This Buffalo Chicken Chili features all the flavors of your favorite finger food in a spicy chili. It’s a healthy, hearty way to enjoy buffalo wings in a new way!
Looking for more buffalo sauce recipes? Be sure to try my Buffalo Smashed Potatoes, Crispy Baked Buffalo Wings, Buffalo Cauliflower Bites and Baked Buffalo Tofu Bites.
I have to say that I’m a bit of a Buffalo Wing snob. I grew up near Buffalo and had access to some pretty darn good wings. People in Western NY are particular about their wings. They CAN’T be boneless, they have to use Frank’s Red Hot sauce, and they’re served with blue cheese NOT ranch.
I’m now a full-day flight to Western NY and I haven’t found any wings out here on the West Coast to compete with the real deal. Here in Portland, it seems to be more about the Vietnamese Chicken Wings, which Pok Pok made famous. And, while, they’re also fantastic, they’re just not quite the same for me….
So… what do I do? Whip up a batch of Buffalo Chicken Chili. It’s still got the great flavor of the Frank’s, you can taste the crispy celery, AND it’s got beer in it! Plus, the addition of refried beans gives it a great, thick and hearty texture that’ll warm you right up on chilly Fall days.
For me, it’s comfort food at its finest. I like to make a big batch on the weekend, and then enjoy it all week for lunch. Why is it that chili seems to taste even better when it’s leftover?
🛒 Ingredients needed
- Ground Chicken – You can also use ground turkey
- Olive Oil
- Onion + Garlic – In a pinch, you can substitute a pinch of onion powder and garlic powder.
- Carrots + Celery
- Spices – Chili powder, cumin, paprika
- Great Northern Beans – Canned. Or, cannellini beans, navy beans, or kidney beans.
- Refried Beans – Canned.
- Bone Broth – I like to make mine in the instant pot or slow cooker, or store bought chicken stock
- Beer – Or water.
- Frank’s Red Hot Sauce – An essential ingredient for any buffalo chicken recipe!
- Salt + Pepper
📋 How to make it
- In a large pot or dutch oven, brown the ground chicken. Set aside and keep warm.
- To the (now empty) skillet, add the onion, carrot, celery, garlic, spices, and a pinch of salt and pepper, and cook until the vegetables soften, 5-6 minutes.
- Stir in the beans, chicken broth, beer, hot sauce and chicken.
- Bring to a boil and simmer for 25-30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Top with your favorite toppings (see below) and enjoy!
Slow Cooker directions
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onion, and cook until softened, about 2-3 minutes.
- Add the ground chicken and brown, breaking up the meat into small pieces until cooked through, about 8 to 10 minutes.
- Add the browned onions and chicken to the slow cooker and add the remaining ingredients.
- Cook on LOW for 8 hours or HIGH for 4 hours.
- Top with your favorite toppings (see below) and enjoy!
Instant Pot directions
- Turn instant pot to SAUTE and add olive oil. Once hot, add ground chicken and cook 3 minutes, breaking it up as it browns. Remove the chicken from the pot and set aside.
- To the (now empty) pot, add the onion, carrot, celery, garlic, spices, and a pinch of salt and pepper, and cook until the vegetables soften, 2-3 minutes.
- Hit CANCEL and add the beans, chicken broth, beer, hot sauce and chicken.
- Hit MANUAL to cook at high pressure for 7 minutes. It will take about 10 minutes for the pressure to build then the countdown timer will begin.
- Once the time is up, let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes before turning the valve to release any remaining pressure.
- Top with your favorite toppings (see below) and enjoy!
🌟 Topping ideas
- Shredded Cheese
- Greek Yogurt or Sour Cream
- Tortilla Strips or crumbled Tortilla Chips
- Blue Cheese Dressing
- Ranch Dressing
- Blue Cheese Crumbles
- Cilantro
- Sliced Avocado
👩🍳 Variations
- Chicken Breasts – You can also make this recipe with boneless, skinless chicken breasts instead of ground chicken. To do so, instead of browning the ground chicken, simply add 1 pound of uncooked chicken breasts when the beans go in (whether you’re making it in on the stove, slow cooker, or instant pot). Once the cook time is up, remove the chicken and shred it with two forks. Then stir the shredded chicken back into the chili.
- Rotisserie Chicken – You can use rotisserie chicken in this recipe by skipping step 1 (browning the ground chicken). Simply add some shredded rotisserie chicken when the beans and broth go in. Simmer and enjoy!
- Add-Ins – Add in some canned fire-roasted tomatoes when the beans go in, or when the chili is finished cooking, stir in some frozen corn kernels and/or canned green chiles.
- Creamy – When the chili is finished cooking, stir in half a block of cream cheese.
