Buffalo chicken beer cheese soup recipe is comforting and joyful: the perfect way to celebrate cooler temperatures and football season!
I’m going to keep things short and sweet today, but I did want to mention the inspiration behind this recipe. When Zach and I were in Breckenridge, we had a beer cheese soup that, yup you guessed it, was flavored with buffalo chicken.
I melted.
My heart melted.
I dreamt of this soup for days … and days … and days.
We literally went back to the brewery/restaurant to have the soup over … and over … and over again.
I KNEW that I had to recreate it because it actually works! I was totally skeptical when I first ordered it. I honestly didn’t know how it would play out, but the end result was incredible. I’ve toyed with this recipe and I found the following one to be the best, but you be the judge…when you make it this weekend! ;)
Although, I clearly made this soup with a pilsner, I highly recommend pairing it with an IPA. Pale ales and IPAs tend to add a lot of bitterness when you cook with them as was the case with my Potato Pale Ale Beer Cheese Soup with Bacon; and that was exactly what I wanted for that recipe. I wanted “bitter.” I did not want bitter in this beer cheese soup, so go light on this one, but pair with an IPA to balance out that heat from the hot sauce!
Recipe is below! Have a great evening! xo
Buffalo Chicken Beer Cheese Soup
Servings:
6 -8Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 large yellow onion diced
- salt and black pepper
- 4 cloves of garlic finely minced
- 12 ounces light beer like a pilsner to avoid bitterness
- 4 cups low sodium chicken broth
- 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 1/4 cups low fat milk
- 1/4 cup Frank's Red Hot sauce more or less to taste
- 1 3/4 cup sharp white cheddar cheese
- 1/4 cup blue cheese crumbles
- 1 1/2 cups fully-cooked shredded chicken breast
- croutons chopped chives, crispy bacon, blue cheese crumbles, Frank's Red Hot sauce (for toppings)
Instructions
- To a large dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion and season with salt and black pepper. Cook for 5-6 minutes or until tender. Add the garlic and cook for another minute, or until fragrant. Add the beer. Bring to a boil and then lower to a simmer. Simmer for about 15 minutes or until the beer is substantially reduced.
- Add the chicken broth and taking an immersion blender, blend the mixture until completely smooth. Alternatively, you can use a regular blender if you don't have an immersion blender on hand.
- Bring the soup to a boil and then lower to a simmer. Simmer for an additional 15 minutes.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour and just enough milk to create a paste (about 1/4-1/3 of a cup). Whisk the flour into the soup and then add the remaining milk. Continue to simmer the soup for another 15 minutes, whisking frequently until the soup has thickened slightly. Stir in the hot sauce. Cook for an additional 3 minutes and then remove from heat.
- In 1/2 cup increments add the cheddar cheese and blue cheese crumbles to the soup, stirring and melting the cheeses completely before adding the next addition. It's ok if a few chunks of blue cheese remain.
- Stir in the shredded chicken breast.
- Serve the soup hot, garnished with croutons. chives, bacon, blue cheese and a drizzle of hot sauce. Enjoy!
20 Responses
Wow, what a spectacular idea for a soup! Because I already love beer & cheese soup. So why not add buffalo chicken? Makes sense to me. :) Pinning!
Haha, thank you Meggan! It does make sense! Thanks for the pin too! ;)
I had beer cheese for the first time a few months ago and it was amazing! I must try your soup because I know it will be delicious! Pinning!
Thank you so much for the pin, Jen!
Gosh this is amazing! I am such a sucker for anything buffalo. And this is seriously gorgeous! I mean, it looks like a work of art! I am totally craving it; it’s definitely going on my “must make” list!
Aw, thanks sweetheart! Have a wonderful weekend! xo
I just left breckenridge today after having the same soup for lunch and was searching all over the internet for a recipe base just like it and found your recipe!! Too funny!! Thanks for sharing :)
That is too funny! OMG, I still have dreams about that soup. SO good.
Had this soup in Breck last week. Our question: 1/4 c Franks seem more spice than the taste we remember. Is that amount a typo??We love be spicy but This will be our Super Bowl offering to friends.
Hi Katie! Nope, that amount is correct, and this soup is a little bit spicier than the one they serve at the brewery. It is not overwhelming in spice though, because this recipe makes such a large batch. My advice would be to add what you feel comfortable adding (a tablespoon or two) and then you can always add more later if you find that it’s not spicy enough. I hope it works out for you and that you enjoy it! It’s one of our favorite soups!
Perfect!! The 2 T are in and I will taste on Sunday as I add the cheese. Super Bowl 50…can’t wail!!
Had this soup at Breckenridge today and it was to die for! My husband and I immediately searched and found your recipe! Thank you!