This easy slow cooker buffalo chicken recipe delivers tender, flavorful shredded chicken that’s perfect for a variety of meals.

Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Sandwiches & Wraps 16

Whether you’re looking to whip up quick sandwiches, satisfying wraps, or a hearty salad topping, this recipe makes meal prep a breeze. It’s a fantastic way to enjoy the zesty kick of buffalo flavor with minimal effort.

You’ll love how simple it is to achieve juicy, perfectly seasoned chicken without having to stand over a stove. Just a few ingredients and your slow cooker do all the heavy lifting, leaving you with versatile shredded chicken ready to transform into countless delicious dishes for your family.

What You’ll Love About This Quick And Easy Recipe
Everything You Need To Make This Recipe Without Stress
Time Needed From Start To Finish
How To Make It Step By Step With Visual Cues
Easy Variations And Serving Ideas That Fit Real Life
Common Slip-Ups And How To Avoid Them
How To Store It And Make It Ahead Without Ruining Texture

What You’ll Love About This Quick And Easy Recipe

This recipe is a true weeknight hero, designed for busy individuals and families who crave delicious meals without the fuss. It’s incredibly forgiving, making it perfect for beginner cooks, and the slow cooker does most of the work, freeing up your time for other tasks. You’ll appreciate the hands-off approach that results in consistently tender and flavorful chicken every time. It’s ideal for casual family dinners, game day gatherings, or simply when you need a reliable protein source to add to your meal rotation. The versatility means you can serve it differently each time, keeping dinner exciting and fresh.

Everything You Need To Make This Recipe Without Stress

Gathering your ingredients for this buffalo chicken is straightforward, focusing on common pantry staples. The beauty of this dish lies in its simplicity and the robust flavor profile that comes from just a few key components. You won’t need any exotic items, making it an accessible recipe for anyone to try.

INGREDIENTS:

2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 cup buffalo wing sauce (such as Frank’s RedHot Buffalo Wing Sauce)
1/2 cup chicken broth
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Hamburger buns or large tortillas, for serving
Ranch or blue cheese dressing, for serving
Celery sticks and carrot sticks, for serving (optional)

For the buffalo wing sauce, feel free to use your favorite brand. Frank’s RedHot Buffalo Wing Sauce is a classic choice, but any brand you enjoy will work well. If you prefer a spicier kick, you can add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the seasoning blend. For a slightly milder flavor, you can reduce the amount of buffalo sauce and increase the chicken broth slightly. Chicken thighs can also be used in place of breasts for an even juicier result.

Time Needed From Start To Finish

One of the biggest advantages of using a slow cooker for this recipe is the minimal hands-on time required. The prep is incredibly quick, allowing you to get the ingredients into the slow cooker in just a few minutes.

Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 3-4 hours on high or 6-8 hours on low
Total time: Approximately 3 hours 10 minutes (on high) to 8 hours 10 minutes (on low)

This flexible cooking time makes it perfect for setting up in the morning before work or preparing in the afternoon for an evening meal.

How To Make It Step By Step With Visual Cues

Making this slow cooker buffalo chicken is incredibly simple. Follow these steps for perfectly shredded, flavorful chicken every time.

Prepare the Chicken: Place the boneless, skinless chicken breasts in the bottom of your slow cooker. There’s no need to cut them; they will shred easily after cooking.
Mix the Sauce: In a medium bowl, whisk together the buffalo wing sauce, chicken broth, melted butter, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper until well combined.
Add Sauce to Slow Cooker: Pour the sauce mixture evenly over the chicken breasts in the slow cooker. Ensure the chicken is mostly submerged in the liquid.
Cook the Chicken: Cover the slow cooker with its lid. Cook on high for 3-4 hours or on low for 6-8 hours, or until the chicken is very tender and easily shreds with a fork. The internal temperature of the chicken should reach 165°F (74°C).
Shred the Chicken: Once cooked, carefully remove the chicken breasts from the slow cooker and place them on a cutting board or in a large bowl. Using two forks, shred the chicken into bite-sized pieces. It should be very tender and fall apart easily.
Return to Sauce: Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker and stir it into the buffalo sauce. Let it sit in the warm sauce for another 10-15 minutes to absorb all the flavors.
Serve It Up: Serve the warm buffalo chicken on hamburger buns for sandwiches, in large tortillas for wraps, or over a bed of fresh greens for a salad. Offer ranch or blue cheese dressing, along with celery and carrot sticks, on the side.

Easy Variations And Serving Ideas That Fit Real Life

This slow cooker buffalo chicken is incredibly versatile, making it easy to adapt for different tastes and occasions.

Kid-Friendly Options: For younger palates who might find buffalo sauce too spicy, you can set aside a portion of plain cooked chicken before adding the buffalo sauce. Alternatively, mix a small amount of buffalo chicken with extra ranch dressing to mellow the heat. Serve it in mini slider buns.
Cheese Please: Melt some provolone, mozzarella, or Monterey Jack cheese over the buffalo chicken on your sandwiches or wraps for an extra layer of flavor and creaminess.
Loaded Baked Potatoes: Spoon the buffalo chicken over baked potatoes with a dollop of sour cream, shredded cheese, and a sprinkle of chives for a hearty meal.
Buffalo Chicken Nachos: Layer tortilla chips with buffalo chicken, shredded cheddar cheese, and jalapeños. Bake until the cheese is bubbly, then top with a drizzle of ranch or blue cheese dressing and chopped green onions.
Party Platter: For a gathering, keep the buffalo chicken warm in the slow cooker and set out a spread of mini slider buns, tortillas, lettuce cups, and various toppings like shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, pickles, and different dressings.
Spice Level Adjustment: If you love extra heat, add a dash of your favorite hot sauce or a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce mixture. For a milder version, increase the chicken broth slightly or use a mild buffalo sauce.
Creamy Buffalo Chicken: Stir in 2-3 ounces of cream cheese (softened) with the shredded chicken for a richer, creamier texture and flavor, similar to a buffalo chicken dip.

Common Slip-Ups And How To Avoid Them

Even simple recipes can have small pitfalls. Being aware of these common mistakes can help ensure your slow cooker buffalo chicken turns out perfectly every time.

Overcooking the Chicken: While slow cookers are forgiving, chicken can still become dry if cooked for too long, especially on the high setting. Stick to the recommended cooking times and check for doneness by shredding a piece with a fork. It should fall apart easily.
Not Shredding Properly: Ensure the chicken is cooked through and tender before attempting to shred it. If it’s tough to shred, it likely needs more cooking time. Shredding it while still warm makes the process much easier.
Too Much Liquid: While some liquid is necessary, don’t add excessive amounts beyond the recipe. The chicken will release its own juices, and too much liquid can dilute the flavor of your buffalo sauce.
Forgetting the Butter: The melted butter in the sauce is crucial. It adds richness and helps to balance the acidity of the buffalo sauce, contributing to a smoother, more palatable flavor. Don’t skip it!
Not Letting It Rest in Sauce: After shredding, it’s important to return the chicken to the slow cooker and let it sit in the sauce for at least 10-15 minutes. This allows the chicken to fully absorb the buffalo flavor, making it more delicious and juicy.

How To Store It And Make It Ahead Without Ruining Texture

This slow cooker buffalo chicken is fantastic for meal prep and leftovers, making it even more convenient for busy schedules.

Storing Leftovers: Once cooled, transfer any leftover buffalo chicken and its sauce to an airtight container. It will keep well in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
Freezing for Later: For longer storage, you can freeze the cooked and shredded buffalo chicken. Place it in a freezer-safe bag or container, ensuring there’s enough sauce to keep it moist. It can be frozen for up to 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Reheating: To reheat, you can use the microwave, a stovetop, or even your slow cooker.
Microwave: Place a portion in a microwave-safe dish, cover, and heat on medium power, stirring occasionally, until heated through.
Stovetop: Transfer the chicken to a saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until warm. Add a splash of chicken broth or water if it seems too dry.
Slow Cooker: For larger batches, return the chicken to the slow cooker and heat on

FAQs

Can I make these ahead? Yes—prep ahead, refrigerate, then serve when ready.
How long do leftovers last? Store covered in the fridge for 3–4 days for best texture.
Can I adjust sweetness? Yes—add more or less sweetener to taste.
Can I change the fruit? Yes—swap strawberries for blueberries, raspberries, or sliced banana.