Buffalo Ground Chicken Chili is the ultimate comfort food if you’re all about that spicy kick. It comes together in just 30 minutes, so it’s perfect for game day or those busy nights when you need something tasty fast. With lean ground chicken, savory chicken broth, fire-roasted tomatoes, and buffalo wing sauce, it’s a flavor explosion. The ranch seasoning adds the perfect creamy balance to the heat. Bonus: it’s awesome for leftovers or meal prep, so you can use it for lunch or turn it into nachos the next day!
Buffalo Ground Chicken Chili Ingredients
- Ground Chicken: Ground chicken is my favorite choice for this buffalo chicken chili because it’s lean, cooks quickly, and has a mild flavor that lets the buffalo sauce really shine. You can swap it for shredded chicken or ground turkey to change up the taste and texture, depending on what you’re in the mood for!
- Sweet White Onion: Adds a mild, slightly sweet flavor that balances the heat of the buffalo sauce in this chili. If you prefer a milder taste, you can substitute it with yellow onion or even a shallot, which offers a similar sweetness with a more delicate flavor.
- Fresh Garlic: Fresh chopped garlic brings a savory depth to this chili. If you’re in a pinch, you can substitute with garlic powder, but fresh garlic will always give you that bold, vibrant taste!
- Fire-Roasted Tomatoes: These tomatoes add a smoky, charred flavor that gives the chili extra depth and warmth. You can also use regular diced tomatoes with a touch of smoked paprika can give you a similar smoky taste.
- Corn: Adds a touch of sweetness and texture that contrasts nicely with the spiciness of the chili. You can use frozen or canned corn.
- Buffalo Wing Sauce: This sauce brings that tangy heat, making the chili bold and flavorful. Frank’s RedHot is my go-to for its perfect balance of spice and vinegar, but you can swap it with any buffalo sauce you like or adjust the heat with a bit of sriracha or hot sauce if you prefer more kick.
- Chicken Broth: Adds a savory base that helps bring everything together with a rich, comforting flavor. If you’re out of chicken broth, you can substitute it with vegetable broth or chicken stock!
- Ranch Dressing Mix: Adds an herby flavor that balances out the spice from the buffalo sauce. If you don’t have the mix on hand, you can substitute with a combination of dried parsley, garlic powder, onion powder, and a little buttermilk powder to replicate the flavor.
- Cream Cheese: For a rich, creamy texture that helps balance the heat and gives the chili a velvety finish. If you’re looking for a lighter alternative, you can swap it with reduced-fat cream cheese or even Greek yogurt for a tangy, creamy twist.
- Toppings: Customize your bowl with your favorite toppings! Crumbled blue cheese, shredded cheddar, creamy avocado, fresh cilantro, sour cream, tortilla chips, or green onions add extra flavor and texture.
Why We Love Buffalo Chicken Chili
This buffalo chicken chili isn’t just delicious the first night – it’s even better as leftovers! It’s perfect for lunch the next day, as the flavors only get richer with time. Plus, you can get creative and use the leftovers for nachos, topping tortilla chips with the chili, cheese, and your favorite toppings for an easy, tasty dinner the next night. It’s a versatile, crowd-pleasing meal that keeps on giving!
Buffalo Ground Chicken Chili
This Buffalo Ground Chicken Chili is the ultimate comfort food if you’re all about that spicy kick. It comes together in just 30 minutes, so it’s perfect for game day or those busy nights when you need something tasty fast.
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 medium sweet onion, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, chopped
- 1 pound ground chicken
- 14.5 oz can fire-roasted tomatoes
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 1/3 cup buffalo wing sauce
- 1 packet dry ranch seasoning mix
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 8 oz cream cheese, room temperature
- 1 cup corn kernels
- Salt to taste
- Toppings: Crumbled blue cheese, shredded cheddar, creamy avocado, fresh cilantro, sour cream, tortilla chips, or green onions add extra flavor and texture.
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the chopped sweet onion, cooking for 3-4 minutes until softened and fragrant. Add in garlic and cook for another 1-2 minutes, until fragrant.
- Add the ground chicken to the pot, breaking it apart with a spoon or meat chopper. Cook until browned, about 5-7 minutes. Stir occasionally to ensure it cooks evenly.
- Once the chicken is cooked, add the tomatoes, chicken broth, and corn to the pot. Stir to combine.
- Stir in the buffalo wing sauce (start with 1/4 cup and add more depending on spice preferences), paprika, and the ranch seasoning mix. Season with a pinch of salt to taste.
- Add in the block of cream cheese, stir until creamy then cover the pot. Reduce the heat to low. Let it simmer for 20 minutes, allowing the cream cheese to melt into the chili.
- Taste and add more buffalo wing sauce if you want extra heat.
- Serve with desired toppings.
Notes
- Ground Chicken: Ground chicken is my favorite choice for this buffalo chicken chili because it’s lean, cooks quickly, and has a mild flavor that lets the buffalo sauce really shine. You can swap it for shredded chicken or ground turkey to change up the taste and texture, depending on what you’re in the mood for!
- Fire-Roasted Tomatoes: These tomatoes add a smoky, charred flavor that gives the chili extra depth and warmth. You can also use regular diced tomatoes with a touch of smoked paprika can give you a similar smoky taste.
- Buffalo Wing Sauce: Frank’s RedHot is my go-to for its perfect balance of spice and vinegar, but you can swap it with any buffalo sauce you like or adjust the heat with a bit of sriracha or hot sauce if you prefer more kick.
