This Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken is an effortless, flavor-packed recipe that’s perfect for making shredded chicken sandwiches, wraps, or even adding to salads. All it takes is a handful of ingredients and a few minutes to prep, then let the slow cooker work its magic.
Whether you’re hosting a game day party, meal-prepping for the week, or just craving a comforting dinner, this buffalo chicken has you covered.
Toss it on a bun with some coleslaw, stuff it in a burrito, or keep it low-carb with a lettuce wrap or low carb tortilla quesadilla. The possibilities are endless!
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Why You'll Love Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken
Super Easy to Make: Just throw the ingredients in your slow cooker and let it do the work. Minimal effort, maximum flavor.
Crowd-Pleaser: With its bold buffalo flavor, it’s a hit with everyone, especially for game days or casual get-togethers.
Versatile: Serve it on buns, in wraps, on a baked potato, or even over a salad—whatever fits your vibe.
Ingredients
Boneless skinless chicken breasts, if chicken breasts are large, cut them into smaller pieces to allow the sauce to absorb into the meat while cooking.
Buffalo wing sauce, I love Frank's Red Hot.
Ranch dressing
Chunky blue cheese crumbles
Optional sandwich toppings: Lettuce, cilantro
Burger buns or slider rolls
How to Make Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken
- Step 1: Place the chicken in the slow cooker.
- Step 2: In a small bowl, using a hand whisk, mix together the wing sauce and blue cheese dressing.
- Step 3: Pour the sauce mixture over top of the chicken and cook on low 4 hours.
- Step 4: Shred chicken and serve as desired.
Equipment
Slow cooker, for cooking the chicken
Mixing bowls, to mix the sauce
Hand whisk, to blend the sauce mixture.
Substitutions
Chicken: If you’re out of chicken breasts, chicken thighs work just as well and stay super tender.
Ranch Dressing: Use homemade ranch dressing if you don’t have store bought, or swap for blue cheese dressing for a different vibe.
Butter: Traditional buffalo sauce usually includes butter, you can use ½ cup salted butter in place of the ranch dressing if desired.
Variations
- Buffalo Chicken Dip: Shred the cooked chicken and mix it with cream cheese, shredded cheddar, and extra buffalo sauce for a cheesy, dippable treat.
- Buffalo Chicken Tacos: Load it into taco shells with shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, and a drizzle of ranch or blue cheese dressing.
- Buffalo Chicken Nachos: Spread tortilla chips on a baking sheet, top with the shredded chicken, cheese, and jalapeños. Bake until the cheese melts, then add fresh toppings like diced tomatoes, green onions, and a drizzle of ranch.
Top Tips
- Shred It Right: Use two forks or even a hand mixer to shred the chicken easily and evenly.
- Adjust the Heat: Start with less buffalo sauce if you’re not sure about the spice level. You can always add more after shredding.
- Double It Up: Make a double batch and freeze the leftovers for an easy meal down the line.
Storage
Store any leftover buffalo chicken in an airtight container in the fridge up to 3 days.
For a more budget friendly recipe, use boneless skinless chicken thighs in place of the chicken breasts or tenders.
More Buffalo Style Recipes
When you make this Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken recipe, please comment below and let me know what you think. I'd love it if you tag me on Instagram @grumpyshoneybunch or #grumpyshoneybunch so I can see your photos!
If you love this recipe, please leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating
📖 Recipe
Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken
Equipment
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Ingredients
- 1½ pounds chicken breasts
- ¾ cup red hot sauce
- 1 cup ranch dressing
Instructions
- Place the chicken in the slow cooker.
- In a small bowl, using a hand whisk, mix together the wing sauce and blue cheese dressing.
- Pour the sauce mixture over top of the chicken and cook on low 6 to 8 hours.
- Shred chicken and place in container along with 1 cup cooking sauce.
mayajo says
I just love this! this just looks perfect while watching movies!
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Sarah G. says
I'm going to make a version of this today! I'm making ours into wraps. Thanks for the inspiration! Your peanut butter carmel brownies are also on the agenda for this weekend - I've been thinking about them since I saw that post!
pigpigscorner says
wow this looks and sounds amazing! I love spicy food too!
Mateja ^_^ says
One yummy loaded saucy sandwich, love it! Thank you for sharing, have a nice weekend 🙂
teresa says
oh wow, this sounds incredible! i love the blue cheese chunks in there. i'm crazy about hot sauce too, it put it on everything!
Leslie says
Seriously...this just make my mouth water. I love me some hot sauce covered chicken!
Shelby says
Your welcome Saucy Mama!
Barbara....Grumpy's comments are for the most part pretty saucy all the time...I just don't tell everyone all the time. LOL
Barbara @ Modern Comfort Food says
I don't even own a slow cooker, but I'm going to try to make this wonderful looking sandwich your way anyway. Hot sauce forever!
BTW am I just imagining things or was Grumpy's comment about you and hot sauce pretty darned saucy too?
Saucy Mama says
Love it, Grumpy's Honey 🙂 Sounds DELISH! You most definitely ARE a Saucy Mama...thanks for the mention!
Flourchild says
Oh well Victoria secret has some good bras for any saggy's out there!!:0
What a yummy looking chicken sandwich!
Lana @ Never Enough Thyme says
I must be a saucy mama because I love anything hot and spicy. Especially hot wings. So this recipe would be right up my alley! Definitely going to have this for supper very soon.
KAREN says
Another thing in common....WW. I am a life-timer. Oh, and a saucy mama!
These look yummy!
Debbie says
Wow, my hubby and I would both love these. Great pictures too! Looks so delicious!
Shelby says
Linda, ever since one of my co-workers made Buffalo Chicken Mac & Cheese I have craved it. I was thinking last night I could use the leftover chicken from this recipe to make some myself!
Rachelle, impressive eh? he he.
Linda says
BIG YUM! I am going to try this...definitely! I have some Frank's Hot Wing Sauce to use up from a couple weeks ago when I opened a big bottle to use in my Buffalo Wing Macaroni and Cheese. I bet it will be perfect for this. And I'm a hot mama too...love hot sauce!
ann says
This looks like a really delicious sandwich. My family loves Buffalo Chicken. This will be a winner in my house!
Jersey Girl Cooks says
Mmmmmm! Love the crock pot!
Rachelle @ "Mommy? I'm Hungry!" says
LOL Grumpy! I am not a hot saucy mama, I like a little heat, that's it. Although I did acquire a thing for nachos, cheese sauce and lots of jalapenos at the race track last season!
So, did he like them? They sound good! (and girl, you are fast posting this!)
Pegasuslegend says
My husband loves buffalo chicken he will absolutely be in heaven when I make these or him... love the pictures great meal for anytime, especially on game days! This is awesome Shelby~!