Get ready to ignite your taste buds with our sensational Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken Chili! This recipe takes everything you love about classic, comforting chili and infuses it with the zesty, spicy kick of buffalo chicken. It’s a flavor explosion in every spoonful, perfectly balanced and incredibly satisfying. Finish off each bowl with a dollop of our creamy Greek yogurt blue cheese dressing for an unforgettable culinary duo!
If you’re a fan of our healthy buffalo chicken recipes or crave the savory satisfaction of a buffalo chicken wrap, then this chili is tailor-made for you. It’s a fresh and exciting spin on traditional chicken chili, featuring all the vibrant, bold buffalo flavors you adore in a warm and hearty bowl. This unique fusion elevates chili night to a whole new level!
One of the best aspects of this recipe is its incredible efficiency. Thanks to the Instant Pot, this flavorful chili is ready in under an hour, making it an absolute game-changer for busy weeknights. Beyond its speed, it’s also a fantastic choice for lively game day gatherings, cozy Sunday dinners, or any occasion when you need a delicious meal without the fuss. It’s generously packed with lean protein and an abundance of wholesome vegetables, offering a nourishing meal that’s fun to customize with your favorite buffalo chicken-inspired toppings.
What Our Readers Are Saying
“Made this today, it was yum! I added a shredded zucchini and a chopped bell pepper with all the sautéed veggies, just so there were more veggies, we loved it.” – Allyson
Essential Ingredients for Your Ultimate Buffalo Chicken Chili
Crafting this incredible buffalo chicken chili requires a thoughtful selection of ingredients that perfectly capture its signature taste. Here’s a detailed look at what you’ll need to create this flavor-packed masterpiece:
- Fresh Vegetables: A classic mirepoix of finely diced onion, sweet carrots, and crisp celery forms the aromatic foundation of our chili, adding depth and essential nutrients.
- Hearty Chili Base: The rich and robust liquid base includes a large can of crushed tomatoes, infusing a sweet and tangy body. The star of the show, buffalo sauce, provides that characteristic spicy kick, perfectly complemented by savory chicken broth for a cohesive and comforting consistency.
- Dynamic Spices: A blend of pungent chili powder, earthy ground cumin, and aromatic garlic powder creates a complex and inviting warmth that ties all the flavors together.
- Lean Protein & Texture: Boneless, skinless chicken breast offers lean protein, which shreds beautifully into the chili. A combination of tender pinto beans and creamy white navy beans adds fiber, additional protein, and a satisfying textural contrast. Don’t forget the sweet crunch of canned corn!
- Flavor Balancers: A touch of sweet maple syrup helps to round out the heat from the buffalo sauce, while a swirl of rich Greek yogurt adds creaminess and further mellows the spice, creating a perfectly balanced profile.
Exciting Buffalo Chicken Chili Variations to Try
While our Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken Chili recipe is perfect as is, it also serves as an excellent canvas for your culinary creativity. Feel free to experiment with your favorite chili ingredients to personalize it! Here are a few inspiring ways to mix things up and make this chili uniquely yours:
Boost Your Veggies: In the initial sautéing step, consider folding in additional finely chopped vegetables. Options like shredded zucchini or squash, finely diced sweet potatoes, or even chopped bell peppers can add more nutritional value and textural interest. For an extra layer of heat and freshness, don’t hesitate to add finely diced jalapeños or serrano peppers.
Customize Your Buffalo Sauce: The type of buffalo/hot sauce you choose significantly impacts the flavor profile. We personally love Frank’s Red Hot for its classic tang and moderate heat, but feel free to use your absolute favorite brand. If you’re looking to turn up the heat, incrementally add a couple more tablespoons of buffalo sauce at a time until the chili reaches your desired level of spiciness. Always taste as you go!
