↑

The Magical Slow Cooker

Slow Cooker Recipes

  • Recipe Box
  • Buy my Digital Cookbook
  • About me
  • Contact Me
  • Free Slow Cooker Newsletter

Home » Chicken » Slow Cooker Hot Chicken

Slow Cooker Hot Chicken

by Sarah Olson on December 9, 2019 8 Comments

6740shares
  • 872
  • 5859
  • 9
Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
close up of hot chicken thighs in the slow cooker.

Love buffalo sauce? This Slow Cooker Hot Chicken has ranch and buffalo flavors with tender chicken thighs.

We love buffalo wings and buffalo dip but why not make a main course of it! I also have a recipe just like this but made with drumsticks.

Slow Cooker Hot Chicken

Just when your thinking I wouldn’t dare add another buffalo recipe to the site, here I do it today. Yes, but this one is not an appetizer, it’s dinner! Forget about little chicken wings and serve this Slow Cooker Hot Chicken for dinner.

How to make Hot Chicken (Buffalo):

I start by seasoning chicken with ranch flavors. I use spices from my spice cabinet, but you can use a half packet of dry ranch dressing mix instead.

Chicken thighs in slow cooker with buffalo sauce being poured over.

I pour over Frank’s Original Hot Sauce. Most buffalo recipes call for butter to mellow out the spice, that is not needed in this recipe. The chicken thighs will cook down and their juices will mellow out the hot sauce a bit.

chicken thighs with buffalo sauce on top in the slow cooker, uncooked.

Here is the chicken after being cooked for 4 hours on high.

Slow Cooker Hot Chicken done cooking in crockpot

Can I use a different cut of chicken?

Use one of these cuts of chicken instead of thighs if desired:

  • Drumsticks
  • Bone-in chicken breasts
  • Boneless skinless breasts, thighs or tenderloins
  • Even a whole chicken! Cook for 7-8 hours on low.

What do I serve with Hot Chicken?

  • Steamed rice or mashed potatoes
  • Steamed veggies such as zucchini or broccoli
Slow Cooker Hot Chicken plated with zucchini and rice.

More recipes to make with Buffalo sauce:

  • Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken 15 Bean Soup – spicy but comforting
  • Slow Cooker Buffalo Ranch Drumsticks – very tender!
  • Slow Cooker Honey Buffalo Turkey Breast – great on a salad
  • Crockpot Buffalo Meatballs – such an easy appetizer
  • Crock Pot Buffalo Chicken Pasta – A complete meal!!

Want to make more magic in your crockpot? Stay up to date and subscribe to my newsletter and follow along on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and YouTube.

5 chicken thighs in the slow cooker in buffalo sauce.

Slow Cooker Hot Chicken

5 from 6 votes
With rice and vegetables, this Hot Chicken is the perfect meal for buffalo lovers.
Print Pin Rate
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Hot Chicken
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 4 hours
Total Time: 4 hours 15 minutes
Servings: 5
Calories: 298kcal
Author: Sarah Olson

Equipment Needed:

  • Slow Cooker Size: 4 quart or larger

Ingredients:

  • 5 chicken thighs, bone-in, skin-on (about 2 lbs.)
  • 2 Tbsp. vegetable oil
  • 1 tsp. dried parsley
  • 1/2 tsp. onion powder
  • 1/2 tsp. garlic salt
  • 1/4 tsp. pepper
  • 1 cup Frank’s Hot Sauce
US Customary – Metric

Instructions:

  • In a small bowl combine the parsley, onion powder, garlic salt, and pepper. (see notes)
  • Sprinkle both sides of the chicken with the mixture.
  • Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat, once hot, add the oil.
  • Brown the chicken on both sides, you may have to do this in 2 batches if your pan is smaller.
  • Add the chicken to the slow cooker.
  • Pour over the Frank’s Red Hot Sauce trying to cover the chicken entirely.
  • Cover and cook on HIGH for 4 hours.
  • Degrease the sauce before serving. (see notes)
  • Serve and enjoy!

