Buffalo Chicken Chili


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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.

scooping out buffalo chicken chili from a slow cooker.

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
ingredients for slow cooker buffalo chicken chili on a table.

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

  1. Brown the ground chicken in a skillet until it loses its pink color.
  2. Combine all remaining ingredients in the crockpot, give a quick stir, and let it gently slow-cook until rich and creamy.
  3. Stir until the chili is creamy, then ladle into bowls.
overhead shot of slow cooker buffalo chicken chili.

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 slow cooker buffalo chicken.
slow cooker buffalo chicken chili in a bowl.

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.

close-up overhead shot of slow cooker buffalo chicken chili in a bowl.
overhead shot of slow cooker buffalo chicken chili.

Buffalo Chicken Chili Recipe

5 from 1 vote
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 5 hours 20 minutes
Servings: 6
This buffalo chicken chili features ground chicken, a delicious broth, and seasonings for a chili everyone will enjoy.
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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

Calories: 326kcal | Carbohydrates: 30g | Protein: 25g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.05g | Cholesterol: 88mg | Sodium: 2283mg | Potassium: 604mg | Fiber: 8g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 495IU | Vitamin C: 24mg | Calcium: 163mg | Iron: 5mg

Nutrition info is auto-generated. This information is an estimate; if you are on a special diet, please use your own calculations.

Made this recipe? Leave a comment below!

More Slow Cooker Chili Recipes

Dig into 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 Cheese 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.

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Recipe Rating




7 Comments

  1. Denise says:

    5 stars
    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!

  2. Kelley says:

    Can I cook this on high? How long!

    1. Sarah Olson says:

      I would do 4 hours on high.

    2. Brittani Beeding says:

      Can you do this over the stove

      1. Sarah Olson says:

        Yes you can just heat this on the stove top, it doesn’t take long.

  3. Tim Gmeiner says:

    Seriously? A cup of hot sauce? Just want to make sure….

    1. Sarah Olson says:

      It is a lot, you can start with much less and add more later if you want. The cream cheese tones it down.