Buffalo Chicken Chili made in a slow cooker or on the stovetop is an easy recipe that combines two game day favorites in one.
What’s better than spicy chicken wings or a steamy bowl of hearty chili than buffalo chicken chili.
There’s no guilt enjoying this game day favorite.
It’s loaded with shredded chicken, spicy hot chili beans, lots a flavorful veggies and of course Frank’s Red Hot Buffalo Wing sauce.
The roasted chicken provides the protein while the veggies and beans add fiber, vitamins and healthy carbs.
This is an easy meal made in one pot to serve your tailgating friends and the leftovers are perfect for quick mid-week meals.
Pick up a rotisserie chicken at the grocery to make this dish easy or grill up two chicken breasts ahead of time.
Serve up a bowl of Buffalo Chicken Chili as is or top it with blue or cheddar cheese and a dollop of sour cream.
Be sure to serve this yummy chili favorite with other game day dishes.
Having a chili party?
Then try these.
My traditional chili made with beef is also a hit as is my leftover pulled pork chili made in the crockpot.
Ingredients for Buffalo Chicken Chili
Chicken. The easiest way to make this chili is to use rotisserie chicken picked off the bird. This will yield plenty for this buffalo chicken chili recipe. Alternatively, ground chicken is easy to brown for the stovetop method and raw boneless, skinless breasts are easiest slow cooking in the crockpot.
Fire roasted tomatoes. My go to brand is Hunt’s fire roasted tomatoes in the canned tomatoes aisle. This style of diced tomato sauce is ideal for this recipe and gives that rich and full tomato flavor to this recipe.
Chili beans. These come in many varieties including pinto beans, white beans, navy beans, kidney and cannellini beans. Chose your favorite in a mild chili sauce or hot sauce depending on your temperature level.
Buffalo sauce. You need one cup buffalo wing sauce for this recipe. My favorite brand is Frank’s but use the bottle that you love. There are lots of choices to chose from in the grocery store.
Chicken broth. Grab a 32 ounce carton of regular or low-salt chicken broth.
Corn. I head right to the canned vegetable aisle for the summer sweet variety. You can also use frozen corn alternatively.
Celery. A few stalks chopped up add crunch to this game day favorite.
Onion. My favorite is Vidalia onion but a yellow onion also works well.
Carrots. Shred and chop these for a touch of sweetness.
How to make Buffalo Chicken Chili
Depending on whether you use rotisserie, ground or raw chicken, this recipe is easy to make on the stovetop within 30 minutes or set it and forget it in the slow cooker or crockpot.
Mix together all the ingredients in one pot on the stovetop or set the crockpot for a few hours until time to serve.
Just be sure if using raw chicken to cook it until it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F or shreds easily with two forks.
Serve this great meal with your favorite toppings.
Store any leftover chili in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days or freeze for later.
Variations and Toppings for Chili
The toppings for this slow cooker buffalo chicken chili are endless. The best chili bar has plenty of toppings and are a hit for any game day celebration.
Here are a few of my favorite additions:
Sour cream. A dollop of sour cream helps cut the heat for those who like it less spicy.
Shredded cheese. Colby jack, cheddar and hot blend are the perfect toppings to sprinkle on top of each bowl.
Blue cheese crumbles. Buffalo sauce and blue cheese are companions and a hit on buffalo wings so why not sprinkle them on a bowl of creamy buffalo chicken chili.
Green chiles. You can find canned green chilies in the Mexican aisle in grocery stores. Just serve on the side for those who want a punch of spice.
Green onions. I like to have a small bowl of green onions as garnish.
Diced celery. Add a bit more crunch.
Buffalo sauce. My husband loves to drizzle a little extra on his chili to bring the heat!
Tortilla chips.
Corn chips.
Saltine or oyster crackers.
More Delicious Recipes with Buffalo Sauce
- EASY CRISPY BUFFALO CHICKEN TENDERS
- BUFFALO CHICKEN TORTELLINI (ONE-POT)
- BAKED BUFFALO CHICKEN NACHOS
- SHREDDED BUFFALO CHICKEN SLIDERS
- BUFFALO CHICKEN CASSEROLE
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Easy Buffalo Chicken Chili (Stovetop or Slow Cooker)
Ingredients
- 2 cups chicken, cooked and shredded
- 1 15-ounce can fire roasted diced tomatoes
- 1 15-ounce can hot chili beans in sauce
- 1 15-ounce can sweet corn, drained
- 1 cup Frank’s Red Hot Buffalo Wing Sauce
- 2 carrots, chopped
- 2 stalks of celery, chopped
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 1 32-ounce container chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
For the Stovetop
- In a large pot over medium-high heat, sauté the carrots, celery and onion in the olive oil.
- Add in the cooked chicken, tomatoes, chicken broth, corn and a cup of buffalo sauce.
- Simmer for 15 minutes before serving.
- Add toppings like blue cheese or cheddar cheese and sour cream if desired.
For the Crockpot
- In a large pan over medium-high heat, sauté the carrots, celery and onion in the olive oil.
- Add the raw chicken breasts to the bottom of the crock pot.
- Add in the broth, tomatoes, corn, beans and a cup of the buffalo sauce.
- Set the slow cooker to LOW for 4-5 hours or on HIGH for 2-3 hours.
- Remove the chicken breast from the slow cooker and shred the chicken.
- Return the cooked chicken to the crockpot and simmer until ready to serve.
- Serve the buffalo chili into bowls.
- Add toppings like blue cheese or cheddar cheese and sour cream if desired.
Notes
If you make a recipe, be sure to snap a photo and hashtag it #homeandplate. I’d love to see what you cook!
Looks like the perfect dish to take to a tailgater or for watching a football game at home!
Yes Linda … perfect for game day!
What a perfect game day meal! And I just love getting rotisserie chickens, they make things so much easier. Especially the Costco one, such a good deal 🙂
Agree Des. Costco has delicious ones. Makes throwing this together a snap.
The best hot sauce is Frank’s for sure! Perfect for that hearty chili! Yum!
Yup…Frank’s is best. Thanks Rebecca.
Love me some Frank’s! This is perfect for fall game days!
And easy to throw together. Thanks Lauren
Love Frank’s Hot Sauce!! I have never thought to make a buffalo chicken chili – what a great idea. I live for this time of year so I can make chili every week. I am always looking for new chili ideas. Thank you for this one!
You bet Erin….so easy to make and perfect for this time of year,
Oh man…. this SO just made my "must make" list! I love all things buffalo sauce. I’ve never heard of hot chili beans in sauce. Is that with the other beans at the grocery store?
Thanks Trish…yup…you can find the hot chili beans with all the other beans in the canned section. I know Bush’s makes them in medium and hot. Enjoy.
This is on my must-make list too!! I don’t even watch sports (eek! Don’t tell!) but I am a chili fiend. This fusion version looks right up my alley.
You will love this recipe. I promise your secret is safe with me;)
2 questions.
1. Did you drain the beans or just put them in sauce and all? I’ve seen recipes that could go either way on this.
2. Have you ever used the pre-shredded carrots? Just looking to save some time and make it even easier.
TIA, cant wait to try it.
Kyle you can absolutely use preshredded carrots and yes to including the beans with the sauce. It’s full of flavor and adds to the dish. Hope you enjoy!