3-Ingredient Crock Pot Buffalo Chicken
There’s nothing quite like the tangy, spicy flavor of buffalo chicken, especially when it’s made effortlessly in your trusty Crock Pot. The slow cooking process allows the chicken to soak up all the flavors of the buffalo sauce, resulting in chicken that’s not only tasty but also tender and easy to shred. Plus, shredded buffalo chicken is budget-friendly, making it an affordable, versatile option that works well for both game-day gatherings when you need to feed a large crowd and simple weeknight dinners with the fam.
The beauty of making Buffalo Chicken in a Crock Pot is that it requires very little hands-on time. With just a 3 ingredients and a slow cooker, you can prepare a meal that’s got spunk. Once it’s ready, you can use your shredded buffalo chicken to create a variety of dishes, from sandwiches and tacos to salads to wraps.
Why You’ll Love This Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Recipe
- Effortless Cooking: Just add the ingredients to your slow cooker, set the time, and let it do the work. No need to watch the stove or worry about overcooking.
- Versatility: Once it’s done, you can serve this buffalo chicken in so many ways. Think sliders, tacos, wraps, salads, or even on top of a baked potato. The options are endless!
- Great for Meal Prep: This slow cooker buffalo chicken is a meal prep superstar. You can freeze it as a dump meal before cooking or store it in the freezer after it’s cooked. Just reheat and enjoy a ready-to-eat meal any time you need it.
- Tender, Shreddable Chicken: The slow, steady heat of the Crock Pot ensures that the chicken cooks to perfection, becoming so tender that it easily shreds with a fork.
- Few Ingredients Needed: You don’t need a long list of ingredients to make this dish. Just 3 simple items, and you’re on your way to a delicious meal.
- Satisfying Comfort Food: There’s something about buffalo chicken that’s just plain comforting. The warmth, the spice, and the tang all come together to create a dish that’s sure to satisfy.
Ingredients to make slow cooker buffalo chicken
- Chicken: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are the best choice for this recipe. They cook up tender and are easy to shred.
- Buffalo Sauce: This is where the magic happens! I recommend using Frank’s Red Hot or Sweet Baby Ray’s Buffalo sauce for a robust, well-rounded flavor that’s not too spicy. These sauces offer a perfect blend of tang and heat that makes buffalo chicken so addictive.
- Seasoning: Half a packet of ranch seasoning adds a delightful tang and complexity to the chicken. It’s an easy way to enhance the flavor without needing a long list of individual spices.
- Butter: A few tablespoons of butter is optional, but it does add richness and depth to the sauce.
- Ranch Dressing: Optional, but highly recommended. Drizzling some ranch dressing over the cooked buffalo chicken adds a cool, creamy contrast to the spiciness.
- Blue Cheese Crumbles: Another optional topping, but a classic pairing with buffalo chicken. The strong, tangy flavor of blue cheese complements the heat of the buffalo sauce perfectly.
How To Make Crock Pot Buffalo chicken
- Place the chicken breasts into your slow cooker.
- In a medium bowl, mix together the buffalo sauce, ranch seasoning mix, and water. Pour the sauce mixture over the chicken breasts.
- (Optional) Place the butter on top of the chicken. This adds richness to the sauce but can be omitted if you prefer.
- Cover and cook until the chicken is tender and easy to shred.
- Once the chicken is cooked, shred it using two forks directly in the slow cooker.
- Stir the shredded chicken to make sure it’s fully coated in the sauce.
- Serve the buffalo chicken on sandwiches, in tacos, over salads, or with your favorite sides.
Tips for Making the Best Shredded Buffalo Chicken
- Choose the Right Chicken: Go for boneless, skinless chicken breasts for this recipe. They’re easy to work with and have a mild flavor that absorbs the buffalo sauce beautifully. While you can use chicken thighs, they are more oily and don’t make for the best buffalo shredded chicken.
- High-Quality Sauce: The buffalo sauce is the flavor in this dish, so make sure to use one that you know you like!
- Use a Slow Cooker Liner: Save yourself some cleanup time by using a slow cooker liner. It makes it much easier to remove the chicken and sauce after cooking without any sticking or burning.
- Don’t Overcook: Slow cookers can vary in temperature, so keep an eye on your chicken, while it is hard to overcook chicken in a crock pot, it does happen.
- Shred with Two Forks: Once the chicken is cooked, use two forks to shred it right in the slow cooker. The chicken will be tender and easy to pull apart.
