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Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Chili Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 56 reviews

This Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Chili is a flavorful and hearty dish combining tender chicken thighs, Great Northern beans, and a vibrant spice mix. Cooked low and slow, this chili boasts a creamy texture enhanced by optional Neufchâtel cheese and a perfect balance of smoky, spicy, and savory flavors. Ideal for cozy meals, it’s topped with fresh cilantro, shredded cheese, and served with crunchy tortilla chips for added texture.

Ingredients

Scale

Spice Mix

  • 3 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 2 teaspoons ground cumin
  • 1 tablespoon sweet smoked paprika
  • 1 tablespoon mustard powder
  • 1 tablespoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon ground pepper

Chili

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 large yellow onion, diced small (about 1 ½ cups)
  • 3 medium stalks celery, diced small
  • 4 medium cloves garlic, finely minced
  • 2 ½ cups low sodium chicken broth
  • 6 (15.5-ounce) cans Great Northern Beans
  • 2 (14-ounce) cans fire-roasted canned tomatoes
  • 2 (4.5-ounce) cans diced green chilies
  • 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs, trimmed of fat and diced into ½-inch pieces
  • 4 ounces Neufchâtel cheese, optional, diced into 1-inch pieces

Topping and Serving

  • Chopped fresh cilantro
  • Lime wedges
  • Shredded cheddar or Monterrey Jack cheese
  • Tortilla chips

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Spice Mix: In a small bowl, combine all the spice mix ingredients including brown sugar, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, mustard powder, oregano, cayenne, onion powder, garlic powder, kosher salt, and pepper. Stir thoroughly to ensure an even blend, then set aside.
  2. Sauté Vegetables with Spices: In a medium-large microwave-safe bowl, combine olive oil, finely diced onion, celery, and minced garlic. Stir to combine well. Add the prepared spice mix and stir again to coat the veggies evenly. Cover with plastic wrap and microwave on high for 2 minutes. Remove, stir, and microwave for an additional 2 minutes to release flavors and soften the vegetables.
  3. Add to Slow Cooker: Transfer the cooked vegetable and spice mixture to your slow cooker, spreading it evenly on the bottom.
  4. Prepare the Bean Blend: Drain and rinse two cans of Great Northern beans thoroughly to remove excess sodium and starch. Combine these two cans with 2 ½ cups of low sodium chicken broth in a blender. Blend on high for about 30 seconds or until the mixture is smooth and creamy. Pour this pureed bean mixture into the slow cooker over the vegetable base.
  5. Add Remaining Ingredients: Drain and rinse the remaining four cans of Great Northern beans. Add these along with the fire-roasted tomatoes, diced green chilies, and diced chicken thighs to the slow cooker. Stir very well to ensure all ingredients are evenly distributed and coated in spices.
  6. Cook Low and Slow: Cover the slow cooker and set it to cook on low for 6 to 8 hours. This slow cooking allows the chicken to become tender and infuses the chili with deep flavors.
  7. Add Cheese (Optional): If using Neufchâtel cheese, stir it into the chili about 30 minutes before the end of cooking. Stir occasionally during this time to melt the cheese fully and create a rich, creamy texture.
  8. Serve: Spoon the chili into serving bowls and top with shredded cheddar or Monterrey Jack cheese, chopped fresh cilantro, and tortilla chips. Offer lime wedges on the side for a zesty finishing touch.

Notes

  • Using a vegetable chopper like a Vidalia Chopper can save time and ensure uniform dicing of onions and celery.
  • Neufchâtel cheese is a lower-fat alternative to cream cheese, offering the same creamy texture with fewer calories; it’s highly recommended but optional.
  • For a spicier chili, you can increase the amount of cayenne pepper or add extra diced green chilies.
  • Be sure to drain and rinse the beans to reduce sodium content and improve texture.
  • This chili can be made in advance and tastes even better the next day as flavors meld together.

Keywords: Slow cooker chili, buffalo chicken chili, slow cooked chicken chili, hearty chili recipe, healthy chili, chicken and bean chili

Find it online: https://bakedbylisa.com/slow-cooker-buffalo-chicken-chili-recipe/