🕕 How to make ahead and store
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days.
❄️ Can you freeze it?
- Yes! This chili will keep in the freezer for up to three months.
ℹ️ How many calories are in Buffalo chicken chili?
As written, each serving of this tasty chili has 244 calories. This does not include any extra calories that toppings would add.
🥣 More chili recipes
- Instant Pot Chili
- White Chicken Chili
- Chili Seasoning Recipe
- Instant Pot Chili Mac and Cheese
- Beef & Beer Chili
- Sweet Potato Chili
- Pumpkin Chili
🍷 Wine pairings
- Beer and chili go great together! I chose a Kolsch to pair with my bowl, and added some to the recipe as well.
- This also pairs well with a light lager with a squeeze of lime.
🍗 More buffalo chicken recipes
- Baked Buffalo Chicken Wings
- Baked Buffalo Tofu Bites
- Buffalo Wing Sauce {Mild, Medium or Hot}
- Air Fryer Chicken Wings with Buffalo Sauce
- Buffalo Potatoes
- Buffalo Cauliflower Bites
🍽 What to Serve with It
- Cornbread
- Instant Pot Rice
- Baked Tortilla Chips
- Crostini
- Instant Pot Quinoa
- MORE → 45+ sides for chili
Did you try this spicy buffalo white chicken chili?
If you loved this healthy buffalo chicken chili, I would appreciate it so much if you would give this recipe a star review! Also, be sure to snap a picture of your finished dish and share it with me on Instagram using the hashtag #platingsandpairings and tagging me @platingsandpairings.
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Are you a lover of buffalo wings like me? If so, do you consider yourself a purist – Eating only the bone-in variety, or do you go for boneless, and perhaps even some ranch dressing on the side? Would you dig into a bowl of this Buffalo Chicken Chili? Let me know in the comments below!
Buffalo Chicken Chili Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground chicken (or turkey)
- 1 Tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 medium onion (minced)
- 1/2 cup chopped carrots
- 1/2 cup chopped celery
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 1/2 teaspoons chili powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 1 1/2 teaspoons paprika
- 1 15.5 ounce can great northern beans (undrained)
- 1 16 ounce can refried beans
- 1 cup bone broth (or chicken stock)
- 1/2 cup beer (or water)
- 1/2 cup Frank’s Red Hot Sauce
- Salt and pepper (to taste)
For Topping:
- Shredded Cheese
- Greek Yogurt/Sour Cream
- Blue Cheese Dressing
- Blue Cheese Crumbles
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large stock pan or dutch oven over medium-high heat. Brown the ground chicken, breaking up the meat into small pieces until cooked through, about 8 to 10 minutes. Set aside and keep warm.
- In the same (now empty) pan add onion, carrot, celery, garlic, chili powder, cumin, paprika, and a pinch of salt and pepper, and cook stirring until the vegetables soften, about 5 to 6 minutes.
- Add white beans, refried beans, chicken broth, beer, hot sauce and chicken, bring to a boil and simmer covered on medium-low about 25 to 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Top with shredded cheese, greek yogurt/sour cream, green onions, as desired.
Slow Cooker Directions
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onion, and cook until softened, about 2-3 minutes.
- Add the ground chicken and brown, breaking up the meat into small pieces until cooked through, about 8 to 10 minutes.
- Add the browned onions and chicken to the slow cooker and add the remaining ingredients. Cook on LOW for 8 hours or HIGH for 4 hours.
Instant Pot Directions
- Turn instant pot to SAUTE and add olive oil. Once hot, add ground chicken and cook 3 minutes, breaking it up as it browns. Remove the chicken from the pot and set aside.
- To the (now empty) pot, add the onion, carrot, celery, garlic, spices, and a pinch of salt and pepper, and cook until the vegetables soften, 2-3 minutes.
- Hit CANCEL and add the beans, chicken broth, beer, hot sauce and chicken. Hit MANUAL to cook at high pressure for 7 minutes. It will take about 10 minutes for the pressure to build then the countdown timer will begin.
- Once the time is up, let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes before turning the valve to release any remaining pressure.
Notes
Nutrition
This post was originally published in 2014. It was updated in 2023 information. The original recipe remains the same. Enjoy!
This sounds incredible! I love Franks 🙂 And I don’t even like wings. I used to order carrots and celery with a side of wing sauce when my friends ordered wings– because I could eat the sauce with a spoon!
I love chilis, and am always making new ones. Such a great, easy meal– and the leftovers are great to have around.
Right there with you Michelle! Chili is one of my favorite leftover meals – It just keeps getting better!
I wonder if you could use rotisserie chicken
Thanks for the recipe…but please …if you grew up in Buffalo…that is not upstate New York…it’s Western New York. Can’t wait to try!
