This slow cooker buffalo chicken is juicy, spicy, and simple! Onion and boneless, skinless chicken breasts are covered in a buffalo sauce mixture for a healthy and ultra versatile protein. This healthy crockpot buffalo chicken is great in sandwiches, on salads, and more!
I’ve had a slow cooker for ten months now but I’ve never posted a true slow cooker recipe. What is up with that!? I use it alllllll the time for pulled chicken, pulled pork, soups – you name it.
The slow cooker is one of my favorite methods to cook up a bunch of protein on a Sunday and use throughout the week. Best of all, it’s hands-off to the max! Put things in, go about your day, and take things out. Someone tell me why it took me so long to buy one?
Now that I’ve gotten my slow cooker sea legs, it was about time I branched out and whipped up my own recipe. Thankfully slow cooker experimentation is fairly low risk. Add protein of choice, veggies, liquid(s) and spices, cover, and set the heat. All you have to do is make sure it’s plugged in, and you’re golden.
This slow cooker buffalo chicken is one of my new favorites. A diced onion and boneless, skinless chicken breasts are added to the slow cooker, with a spicy buffalo sauce mixture poured over top. The spice factor all comes from the sauce you use, so pick one that fits in with your tastes. I have a serious thing for Frank’s Red Hot Wings sauce so that’s what I used, and the spice was juuuuust right.
Can I tell you how many ways we ate this chicken? In sandwiches like that picture up there (I totally dug in after that photo was taken), over salads, in a quesadilla…sometimes even by itself! I’m already reserving some of my next batch for a simpler than simple buffalo chicken grilled cheese. Give me all the buffalo please!!
This recipe is great as a Game Day main dish and makes a great meal prep protein. The sauce is spicy and tangy, providing a ton of heathy flavor you can use in lots of different ways. Pretty versatile if you ask me.
Slow cooker buffalo chicken recipe notes:
- As written below, this recipe is spicy! A drizzle of ranch dressing on a serving would cool it down some and provide a nice complementary flavor.
- Love a regular buffalo chicken salad? Sub in this chicken instead of shredded rotisserie in my buffalo chicken kale salad recipe for a tasty meal. Avocado ranch dressing and crispy baked tortilla strips take it over the top!
- Short on time? Check out this version for the Instant Pot: Instant Pot buffalo chicken.
Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken
Ingredients
- 1 onion, diced
- 3 large boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 3/4 cup Frank's Red Hot Wings sauce
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1 tsp seasoned salt
- 1 tsp dried parsley
- 3/4 tsp ground black pepper
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp onion powder
- 1/8 tsp dried thyme
- 1/4 tsp dried dill
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
Instructions
- Add diced onion to the bottom of the slow cooker and then chicken breasts. In a bowl, combine all other ingredients. Pour over chicken breasts, ensuring that the slow cooker is at least half full, and no more than three-quarters of the way full.
- Cook on high for 3-4 hours, or until chicken is cooked through. Remove chicken to cutting board and shred using two forks (it should shred easily once done). Place shredded chicken back in the crock pot and stir so that chicken is combined evenly with the onions and sauce. Serve on sandwiches, over salads, in quesadillas, and more!
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is provided as an estimate. As it can vary due to many factors (brands used, quantities, etc.), we cannot guarantee its accuracy.
Frank says
Hi,
Can you do this on low heat in slow cooker, if so how long? Thank you
Alyssa says
Hi Frank, yes that would work! I’d say somewhere between 5-6 hours on low would do it, but do check for doneness. The timing can differ depending on the size of the chicken breasts.
Justin says
I made this for Thanksgiving this year! Everyone went crazy for it! The only thing I changed was the salt since most of my family doesn’t like salt. It still ends up really good since the Frank’s already has some anyways! Definitely going to be bringing this recipe to family gatherings from now on
Christopher says
I made this tonight and served it in zucchini boats (cut in half, partially hollowed out, and baked in the oven) with a little melted mozzarella, cilantro, and chopped green onions. Delicious and healthy!!!!
Alyssa says
That sounds like a DELICIOUS way to serve this buffalo chicken. Yum! Thanks for letting me know how it went.
Amy says
Just made this last night but using 4 chicken breast still following her ingredients and measurments! I used 1 cup Franks hot wing sauce (regular) and the remaining 3/4 cup frank’s XTRA Hot and it is spicy good!
I cut each breast into fours, and used a wider soup pot to cook on the stove on medium high because I don’t own a crock pot and I was making it late at night. It took about an 2 hours 15 mins. I would check from time to time and shred gradually. I would definitely share and make again! 🙂
Alyssa says
I’m so glad you liked it, Amy! Thanks for letting me know how it went.
Tarah McNelis says
What is the serving size for the provided calories and macros?! Thanks!
Alyssa says
Hi Tarah, I’m not sure of the exact serving size in ounces. The nutrition info is an estimate for one-sixth of the dish, which takes into account about half of a large chicken breast and one-sixth of the sauce.
Kaelyn Seidenberger says
Looks yummy & can’t wait to try! Is there a cooking time if I wanted to cook this on low as opposed to high?
