why make this recipe
Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Chili is a fantastic dish for several reasons. First, it combines the bold flavors of buffalo sauce with hearty ingredients like beans and chicken, making it a satisfying meal. Secondly, using a slow cooker allows the flavors to meld beautifully while you go about your day, saving you time and effort in the kitchen. It’s perfect for busy schedules or when you want a comforting meal without a lot of fuss. Plus, it’s a great way to enjoy a classic buffalo chicken flavor in a new and exciting form.
how to make Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Chili
Cooking Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Chili is a breeze! With just a bit of prep and the power of your slow cooker, you’ll have a delicious meal ready to serve. Here’s how:
Ingredients
- 1 lb boneless chicken breasts
- 1 can (15 oz) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can (28 oz) diced tomatoes
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup chopped bell peppers
- 1 cup chopped onions
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup buffalo sauce
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional toppings: shredded cheese, green onions, sour cream
Directions
Prepare Your Ingredients: Start by getting all your ingredients laid out. Chop the bell peppers and onions into bite-sized pieces, and mince the garlic. Having everything ready makes the cooking process smoother.
Combine Ingredients in the Slow Cooker: In your slow cooker, add the boneless chicken breasts. Then, layer in the kidney beans, black beans, diced tomatoes, and chicken broth.
Add the Vegetables and Seasoning: Next, add the chopped bell peppers, chopped onions, and minced garlic to the pot. Pour in the buffalo sauce, then sprinkle in the chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper.
Mix Well: Stir all the ingredients together until everything is well combined. It’s important that the chicken is somewhat submerged in the mixture, as this helps it cook evenly and soak up all that flavor.
Cook the Chili: Cover the slow cooker with its lid. If you are cooking on low, set it for 6-8 hours. If you are in a hurry, you can cook it on high for 3-4 hours instead.
Shred the Chicken: Once the cooking time is up, take the lid off and use two forks to shred the chicken right in the slow cooker. Stir it back into the chili mixture to blend everything together.
Serve and Enjoy: Ladle the chili into bowls and serve hot. It tastes fantastic on its own, but you can also enjoy it with your choice of toppings like shredded cheese, green onions, or a dollop of sour cream.
how to serve Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Chili
Serving Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Chili can be as simple or as creative as you like. Here are some ideas to enhance your dining experience:
- Bowls: Serve the chili in individual bowls for casual family dinners.
- Toppings: Offer a topping bar with shredded cheese, sour cream, chopped green onions, and even diced avocado for extra creaminess.
- Sides: Pair it with warm, crusty bread for dipping or tortilla chips for crunch.
- Tortillas: You can serve the chili in soft taco tortillas for a fun twist.
how to store Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Chili
Leftover Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Chili can be stored easily for future meals. Here’s how:
Cooling: Allow the chili to cool completely after cooking.
Container: Transfer the chili to an airtight container. Be sure to leave some space at the top of the container as the chili may expand when frozen.
Refrigeration: The chili can be stored in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.
Freezing: If you’d like to keep it longer, you can freeze the chili. It can be stored in the freezer for up to 2-3 months. When ready to eat, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
tips to make Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Chili
To get the best results from your Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Chili, consider these useful tips:
Choose Quality Chicken: For the best flavor, use fresh, high-quality chicken breasts. Frozen chicken can be used, but make sure to add extra cooking time.
Adjust Heat Level: If you prefer a milder chili, you can reduce the amount of buffalo sauce or choose a milder variety. Conversely, for extra heat, add more buffalo sauce or include diced jalapeños.
Add Vegetables: Feel free to customize your chili by adding other vegetables, such as corn or zucchini, for additional nutrition and flavor.
Don’t Skip the Toppings: Using toppings not only enhances the presentation but also adds varying flavors and textures to the meal.
Mix and Match Beans: You can use other beans too, like pinto or chickpeas, to change up the flavors and textures.
variation
You can easily adapt this recipe based on dietary preferences or ingredient availability:
Vegetarian Option: Replace the chicken with a combination of lentils or additional beans. You may also want to add more vegetables for flavor and heartiness.
Spicy Version: Add chopped fresh chilies or a splash of hot sauce to the mix for added heat.
Creamy Chili: Stir in a little cream cheese or sour cream at the end for a richer, creamier texture.
Tex-Mex Twist: Incorporate taco seasoning instead of chili powder and cumin for a flavorful change.
FAQs
Can I use frozen chicken?
Yes, you can use frozen chicken breasts in the slow cooker. Just be aware that it may take a little longer to cook thoroughly, so ensure it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
How long can I store the chili?
Stored in an airtight container, the chili will last in the fridge for 3-4 days. For longer storage, freeze it for 2-3 months.
What is the best way to reheat the chili?
You can reheat the chili on the stove over medium heat, stirring occasionally until heated through. Alternatively, you can microwave it in a bowl, covering it to prevent splatters, until hot.
Can I add pasta or rice to this chili?
Yes! Adding cooked pasta or rice can make the chili even heartier. Just add them at the end of the cooking time to warm through or serve atop a bed of rice.
Is this chili gluten-free?
Yes, this chili is naturally gluten-free as long as you use gluten-free buffalo sauce. Always check labels to ensure all ingredients are safe for a gluten-free diet.
This comforting Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Chili hits all the right notes for a fulfilling meal. With minimal prep and maximum flavor, it’s bound to become a favorite in your household! Enjoy!
Print
Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Chili
- Total Time: 255 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Gluten-Free
Description
A hearty and flavorful chili with the bold taste of buffalo sauce, chicken, and beans, perfect for a comforting meal any day.
Ingredients
- 1 lb boneless chicken breasts
- 1 can (15 oz) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can (28 oz) diced tomatoes
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup chopped bell peppers
- 1 cup chopped onions
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup buffalo sauce
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional toppings: shredded cheese, green onions, sour cream
Instructions
- Prepare your ingredients by chopping the bell peppers and onions, and mincing the garlic.
- In your slow cooker, add the boneless chicken breasts, kidney beans, black beans, diced tomatoes, and chicken broth.
- Add the bell peppers, onions, and garlic to the pot, then pour in the buffalo sauce and sprinkle chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper.
- Stir all the ingredients together to ensure the chicken is submerged.
- Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.
- After cooking, shred the chicken in the slow cooker and stir to combine.
- Ladle the chili into bowls and serve with optional toppings.
Notes
Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for 3-4 days or frozen for up to 2-3 months. Adjust the buffalo sauce for desired spice levels.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 240 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 15g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
Keywords: chili, buffalo chicken, slow cooker, comfort food, easy meals