Popular Substitutions and Additions
- Spices: Experiment with additional spices like garlic powder, onion powder, or smoked paprika. They can add depth and complexity to the buffalo chicken flavor.
- Cream Cheese: For a creamier version of buffalo chicken, stir in some room-temperature cream cheese after the chicken is cooked and shredded. It’ll create a luscious and rich sauce.
- Honey or Brown Sugar: If you like a hint of sweetness with your spice, add a touch of honey or brown sugar to the buffalo sauce. It’ll create a sweet and spicy flavor profile that many people love.
- Cooking Liquid: Instead of using water, you can add chicken broth, beer, or even a splash of apple cider vinegar to the slow cooker for a different flavor profile.
- Greek Yogurt or Sour Cream: For a tangy twist, stir in some Greek yogurt or sour cream after the chicken is cooked and shredded. It’ll add creaminess and a slight tang that pairs well with the buffalo sauce.
- Shredded Cheese: Sprinkle some shredded cheddar, Monterey Jack, or mozzarella cheese over the buffalo chicken for a cheesy twist. The melty cheese complements the spicy chicken perfectly.
What to Make with Shredded Buffalo Chicken
- Buffalo Chicken Sliders: Serve the shredded buffalo chicken on slider buns with some blue cheese dressing, lettuce, and pickles for a quick and delicious appetizer or snack.
- Buffalo Chicken Tacos: Load up some soft tortillas with the shredded buffalo chicken, top with shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, and a drizzle of ranch dressing for a spicy taco night.
- Buffalo Chicken Pizza: Spread the shredded buffalo chicken over pizza dough, sprinkle with mozzarella and blue cheese, then bake until bubbly. Top with fresh arugula for a fresh contrast.
- Buffalo Chicken Nachos: Layer tortilla chips, shredded buffalo chicken, and shredded cheese on a baking sheet. Bake until the cheese is melted, and top with chopped green onions, diced tomatoes, and a drizzle of ranch dressing.
- Buffalo Chicken Stuffed Potatoes: Scoop out the insides of baked potatoes and mix with the shredded buffalo chicken. Stuff the mixture back into the potatoes and bake until heated through.
- Buffalo Chicken Salad: Toss the shredded buffalo chicken with romaine lettuce, shredded carrots, celery, cucumbers, and your choice of dressing for a spicy and satisfying salad.
- Buffalo Chicken Quesadillas: Spread the shredded buffalo chicken and some cheddar cheese between tortillas and cook in a skillet until the cheese is melted and the tortillas are crispy.
- Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese: Stir the shredded buffalo chicken into your favorite mac and cheese recipe for a spicy and comforting dish.
- Buffalo Chicken Wraps: Spread some ranch dressing on a tortilla, top with shredded buffalo chicken, lettuce, tomatoes, and shredded cheese, then roll it up for a quick and delicious wrap.
- Buffalo Chicken Dip: Mix the shredded buffalo chicken with cream cheese, ranch dressing, and shredded cheddar cheese. Bake until bubbly and serve with tortilla chips, celery sticks, or sliced baguette.
There are so many delicious ways to use shredded buffalo chicken in your meals. Don’t be afraid to get creative and try it in your favorite recipes!
How To Store & Reheat crock pot buffalo chicken
Storing: Once the buffalo chicken has cooled down, transfer it to an airtight container. Properly stored, it will last in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. If you’d like to keep it longer, you can freeze it. Place the chicken in a freezer-safe bag, squeeze out the excess air, and freeze for up to 3 months.
Reheating: If you’re reheating the chicken from the fridge, you can use the microwave, oven, or stovetop. In the microwave, place the chicken in a microwave-safe container and heat for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through. For the oven, preheat to 350°F (175°C), place the chicken in an oven-safe dish, cover with foil, and bake for 15-20 minutes or until heated through. On the stovetop, put the chicken in a skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until warmed through.
If you’re reheating from the freezer, it’s best to let the chicken thaw in the fridge overnight. Then, reheat as described above. If you’re in a rush, you can microwave the chicken from frozen. Place it in a microwave-safe container, heat on the defrost setting until thawed, and then heat on high for 1-2 minutes or until warmed through.
How to Freeze slow cooker Buffalo Chicken
Freezing as a Dump Meal: A dump meal is a meal that you can throw all the ingredients into a bag, freeze it, and then dump it into a slow cooker when you’re ready to cook. For this buffalo chicken recipe, you can easily prepare it as a dump meal.
