By Becky Hardin
Published Jan 24, 2019
Crockpot Buffalo Chicken is so simple, delicious, and versatile! If you love chicken and love spicy food, it doesn’t get better than slow cooker Buffalo chicken… making a great topping for sandwiches, tacos, nachos, and more!
Why We Love This Crockpot Buffalo Chicken Recipe
Buffalo Chicken just goes hand in hand with tailgating. Buffalo Chicken Dip was one of the first things I learned to cook (I guess that counts as cooking?) and since that glorious day, I’ve made it hundreds of times. If there is a Buffalo chicken sandwich listed on a menu, you better believe I’m ordering it. But I don’t want just to enjoy it when we are out to eat, I want to enjoy it tailgating at home too!!
To make this recipe, all you need is a slow cooker, chicken breasts, ranch seasoning , and some Buffalo sauce . You’ll feel like you’re in your favorite restaurant watching your favorite team win on game day. Or in my case, as a Mizzou fan, most likely you’ll be watching them lose. But you get the idea.
Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Sandwiches
My absolute favorite way to enjoy this crockpot Buffalo chicken is on a soft toasted bun topped with extra homemade Buffalo sauce, a slice of cheese, a drizzle of blue cheese or ranch dressing , and some crispy ranch fried pickles . Yum!
How to Store and Reheat
Store leftover crockpot Buffalo chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in a crockpot or in the microwave until warmed through.
How to Freeze
Freeze crockpot Buffalo chicken in an airtight container or Ziplock bag for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Serving Suggestions
You can serve this juicy slow cooker Buffalo chicken on a sandwich (pictured), in a wrap , on a salad , in enchiladas or tacos , over nachos , or on a bed of mashed potatoes . Just don’t forget the ranch pickles !
We prefer to cook our chicken on low for 6-7 hours, but if you’re in a rush, you can cook it on high for 3-4 hours. Cooking on high does put it at risk of drying out, though, so watch carefully!
As mentioned above, cooking on low for longer helps prevent the chicken from drying out. You can also swap the chicken breasts for thighs for a juicier cut if you prefer. Cook time is exactly the same!
The chicken should be covered in liquid, but it does not need to be fully submerged in order to cook through.
5-Star Review
“This is one ultimate sandwich! So much easier to make than I thought it would be too!” -Erin
More Buffalo Chicken Recipes To Try
- Crockpot Buffalo Chicken Dip
- Stuffed Buffalo Chicken
- Buffalo Chicken Chili
- Buffalo Chicken Soup
- Buffalo Chicken Meatballs
- Buffalo Wings
Ingredients1x2x3x
- ▢ 5 boneless, skinless chicken breasts thawed if frozen
- ▢ 12 ounces hot sauce divided (I used Franks RedHot)
- ▢ 1 ounce ranch seasoning (1 packet)
- ▢ 1½ tablespoons unsalted butter
To Make Sandwiches
- ▢ 6 hamburger buns
- ▢ 6 slices gouda cheese (cheddar would also be delish!)
- ▢ Ranch dressing or blue cheese dressing
- ▢ Ranch Fried Pickles for topping
Video
Instructions
- Spray your crockpot with nonstick spray, then place the chicken breasts along with ¾ of the bottle of hot sauce and all of the ranch seasoning into the crock. 5 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, 12 ounces hot sauce, 1 ounce ranch seasoning
- Cook on low for 6-7 hours or on high for 3½-4 hours.
- Add the butter and the remaining ¼ bottle of hot sauce, and shred the chicken with two forks. Stir to combine. 1½ tablespoons unsalted butter
- To assemble sandwiches, place cheese and chicken on a toasted bun. Top with ranch or blue cheese dressing and Ranch Fried Pickles. 6 hamburger buns, 6 slices gouda cheese, Ranch dressing, Ranch Fried Pickles
Becky’s Tips
- Nutritional information is for the chicken only, not the assembled sandwiches.
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
How to Make Crockpot Buffalo Chicken Step by Step
Cook the Chicken: Spray your crockpot with nonstick spray, then place 5 boneless, skinless chicken breasts along with ¾ of a 12-ounce bottle of hot sauce and all of a 1-ounce ranch seasoning packet into the crock. Cook on low for 6-7 hours or on high for 3½-4 hours.
Shred the Chicken: Add 1½ tablespoons of unsalted butter and the remaining ¼ of a 12-ounce bottle of hot sauce, and shred the chicken with two forks. Stir to combine.
(Optional) Make Sandwiches: To assemble sandwiches, place 1 slice of cheese and a heaping portion of chicken on a toasted bun. Top with ranch or blue cheese dressing and Ranch Fried Pickles.
Crockpot Buffalo Chicken Recipe
Ingredients
- 5 boneless, skinless chicken breasts thawed if frozen
- 12 ounces hot sauce divided (I used Franks RedHot)
- 1 ounce ranch seasoning (1 packet)
- 1½ tablespoons unsalted butter
To Make Sandwiches
- 6 hamburger buns
- 6 slices gouda cheese (cheddar would also be delish!)
- Ranch dressing or blue cheese dressing
- Ranch Fried Pickles for topping
Instructions
- Spray your crockpot with nonstick spray, then place the chicken breasts along with ¾ of the bottle of hot sauce and all of the ranch seasoning into the crock. 5 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, 12 ounces hot sauce, 1 ounce ranch seasoning
- Cook on low for 6-7 hours or on high for 3½-4 hours.
