Buffalo Chicken Chili

AHHH..... Fall is here!!!

There is something so exciting about the leaves changing color, the crisp morning air, and the smell of damp leaves. Fall gives us such a wonderful time and great food. Pumpkins, squash, and apples just to name a few. This is the time of year we blow the dust off the crock pot and get ready to make great soups and chilies to warm us on the crisp Autumn nights.

This is one of my favorite recipes. A great spin on Buffalo chicken for your football Sundays.

Buffalo chicken chili
Ingredients:
1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
2 Tbsp Butter
2 pounds of all-white meat ground chicken ( I used 2 pounds chopped chicken breast)
2 cups chicken stock.
1 large carrot peeled and chopped finely
1 large onion chopped
3 ribs of celery, chopped finely
5 large cloves of garlic, chopped
1 Tbsp chipotle chili powder or smoked paprika
1 bay leaf
Salt and freshly ground pepper
¼-½ cup hot sauce, depends on how hot you like it (trust me ½ cup is really hot)
1 15-ounce can of tomato sauce
1 15-ounce can of crushed tomatoes
Blue cheese crumbles to top (optional)
Preparation
Place a large opt of medium-high heat. Add 1 turn of the pan of EVOO. About 1 tablespoon, and the butter. Once the butter has melted and the pot is hot, add the ground chicken. Brown it. Using the back of the wooden spoon to break it up in to small pieces, about 5-6 minutes. Add the carrot , onion, celery , garlic, chili powder, bay leaf and some salt and pepper. Cook stirring frequently for about 3-4 minutes. Add the chicken stock and scrape up any brown bit on the bottom of the pot. Add the hot sauce, tomato sauce and crushed tomatoes, and bring up to a bubble. Simmer for 8-10 minutes to let the flavors come together.
Top with blue cheese and serve
　
* note*
It is kind of a liquidity. To make a thicker chili I would brown chicken and veggies in EVOO and take out of pot. Melt butter in bottom of same pan . Add bout 2 tablespoons of flour and brown It to make a rue, add extra EVOO if need. Then use your stock to the rue. Add your seasonings, then return the chicken and veggies and add your hot sauce. This is just what I would do now that I have played with the recipe a bit.
ENJOY!!! We did.

If you want dessert i would suggest warm apples on french vanilla ice cream or apple crisp!

Have fun and Happy Fall!!