Any recipe that has a “Buffalo” flavor immediately grabs my attention! I’m so addicted to the distinctive hot buffalo flavor and just love how it has been used so creatively lately . . . and I normally don’t get into trendy foods. Weird doesn’t fly in this household!
In this Buffalo Turkey Chili, the buffalo flavor shines through, but not in an overpowering way. Ground turkey (or chicken) is used instead of beef . . . so I guess that means it has less cholesterol in it, making it a bit more healthy than beef versions of chili. If you think that you’ll miss the beefy flavor of traditional chili recipes, you’ll never know the difference with the turkey/chicken in this recipe!
Plus if you want easy, this is a cinch to make!
Goodness, all that you do is sauté the best food buddies of onion, celery, garlic and carrots . . . brown the ground turkey or chicken . . . add some spices . . . then throw in some broth, tomatoes, beans, and hot sauce for that BUFFALO KICK! Let it simmer and you’re good to go!
For a more true buffalo wing experience, serve this chili with crumbled blue cheese.
Even my husband, Mr. Bill, who is not a huge fan of buffalo wings, really enjoyed this chili. And if he thinks that this chili recipe is a keeper, than you have to trust him (and me) that it is!
This chili is just the yummiest!
Buffalo Turkey Chili
Ingredients
- 4 - 5 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
- 2 lbs. extra lean ground turkey or ground chicken
- 2 large carrots, peeled and finely chopped
- 1 large onion, finely chopped
- 4 stalks of celery (plus leaves), finely chopped
- 5 large garlic cloves, minced
- 1 Tbsp. paprika
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1-½ cups of Frank's Red Hot Sauce (less if you prefer)
- 1 can chopped tomatoes with jalapeños
- 1 small can tomato paste
- 1 15 oz. can tomato sauce
- 1 can cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 can pinto beans, rinsed and drained
- salt and pepper to taste
Garnish
- crumbled blue cheese
- sliced lime
- chopped fresh cilantro
Instructions
- Cook the ground turkey (or chicken) in a skillet over medium heat, crumbling it as it cooks, and set aside.
- Heat the extra virgin olive oil in a deep pot.
- Add onions, celery, carrots, and garlic . . . cook until tender, about 10-15 minutes.
- Add chicken broth and deglaze the pan.
- Add turkey/chicken, tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, beans, paprika, and hot sauce.
- Simmer for 15 minutes.
- Garnish with crumbled blue cheese, sliced lime, and chopped cilantro.
garnish with chunks of blue cheese, slices of lime, and chopped cilantro
Great minds think alike. I made Slow cooker Buffalo Chicken Chili. Your pictures are absolutely gorgeous.
I love the convenient option of using the slow cooker as you did Isabel! Smart lady you are!
Wow, this looks amazing, Roz! I would never have thought of using blue cheese with chili, but it now makes perfect sense! xo
I agree Liz, and it’s so essential for the ‘buffalo’ twist. Mr. Bill will of course, only use Ranch dressing with anything buffalo!
My husband and I both like buffalo sauce flavor but neither of us like eating those little wings. This is a great way to enjoy the flavor but in a whole new way.
This buffalo chili is certainly not as messy as picking up wings . . . and the flavor is identical! Thanks Renee!
You have got me gal with the flavors of this chili, huge lover of Frank’s!! YUM!!!
Tara, what would a buffalo-lovers kitchen pantry be without a stash of Frank’s Red Hot Sauce! A staple in this home!
Looks delicious Roz and I also like the “Buffalo” flavor but never thought about it for chili. I like the garnishes you used as well.
Thanks Larry! It’s definitely a good recipe, especially if you’re a Buffalo-flavor fan like we are!
What a great idea and why didn’t I think of it. Really looks good Roz and great photos.
Thank you so much Lea Ann, it’s always so fun to try new recipes and tweak them for how you like them . . . and we do love Buffalo-flavored recipes!
Blue cheese and cilantro on top? YES PLEASE!!!
Gotta have blue cheese with buffalo recipes!
Wow! love the Frank’s Red Hot Sauce and the crumbled blue cheese on top!! delicious!
Thanks Alice — Frank’s and blue cheese are excellent friends in recipes!
Roz, this sounds wonderful! And that is indeed quite an array of chili recipes. There are enough to keep a family in chili all winter long! I’m off now to vote. Best of luck to you!
Oh Adri, you just made my day!!! Baci, baci, baci!
I love all things Buffalo Flavor and I love that you added turkey instead of beef! What a great dish!!
Grazie mille Jennifer. I’ve been wanting to make a beef-less chili for the longest time!
