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The Magical Slow Cooker » Recipes » Chicken » Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken

Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken

by Sarah Olson on January 1, 2022 | Updated June 28, 2022 31 Comments

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close up of chicken in buffalo sauce in the slow cooker, with wooden spoon dipping in.
Collage of buffalo chicken with text of what ingredients are needed.
Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken

Forget the wings and make a big batch of shredded crockpot buffalo chicken. Pile on hamburger buns for an easy dinner or game day feast.

We LOVE using buffalo sauce (Frank’s Red Hot Sauce) in our crockpot for recipes such as our Buffalo 15 Bean Soup and our game day favorite buffalo chicken dip.

shredded buffalo chicken in slow cooker with ranch and buns on the side.

What Kind of Hot Sauce to Use

  • You will want to find a buffalo sauce, Frank’s Hot Sauce is the preffered choice for most.
  • Frank’s Red Hot Sauce is a cayenne pepper sauce that is used in
    “buffalo” flavored recipes.
  • This sauce does have a spicy kick to it, adding butter in the mix and ranch or blue cheese dressing topped on the final dish can cool the heat.

Recipe Ingredients

chicken breasts, ranch dressing mix, butter and bottle of buffalo sauce.
  • Chicken – Boneless chicken breasts or thighs work the best for shredded chicken though bone-in breasts, thighs or drumsticks will work in this recipe.
  • Ranch Dressing Mix – You can use the salad dressing mix or the dip packet, both work the same in this type of recipe.
  • Frank’s Red Hot Sauce – Look for the original sauce NOT the premade buffalo wing sauce, for we are adding the butter and seasonings ourselves.
  • Butter – I use an entire stick of salted butter in this recipe

Step-by-Step Directions

3 chicken breasts in slow cooker with ranch mix, buffalo sauce and a stick of butter on top.

Step One: Add the chicken to the slow cooker. Sprinkle over the ranch seasoning. Pour over the buffalo sauce. Place the stick of butter on top.

Step Two: Cook on LOW for 6-8 hours or on HIGH for 4 hours.

cooked chicken breasts in buffalo sauce (unshredded).

Step Three: Shred the chicken with two forks and serve!

shredded chicken in slow cooker with buns, ranch, and wooden spoon on side.

How to serve buffalo chicken:

Shred the chicken with two forks then serve one of these ways:

  • Serve on hamburger buns or slider buns with chips or carrot and celery sticks on the side.
  • Over baked or mashed potatoes.
  • Great over Sweet Baked Potatoes
  • Over steamed rice.
  • Toss with cooked pasta.
close up of chicken in buffalo sauce in the slow cooker, with wooden spoon dipping in.

Recipe FAQs and Substitutions

Why add butter to buffalo chicken?

The butter not only adds flavor it helps tone down the vinegar flavor and the spiciness.

How do I serve buffalo chicken low carb?

Serve alone with celery sticks and ranch. Pile on lettuce wraps or low-carb tortilla wraps.

Can I make buffalo chicken into a freezer meal?

You can make buffalo chicken into a meal prep freezer meal! Place the entire recipe before cooking into a freezer bag. Freeze for up to three months. When ready to cook, thaw and follow the recipe as written.

Can I add cream cheese to buffalo chicken?

If you want a creamy buffalo chicken, you can add one eight ounce package of cream cheese at the beginning of the cooking time. If you add cream cheese the buffalo chicken is great as a dip.

Can I use a different cut of chicken?

Yes, any cut of chicken can be used such as boneless chicken thighs, or bone-in thighs, drumsticks or breasts.

How spicy is buffalo chicken?

On a scale of one to ten, buffalo chicken is about a 7. Serving with ranch cools it down a bit.

How to store

Place in airtight containers or ziplock bags. It will last in the fridge for five days or in the freezer for three months.

Can I use frozen chicken?

