Crockpot Buffalo Chicken Chili Recipe

Get ready for your new weeknight obsession! Crockpot Buffalo Chicken Chili takes everything you crave about classic buffalo wings and transforms it into a soul-warming bowl of comfort. Tangy buffalo sauce, succulent shredded chicken, creamy beans, and a swirl of rich cream cheese blend perfectly in every spoonful, making this chili as hearty as it is irresistible. Whether you’re feeding a hungry family or looking for the ultimate game day meal, Crockpot Buffalo Chicken Chili brings bold flavor without a fuss. Prepare to fall in love at first bite!

Ingredients You’ll Need

Every element in this Crockpot Buffalo Chicken Chili is carefully chosen for the big, crave-worthy flavor or perfect, comforting texture it brings. You don’t need fancy ingredients — just these essential picks, each playing their crucial role in creating a chili that’s thick, creamy, zesty, and loaded with color.

• Chicken breasts: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are lean and become perfectly tender after slow cooking — they shred effortlessly and soak up every bit of flavor.
• Butter: Melting this in the crockpot first adds a touch of richness that rounds out the sharpness of the buffalo sauce.
• Buffalo sauce: The signature kick! Choose your favorite for that tangy, peppery zing.
• Chicken broth: Gives the chili body and a savory backbone, keeping everything juicy and delicious.
• Onion: Diced onion sweetens and deepens flavor as it cooks, making every bite more aromatic.
• Fire roasted diced tomatoes: These bring a gentle smoky edge and hearty texture, a huge upgrade from regular tomatoes.
• Corn: Pops of natural sweetness and a sunny yellow color brighten up your bowl.
• White beans: These add creaminess and substance, really filling up your spoon!
• Garlic powder: Easy to sprinkle in, this ramps up the savoriness without any chopping.
• Cumin: Adds depth and that irresistible chili warmth you expect.
• Dill: A surprise, but trust it — dill brings just the right freshness to offset the heat!
• Oregano: Earthy and classic, this is a must in every chili worthy of the name.
• Paprika: Sweet and smoky, it builds both color and flavor.
• Salt: Flavor amplifier — a little goes a long way to tie every other ingredient together.
• Pepper: For that all-important background heat and balance.
• Cream cheese: Melts into the chili at the end, making it crave-ably rich and velvety smooth.

How to Make Crockpot Buffalo Chicken Chili

Step 1: Layer the Butter and Chicken

Start by adding the cubed butter to the bottom of your crockpot. Next, nestle the chicken breasts right on top. This buttery base ensures your chicken stays moist and infuses the whole pot with a delicious richness from the very beginning.

Step 2: Add the Flavor Builders

Time to pile in everything that delivers bold taste: pour in the buffalo sauce and chicken broth, then sprinkle over the diced onion, fire roasted tomatoes, corn, and white beans. Don’t forget your seasonings! Garlic powder, cumin, dill, oregano, paprika, salt, and pepper all get their moment in the spotlight, making sure your Crockpot Buffalo Chicken Chili comes out complex and layered.

Step 3: Slow Cook to Perfection

Give everything a gentle stir so those flavors start mingling, then cover and set your crockpot. Cook on low for 5 to 6 hours (if you have all day) or high for 3 to 4 hours (if you’re in a hurry). You’re looking for supremely tender chicken that practically begs to be shredded.

Step 4: Shred the Chicken

Once the chicken is cooked through, carefully remove the breasts and use two forks to shred the meat. It should fall apart effortlessly. Return the shredded chicken right back into the chili, making sure every strand gets coated in all that saucy goodness.

Step 5: Add Cream Cheese & Melt

Drop in the cream cheese and give things a good stir. Let it melt for 8 to 10 minutes, then mix until the chili is smooth, creamy, and almost outrageously tempting. The transformation at this step is pure magic — your Crockpot Buffalo Chicken Chili has officially become comfort food royalty.

How to Serve Crockpot Buffalo Chicken Chili

Garnishes

Garnishes are the easiest way to add incredible flavor and color. Top each steaming bowl with sliced green onions, blue cheese crumbles or shredded cheddar, a drizzle of extra buffalo sauce, maybe a touch of sour cream, and a few crispy tortilla strips or oyster crackers for crunch. These little extras make each bowl as pretty as it is satisfying.

Side Dishes

This chili is hearty enough to fly solo, but for a true feast, serve with warm cornbread, a crisp green salad, or even celery sticks to echo those classic buffalo vibes. Baked potatoes or a platter of roasted sweet potatoes also soak up the sauce beautifully.

Creative Ways to Present

Feeling fun? Turn Crockpot Buffalo Chicken Chili into a party appetizer by serving it in mini bread bowls, topping nachos, or even spooning it over fries for a buffalo-style chili cheese fry extravaganza. It’s also fantastic as a topping for baked potatoes or as a filling for quesadillas!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Any leftover Crockpot Buffalo Chicken Chili stores wonderfully in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The flavors deepen overnight, making leftovers especially crave-worthy the next day.

Freezing

Absolutely! Let your chili cool completely before transferring to freezer-safe bags or containers. It will keep for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge for best results. Cream cheese-based soups may separate a little after freezing, but a good stir when reheating will bring it back together.

Reheating

Gently reheat Crockpot Buffalo Chicken Chili in a saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring frequently until heated through. If the chili thickens too much in the fridge or freezer, simply add a splash of chicken broth or milk to restore its original creamy texture.

FAQs

Is Crockpot Buffalo Chicken Chili spicy?

It has a nice, Buffalo-level kick, but you can easily customize the heat by picking a milder buffalo sauce or stirring in extra cream cheese for extra creaminess and less spice.

Can I use rotisserie or precooked chicken?

Yes, you can! Simply skip the long slow cooking, and add shredded rotisserie chicken in Step 4. Let it warm up in the crockpot for about 30 minutes to soak up all the flavors before stirring in your cream cheese.

What’s the best buffalo sauce to use?

Go for a quality, tangy hot sauce you love on wings. Frank’s RedHot is a classic, but any personal favorite will taste fantastic in this Crockpot Buffalo Chicken Chili.

Can I make this chili dairy-free?

You can swap in a dairy-free vegan cream cheese and use a plant-based butter. This keeps the chili creamy and satisfying without the dairy.

What’s the best way to shred chicken quickly?

Besides the classic two-fork method, you can toss the cooked chicken into a mixing bowl and use a hand mixer for super quick shredding — especially handy when you’re short on time or making a double batch.

Final Thoughts

If you’re searching for the ultimate crowd-pleasing dinner, this is it! Crockpot Buffalo Chicken Chili is big on bold flavor, effortlessly easy, and always a hit no matter the occasion. I can’t wait for you to try it — just gather your ingredients, and let your crockpot work its magic!

Print