Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken Chili: Your New Go-To for a Healthy, Flavorful Meal
Are you on the hunt for a meal that’s both incredibly flavorful and wonderfully healthy? Look no further than this 21 Day Fix Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken Chili! This recipe is a game-changer, combining the zesty, spicy kick of buffalo sauce with lean chicken and an abundance of fresh vegetables, all simmered to perfection in your Instant Pot. And yes, it’s delightfully topped with creamy blue cheese, making it a truly satisfying dish that comes together quicker than you might imagine.
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Confession #106: When it comes to chili, I usually defer to my husband. It’s been “his thing” for as long as I can remember, a culinary domain he has painstakingly cultivated over the years. And credit where credit is due, he’s actually become quite good at it. But his journey to chili mastery wasn’t without its… *unique* detours.
For years, our circle of friends has hosted an annual Chili Cook-off for Super Bowl Sunday. This tradition predates our relationship, and legend has it that in one infamous year, my husband dared to include *hot dogs* in his chili. Yes, you read that right – hot dogs. In a chili contest. Thankfully, he has evolved significantly since then, even securing a few victories in subsequent cook-offs. Despite his prowess, he has always been adamant about me staying out of the competition. “This is *my* show,” he’d declare, a playful but firm boundary around his chili kingdom.
However, there’s one kind of chili that I’ve always proudly called my own: my Buffalo Chicken Chili. I typically prepared it on the stovetop, and it quickly became a household favorite, a staple in our rotation of beloved meals. But a recent experiment changed everything. One day, I decided to take this beloved recipe and adapt it for the Instant Pot.
The Instant Pot Advantage: Speed, Flavor, and Unbeatable Convenience
The results, I must confess, were nothing short of revelatory. The transformation was so profound, I’m not entirely sure my husband even recognized it as the same dish we’d enjoyed countless times before. His reaction, however, was unmistakable. For the very first time ever, he looked at me with genuine surprise and declared, “I think you need to enter *this* into the Chili Cook-Off this year.” Say what? That, my friends, is the power of the Instant Pot. My affection for this kitchen marvel grows exponentially with each passing day, and this Buffalo Chicken Chili is a testament to its magic.
Beyond the high praise from my toughest critic, the Instant Pot brings a host of benefits to chili making that simply can’t be replicated on the stovetop. First and foremost, there’s the speed. What typically requires hours of simmering to develop rich flavors and tender ingredients on a conventional stove is achieved in a fraction of the time under pressure. The Instant Pot locks in moisture and infuses every ingredient with intense flavor, creating a depth that tastes like it’s been cooking all day, even after just 20-25 minutes of active cooking time.
Secondly, it’s incredibly hands-off. Once you’ve sautéed your lean ground chicken and aromatic vegetables, added the liquids and seasonings, you simply set it and forget it. No constant stirring, no worrying about scorching the bottom of the pot. This convenience makes it perfect for busy weeknights when you crave a wholesome, homemade meal but are short on time. For families on the go, the Instant Pot makes healthy eating not just possible, but easy and enjoyable.
Finally, the Instant Pot is excellent for meal prep. A big batch of this Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken Chili can be made in one go and then easily portioned out for lunches or dinners throughout the week. It reheats beautifully, maintaining its delicious flavor and tender texture, making healthy eating effortless and truly enjoyable. Imagine having a ready-to-eat, healthy, and satisfying meal waiting for you after a long day – that’s the Instant Pot promise.
The Perfect Blend of Flavors & Nutrition: Why This Chili Stands Out
This Buffalo Chicken Chili isn’t just fast and easy; it’s a nutritional powerhouse designed with health-conscious eaters in mind, including those diligently following the 21 Day Fix program. We start with lean ground chicken, providing a robust source of protein without excess fat, essential for muscle building and satiety. The vibrant array of fresh vegetables – crisp carrots, crunchy celery, and sweet onions – not only add incredible flavor and texture but also a generous boost of fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Minced garlic further elevates the aroma and taste, turning simple, wholesome ingredients into something truly extraordinary.
The heart of the “buffalo” flavor comes from a balanced blend of diced tomatoes, aromatic chili powder, and, of course, your favorite hot sauce. You have complete control over the spice level; feel free to adjust the amount of hot sauce to perfectly match your preferred heat, from a mild tang to a fiery kick that truly awakens your taste buds. The tomatoes, lightly pulsed in a blender, create a thick, rich, and slightly chunky base that clings to all the other ingredients, ensuring every spoonful is bursting with flavor and robust body.
The Blue Cheese Topping: A Must-Have for Authentic Buffalo Flavor
What truly elevates this chili to authentic Buffalo Chicken Chili status, beyond the spicy broth and tender chicken, is the cool, creamy blue cheese topping. It’s the iconic pairing that defines the classic buffalo wing experience, and it’s just as essential here. Mixing savory blue cheese crumbles with plain Greek yogurt creates a lighter, yet incredibly flavorful, counterpart to the chili’s heat. This simple addition provides that signature tangy, salty, and savory element that perfectly balances the spice, making each bite a complex and satisfying experience. For those on the 21 Day Fix, this topping is accounted for, ensuring you can enjoy this decadent touch without derailing your progress. A sprinkle of fresh chives adds a final flourish of vibrant color and a hint of oniony freshness, completing this culinary masterpiece.
Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken Chili
Pin Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup carrots peeled and sliced into half-moons
- 1 cup chopped celery
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1/4 onion diced
- 1 – 1 1/2 pounds lean ground chicken
- 28 oz diced tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon chili powder or more to taste
- 1/4 cup hot sauce or more to taste
- 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1/3 cup blue cheese crumbles
- Cooking spray
- Chives
Instructions
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Coat your Instant Pot with cooking spray. Set to Saute and brown ground chicken until cooked through. Add in onions and cook for a few minutes to release flavors. Add in the rest of your veggies and stir. Set to keep warm.
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Pour tomatoes in a blender and pulse a few times so the texture is more like a chunky tomato juice. Add 2-4 cups of the tomato (less leads to a thicker chili…I used all 4 cups and loved it) to the Instant Pot, along with chili powder and hot sauce.
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Set to normal pressure with a cook time of 20-25 minutes. I did 25 minutes and the veggies were very soft, so go closer to 20 if you want your veggies more firm. It took about ten minutes for my pot to come to pressure.
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Meanwhile, mix the blue cheese crumbles with the Greek yogurt for the topping.
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When the cook time is up, carefully switch to quick release. Taste and adjust seasonings, if desired.
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Sprinkle with chives and serve with the blue cheese yogurt on top!
Notes
WW: 1 point (calculated using 98% fat-free uncooked ground chicken breast and reduced fat blue cheese)
Nutrition
21 Day Fix & Weight Watchers Friendly: Healthy Eating Made Simple
We understand the importance of tracking macros and points, especially for those committed to specific health and fitness programs. That’s why this Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken Chili is meticulously designed to be compliant with popular plans like the 21 Day Fix and Weight Watchers. Each serving offers a balanced profile of protein, an abundance of vegetables, and a controlled portion of healthy fats, making it an ideal choice for your weekly meal plan without compromising on flavor.
For 21 Day Fix followers, each serving (without the optional blue cheese topping) typically counts as 1 Red container (for protein from the chicken) and 1 Green container (for the generous amount of vegetables). When you add the delicious blue cheese yogurt topping, you’ll account for an additional 1/4 Blue container, providing that satisfying creamy element while staying perfectly on track with your daily container counts. This makes it an easy and delicious way to get in your protein and veggies.
For Weight Watchers members, this recipe is incredibly friendly to your SmartPoints budget. By using 98% fat-free ground chicken breast and opting for reduced-fat blue cheese, this chili can be an amazingly low 1 SmartPoint per serving! This offers a filling, flavorful, and incredibly satisfying option that supports your weight loss and healthy eating goals, proving that wholesome food can be both delicious and diet-friendly.
Tips for Making the Best Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken Chili
To ensure your Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken Chili turns out perfectly every time, here are a few expert tips to keep in mind:
- Spice Level Adjustment: Don’t be shy about customizing the heat to your preference. If you love a fiery kick, feel free to add an extra splash of hot sauce or a pinch of cayenne pepper during the seasoning step. For a milder version, start with less hot sauce and add more to taste after the chili has cooked. Remember, you can always add more heat, but it’s hard to take it away!
- Veggie Texture: The original recipe suggests a cook time of 20-25 minutes under normal pressure. If you prefer your vegetables (carrots, celery, and onions) with a bit more bite and firmness, lean closer to the 20-minute mark. For super tender, melt-in-your-mouth veggies that seamlessly blend into the chili, 25 minutes works wonderfully. Experiment to find your perfect texture.
- Tomato Consistency: Pulsing the diced tomatoes in a blender is a key step to achieving that ideal chili base texture. It ensures the tomatoes break down sufficiently to release their flavors and thicken the chili without becoming a completely smooth purée. This method helps maintain some delightful chunkiness while providing a rich, cohesive liquid base.
- Cooking Spray is Your Friend: Don’t skip coating your Instant Pot with cooking spray before browning the chicken. This prevents sticking and makes cleanup significantly easier, especially with lean ground meats.
- Storage & Reheating: This chili is fantastic for meal prep! Prepare a larger batch and store leftovers in individual airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. It also freezes exceptionally well for up to 3 months. When ready to enjoy, simply thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave until warmed through. It’s just as delicious the next day!
Whether you’re a chili connoisseur or just looking for a quick, healthy, and incredibly tasty meal, this Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken Chili is sure to become a cherished recipe in your kitchen. It’s proof that healthy eating doesn’t have to sacrifice flavor, and that sometimes, a little culinary experimentation (especially with an Instant Pot!) can lead to unexpectedly delightful results. Give it a try, and prepare to be amazed – you might just find yourself entering the next chili cook-off!