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 ¾ cup Frank's Red Hot Wings sauce
- ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon seasoned salt
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- ¾ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- ⅛ teaspoon dried thyme
- ¼ teaspoon dried dill
- ½ teaspoon 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
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!
Cristina Kossegi says
You can do it on the stove. Keep it low with a cover. I would check it after an hour. See if the breasts are cooked enough to shred. Then check again every 30 min. It will go faster on the stove.
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!
annie@ciaochowbambina 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! 🙂