Buffalo Chicken Chili
9 CommentsUpdated May 04, 2026
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This Buffalo Chicken Chili is a recipe that’s as comforting as it is flavorful. You may never make regular chili again once you try my recipe.
Recipe Highlights
- My recipe for buffalo chicken chili has just the right amount of heat and creaminess
- Great for game day (especially tailgates) or any party where you need to feed a crowd.
- The leftovers are even better the next day - great for lunches all week
Key Ingredients
- Ground Chicken: This will be cooked before adding it to your slow cooker.
- Veggies: Diced yellow onion, green bell pepper, and a can of fire roasted diced tomatoes add heartiness and flavor.
- Beans: Cannellini beans add even more heartiness.
- Cream Cheese: I like to use chive and onion cream cheese to add a hint of onion flavor to the chili.
- Hot Sauce: Frank’s RedHot® Original Cayenne Pepper Sauce is my preference but you can use whatever brand you prefer.
- Chicken Broth: Helps create the soup base.
- Seasonings: Garlic powder, salt, and pepper are all you need for this recipe.
How to Make Buffalo Chicken Chili
- Brown the ground chicken in a skillet until it loses its pink color.
- Combine all remaining ingredients in the crockpot, give a quick stir, and let it gently slow-cook until rich and creamy.
- Stir until the chili is creamy, then ladle into bowls.
Serving Suggestions
- Toppings: Classic toppings are drizzle of ranch (or sour cream), sliced green onion and cheddar cheese. Blue cheese crumbles are great if you are a fan. Always offer a crunchy topping such as tortilla chips or crackers for contrast.
- The chili is great served with cornbread, on baked potatoes, nachos or in tortillas.
- If you want more buffalo recipes, try my crockpot buffalo wings, buffalo chicken dip, or crockpot buffalo chicken.
Sarah's Tips & Variations
Meat Swap: Ground turkey, ground beef or rotisserie chicken are great swaps for the ground chicken.
Cut the heat: You can cut the buffalo sauce in half for a milder buffalo chicken chili - and add lots of sour cream to your serving if it's still too spicy.
Lower the Carbs: Omit the beans, double the bell pepper, and add 1 cup diced celery to keep the Buffalo flavor while cutting carbs.
Featured Comment
This is my favorite chili recipe ever! Thanks for this, it’s on a regular rotation in our house now. It’s packed with yummy flavor!
- Denise
Ingredients
- 1 lb. ground chicken, or turkey
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 1 cup Frank's red hot sauce, (original if possible; it does not say wing sauce on the bottle)
- 1 tsp. garlic powder
- 1 tsp. salt
- ¼ tsp. pepper
- 15 oz. can fire-roasted diced tomatoes
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 30 oz. cannellini beans, (two 15-oz cans)
- 7.5 oz. chive and onion cream cheese, (Philadelphia brand)
Topping ideas
- shredded cheddar cheese
- sliced green onions
- saltine crackers
Instructions
- Cook the ground chicken in a non-stick skillet on the stove top.
- Add the ground chicken to the slow cooker, along with the remaining ingredients. Stir, it's ok if the cream cheese doesn't incorporate yet.
- Cook on low for 5 hours.
- Stir, serve and enjoy.
Sarah's Notes
- Nutritional values do not include toppings.
- Store any leftover chili in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave.
Nutrition
Nutrition info is auto-generated. This information is an estimate; if you are on a special diet, please use your own calculations.
More Slow Cooker Chili Recipes
Dig into Easy Slow Cooker Turkey Chili for lean comfort or whip up creamy White Chicken Chili for a Southwestern spin.
Turn game night into a hit with gooey Chili Casserole, or add autumn flair with Pumpkin Chili.
For hearty variety, simmer 15 Bean Chili—or keep it classic with a crowd-pleasing Crockpot Chili.
Can I use buffalo sauce instead of Frank’s hot sauce?
That should work just fine! They are basically the same thing, except buffalo sauce is milder.
This is my favorite chili recipe ever! Thanks for this, it’s on a regular rotation in our house now. It’s packed with yummy flavor!
Can I cook this on high? How long!
I would do 4 hours on high.
Can you do this over the stove
Yes you can just heat this on the stove top, it doesn’t take long.
Seriously? A cup of hot sauce? Just want to make sure….
It is a lot, you can start with much less and add more later if you want. The cream cheese tones it down.