Bacon Ranch Buffalo Chicken Stew
A hearty, spicy stew combining tender chicken, smoky bacon, and creamy ranch flavors with a kick of buffalo sauce. This american-inspired keto (keto) ready in about 40 minutes pairs diced bacon, butter, small, diced yellow onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 lb, boneless, skinless, cut into 1-inch pieces chicken thighs
- 4 slices, diced bacon
- 1 tbsp butter
- 1 small, diced yellow onion
- 3, minced garlic cloves
- 1/3 cup buffalo sauce
- 4 cups, low sodium chicken broth
- 4 oz, cubed cream cheese
- 1/4 cup, keto-friendly ranch dressing
- 2, diced celery stalks
- to taste salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large pot over medium heat, cook 4 diced bacon slices until crispy, about 5-6 minutes. Remove bacon with a slotted spoon and set aside, leaving bacon fat in the pot.
- Step 2: Add 1 tablespoon butter to the pot and melt. Add 1 small diced yellow onion and 3 minced garlic cloves, sautéing for 3-4 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Step 3: Add 1 pound boneless skinless chicken thighs cut into 1-inch pieces and sauté for 5 minutes until lightly browned.
- Step 4: Pour in 4 cups low sodium chicken broth and 1/3 cup buffalo sauce. Bring to a simmer and cook for 15 minutes until chicken is cooked through.
- Step 5: Stir in 4 ounces cubed cream cheese and 1/4 cup keto-friendly ranch dressing, stirring until the cream cheese melts and the stew thickens slightly.
- Step 6: Add 2 diced celery stalks and cooked bacon back to the pot. Simmer another 5 minutes. Season with salt to taste and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Serve warm.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Bacon Ranch Buffalo Chicken Stew take to make?
Total time is about 40 minutes (10 min prep + 30 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Bacon Ranch Buffalo Chicken Stew?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep diced bacon from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Bacon Ranch Buffalo Chicken Stew?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Bacon Ranch Buffalo Chicken Stew for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
Is Bacon Ranch Buffalo Chicken Stew keto?
Yes — this recipe is tagged keto based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
