Easy Buffalo Chicken Chili
This Easy Buffalo Chicken Chili is a quick, flavorful, and hearty dish combining tender shredded chicken with bold buffalo sauce and cozy chili spices. Perfect for busy weeknights, game days, or chilly evenings, this protein-packed comfort food offers a balanced spicy kick and creamy texture, easily customizable to suit your taste and dietary preferences.
- Author: Nina
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Main Ingredients
- 2 cups shredded cooked chicken (boiled, baked, or rotisserie)
- 1 cup buffalo sauce
- 1 can (15 oz) white beans, drained and rinsed
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 stalks celery, diced
- 1 bell pepper, diced
- 1 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tsp cumin
Optional Ingredients
- 4 oz cream cheese or 1/2 cup Greek yogurt (for creaminess)
- Shredded cheddar or pepper jack cheese (for topping)
- Chopped green onions, sour cream (for garnish)
- Chopped jalapeños or cayenne pepper (for extra spice)
- Coconut milk or avocado (dairy-free creaminess alternative)
- Prepare the Chicken: Cook and shred your chicken by boiling, baking, or using leftover rotisserie chicken. This will be the hearty foundation of your chili.
- Sauté Aromatics: In a large pot, sauté diced onions, garlic, celery, and bell peppers until soft and fragrant to build the flavor base.
- Combine Ingredients: Add shredded chicken, buffalo sauce, white beans, chicken broth, chili powder, and cumin to the pot. Stir well to combine all the bold flavors.
- Simmer and Adjust: Let the chili simmer gently for 20-30 minutes to allow flavors to meld and the chili to thicken slightly. Taste and adjust seasoning or spice level as needed.
- Finish with Creaminess (Optional): Off the heat, stir in cream cheese or Greek yogurt for a rich, mellow finish that balances the heat beautifully.
Notes
- Use rotisserie chicken to save time and add extra flavor.
- Control the spice level by gradually adding buffalo sauce to your preference.
- Pinto or cannellini beans can be used instead of white beans.
- Simmer low and slow for deeper flavor development.
- Add a splash of lime juice before serving to brighten the dish.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
Keywords: buffalo chicken chili, easy buffalo chili, spicy chicken chili, comfort food, healthy chili, quick dinner, game day recipes