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If you love the bold taste of buffalo wings, this creamy chowder is a cozy way to enjoy those flavors in a warm bowl! It is perfect for chilly days and comes together with just a few simple ingredients and very little prep time.
As a nutritionist, I enjoy transforming comfort foods into lighter versions that still satisfy cravings. This chowder is exactly that! It combines the spicy, tangy notes of buffalo sauce with wholesome chicken, fresh vegetables, and wild rice for added texture and nutrition. A touch of half and half makes the soup creamy and smooth without weighing it down.
I have made this Buffalo Chicken Chowder so many times over the years, especially when the weather cools down. It is one of those reliable recipes I turn to when I want something comforting, filling, and full of flavor without extra fuss! The best part is how easy it is to make. You only need about 10 minutes to prepare everything, then let the slow cooker or Instant Pot work its magic. This is a set-it-and-forget-it meal that delivers on taste and convenience.
If you are a fan of warm and nourishing meals, you will love all of my healthy soup recipes! The Instant Pot can also make it so easy to get a warm, comforting meal ready fast without losing any flavor.
What Makes This Buffalo Chicken Chowder Special:
- Great for leftovers and meal prep
- Quick and easy to prepare: just dump the easy ingredients, set it, and forget it!
- Bold buffalo flavor with a creamy finish
- Packed with protein and vegetables
- Flexible for different dietary needs
Tips and Adaptations
Instant Pot option:
You can make this chowder in the Instant Pot by combining all ingredients except the half and half. Cook on high pressure for 12 minutes, quick release the pressure, shred the chicken, then stir in the half and half before serving.
Rice variations:
Wild rice adds a nice texture and flavor, but brown rice, jasmine rice, or basmati will work well too. For a low carb option, try cauliflower rice.
Serving Ideas
I love pairing this chowder with something fresh and crisp on the side. A simple Easy House Salad always works, but if you want something a little more seasonal, try the Winter Salad with Blood Orange Vinaigrette. For a heartier option, it’s also delicious with my Roasted Cauliflower Salad.
Add a sprinkle of chopped cilantro, shredded cheese, or slices of avocado on top for extra flavor. The chowder keeps well in the fridge for up to five days and can be frozen. Reheat gently on the stove to keep the texture just right.
Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Chowder
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs chicken breasts
- 1 cup uncooked wild rice*
- 1 cup chopped carrots
- 1 cup chopped celery
- 1 onion, chopped
- 3 cloves of minced garlic
- 5 cups chicken broth
- 1/2 cup buffalo wing sauce**
- 1 cup whipped cottage cheese or half and half
Instructions
- Place chicken in the bottom of your slow cooker. Add rice, vegetables, and top with broth and buffalo sauce.
- Set your slow cooker to low and cook for 4-6 hours, or until chicken can be easily shredded and rice is cooked through.
- Shred the chicken, add the half and half, and stir to combine.
- Serve immediately. Optional (but tasty) to add some cilantro, shredded cheddar ,or blue cheese crumbles.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Have u tried this in the instapot? Wondering what the cooking time would look like?
Would rotisserie chicken work as well? What would that do to the cook time?
Yes, you can use rotisserie chicken. I would still use the same cook time!
I made this for a soup party and everyone LOVED it!!! Made it the day before so the rice and everything soaked up a lot of the liquid so it wasn’t too liquidy (if that’s a word lol) but still soupy enough! I left the half and half out because I was afraid to add it. Considering everyone loved it without the half and half I’m sure it would’ve been just as good, if not better, with the half and half. I wanted to make something different and this was a big hit…got lots of compliments! Also super easy to make. Definitely keeping this recipe and using it more in the future!! Delicious!! Thank you!!
So glad you loved it!! One of my faves too!
Can you substitute a dairy free option for the half and half?
Yes! I have made this plenty of times, and often just omit the half and half
A few of my girlfriends came over last night to help make bridal shower favors for our friend’s wedding. I wanted to make dinner since everyone was coming after work. I also accidentally purchased bone-in chicken breast and shredded it, removing the bones, after. I also didn’t use that much half and half. It was so delicious, and the consistency came out more like a chili (probably because of my chicken mishap). The girls loved it and were so pleased that it is actually healthy!
Thanks!
So, I made this with the pre-cooked lentils from the refrigerated veggie section at Trader Joe’s, and it was great! I added them about an hour before the soup was done cooking. I also used the mirepoix from TJ’s as my diced onion, carrot, and celery, which saved time on chopping big time. I’ll definitely be making this again – my husband wouldn’t let me share the soup with anyone else he liked it so much!
Would lentils work instead of wild rice, or will they “take over” the flavor? I’ve never had lentils before that I can recall.
Sure! But they will soak up more of the broth, so you may need to add more chicken stock.