This Buffalo Chicken Chili boasts all the flavors of your favorite dip in a spicy, creamy chili form!
This Buffalo Chicken Chili is rich, creamy, hearty, as spicy as you want it, and the layers of flavor are out of this world! Itโs made with juicy shredded chicken, sweet corn, smoky fire roasted tomatoes, creamy white beans and of course buffalo wings sauce all swaddled in a luxuriously creamy broth spiked with cream cheese. Top off your perfect bowl of Buffalo Chicken Chili with salty, sassy blue cheese, crunchy tortilla chips and creamy avocado and cozy up to this outrageously delicious bowl of comfort. This quick and easy Buffalo Chicken Chili is make-ahead friendly, pantry friendly and guaranteed to become a new favorite!
You can never have too many comforting chili recipes! If you love chili, make sure to try creamy white chicken chili, crockpot white chicken chili, easy turkey chili, hearty beef chili, chipotle mango black bean chili (one of the first recipes I ever posted!), and of course this sassy buffalo chicken chili!

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WHAT IS BUFFALO CHICKEN CHILI?
Buffalo Chicken Chili is the rich, creamy, spicy soup version of Buffalo Chicken Dip. Both the dip and the chili are spiced with their namesake, buffalo wings sauce, and the chili is finished with cream cheese to make it indulgently creamy just like the dip. Top them both off with signature blue cheese and never look back.
So what exactly is buffalo wings hot sauce? It is different than other sauces because it is a cayenne pepper hot sauce with a butter base. It is named after buffalo chicken wings that first appeared in the Anchor Bar in Buffalo, NY.
The story goes that the college age son of the bar owner, Teresa, came in one night with a group of friends looking for a quick snack. Teressa decided to fry up some wings and toss them in a concoction of butter and cayenne pepper sauce. The buffalo wings were a huge hit and the bar soon became famous for them. Today, buffalo refers to anything smothered or spiked with buffalo wings sauce -like this chili!

Buffalo Chili Recipe
This Buffalo Chicken Chili recipe is a buffalo twist on my reader’s favorite Mexican Chicken Corn Chowder. I took the creamy base, added buffalo sauce, white beans, celery and a new star was born. It combines a deeply complex flavor profile thatโs absolutely mesmerizing with sensational creaminess thatโs on your table in just over 30 minutes!
The magical creaminess is four-fold:
The resulting Buffalo Chicken Chili is intoxicatingly rich and creamy but instead of tasting heavy like some creamy soups, its bright and vibrant thanks to the buffalo wings sauce and pungent blue cheese.
Best of all, you can customize this one pot wonder just how you like it by making it more or less creamy, more or less spicy and adding any desired veggies. Then just hope you have leftovers – because theyโre even better.


Buffalo Chicken Chili Ingredients
This Buffalo Chicken Chili is made with easy to find ingredients almost all of which are dump and simmer except for a quick sautรฉ of the veggies. Hereโs what youโll need in addition to buffalo wings sauce:


WHAT CHICKEN IS BEST FOR CHICKEN CHILI?
I highly recommend chicken thighs (boneless or bone-in) for the best chicken chili recipe. I didnโt always use chicken thighs for my soup recipes, but once I started, there was NO going back. Chicken thighs are dark meat which means they are inherently juicier, richer tasting and produce far more tender chicken than chicken breasts. They are also harder to overcook and stay tender for days with a more palate pleasing texture, even when reheated for leftovers.
In addition, chicken thighs are browned first which adds an important layer of flavor to the Buffalo Chicken Chili as all those golden, flavorful bits become part of the broth.

How to Make Buffalo Chicken Soup
Let’s take a closer look at how to make this recipe with step-by-step photos (full recipe in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post):
Step 1: Sear the chicken. Heat a little olive oil over medium heat in a large pot or Dutch oven. Season the chicken with salt and pepper, then sear on both sides until golden. The chicken will NOT be cooked through at this point, but thatโs what you want! Remove the chicken to a plate, but leave the drippings in the pot.

