This spicy buffalo chicken chili is packed with heat, drawing inspiration from buffalo chicken wings and buffalo wing sauce, making it ideal for a chilly evening.

Buffalo chicken chili with chips as a garnish in a bowl.

My spouse has always enjoyed intensely spicy food; we still chuckle about an early date where he ordered Five Alarm Hot Wings, causing him to have watery eyes and nose, yet he adored it.

After viewing Rachel Ray's Buffalo Chicken Chili recipe on an episode, I felt compelled to try it, and now it's a favorite, quick dinner that the entire family enjoys!

Reasons to Enjoy This Buffalo Chicken Chili

Adjustable Spice – You can easily modify the heat by altering the amount of hot sauce and spices used.
Adaptable Components – It accommodates ingredients you already possess, simplifying any necessary swaps.
Rich in Taste – This chili offers a vibrant and zesty variation on standard chili, featuring a fiery buffalo element.
Excellent for Meal Prep – Leftovers are wonderfully tasty the following day.

Ingredients needed for spicy buffalo chicken chili Rachael Ray style. — What you require for Rachael Ray Buffalo Chicken Chili

Necessary Items

(For precise quantities, kindly check the printable recipe card situated at the conclusion of this post.)

olive oil
butter
ground chicken
diced carrots
diced onions
garlic cloves
chipotle chili powder
bay leaf
salf and pepper to taste
chicken stock
hot sauce (We prefer Frank’s red hot sauce)
white kidney beans or cannellini beans
tomato sauce
chopped tomatoes
corn tortilla chips with blue cheese for accompanying bites

Directions for Spicy Buffalo Chicken Chili

(For precise cooking steps, consult the printable recipe card located at the end of this article.)

Ingredients being sauted in a dutch oven as the first step for Rachael Ray buffalo chicken chili. — Sauté the chicken and vegetables using the spices.

Chicken stock added to the sauted vegetables for step 2 of buffalo chicken chili recipe — Pour in the chicken stock and use a utensil to lift any browned bits from the pan.

All ingredients for Rachael Ray Buffalo Chicken Chili in a dutch oven being stirred together with a large spoon. — Incorporate the remaining components and let it gently simmer for a minimum of 15 minutes so the flavors meld.

Portioning, Freezing, and Meal Prepping for Your Routine

Serving Two People – While this recipe yields a full quantity, smaller amounts can be frozen in advance.

Freezing Ahead – After the chili has cooled completely, place leftovers into freezer-safe containers or bags for effortless future meals.

Warming Up – To eat, let it thaw overnight on the fridge's bottom shelf, then heat in the microwave or keep warm on the slow cooker on a low setting.

Helpful Tips

Increase the spice level gradually by tasting as you go; it is simpler to boost heat than to reduce it!
If the chili becomes overly spicy, a touch of honey can help balance the heat.

Swaps and Adjustments for Spicy Buffalo Chicken Chili

Ground turkey is an excellent substitute if you lack ground chicken; the turkey buffalo chili is quite tasty too!
The original recipe omits white kidney beans, so do not feel obligated to include them with the other ingredients.
Crushed tomatoes are a suitable alternative should diced tomatoes not be available.
Smoked paprika may replace chipotle chili powder.
To prepare chicken broth, dissolve 2 1/2 teaspoons of chicken bouillon powder into 2 cups of very hot or boiling water.
You can also incorporate 3 ribs of diced celery along with the other vegetables for added flavor.

Accompaniments for Buffalo Chicken Chili

Our preferred side, featured in the visuals, is baked blue cheese nachos.
Oven baked crunchy tortilla strips complement soups and chilis such as this.
Buttered sourdough bread is delicious with chili!
Sour dough chips are like crackers, and go so well with chilis and soups.

A large pot of Rachel Ray buffalo chicken chili with a bowl beside it.

Equipment

I love my cast iron coated dutch oven for this recipe. And, since I like to reheat soup in the crock pot for an easy dinner idea, it is also an important piece of my kitchen tools. My crock pot is now 35 years old, but here’s a lovely new crockpot!

(Don’t forget to check out my Amazon storefront for some of my favorite kitchen tools!) The links are affiliate links.

A close up of a bowl of buffalo chicken chili with red tortilla chips on the top with melted blue cheese crumbles.

How do I store soup and chili?

Transfer the soup into an airtight container with a tight fitting lid within 2 hours of making the soup. It will keep in the fridge for a few days.

If you want to store this soup recipe for longer than 2 days, place it in a container with a tight fitting lid, or a freezer ziploc bag and freeze it (after it has cooled completely).