Recipe Notes:

Seasonings: If you don’t have the seasonings for this recipe, a half packet of dry ranch mix will do!
To degrease the sauce: I do this by laying paper towels over the grease, then quickly lifting the paper towel. The grease will be on the paper towel, and the sauce still in the slow cooker. You may have to do this a few times with new paper towels.
What do I serve with Hot Chicken?
  • Steamed rice or mashed potatoes
  • Steamed veggies such as zucchini or broccoli
Can I use a different cut of chicken?
  • Drumsticks
  • Bone-in chicken breasts
  • Boneless skinless breasts, thighs or tenderloins
  • Even a whole chicken! Cook for 7-8 hours on low.

Nutrition:

Calories: 298kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 22g | Fat: 23g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Cholesterol: 87mg | Sodium: 1785mg | Potassium: 218mg | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 162IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 13mg | Iron: 1mg
Made this recipe?I want to see your photos! Tag me on Instagram @themagicalslowcooker
6740shares
  • 872
  • 5859
  • 9

FREE EMAIL SERIESSLOW COOKER SECRETS

Get Sarah's tricks to delicious and hands-free cooking!

    Filed Under: Chicken Tagged With: buffalo, Chicken, Crock pot, crockpot, dinner, hot, slow cooker, spicy

    Comments

    1. Linnie says

      October 12, 2020 at 7:02 am

      Can I us less hot sauce my husband does not like hot food?

      Reply
      • Sarah Olson says

        October 12, 2020 at 10:44 am

        Even a little is super hot. Could try a mild buffalo sauce. I think Sweet Baby Rays makes one.

        Reply
    2. Linda l Angell says

      May 25, 2020 at 6:57 pm

      Can I make with ranch dressing? I don’t have dry

      Reply
    3. Reema says

      May 14, 2020 at 8:09 am

      Can this be shredded and put on sandwiches?

      Reply
      • Sarah Olson says

        May 14, 2020 at 10:19 am

        Yes, that will work great.

        Reply
    4. Shelby says

      January 23, 2020 at 12:02 pm

      Can I cook it on low and use frozen chicken thighs?

      Reply
      • Sarah Olson says

        January 23, 2020 at 3:51 pm

        If your slow cooker says it’s safe to cook frozen meat, yes it will work fine.

        Reply
    5. Monica Avalos says

      August 5, 2016 at 9:44 am

      Can’t wait to try this

      Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published.

    Recipe Rating




    Photo of Sarah Olson holding a slow cooker

    Hello! I'm Sarah

    Welcome to The Magical Slow Cooker. Let me help you find recipes for your slow cooker that you'll enjoy!

    St. Patrick’s Day Recipes

    creamy corned beef and cabbage soup in slow cooker

    Slow Cooker Corned Beef and Cabbage Soup

    cooked corned beef brisket in sauce in slow cooker.

    Slow Cooker Maple Mustard Corned Beef

    Colcannon potatoes with green onions on top. With wooden spoon in them.

    Slow Cooker Colcannon Potatoes

    2 cups of baileys hot chocolate with bottle of baileys behind it.

    Slow Cooker Baileys Irish Cream Hot Chocolate

    cooked stew with beef, carrots, onion and celery.

    Slow Cooker Guinness Beef Stew

    close up of corned beef, potatoes, carrots and cabbage in slow cooker. Grainy mustard on the side.

    Corned Beef and Cabbage

    Magical Cooker logo

    FREE EMAIL SERIESSLOW COOKER SECRETS

    Get Sarah's tricks to delicious and hands-free cooking!

      Most Popular Recipes

      close up of enchilada casserole

      Slow Cooker Chicken Enchilada Casserole

      close up photo of chicken, potatoes and green beans in slow cooker

      Seasoned Chicken, Potatoes and Green beans

      shredded creamy chicken with bacon and cheese on top.

      Slow Cooker Crack Chicken

      close up of pasta, chicken and cheese in slow cooker

      Slow Cooker Olive Garden Chicken Pasta

      cooked salisbury steaks in gravy in slow cooker

      Slow Cooker Salisbury Steak

      Close up of chicken and gravy in a slow cooker.

      Slow Cooker Chicken and Gravy

      Featured on:

      Featured in BuzzFeed, The Kitchen, Popsugar, 12 Tomatoes, yummly, Today, and Country Living

      FREE EMAIL SERIESSLOW COOKER SECRETS

        Privacy Policy  Nutritional Disclosure

        The Magical Slow Cooker is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com
        Copyright ©2021, The Magical Slow Cooker. All Rights Reserved.
        Design by Pixel Me Designs