Thanks in advance!
Alyssa says
Hi Kaelyn, using the estimated conversion times on the Crock Pot brand website, I’d say about 7-8 hours on low would do the trick. But do check that the center of the biggest chicken breast reaches 165°F so it’s fully cooked. I hope that helps! 🙂
Pete says
Amazing spicy buffalo chicken! A perfect topping for sandwiches or nachos! I used 12 oz instead of 14 oz Frank’s wing sauce, so the recipe might be skewed a bit… regardless, make sure you have ranch dressing available to cool the spice of the chicken (this is especially important, since I have a non-spicy-eater in my household!). Thanks Alyssa, for a buffalo chicken recipe that includes fresh spices!!
Alyssa says
So glad you like this recipe, Pete! Ranch is a go-to pairing in our house for this one, too.
Pam says
I’d love to see a comment about how this came out not just that it looks good……most recipes ‘look’ good…but was it good?
Alyssa says
Hi Pam, I understand what you’re saying. While I can’t control what people comment, 18 of the ‘star’ ratings came from people who did not leave a comment, presumably from people who made the recipe. If you are on Pinterest, this pin of the recipe includes 19 comments from people who have made it: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/180988478754399568/
Dini says
This sounds right up our alley! We love buffalo chicken too – the spicier the better! 🙂 And I’m totally with you on the slow cooker, thanks so much for this recipe, I love the sound of all the spices!
Jenni says
My husband is a huge fan of buffalo chicken! He would totally flip if I made this! What a great party recipe, too!
Jessica says
This looks too good to pass up!!! This would be perfect to make on a Sunday! I look forward to making this within the next upcoming week after Labor Day! Thanks for sharing!!
Joanne says
I don’t even OWN a slow cooker, which is now making me quite sad. Love all things buffalo-spiced!
KP Kwan says
Hi Alyssa,
Really fascinated with the image of the buffello chicken ‘burger’ style. It is also very easy to prepare, suitable for busy people like me.
KP Kwan
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says
Wow does this look good, Alyssa! This counts as breakfast, right?! 🙂 I love making pulled pork in my slow cooker, so I will have to try this buffalo chicken!
M says
Can you substitute apple cider vinegar with something else?
Alyssa says
Regular vinegar should work just fine! Or another variety on the milder side.
Izzy says
Believe it or not, I don’t even own a slowcooker! I guess I always think of them only as things people use to cook food while they are away and that has always and the thought of having something cooking while no one was home always scared me! But maybe I should get one so I can cook something delicious while I’m home doing other things!
Alyssa says
Ahhh I have such anxiety about leaving the slow cooker on when I’m not home! Truthfully I love using it on the weekends when I’m mostly home and can keep an eye on it. 🙂 It’s such a time saver!
Cyndi - My Kitchen Craze says
Oh man this is one tasty looking meal. I need to use my slow cooker more. Don’t mention it to my hubby though cause he always gives me a hard time about not using it. Hehe. I could drink and eat this for days!! Mmmm Mmmm.
Alyssa says
Thank you Cyndi! Haha I slowed down a little bit with the slow cooker over the summer for some reason, but with fall coming (I hope! It’s still in the 90s here…) I plan to use it more often!
[email protected] says
This is a fabulous idea! My son goes back to college in a few weeks so I’m wanting to prepare some fun food before he leaves and this has his name written all over it! Thanks for sharing!
Alyssa says
Thanks Annie! This time of meal is one of my favorites – easy! Plus I’m a buffalo fanatic, so that helps. 🙂 Enjoy the next few weeks with your son!!
Zainab says
I really need to use my slow cooker more especially that I am on maternity leave now. This chicken will be so useful for many things!!
Alyssa says
That sounds like a great idea Zainab! Easy breezy cooking. A big congratulations to you, your husband, and your little cutie pie. He is adorable!!
Annie @Maebells says
I think I could swim in this stuff!! Gosh it looks good!
Alyssa says
Thanks Annie! I just about did swim in it haha.
Sues says
I love this idea! Going to have to try on a Sunday and then have lunch made for all week 🙂
Alyssa says
Nothing makes me happier than having my work lunches prepped for the week on Sunday! Well, maybe wine makes me happier, but optimizing leftovers is a close second. 🙂 Thanks Sues!
Sarah @Whole and Heavenly Oven says
This chicken looks insanely amazing, Alyssa! So can’t wait to try this for the upcoming busy school weeknights. My heat ‘lovin brothers will totally love it!
Alyssa says
Thanks Sarah! Yesss this would be perfect for school nights. Quick and easy (and tasty!) is definitely the name of the game for those run run run kind of days.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
I just made buffalo chicken in the slow cooker a few weeks ago! So GOOD!!! But when if chicken in the slow cooker not good? 😉
Alyssa says
Agreed Rebecca! I’ve eaten this so many ways!
marcie says
This looks so good, Alyssa! I wish my family was into spicy food — I really want to make this! Or I could make a whole batch just for me? Definitely need to make this happen some how! 🙂
Alyssa says
Thanks Marcie! Hmm this chicken does have a zip to it. I vote for making your own personal batch! 🙂