Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken Chili

This Instant Pot buffalo chicken chili lets you get your weeknight wing fix with ease. Although super simple and hands-off, it’s definitely not lacking in flavor. Naturally gluten-free.

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Ok, guys, I admit I was slow to get on board the Instant Pot train and that was a mistake. I’m not one to quickly buy into the hype and follow trends, but after years of hearing about this handy kitchen tool, I decided to give it a try.

All I can say is……WHAT THE HECK WAS I THINKING?

I absolutely love to take my time in the kitchen. For me it’s not just about making great food, it’s the whole experience; listening to some tunes, getting present, and savoring both the aromas and the flavors of all the diverse ingredients and combinations of ingredients.

The problem is I don’t always have time for that. Last week I headed back to work after a six-month furlough and found myself struggling to find balance between my nine to five, household duties, homeschooling, kids, etc.

After walking in the house several evenings in a row and being bombarded by at least three “what’s for dinner?” inquiries, I was quickly reminded that I could no longer spend hours prepping/cooking dinner.

The kids made it clear to me that they were hungry and were not inclined to wait. They’re really good at that 🙃.

Instant Pot to the rescue!!! This gadget has the ability to slash your cooking time in half, is easy to use, and requires very little hands-on work. If you don’t have one yet, you better get yourself one.

So now that I’ve raved about the Instant Pot, let me tell you a little bit about this soup inspired by buffalo chicken wings.

My family would go for chicken wings pretty much every night, but the truth is they can be a bit of a hassle to make and there is just not enough meat on them to suffice as a meal.

The solution: buffalo chicken chili. It’s got all the great buffalo chicken flavor that you know and love but is heartier and perfect for a cool fall or winter day.

This chili is packed full of veggies, beans, and tender shredded chicken. The base is creamy and permeated with cayenne pepper (the base of buffalo chicken sauce). It’s got a slight kick to it but is mild enough that my two-year slurps it down with no problem.

Aside from the amazing flavor this chili has going on, it is incredibly easy to make. It seriously can’t get much simpler. It’s just a matter of sautéeing the veggies (right in the Instant Pot), dumping in the rest of the ingredients, and letting it do its thing. Once it’s done you whisk it up real good to blend in the cream cheese and shred the chicken and it’s ready to serve.

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Ingredients (+ notes & substitutions)

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• Olive oil: For sautéeing the veggies.
• Carrots: You can coin or dice them.
• Celery
• White onion: Or yellow.
• Garlic
• Chicken broth
• Chicken breasts or tenderloins: One of the great things about this recipe is you can stick the raw chicken right in the pot with the other ingredients and cook it up, so there is no prep work involved.
• Canneneli (white) beans: If you prefer you could use Great Northern beans.
• Pinto beans
• Petite diced tomatoes: Regular or fire-roasted.
• Cream cheese
• Franks Red Hot: My personal favorite buffalo wing sauce base.
• Onion powder
• Smoked paprika: Regular paprika is fine if you don’t have smoked, however, I highly recommend you get some smoked paprika. You won’t regret it.
• Kosher salt

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How to make Instant Pot buffalo chicken chili ( + tips)

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Begin by setting the Instant Pot to sauté. Add the olive oil and wait for it to indicate it is hot, then add the carrots, celery, and onions and sauté for five minutes. Next, add the garlic and sauté for an additional one minute.

Add the remaining ingredients.

Then cover, seal, and cook on high pressure for 20 minutes. It will take about 15 minutes to reach high pressure, so this process will take about 35 minutes altogether.

After 20 minutes, allow the pressure to release naturally for ten minutes, then do a quick release. To do this you simply, turn the pressure release switch to the venting position. Once any remaining steam has released you can remove the lid.

You will notice the cream cheese is still in chunks. To incorporate it you will need to whisk the chili, which will also break apart the chicken.

Add salt and pepper to taste, crown with desired toppings, and serve warm.

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Storage

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Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to four days.

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Recommended Products

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If you like this recipe, you may also like:

• Buffalo Fried Pickles: Make way for your new favorite appetizer! If you love fried pickles and buffalo wings you will not be disappointed. These pickles are dredged in a buffalo sauce batter and fried to perfection. Pair them with some garlic ranch and BAM!
• Buffalo Fried Pickle Tacos with Garlic Ranch: What’s better than fried pickles, buffalo sauce, and tacos?!?! A combination of the three; BUFFALO FRIED PICKLE TACOS!! These tacos start with crispy buffalo-flavored fried pickles which are tossed in a tortilla and topped off with garlic ranch, lettuce, tomatoes, and cheese. Great vegetarian option with quick and easy prep.

If you make this Instant Pot buffalo chicken chili I’d love your feedback. Please leave a comment and/or a rating below as I greatly value your opinion. Or snap a pic and tag me on Instagram @taoofspiceblog. Love, light, and happy cooking ya’ll ♥