An easy chili with a buffalo chicken twist—bold, comforting, and quick to make. This recipe comes together in about 40–45 minutes, most of which is hands-off simmering. I use refried pinto beans to give the chili a rich, thick texture, so it feels like it’s been simmering for hours even though it’s ready fast. It’s perfect for game day, casual dinners, or any night you want something satisfying and full of flavor.
Buffalo Chicken & Bean Chili
This version balances spicy Buffalo sauce with hearty white beans and lean ground chicken (or turkey). It’s easy to customize: swap the protein, use a milder hot sauce, or add extra vegetables. I like to serve mine with baked chips and crunchy carrot and celery sticks for dipping. Leftovers reheat beautifully and the flavors deepen the next day.
Buffalo Chicken and Bean Chili
Yield: 5 servings. Serving size: about 1 generous cup.
Prep time: 15 minutes. Cook time: 50 minutes. Total time: ~1 hour.
Ingredients
- 1 lb lean ground chicken (or turkey)
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 1/2 cup chopped carrots
- 1/2 cup chopped celery
- 3 cloves garlic, chopped
- 1/2 tablespoon chili powder
- 1/2 tablespoon ground cumin
- 1/2 tablespoon ground paprika
- Kosher salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1 (15 oz) can small white beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 (13.6 oz) container fat-free refried pinto beans
- 3/4 cup reduced-sodium chicken broth
- 1/2 cup water
- 6 tablespoons Frank’s hot sauce (or your preferred Buffalo-style hot sauce)
Optional toppings
- Reduced-fat shredded cheddar
- Chopped scallions
- Reduced-fat sour cream or plain Greek yogurt
Instructions
- Heat a large, deep nonstick skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add the ground chicken and brown, breaking it into small pieces as it cooks, about 8–10 minutes. Cook until no longer pink; transfer the cooked meat to a bowl and set aside.
- In the same skillet, add the chopped onion, carrots, celery, garlic, chili powder, cumin, paprika, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables have softened, about 5–6 minutes.
- Return the cooked chicken to the skillet. Add the rinsed white beans, refried pinto beans, water, and chicken broth. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer, covered, on medium-low for about 10 minutes.
- Stir in the hot sauce. Cover and simmer, uncovered or partially covered if you prefer a thicker chili, for 25–30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chili has thickened and the flavors have melded.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, or additional hot sauce as desired. Serve hot with optional toppings and chips or fresh vegetables for dipping.
Tips and variations
- Protein swaps: Use ground turkey, ground chicken sausage, or shredded cooked chicken if you prefer.
- Heat level: Reduce the hot sauce if you want a milder chili; add a dash of cayenne or a pinch of red pepper flakes for extra heat.
- Thickening: The refried beans give body to the chili. If you prefer a thinner texture, use less refried beans or add more broth.
- Make-ahead: This chili tastes even better the next day. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Freezing: Cool completely, portion into freezer-safe containers, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Nutrition (per serving)
Serving: 1 generous cup. Calories: 307 kcal; Carbohydrates: 31 g; Protein: 26 g; Fat: 11 g; Saturated fat: 2.5 g; Cholesterol: 68 mg; Sodium: 1363 mg; Fiber: 9.5 g; Sugar: 1.5 g.
Serving suggestions
Top each bowl with shredded reduced-fat cheddar, a dollop of reduced-fat sour cream or Greek yogurt, and chopped scallions. Serve with baked chips, cornbread, or a simple green salad. For a lighter crunch, carrot and celery sticks are classic Buffalo-style accompaniments.
Final note
This Buffalo Chicken and Bean Chili is a quick, flavorful weeknight meal that’s great for sharing. The combination of white beans and refried pinto beans creates a satisfying texture while the Buffalo sauce delivers bright, tangy heat. Adjust the seasonings to your taste and enjoy it warm with your favorite toppings.