Ha – Margaret, if you knew me it wouldn’t surprise you at all that I called it “upstate NY!” I need my GPS to tell me the home from work almost every day. I’m horrible with directions. Thanks for the correction! 🙂
What a great idea! I bet this’d be a huge crowd pleaser at a football game.
Thanks Catherine – I think this is the perfect football food!
Your recipe looks and sounds delicious! Chili is definitely a fall staple and does get better with time. Look forward to giving it a try.
Thank you Tami – Enjoy!
I absolutely love buffalo chicken, so as soon as I saw this, I knew I had to visit! This is definitely going on the menu here soon! Pinning!
And – I prefer wings on the bone and blue cheese, but as long as the sauce is good, I’m happy.
A girl after my own heart!
We are a house divided: my sweetheart is all about the bone-in, all over you face wings, while I can stand neither sauce on my face nor bone picking, so I’m all for boneless wings. However, we would both love this chili. Can’t wait to try it out!
I hope you both enjoy Renee!!!
Heehee! I can’t wait to try this. I love it when people are able to combine 2 delicious foods to make something new and creative. I don’t know why I never thought to doing this. Thanks!
I hope you enjoy Marjorie!!!
Loved this recipe. my guys like it hotter- I followed the directions to the letter. So I left the hot sauce on the side for a kick. but really great. will do this again! thanks so much for the post.
So happy to hear that you enjoyed it Vickie!
Sounds great but I’m confused..you say to brown chicken and set aside. Then in same pan to do the next steps…why set aside…do I add vegetables, etc into the same pan as the chicken?
Thanks
Hi Sue – Yes. You’ll add the cooked chicken back in Step 3. Hope that helps!
I tried it and it was fantastic! Our new favorite chili !
I’m so glad you liked it Leisa!
I wonder if you can use rotisserie chicken!
Hi Leisa – You can use rotisserie chicken in this recipe by skipping step 1 (browning the ground chicken). Simply add some shredded rotisserie chicken when the beans and broth go in. Simmer and enjoy!
I knew it! I came across a different version of this recipe and I didn’t trust it.
Ugh, it said to “puree” the vegetables! Puree?! Imagine pureed celery. It would be like hair in your food! And it completely skipped the onion and beer. The blog’s author claimed her version of the recipe had won prizes but I can’t imagine how. I’m glad I checked!
Represent upstate NY! Does this freeze well?
Hi Claire – You can definitely freeze this chili. It will keep for up to three months.
Can you do this in a crock pot?
You can Kathy – I would brown the turkey before adding it to the slow cooker. Then, cook on high 4 hours, or low 6 hours. Hope that helps!
I made this and trust me it was outstanding! I thought it might be a little dry because there isn’t much liquid added, but it was perfect!! Thanks so much for this recipe!!!
You are so welcome Danny! I’m glad it was a hit!
Mine was good but didnt look like your picture. Mine was creamy but I wanted the thin transparent liquid as pictured. I followed recipe to a tee…what did I do wrong? I used chicken stock instead of bone broth and I used a can of smooth refried beans. Waaaa!
Hi Jennifer – Mine was definitely very thick too! You can always add some additional broth or water to thin it out a bit if you’d like. I hope that helps!
Hi. I put this recipe into My Fitness Pal and the calories and macros were much different (higher). How did you calculate??
Btw this is DELICIOUS!
Hi Laura! I’m definitely not a nutritionist. I simply put my ingredients into the recipe card and it calculates the nutrition for me. Unfortunately, it’s not an exact science 🙁
Just made this! My whole house smells deliciously of hot sauce. I love it 🙂 Thank you for an awesome recipe!!!
You’re welcome Kristen!
I made this recipe, with a couple of changes. I used two large chicken breasts, simmered in beer and chicken stock until shreddable. I reserved this liquid and used it in the finished chili as well as the additional stock and beer the recipe calls for. I also used a lot more chili powder, cumin, and paprika than what was called for and added quite a bit of garlic powder. It’s delicious! Thanks for the idea.
This was amazing! Lots of flavor. I used a little less than a can of the refried beans and a little more of the chicken broth and beer. This recipe is a keeper! First recipe from this site I’ve tried and I’m excited to try more.
Thanks so much Julia!
I’m puzzled. I thought you were making something with left over turkey. I was going to use chicken but I see its raw chicken. Good.
I can’t get Frank’s hot sauce where I live. What should I use.
🙂
Hi Judy – You can simply swap in some cooked turkey for the ground chicken. Frank’s tends to be pretty widely available now in the hot sauce aisle of most supermarkets. Hope that helps 🙂