RecipeBuffalo Chicken Chili

Nutrition Facts
Amount per Serving
  • Calories: 330
  • Protein: 51g
  • Total Fat: 2g
    • Saturated Fat: 0g
  • Cholesterol: 130mg
  • Total Carbohydrate: 31g
  • Dietary Fiber: 7g
  • Sodium: 515mg
Take Note

Contains Dairy

This chili lets you enjoy the rich, spicy flavors of Buffalo wings without the calorific overload. Rather than chicken wings, with their high ratio of skin to meat, I’ve turned this favorite into a slimming flavorful stew your gang will love!

You also have the option of making this dish in a slow cooker—simply toss all of the ingredients into a crockpot (cutting tomato/vegetable juice by about 3/4 cup), mix everything up and cook on low for 8 hours (or high for 4 hours).

  • Prep time
  • Total Time
This recipe makes 4 servings
Ingredients:
  • 6 carrots, peeled and sliced into half-moons
  • 6 stalks celery, sliced
  • 6 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 pounds ground chicken (99% lean)
  • 2 tablespoons chili powder
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 4 cups low-sodium vegetable or tomato juice
  • 1/4 cup hot sauce (see Note)
  • plain non-fat Greek yogurt or light sour cream (optional)
  • chopped scallions (optional)
  • whipped blue cheese topping (optional), recipe below
Preparation:

Slow Cooker Version:To prepare in a slow cooker, simply add all ingredients to slow cooker, stir and cook on low for eight hours (or high for four hours). If you like a thicker chili, reduce the tomato/vegetable juice by about 3/4 cup. That’s because the crockpot generates more liquid than the skillet. Prepare the whipped blue cheese topping (below) prior to serving.

Stove Top Version: Liberally coat a large pot or Dutch oven with oil spray, and preheat it over medium-high heat. Add the carrots and celery and sauté, stirring occasionally, until tender, about 10 minutes; add water, a tablespoon at a time, as necessary to prevent scorching.

Add the garlic and sauté for 1 minute. Add the ground chicken, reapplying oil spray if necessary. Sauté, stirring continuously and breaking the chicken into small pieces, for 5 minutes or until cooked through. As the chicken cooks, continue scraping the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon to dislodge any large bits

Sprinkle in the chili powder and flour, and stir quickly to distribute them evenly. Immediately add the vegetable juice and hot sauce, and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and simmer, partially covered, stirring occasionally, for about 20 minutes.

Ladle the chili into serving bowls and serve with desired toppings.

Note: The amount of hot sauce you use will depend on the brand you select as well as your (and your family’s) own personal tolerance for spicy foods. I advise adding ¼ cup hot sauce to start with, then tasting the chili and adding more from there if you find it too mild.

For Whipped Blue Cheese Topping: In a small bowl, mash together ¼ cup blue cheese crumbles (at room temperature) and ¼ cup light/nonfat sour cream or nonfat plain Greek yogurt. Dollop on top of chili before serving.

Serves 4
Serving Size: 2¼ cups (without toppings)