Step 2: Sautรฉ the veggies. Add extra olive oil and a pat of butter to the pot. Cook the celery, onions, and bell pepper until softened. Then, add the garlic and cook just until fragrant. Sprinkle in flour and cook one additional minute.

Step 3: Simmer the chili. Add the chicken back to the pot and the remaining ingredients EXCEPT the cream cheese. Let the chili simmer for 15 minutes, or until the chicken is tender enough to shred.

Step 4: Shred the chicken. Remove the chicken to a cutting board and shred with two forks. Once shredded, return the chicken to the pot and stir in the cream cheese.

Step 5: Serve! I like to garnish my buffalo chicken chili with blue cheese, crushed tortilla chips, avocado and cilantro, but add whatever garnishes youโd like.


Can I Prep This Recipe in Advance?
The prep work for this creamy Buffalo Chicken Chili can be done ahead of time so that itโs just a quick sautรฉ and simmer to dinner. To save time:
โขTrim chicken: Trim off excess fat from chicken then store chicken in an airtight container or freezer bag in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours.
โขPep aromatics: Dice onions, bell pepper, and celery and mince garlic, then store in a separate airtight container in the refrigerator.
โขMeasure Spices: It doesnโt take long to measure out the spices, but you can certainly do it beforehand and store the mix in an airtight bag or container.
โขPrep Toppings: Chop cilantro, jalapenos etc. and/or make tortilla strips.

Buffalo Chili Recipe Tips

Variations

CAN I USE CHICKEN BREASTS?
Absolutely! ย You can still use chicken breasts in Buffalo Chicken Chili, itโs just a matter of personal preference.ย Please note that because chicken breasts are leaner than chicken thighs, they will not be as juicy or as flavorful. ย If using chicken breasts, I suggest bone-in chicken breasts but boneless will also work.

CAN I USEย ROTISSERIE CHICKEN?
Yes!ย Rotisserie chicken is my second choice to use in this chicken chili recipe after chicken thighs.ย ย Rotisserie chicken comes lightly seasoned for an added depth of flavor and is a mix of both light and dark meat.ย It also comes perfectly tender and ready to slurp up.ย I always like to stock shredded rotisserie chicken portioned into 3 cup measurements in my freezer so theyโre ready to add to any soup or casserole recipe.
I recommend shredding your rotisserie chicken as soon as you get home from the grocery store because the chicken is easier to shred while itโs still warm.ย It also allows you to see how much chicken you need for this recipe, and how much leftover you have for something else.ย And bonus, it saves a step at dinnertime and takes up less room in the fridge.
To use rotisserie chicken, shred the chicken, discarding the bones and add about 3 cups shredded chicken to the Buffalo Chicken Chili when the recipe calls for adding the shredded chicken back to the soup.

CAN I USEย LEFTOVER CHICKEN?
Yes, just make sure your chicken isnโt overly seasoned or you may need to reduce the seasonings in the recipe.ย Add about 3 cups shredded or chopped leftover chicken to the soup when the recipe calls for adding the shredded chicken back to the soup.

CAN I MAKE THE chicken chili GLUTEN FREE?
Yes!ย If you want to make gluten free Buffalo Chicken Chili, use gluten-free flour โ the rest of the ingredients should be gluten free. Frankโs RedHot Buffalo Wingโs Sauce is gluten free.

CAN I ADD OTHER VEGETABLES?
Absolutely!ย Iโve stuck with the basics, but you can add chayote, green beans, spinach etc.ย Iโve included all sorts of variations below.