- Preparation: Add the raw chicken breasts, buffalo sauce, ranch seasoning, and butter (if using) to a gallon-sized freezer bag.
- Seal and Freeze: Remove as much air as possible from the bag, seal it, and gently massage the bag to distribute the sauce and seasoning. Label the bag with the recipe name and date, and lay it flat in the freezer.
- Cooking: When you’re ready to cook, thaw the bag in the refrigerator overnight. Dump the contents into your slow cooker and cook as directed in the recipe.
Freezing After It’s Been Cooked:
- Cool: Allow the cooked buffalo chicken to cool completely. It’s essential to cool it before freezing to prevent the growth of bacteria and to keep it from becoming too dry when reheated.
- Portion: Divide the chicken into serving-sized portions. This makes it easier to thaw only what you need later on.
- Package: Place the portions in individual freezer bags or airtight containers. Remove as much air as possible, and seal the containers.
- Label and Freeze: Label the containers with the recipe name and date. Store them in the freezer, laying them flat if using bags.
- Reheating: When you’re ready to eat, thaw the chicken in the fridge overnight, and reheat as described in the previous section.
Freezing your buffalo chicken, either as a dump meal or after it’s been cooked, is a great way to have a delicious meal ready to go when you’re short on time or don’t feel like cooking.
FAQS
Can I make this recipe on the stovetop or in the oven?
Yes, you can adapt this recipe for the stovetop or oven. For the stovetop, place the ingredients in a large pot and simmer on low heat until the chicken is cooked through, about 20-25 minutes. For the oven, place the ingredients in a baking dish, cover with foil, and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 25-30 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through.
Can I use frozen chicken for this recipe?
Yes, you can use frozen chicken for this recipe. However, it’s important to note that it may take a bit longer to cook. Make sure that the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) before shredding and serving.
Can I make this recipe in an Instant Pot?
Yes, you can adapt this recipe for the Instant Pot. Place the chicken, buffalo sauce, ranch seasoning, and butter in the Instant Pot. Cook on the “Manual” or “Pressure Cook” setting for 12 minutes (15 for frozen chicken). Let the pressure naturally release for 10 minutes, then quick release any remaining pressure. Shred the chicken, return to the pot to soak in the sauce, and serve as desired. This method is a quick and easy way to enjoy flavorful buffalo chicken!
Who knew that a few simple ingredients could create such an explosion of flavor? This Crock Pot Buffalo Chicken recipe is proof that sometimes, less is more. With just chicken, buffalo sauce, ranch seasoning, and butter, you can create a versatile, tangy, and irresistibly delicious dish that’s perfect for game day, potlucks, or even a regular weeknight dinner. Whether you’re making sliders, salads, wraps, or more, this chicken will surely be the star of the show.
This recipe is adaptable to various cooking methods and can be customized to suit your taste. Plus, it’s a fantastic meal prep option, as it freezes well both before and after cooking. So go ahead and give it a try; you’ll be amazed at how something so easy can taste so good!
Crock Pot Shredded Buffalo Chicken
Ingredients
- 3 lbs chicken breast boneless skinless
- 1 cup buffalo sauce your choice of brand
- 3/4 packet ranch seasoning mix about 1.5 oz
- 1/4 cup water
- 2 tablespoons butter optional
Instructions
- Place the chicken breasts into your slow cooker.
- In a medium bowl, mix together the buffalo sauce, ranch seasoning mix, and water. Pour the sauce mixture over the chicken breasts.
- (Optional) Place the butter on top of the chicken. This adds richness to the sauce but can be omitted if you prefer.
- Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours, or on high for 3-4 hours, until the chicken is tender and easy to shred.
- Once the chicken is cooked, shred it using two forks directly in the slow cooker.
- Stir the shredded chicken to make sure it’s fully coated in the sauce.
- Serve the buffalo chicken on sandwiches, in tacos, over salads, or with your favorite sides.
Equipment
Notes
- Nutrition information does include the optional butter.
- If you prefer a spicier buffalo chicken, you can add a few dashes of your fav hot sauce or some cayenne pepper to taste.
- You can add some chopped fresh cilantro or green onions on top for extra flavor and color.
- This shredded buffalo chicken can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
Nutrition
Nutrition information provided is an estimate. It will vary based on cooking method and specific ingredients used.
