This easy to make Buffalo Chicken Chili combines all the classic flavors– hot sauce, celery and blue cheese. It freezes well and is great for a quick weeknight meal!
Does this recipe sound familiar? It might– I’ve made it before! It’s one I make over and over. And since I make it all the time, it’s one of our favorites, and my previous post on it had less than stellar photos– I decided I wanted to share it again. It’s a good one. And we are kind of obsessed with buffalo chicken everything.
If you haven’t noticed from my lack of posting, I’ve had an incredibly busy summer so far. I haven’t spent much of it at home, and therefore I haven’t been cooking a ton. I spent a long bachelorette weekend in Palm Springs, then a week in San Diego visiting a friend. San Diego was an amazing but depressing (because I don’t live there and had to leave) trip. I miss the ocean so, so much.
San Diego also has the most amazing food. We covered the entire spectrum from hippie healthy to indulgent, with fresh pressed juices and awesome craft beers every day. Oh, and these amazing buffalo chicken fries from barleymash. Give me all the buffalo chicken.
After a few days home, I was off again, this time to the East coast to partake in wedding festivities in Virginia for one of my oldest friends. By oldest I mean that we’ve been friends for 25 years, not that she’s old. Although the fact that I can say I’ve been friends with someone for 25 years definitely makes me feel old! Everything was so beautiful and it was so fun to catch up with all my hometown friends!
Before I left for the trip, I wanted to make something to stock my freezer with. There is nothing worse than coming home from vacation (or in this case, a long string of vacations) to an empty fridge and nothing to eat. This chili freezes really well, so I made a big batch and stuck it in there. It was perfect!
- 1 lb ground chicken
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 stalks celery, sliced
- 1 large carrot, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup beer or chicken broth
- 1 (15 oz) can diced tomatoes
- 1 (15 oz) can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp paprika
- ½ tsp oregano
- ¼ tsp cayenne
- ½ cup hot sauce (I used Frank’s RedHot)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Crumbled blue cheese, for serving
- Cook the chicken in a dutch oven or large pot over medium heat. Remove from pot and set aside.
- Heat the oil in the dutch oven and, add the onions, celery and carrots. Cook until tender, about 10-15 minutes.
- Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, about a minute.
- Add the beer or broth to deglaze the pan, then add the cooked chicken, tomatoes, beans, cumin, paprika, oregano, cayenne and hot sauce and simmer for 15 minutes.
- Serve topped with crumbled blue cheese.
Original recipe from Closet Cooking.
Hope all of you are having a great summer, too. Enjoy!
What are you all up to this summer? What are your favorite stock-the-freezer recipes?
So smart to make a buffalo inspired chili, Jess! And I’m with you on retaking photos of your favorite dish — I’ve definitely done it. This looks delicious, and it’s great having such a tasty meal in the freezer!
Sounds like you had a great time at the wedding, Jess! And this chili looks amazing. I’ve never had a buffalo chicken kind before, so I’m loving this. Looks so hearty and comforting!
You have done so many fun things this summer! Want to hear something sad? I haven’t even been to the beach this summer yet. Wahhh, I know. Don’t worry, we’re headed to the beach this weekend, finally! This chili sounds so delicious. Shawn is obsessed with buffalo. He would gobble this up.
Oh my gosh, I live for the beach. Glad you finally got to go!! 🙂
I need to do a better job of stocking the freezer with food before we go out of town. So nice not to have to worry about cooking when you get back home! This chili looks perfect!
I’ve always lived near the coast, I can’t imagine living with out it, so I get how you feel! I’ve never been to California, but it’s definitely on my bucket list. This chili looks amazing!
What a summer full of adventures you are having! Thank goodness you stocked your freezer with such an awesome chili! I’m totally jealous of your trip to San Diego!
Thanks Rachelle! SD is one of my favorite places on earth!
Your summer sounds awesome so far! ! Love that you are sharing one of your favorites again. We are big buffalo chicken fans. This chili looks perfect!