring carefully to help cheese melt smoothly throughout the chili.
4. Transfer cooked chicken to a cutting board and use two forks to shred meat into bite-sized pieces, then return shredded chicken back to the slow cooker.
5. Continue stirring until cream cheese completely dissolves and integrates with the chili, creating a rich and creamy texture.
6. Ladle the steaming chili into serving bowls, creating an inviting presentation.
7. Garnish with crumbled blue cheese, shredded cheddar cheese, or crispy tortilla chips for added crunch and flavor.
8. Optional: Serve alongside fresh, crisp celery sticks to complement the spicy chili and provide a cool, refreshing contrast.

Notes

• Customize heat levels by adjusting buffalo wing sauce quantity, ranging from mild to extra spicy for different taste preferences.
• Swap chicken breasts with rotisserie chicken for quicker preparation and deeper flavor profile.
• Use low-fat cream cheese and reduced-sodium broth to create a lighter, healthier version of this comforting chili.
• Freeze leftovers in portion-sized containers for convenient meal prep, maintaining delicious taste up to 3 months when properly stored.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 4 hours
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 400
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 28 g
• Fiber: 7 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg