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.
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.
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.
Here is the chicken after being cooked for 4 hours on high.
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
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!!
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Slow Cooker Hot Chicken
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
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:
- Steamed rice or mashed potatoes
- Steamed veggies such as zucchini or broccoli
- Drumsticks
- Bone-in chicken breasts
- Boneless skinless breasts, thighs or tenderloins
- Even a whole chicken! Cook for 7-8 hours on low.
Can I us less hot sauce my husband does not like hot food?
Even a little is super hot. Could try a mild buffalo sauce. I think Sweet Baby Rays makes one.
Can I make with ranch dressing? I don’t have dry
Can this be shredded and put on sandwiches?
Yes, that will work great.
Can I cook it on low and use frozen chicken thighs?
If your slow cooker says it’s safe to cook frozen meat, yes it will work fine.
Can’t wait to try this