I made a chili con carne today too. We had it for the lunch and the leftover will be tomorrow’s lunch. Your buffalo turkey chilli looks scrumptious, Roz.
Thanks so much Angie! Chili is so perfect for February and winter!
Blue cheese on top of chili? Brilliant!
Blue cheese is a must with anything buffalo, I think. Thanks for your compliment Dorothy!
Buffalo definitely seems like the perfect flavor twist to put in chili…and with blue cheese on top, even better!
Oh thanks so much Shaina! Buffalo and blue is truly a classic combination.
This is a really creative way to serve up chili. I love it! I would not miss the beef in this creation.
Velva
You’d never know there wasn’t beef in this chili, Velva!
Looks delicious Roz, a very good recipe !Have a great week !
Is that blue cheese??? Yessss it is… I won me over! This chili looks fantastic Roz!!
Grazie mille mia bella amica Manu! Grazie
Chiara! So good to have you stop by! I hope you have a great week too!
Oooh, the combo of buffalo flavored chili with the blue cheese sounds like a taste treat to me!
Thanks so much Katie! It’s quite unusual for chili but great for buffalo and blue fans!
Love the garnish of blue cheese – yum!
It really worked out well Melanie, perfect accent to the buffalo flavor!
OMG with the blue cheese?!!? This is going on my meal plan for next week!
Amanda, please let me know what you think of this chili; I’d love to know! Thanks!
A clever new way to eat buffalo wings, minus the mess!
You sure got that right! Once of the big plusses of this chili, Susan!
Roz, Indeed your chili sounds amazing and love the turkey instead of beef! Its so much healthier! I casted my vote! Best of luck to you!
xxoo Anna and Liz
Oh you sweetheart(s)! Wuv you! Mwah!
We are BIG fans of Franks Hot Sauce in this house. I would love to try this one.
Laura,
Frank’s Hot Sauce is a classic and just the best!
Thanks for your visit! I’ll be right over,
Roz
This sounds delicious! Love the big chunks of blue cheese!
Blue cheese chunks just top this chili off perfectly, Sarah! Thanks!
I absolutely love buffalo chicken/turkey chili. I discovered it a few years back and we must have it once a year or so. Your pictures are incredible too!
Julie, like you, we just love buffalo chicken or turkey chili too now! Thank you for your compliments!
Yumm! I’d just have to hide the blue cheese from my husband.
Jane, I’m lucky cuz my husband gives me his serving of blue cheese!
This chili recipe looks wonderful, Roz! I love the flavor of buffalo sauce, too, and am always drawn to those recipes. I think my kids would love it also. I’m going to have to make it for them. I was glad to hear your husband liked it, as my husband isn’t as wild about this flavor as I am. Sounds like he would enjoy it, though, since your husband did. Thanks for another great recipe. Can’t wait to try it, and I hope you win the contest!
Shari, my husband actually enjoyed this chili with a huge (buttered) hoagie bun . . . sort of like a buffalo sloppy joe! I tried it his way and it was actually really good!
1.5 cups of Frank’s hot sauce?! WOW! This chili rocks!!!!
After adding a ½ cup, I knew I had to pour in just about the entire bottle of Frank’s hot sauce. It really was yummy with that extra punch, MJ!
just saw another blogger with a turkey recipe and I loved it but I am loving this just as much! We love our chili and I have used ground chicken before but never turkey! I must give that a try
Jessica, this was my first try with turkey too, and it turned out just as relish as with chicken. Trying to reduce the beef in this family and this was one fun way to do so.
xo
Roz
I love buffalo flavors too! ESPECIALLY if you add blue cheese. So delicious!
I totally agree with you Courtney, blue cheese and buffalo flavors are a perfect combination!
Amazing recipe Roz! I must try this! Pinning!
You are too kind Martin. If you make this, please stop back and let me know what you think!
Roz
Woo hoo! We’re fans of “anything” buffalo so this recipe is great. It’s a must try!!!
I couldn’t agree with you more about ‘anything’ buffalo in recipes Pam! Hope you enjoy this if you choose to prepare this recipe!
Be well,
Roz
Oh, what a beautiful looking chili. It looks amazing.
Pretty tasty stuff Be a . . . especially if you like the ‘buffalo’ flavor. You can even tone it down or amp it up, depending on your preferences! Thanks for your comment and visit!
Roz
Just when you think Chili can’t get any hotter you’ve thought to add hot sauce!?? I love it!! Loving the blue cheese topping even more though!!
Thanks Tammi, glad you enjoyed this recipe! Hope you’re doing well!
Roz
I’d like a bowl right now, please!
Thank you Julie! I appreciate your visit and nice comment!
Be well,
Roz
just made this today and its SO GOOD!!