WHAT TOPPINGS ARE BEST WITH BUFFALO CHICKEN chili?
Buffalo Chicken Chili is delectable on its own but it benefits greatly from a secondary flavor profile.ย You can create a toppings bar and let everyone pile on their favorites to make the chicken chili exponentially more delicious: ย
โขBlue cheese crumbles:ย Salty, pungent, and sassy; always a favorite with buffalo wing sauce to cut through the heat.
โขDressing:ย A drizzle of blue cheese dressing or ranch if you live on the edge.
โขSour cream or Greek yogurt: Add a wonderful creaminess but most importantly, cuts through the richness and tanginess of the chicken chili.
โขCheese:ย ย Monterrey Jack, Colby, sharp cheddar or Pepper Jack for added heat.ย Use freshly grated cheese for superior taste and melting ability.
โขCrushed tortilla chips:ย You canโt beat the CRUNCH of salty, chips or strips! ย Their texture is particularly sublime in this decadent, creamy chili.
โขCilantro:ย Chopped cilantro adds a fresh, zesty flair.ย
โขAvocado:ย Chopped or sliced avocados add a wonderful, earthy creaminess.ย
โขBuffalo Wings Sauce: Pass around the buffalo wings sauce so individuals can customize the heat.
โขSliced jalapenos:ย Alsoย a fabulous topping for those who want more heat.
โขGreen onions:ย Adds a fresh zip of flavor.

Recipe Variations to Tryย


How to Store and Reheat Buffalo Chicken Chili
โขStorage: Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.ย
โขStove: Reheat large batches on the stove over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally โ about 10 minutes.
โขMicrowave: Transfer individual servings to a microwave-safe dish and cover with a microwave-safe lid or paper towel. Microwave for 90 seconds, stir, then continue to microwave at 30-second intervals, if needed.
Can I Freeze Buffalo Chicken Chili?
Buffalo Chicken Chili does not freeze well due to the cream cheese which can become unpleasantly grainy as the dairy and fat separate. If you plan on freezing, omit the cream cheese and it will freeze great for up to 3 months.ย When ready to use, thaw overnight in the refrigerator, warm on the stove and then add the softened cream cheese.