Spice It Up or Simplify: For a convenient and consistently delicious spice blend, you can use about 1 tablespoon of our homemade chili seasoning in place of the individual chili powder, ground cumin, and garlic powder. This is a great shortcut that doesn’t compromise on flavor. For those who love a smoky depth, a pinch of smoked paprika can be a wonderful addition.
Frequently Asked Questions About Buffalo Chicken Chili
Buffalo chicken inherently brings a natural level of spice, so yes, this chili certainly has a kick! However, we’ve carefully balanced the flavors to ensure it’s delicious and enjoyable without being overwhelmingly hot. We’d rate its spice level around a 6 out of 10 – enough to be flavorful and exciting, but not so much that it’s uncomfortable for most palates. You can always adjust the spice to your preference.
If you prefer a milder chili, it’s very easy to reduce the heat. The recipe typically calls for 1/2 cup of buffalo sauce (like Frank’s Red Hot Sauce), which provides a good amount of spice. To lessen it, we recommend starting with just 3 tablespoons of buffalo sauce and gradually adding more, one tablespoon at a time, until you reach your desired spice level. Additionally, incorporating a bit more Greek yogurt at the end of cooking can also help to temper the heat and add a lovely creaminess.
Absolutely! Chili is incredibly versatile when it comes to beans. While pinto and white navy beans are used in this recipe, feel free to substitute them with black beans, kidney beans, or even great northern beans. Just ensure they are rinsed and drained thoroughly before adding them to the Instant Pot.
Yes, this Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken Chili recipe is naturally gluten-free, provided you use gluten-free chicken broth and verify that your buffalo sauce does not contain any gluten-containing ingredients. Most standard buffalo sauces like Frank’s Red Hot are gluten-free, but always check the label to be sure.
More of our Favorite…
Explore More Delicious Buffalo Chicken Recipes
If you can’t get enough of that classic buffalo flavor, you’re in luck! We have a collection of other fantastic buffalo chicken recipes that are sure to become new staples in your kitchen. From wraps to dips and salads, there’s something for every buffalo chicken lover:
- Healthy Buffalo Chicken Wrap
- Crockpot Buffalo Chicken Dip
- Healthy Buffalo Chicken Recipe
- Grilled Buffalo Chicken Salad with Greek Yogurt Dressing
Storage Solutions for Leftover Chili
One of the many joys of making a delicious chili is enjoying the leftovers! The flavors of this buffalo chicken chili actually intensify and deepen as it sits, making it taste even better the next day. To store your chili, allow it to cool completely to room temperature before transferring it to an airtight container. It will keep wonderfully in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. When reheating, if you find the chili has thickened too much, simply add a splash of water or extra chicken broth to achieve your desired consistency.
Effortless Freezer Instructions
Having a stash of homemade chili in the freezer is a fantastic way to ensure you always have a quick, healthy, and satisfying meal on hand for busy lunches or effortless dinners. Our Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken Chili freezes beautifully! After allowing the chili to cool completely, transfer it into freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Be sure to leave a little headspace if using containers to allow for expansion. It can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months without compromising flavor or texture. For comprehensive tips and tricks on how to perfectly freeze soups and chilis, check out our detailed guide on how to freeze soup.
Creative Serving Suggestions for Your Chili
The delightful sweet and spicy notes of this Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken Chili pair exceptionally well with a variety of sides and toppings. For a classic and comforting combination, we highly recommend serving it alongside our homemade skillet cornbread, which is perfect for soaking up every last bit of that flavorful broth. To truly elevate your chili experience, generously top each bowl with a sprinkle of fresh green onion and chopped parsley for a burst of color and herbaceous freshness. And of course, no buffalo chicken dish is complete without a creamy, cooling element – a generous drizzle of our homemade Greek yogurt blue cheese dressing or a spoonful of healthy homemade ranch will perfectly complement the chili’s fiery kick.
Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken Chili
This quick and easy buffalo chicken chili is bursting with flavor, packed with wholesome veggies, and ready to enjoy in under an hour! For an extra special touch, serve it with our creamy Greek yogurt blue cheese dressing.
