Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Chili

When the weather cools down, there's something especially satisfying about a warm, hearty bowl of chili.

This Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Chili is creamy, flavorful, filling, and easy to prepare. It combines ground chicken, beans, vegetables, buffalo sauce, ranch seasoning, and cream cheese for a comforting meal with plenty of protein.

It's also a great option for busy weeknights because the slow cooker does most of the work for you.

This recipe is part of M³: Motivation • Movement • Meal Prep with Charlotte Blais of Blue Chip Maintenance, where the goal is to make healthy eating practical, enjoyable, and easier to maintain.

Why This Recipe Works

This chili brings together everything you want in a simple meal-prep recipe.

You get protein from the ground chicken and beans, fiber and carbohydrates from the beans and vegetables, and plenty of flavor from buffalo sauce, ranch seasoning, tomatoes, and spices.

The cream cheese gives the chili its creamy texture, while the buffalo sauce adds just enough heat to make every bite interesting.

It's also easy to adjust depending on your preferences.

Want it spicier? Add more buffalo sauce.

Want to lighten it up? Use less cream cheese and add Greek yogurt on top.

Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Chili

Ingredients

• 1½ lbs ground chicken
• 1 (15 oz) can white navy beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 (15 oz) can pinto beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 (14.5 oz) can fire-roasted tomatoes
• 2 cups chicken broth
• ¼-½ cup buffalo wing sauce
• 1 packet ranch dressing mix
• ½ small onion, diced
• ½ bell pepper, diced
• ½ tsp onion powder
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp celery salt
• ½ tsp dried cilantro
• ¼ tsp salt
• 8 oz cream cheese

Lighter option: Use 4 oz cream cheese instead of 8 oz.

Instructions

1. Brown the chicken:
   Cook the ground chicken in a skillet over medium heat until fully cooked and no longer pink. Drain any excess liquid if needed.
2. Add everything to the slow cooker:
   Add the cooked chicken, navy beans, pinto beans, fire-roasted tomatoes, chicken broth, buffalo sauce, ranch seasoning, onion, bell pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, celery salt, cilantro, and salt.
3. Slow cook:
   Cover and cook on:
   • LOW for 4-6 hours
   • HIGH for 2-3 hours
   This gives the ingredients time to come together and develop flavor.
4. Add the cream cheese:
   About 30 minutes before serving, add the cream cheese.Stir occasionally until it melts completely and blends into the chili.
5. Taste and adjust:
   Give the chili a taste before serving.If you want more heat or stronger buffalo flavor, add a little more buffalo sauce.

Topping Ideas

One of the best parts about chili is customizing your bowl.

Try adding:

• Greek yogurt or sour cream
• Shredded cheddar or mozzarella
• Green onions
• Extra buffalo sauce
• Crumbled blue cheese
• Fresh cilantro

Greek yogurt is an especially good option if you want to add creaminess while also adding a little extra protein.

Perfect for Fall and Winter Meal Prep

This is one of those meals that feels especially good during the cooler fall and winter months.

It's warm, comforting, and filling without requiring a lot of time in the kitchen.

It also works well for meal prep.

Once the chili is finished, divide it into individual containers and refrigerate for quick lunches or dinners throughout the week.

It also freezes well, making it a helpful option to keep on hand for especially busy days.

Estimated Nutrition

If the recipe is divided into 8 servings, the estimated nutrition using 8 oz of cream cheese is:

• Calories: ~325
• Protein: ~25 g
• Fat: ~16 g
• Carbohydrates: ~23 g

Nutrition will vary depending on the exact brands and ingredients used.

Lighter Option: Use 4 oz Cream Cheese

If you want to reduce some of the calories and fat while keeping the same creamy buffalo-ranch flavor, use 4 oz of cream cheese instead.

Estimated nutrition per serving:

• Calories: ~275
• Protein: ~24-25 g
• Fat: ~11 g
• Carbohydrates: ~22-23 g

For an easy meal-prep option, try using 4 oz cream cheese and adding Greek yogurt on top when serving.

You'll still get that creamy, comforting texture while keeping the meal lighter and adding another source of protein.

Comfort Food Can Still Support Your Goals

Healthy eating doesn't mean giving up warm, comforting meals.

It's often about finding recipes you genuinely enjoy and making small adjustments that fit your goals.

This Buffalo Chicken Chili is a great example.

It's flavorful enough to feel like comfort food, simple enough for a busy weeknight, and balanced enough to work well in a meal-prep routine.

🌶️ Warm, creamy, protein-packed, and easy to prepare—sometimes simple meals are the ones you'll want to make again and again.

When healthy meals are convenient, satisfying, and enjoyable, staying consistent becomes a lot easier.