What to Serve with Buffalo Chicken Chiliย
Tasty Sides with Buffalo Chicken Chili
Buffalo Chili FAQs
What makes Buffalo Chicken Chili unique is the BUFFALO wings sauce-not just any hot sauce.ย Buffalo wings sauce is a spicy hot sauce with the addition ofย melted butter, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce and garlic. It is spicier, smoother, richer, rounder and less of a pure cayenne punch than original hot sauce โ it is just plain more delicious in my opinion.
I use Frank’s RedHot BUFFALO Wings Sauceโ NOT Frankโs original sauce.ย Youโll want to look for โWingsโ on the label.ย Take care, however,- there is โbuffaloโ and there is โhot buffalo.โ I recommend โbuffaloโ โ itโs hot enough! Frank’s RedHot Buffalo Wings Sauce is usually located near the other hot sauces or barbecue sauces.ย
That being said, you can use a different cayenne pepper hot sauce if you prefer but it wonโt taste like true Buffalo Chicken Chili – just spicy chicken chili.ย If using a different hot sauce, you will want to start with less and add more to taste.ย ย
This Buffalo Chicken Chili is โmediumโ spicy if you use the ½ cup buffalo wings sauce. The good thing is, you can start with less, about ยผ cup if you like, then stir in additional wings sauce after the chili is done cooking. This way the chili is milder for the kiddos but you can add additional buffalo wings sauce to your own bowl.
If youโre worried about purchasing a bottle of buffalo wings sauce just for this Buffalo Chicken Chili โ worry no more!ย It is fabulous to jazz up practically everything.ย Specific recipes using buffalo hot wings sauce include:
Buffalo Mac and Cheese
Honey Buffalo Hot Wings
Buffalo Chicken
Buffalo Chicken Dip Ring
Buffalo Chicken Macaroni and Cheese
Cheesy Buffalo Chicken Foil Packets
Buffalo Chicken Kabobs
Buffalo Chicken Salad (with new VIDEO)ย
ย Buffalo Chicken Tacos
Sweet and Spicy Cranberry Meatballs (Slow Cooker)
Sweet and Spicy Pineapple Salsa Chicken (slow Cooker)
Honey Buffalo Ribs
Buffalo Chicken Burritos
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Buffalo Chicken Chili Soup Recipe
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Ingredients
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken thighs patted dry OR rotisserie chicken (see notes)
- 1/2 large yellow onion, chopped
- 1/2 cup chopped celery
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- ยผ cup flour
- 2 14.5 oz. cans Great Northern beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 15 oz. can sweet corn, drained and rinsed
- 1 15 oz. can cream style corn
- 1 14 oz. can fire roasted diced tomatoes (with juices)
- 5 cups low sodium chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1/2 cup Frank’s RedHot Buffalo Wings Sauce
- 1 tablespoon chicken bouillon
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 2 tsps EACH smoked paprika, ground cumin
- 1/2 tsp EACH dried oregano, salt, pepper
Add later
- 4 oz. cream cheese cubed, softened
Instructions
- Heat 2 tablespoons oil over medium-high heat in a large Dutch oven/soup pot. Season chicken with ½ teaspoon salt and ½ teaspoon pepper then sear until golden, about 2 minutes per side. Remove to a plate but leave drippings.
- Melt 2 tablespoons butter with 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium low heat. Once melted, increase to medium-high heat and add onions, celery and bell pepper; cook for 5 minutes or until onions are softened. Add garlic and cook 30 seconds. Sprinkle in flour and cook one additional minute while stirring (it will be thick).
- Add chicken back to the pot followed by beans, creamed corn, corn, diced tomatoes, hot wings sauce, chicken bouillon and all seasonings. Whisk cornstarch with 1 cup of chicken broth and stir in. Add remaining chicken broth.
- Cover the soup to bring to a boil then uncover and simmer for 12-15 minutes or until chicken is tender enough to shred, stirring often so the bottom doesn’t burn. Remove chicken to a cutting board; shred, then stir back into the soup.
- Turn heat to low and stir in cream cheese until smooth, about 2 minutes.
- Season with salt/pepper and/or buffalo wings sauce to taste. Thin with additional chicken broth if desired. Serve with blue cheese, crushed tortilla chips, chopped avocados, sour cream and/or cilantro.
Notes
Tips for Success
- Prep Ahead. You can trim your chicken, chop your onions, celery, bell pepper, and garlic and prep all your toppings ahead of time.
- Rotisserie chicken:ย ย To use rotisserie chicken, add about 2 ยฝ cups shredded chicken to the chili when the recipe calls for adding the shredded chicken back to the soup.
- Buffalo Wings Sauce: I use Frank’s RedHot BUFFALO Wings Sauceโ NOT Frankโs original sauce.ย Youโll want to look for โWingsโ on the label.ย Take care, however, – there is โbuffaloโ and there is โhot buffalo.โ I recommend โbuffaloโ โ itโs hot enough! ย If using a different hot sauce, you will want to start with less and add more to taste.ย ย
- Customize spice level:ย This Buffalo Chicken Chili is โmediumโ spicy if you use the ½ cup buffalo wings sauce. The good thing is, you can start with less, about ยผ cup if you like, then stir in additional wings sauce after the chili is done cooking. This way the chili is milder for the kiddos but you can add additional buffalo wings sauce to your own bowl.
- Stir often. The chili can stick to the bottom and burn while itโs simmering because itโs quite thick, so youโll want to stir often so the bottom doesnโt burn.ย ย