Pin Recipe
Print Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 yellow onion, finely diced
- 2 medium carrots, finely diced
- 2 medium celery stalks, finely diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 28 oz. crushed tomatoes
- 1/2 cup buffalo sauce (we used Frank’s Red Hot Sauce)
- 1 cup chicken broth*
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 lb. boneless skinless chicken breast
- 15 oz. can pinto beans, rinsed and drained
- 15 oz. can white navy beans, rinsed and drained
- 15 oz. can sweet corn, drained
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- 1/4 cup nonfat Greek yogurt
Instructions
-
Turn on your Instant Pot’s sauté feature and add the olive oil. Once the oil is fragrant and shimmering, add the finely diced onion, carrots, celery, minced garlic, and salt. Sauté these aromatic vegetables for about 2 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they begin to soften. Carefully transfer the sautéed veggies from the Instant Pot to a separate bowl and set aside.
-
Turn off the Instant Pot’s sauté feature. Add the crushed tomatoes, buffalo sauce, chicken broth, chili powder, ground cumin, and garlic powder to the pot. Stir all these ingredients thoroughly to combine them into a fragrant sauce. Submerge the boneless, skinless chicken breasts completely into the sauce, ensuring they are well covered. Securely close the Instant Pot lid.
-
Ensure the sealing valve is in the “Sealing” position. Select the “Manual” or “Pressure Cook” setting and set the cooking time to 8 minutes on high pressure. Please note that the Instant Pot will take approximately 10-15 minutes to build enough pressure before the 8-minute countdown begins.
-
Once the cooking timer goes off, carefully open the valve to perform a quick release of the pressure. After all the pressure has been released and the float valve drops, remove the lid. Transfer the cooked chicken breasts to a cutting board or a plate. Using two forks, shred the tender chicken breasts into desired pieces. Return the shredded chicken to the Instant Pot with the chili base.
-
To the Instant Pot, add the previously sautéed vegetables, rinsed and drained pinto beans, rinsed and drained white navy beans, sweet corn, and maple syrup. Stir everything together well to combine all the ingredients. Turn the Instant Pot’s sauté feature back on.
-
Allow the chili to simmer gently for about 5 minutes, letting the flavors meld and the chili thicken slightly. After simmering, turn off the sauté feature and stir in the nonfat Greek yogurt until fully incorporated, adding a creamy texture and balancing the spice.
-
Serve your delicious Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken Chili hot, garnished generously with fresh green onion, chopped fresh parsley, and a drizzle of our cooling Greek Yogurt Blue Cheese Dressing.
Tips & Notes
- Storage: Store any leftover chili in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Its flavor often improves overnight!
- Freezing Instructions: For longer storage, allow the buffalo chicken chili to cool completely before transferring it to a freezer-safe container. It can be frozen for up to 3 months.
- Broth Adjustment: If your chili is thicker than you prefer after cooking or reheating, feel free to add a little extra chicken broth to thin it out to your desired consistency.
- Recipe Update: This recipe was updated on January 4, 2021, to include adjustments that prevent the “burn notice” often encountered in Instant Pots, ensuring a smoother cooking experience.
Watch The Recipe Video
See how easy it is to make this incredible Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken Chili! The video highlights key steps and offers visual guidance for best results. This flavorful chili, packed with veggies and perfectly spiced, is sure to become a family favorite.
You can find the video on our video platform here.
Nutrition Information
Calories: 438 kcal, Carbohydrates: 70 g, Protein: 41 g, Fat: 6 g, Fiber: 5 g, Sugar: 10 g
Please note: Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should be used as an approximation. Actual values may vary based on specific ingredients and preparation methods.
Love this recipe? Leave a comment below!
Don’t forget to tag your posts on social media with the hashtag #fitfoodiefinds – we’d absolutely love to see your delicious creations!