I recommend thawing your chicken before adding it to the slow cooker. Some studies suggest that frozen meat will stay in the danger zone too long.

shredded buffalo chicken on bun with ranch and chips

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close up of chicken in buffalo sauce in the slow cooker, with wooden spoon dipping in.

Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Recipe

5 from 43 votes
Chicken slow cooked with buffalo sauce, ranch mix and butter!
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Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 6 hours
Total Time: 6 hours 5 minutes
Servings: 8
Calories: 241kcal
Author: Sarah Olson

Equipment Needed:

  • Slow Cooker – 4 quart or larger

Ingredients:

  • 2 lbs. boneless skinless chicken breasts
  • 12 oz. Frank's Red Hot original sauce (look for the original sauce, not the one labeled wings)
  • 1 oz. ranch dressing packet dip mix works too!
  • 1/2 cup salted butter (1 stick)

For Serving:

  • hamburger buns (or slider buns) toasted
  • ranch or blue cheese dressing
US Customary – Metric

Instructions:

  • Add the chicken breasts to the slow cooker.
  • Sprinkle over the ranch dressing (or dip) mix.
  • Pour over the Frank's Red Hot Sauce.
  • Add the cube of butter on top.
  • Place the lid of the slow cooker. Cook on LOW for 6-8 hours or on high for 4 hours.
  • When the cooking time is up, take two forks and shred the chicken.
  • Serve over buns and top with ranch or blue cheese dressing. (see my notes below for other serving ideas)
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How to Video:

Recipe Notes:

What are other ways to serve buffalo chicken?
  • Serve on rice, mashed potatoes or on a baked potato.
  • Toss with pasta.
  • To make this lower in carbs serve with celery and ranch on the side or serve in lettuce or low carb tortillas.
Can I use a different cut of chicken?
Yes, any cut of chicken can be used such as boneless chicken thighs, or bone-in thighs, drumsticks or breasts.
Must I use the butter?
You can leave it out but note adding the butter cuts on the spiciness and the vinegar flavor.
Can I make this into a freezer meal?
You can make buffalo chicken into a meal prep freezer meal! Place the entire recipe before cooking into a freezer bag. Freeze for up to three months. When ready to cook, thaw and follow the recipe as written.
How to store:
Place in airtight containers or ziplock bags. It will last in the fridge for five days or in the freezer for three months.
Nutritional values are just for the chicken and sauce (hamburger buns not included in the values)

Nutrition Information:

Calories: 241kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 24g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 103mg | Sodium: 1802mg | Potassium: 420mg | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 389IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 9mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutrition info is auto-generated. This information is an estimate; if you are on a special diet, please use your own calculations.

Made this recipe?I want to see your photos! Tag me on Instagram @themagicalslowcooker

More chicken recipes for your slow cooker:

  • Slow Cooker Buffalo Ranch Drumsticks
  • Slow Cooker Buffalo Wings
  • Slow Cooker Buffalo 15 Bean Soup
  • Slow Cooker Buffalo Ranch Chicken Dip
  • Slow Cooker Buffalo Baby Back Ribs
  • Slow Cooker Hot Chicken
  • Slow Cooker Shredded Chicken

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    5495 shares
    • 2866

    Filed Under: Appetizers, Chicken, Dinner, Sandwiches

    Comments

    1. chris says

      May 13, 2022 at 11:55 pm

      i am a bit of a spicy food weenie, so i use equal parts red hot or buffalo wing sauce and already made ranch dressing. that cools it down enuf so u dont need butter. i put about 3 tablespoons butter in anyway.

      Reply
      • chris says

        May 13, 2022 at 11:57 pm

        (i always sear the chicken first on high heat in a frying pan for a few minutes on each side before putting it in the slow cooker. adds a nice flavor)

        Reply
    2. Elaine says

      April 29, 2022 at 2:40 pm

      5 stars
      Nice sandwich for a group of young men!!!

      Reply
    3. katie says

      March 23, 2022 at 3:16 pm

      5 stars
      This was delicious, myself husband devoured it! thank you!

      Reply
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