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This Slow Cooker Hot Chicken takes the guesswork out of how to make the best tasting chicken with a little bit of heat. In addition to chicken, you’ll only need a few seasonings, and Frank’s hot sauce. The perfect dish when you’re looking for something hot.
If you’re looking for another chicken meal that has great flavor, try my Slow Cooker Cranberry Chicken.
Table of Contents
Why You Should Try This Easy Hot Chicken Recipe
When it comes to putting together a quick and easy dish that’s most tasty and versatile, this crock pot hot chicken recipe is a winner. All you need is chicken, several seasonings, and Frank’s hot sauce. You can choose the type of chicken you want to use as well as decide on the level of heat you want the chicken to have.
This meal is similar to eating a large buffalo chicken wing! Depending on the kind of chicken you use, it could easily be turned into an appetizer dish or potluck special. Simply double the recipe to feed more people.
Recipe Ingredients
- Chicken Thighs: Start with a pack and double if you’d like to serve more people.
- Vegetable Oil: For browning the chicken.
- Seasonings: Garlic salt, onion powder, dried parsley, and black pepper.
- Hot Sauce: I recommend using Frank’s orignal Hot Sauce – which is used for any buffalo chicken recipe. We use this sauce in our slow cooker buffalo wings.
Step-by-Step Directions
Step One – Season the chicken with the seasoning mixture on both sides and brown in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
Step Two – Add the chicken to the slow cooker.
Step Three – Pour over the Frank’s Red Hot Sauce trying to cover the chicken entirely.
Step Four – Cover and cook on HIGH for 4 hours. Degrease the sauce before serving. Serve and enjoy!
How to Serve
- I like to serve it with steamed rice or mashed potatoes with steamed veggies such as zucchini or broccoli on top. Also is great with slow cooker mac and cheese.
- It also pairs well with bread, like delicious rolls.
- If your family loves dipping sauces, serve this hot chicken with ranch dressing or blue cheese dressing.
- Leftovers can be put over a green salad with drizzled blue cheese dressing.
Recipe FAQs
You can use one of these cuts of chicken instead of thighs if desired: drumsticks, bone-in chicken breasts, boneless skinless chicken breasts, thighs, or tenderloins. Try a whole chicken, too! Cook on LOW for 7-8 hours.
Store leftover chicken in an airtight container and keep in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop over medium heat.
If you don’t have the seasonings for this recipe, a half packet of dry ranch mix will do!
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.
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 Shredded Buffalo Chicken – a classic
- Crockpot Buffalo Meatballs – such an easy appetizer
- Crock Pot Buffalo Chicken Pasta – A complete meal!!
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Slow Cooker Hot Chicken
Equipment
Ingredients
- 5 chicken thighs, bone-in, skin-on, (about 2 lbs.)
- 2 Tbsp. vegetable oil
- 1 tsp. dried parsley
- ½ tsp. onion powder
- ½ tsp. garlic salt
- ¼ 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!
Sarah’s 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.
Nutrition
Nutrition info is auto-generated. This information is an estimate; if you are on a special diet, please use your own calculations.
can you precook the chicken the day before?
I don’t see why not.
If I cook it on low how long would you say?
7 hours on low.
Thank you
Love your recipes
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