- Use soft cream cheese.ย You want the cream cheese pretty soft before it goes into the chicken chili so it will melt more easily. I chop into cubes and microwave for about 30 seconds.
- Stir until melted. If you have white specks after you add the cream cheese, this isnโt the cream cheese curdling, this is simply unmelted cream cheese. Continue to cook on low until the cream cheese is fully incorporated.
- Make it less thick. I love my Buffalo Chicken Chili thick and creamy BUT the consistency is totally up to you! For a thinner soup, simply add additional chicken broth.
- Season to taste. Spice up your chicken chili with additional buffalo wings sauce or add chicken bouillon to enhance the flavors.
- Gluten free: Use gluten-free flour โ the rest of the ingredients should be gluten free.
- Recipe variations:ย See post for how to use cream cheese, sour cream, other veggies, etc.ย
How to Store and Reheat
- Storage: Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.ย
- Stove: Reheat large batches on the stove over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally โ about 10 minutes.
- Microwave: Transfer individual servings to a microwave-safe dish and cover with a microwave-safe lid or paper towel. Microwave for 90 seconds, stir, then continue to microwave at 30-second intervals, if needed.
How to Freeze
Buffalo Chicken Chili does not freeze well due to the cream cheese which can become unpleasantly grainy as the dairy and fat separate. If you plan on freezing, omit the cream cheese and it will freeze great for up to 3 months.ย When ready to use, thaw overnight in the refrigerator, warm on the stove and then add the softened cream cheese.Did You Make This Recipe?
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Ramya says
Will be making this soon with few subs perfect for hot and raining days in Singapore will dm you if i make this and let you know how it goes Thanks Ramya
Jen says
Thanks so much Ramya, I hope you get a a chance to make it soon!
Larisa says
I made the Creamy Buffalo Chili last night and it was such a huge hit. I followed the recipe to a T (I did use rotisserie chicken) There is so much flavor and the right amount of heat with the Buffalo Sauce. I am really looking forward to leftovers today. I’ve made about 20 of your recipes and every single one has been a hit! So delicious.
Jen says
Thank you for taking the time to comment Larisa and make my day! That is awesome you have made so many of my recipes thank you! I love hearing they have all been winners including this chili!
Deb says
This looks great! Creamed corn is unavailable here in the Netherlands. Do you have any suggestions on how to substitute?
Thanks!
Jen says
Hi Deb, you can omit it and add either use broth or half and half in its place. The chili will still be very creamy if you use broth, good luck!
Deb says
Thanks so much!!!
Nikki says
This soup was the perfect mix of spicy and creamy. We can always count on your recipes. Thank you!
Jen says
Thanks for your thoughtful comment Nikki, I’m so pleased you all loved it!
Aimee says
My partner’s review was “I wouldn’t call this chili, and it’s not really soup either, but whatever it is it’s delicious!” – nice level of spice and easy to adjust to taste, creamy but not overly rich, and not too much effort needed. ๐ We topped with diced onion, parsley, and a drizzle of ranch dressing, served with corn chips.
I did make a half batch – used a full can of creamed corn (instead of half creamed and half kernel) and the whole can of tomatoes. I’ll start with less broth next time to adjust the consistency.
Jen says
LOL, I’m glad the “mystery” chili/soup made the cut! Thanks Aimee, your toppings sound delish too!
Madison Plancich says
How do you make this in a crock pot or instant pot?
Jen says
For the crockpot, omit the flour, reduce the broth to 3 cups and reserve the cream cheese and cornstarch. Lightly spray slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray. Add chicken in an even layer followed by all remaining ingredients. Give the top ingredients a stir to combine. Cook on LOW for 6-8 hours or on HIGH for 3-4 hours or until chicken is tender enough to shred. Remove chicken to a cutting board, shred chicken and return chicken to slow cooker. Turn Slow Cooker to High (if it had been on Low).
Add the cream cheese, 2 tablespoons cornstarch and 1 cup additional broth and bend until smooth. Add puree back to slow cooker and stir to combine. Cook on HIGH for 30 minutes. Add additional broth as needed.
Mary-Lou says
This is excellent!! I do no like hot spiciness, but my husband does. I controlled the heat level by using mild buffalo wings sauce and offering hot sauce at the table. He liked it just the way it was. I didn’t use the can of creamed corn and it was just fine as far as the creaminess of the dish. Thanks for this recipe.
Jen says
You’re so welcome Mary-Lou, I’m so pleased you could make it perfect for both of you!
Lindsey says
Perfect chili for a 13 degree day in Ohio! I took the suggestion and added in some blue cheese at the table – what a punch of flavor! Thank you โค๏ธ
Jen says
BRRR! I’m glad it made for a cozy meal!
Nancy says
This was fantastic. The flavors spot on. My only comment is 1 lb of chicken is not enough. I would go with 2 lbs chicken next time (this is a keeper) or decrease broth and use 1 can of beans.
Jen says
Wow thanks so much Nancy! I’m so happy that you loved the flavors of this dish and that you’ll be making it again!