- Add the butter and the remaining ¼ bottle of hot sauce, and shred the chicken with two forks. Stir to combine. 1½ tablespoons unsalted butter
- To assemble sandwiches, place cheese and chicken on a toasted bun. Top with ranch or blue cheese dressing and Ranch Fried Pickles. 6 hamburger buns, 6 slices gouda cheese, Ranch dressing, Ranch Fried Pickles
Video
Notes
- Nutritional information is for the chicken only, not the assembled sandwiches.
Nutrition
By Becky Hardin
Published Jul 12, 2017
This Essential Grocery List is an absolute life saver for my family on the busy weeks. When I started this journey to learn how to cook, I quickly realized that the first step in cooking is having staple ingredients on hand. I want to avoid having to run out to the grocery store every single time I prepare a new recipe. Having a well-stocked pantry has made my life in the kitchen so much simpler, because when it’s time to cook, I have what I need.
Essential Grocery List
It’s so helpful to have a basic grocery list to help me remember which foods to buy at the store. This food shopping list is my go-to!
It’s better to stock up on things like grains, seasonings and spices, baking essentials, oils, condiments, canned and frozen foods, etc. so I can just grab them when I need them. These things have a long shelf life , so I keep them in my kitchen for convenience.
However, I do have to go to the supermarket sometimes, and there’s a way to make that trip easy and hassle-free: I keep a grocery list! If I go in blindly, I’ll leave with things I don’t need, and nothing that actually helps me prepare a good meal.
In the list below, I’ve compiled everything I always have on my stock-up grocery list.
I’ve got you covered! I created an easy grocery list filled with all of the essentials. Plus there’s a free printable version that you can take with you to the grocery store. It has everything you need to stock your pantry, your freezer, and your refrigerator.
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List
What to Buy at the Grocery Store
This is the perfect grocery list filled with all the basics and essentials. It should help get you going if you’re new to cooking, or if you’re just left staring helplessly at an empty pantry and don’t know how to fill it.
When I first started cooking, things could seem overwhelming. I quickly realized that they more prepared I could be, the more confident I felt. If you already have the basics in your kitchen, then you can shop stress-free.
So print out our easy grocery list, stock up your pantry and fridge, and you’ll be cooking in no time!
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Fresh Produce
- Apples
- Bananas
- Strawberries
- Avocados
- Bell Peppers
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Garlic
- Lemons/Limes
- Onion
- Parsley
- Cilantro
- Basil
- Potatoes
- Spinach
- Tomatoes
GRAINS
- Breadcrumbs
- Pasta
- Quinoa
- Rice
- Sandwich Bread
- Tortillas
MEAT/PROTEIN
- Chicken
- Eggs
- Ground Beef
- Sliced Turkey
- Lunch Meat
DAIRY
- Butter
- Sliced Cheese
- Shredded Cheese
- Milk
- Sour Cream
- Greek Yogurt
BAKING GOODS
- Baking powder
- Baking Soda
- Granulated Sugar
- Brown Sugar
- Flour
- Honey
- Vanilla Extract
- Dry Yeast
- Chocolate Chips
- Cocoa Powder
- Powdered Sugar
FREEZER
- Fruit and Berries
- Frozen Veggies (Corn, Peas, Broccoli, etc)
- Juice Concentrate
- Pizza or Other Convenience Meals
- Pie Crust
- Cookie Dough
CANNED/DRIED GOODS
- Chicken stock/broth
- Salsa
- Diced Tomatoes
- Jam/Jelly
- Peanut Butter
- Pasta Sauce
- Beans (Black Beans, Chickpeas, Baked Beans, etc)
- Soups
- Tuna
- Green Chiles
- Canned Veggies
- Coffee or Tea
Get more details on the best non-perishable and pantry foods
CONDIMENTS/SPICES
- Black Pepper
- Chili Powder
- Cinnamon
- Crushed Red Pepper
- Cumin
- Garlic Powder
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Mayo
- Nutmeg
- Paprika
- Salt (Course Sea Salt and Kosher Salt)
- Soy Sauce
- Steak Sauce
- Hot Sauce/ Buffalo Sauce
- Salad Dressings
OILS/VINEGARS
- Apple cider vinegar
- Balsamic vinegar
- Coconut Oil
- Olive Oil
- Vegetable/Canola Oil
- Red Wine Vinegar
- White Vinegar
- Cooking Wine
- White Wine Vinegar
SNACKS
- Crackers
- Nuts
- Quick Oats
- Popcorn
- Tortilla Chips
- Cereal
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Click ☝🏻 for my FREE Grocery List Printable!
I hope this essential grocery list can help you buy what you need and make your home cooking so much easier!
Stock Your Kitchen
Find more ideas for your grocery list, stock up your kitchen, and print more cooking guides and charts to keep handy!
Non-Perishable Foods to Stock Up On
Frozen Vegetables to Stock Up On (and Recipes to Make)
Ultimate List of Cooking Herbs for Your Kitchen
Ultimate List of Cooking Spices for Your Kitchen
Cooking Oil 101: Types of Cooking Oils to Use
26 Types of Pasta and When to Use Them
What Fruits and Vegetables are in Season?
Meat Temperature Chart (Free Printable)
How to Meal Prep (Guide for Beginners)
Basic Cooking Measurements & Kitchen Conversion Chart
