Crock-Pot Fiery Chicken Sliders

Effortless Crockpot Buffalo Chicken Recipe

Embrace the ease of slow cooking with this amazing Buffalo chicken recipe! On
busy days when you need a delicious and satisfying meal with minimal effort,
your slow cooker is your best friend. This recipe delivers all the bold
flavors of classic Buffalo wings in a convenient sandwich form. Serve it on
your favorite buns, topped with creamy blue cheese dressing and an extra dash
of hot sauce for an extra kick!

If you’re a fan of Buffalo-flavored dishes, be sure to try these other
delicious recipes:
Instant Pot Buffalo chicken pasta, cheesy
crockpot Buffalo chicken dip, or meatless
air fryer Buffalo cauliflower “wings”.

Why This Crockpot Buffalo Chicken Recipe is a Winner:

Minimal Prep Time: This recipe is a lifesaver for busy weeknights.
You simply toss everything into your slow cooker and let it work its magic.
Prep takes only about 10 minutes, leaving you with plenty of free time.

A Healthier Buffalo Chicken Option: Compared to traditional
Buffalo wings, this recipe offers a healthier alternative. Enjoy your Buffalo
chicken sandwiches on whole wheat or gluten-free buns, or even opt for lettuce
wraps or tortillas to fit your dietary preferences.

Perfect for a Crowd: Hosting a party or get-together? This
recipe makes a generous amount of chicken, enough to fill at least 12 regular
sized buns, or more if you’re making sliders. It’s a fantastic alternative to
sloppy Joes or
pulled pork.
For more game day inspiration, explore my
Super Bowl
Recipes collection.

Freezer-Friendly: With its generous yield, this recipe is
perfect for meal prepping. Freeze any leftovers for a convenient dinner on a
future busy night.

Ingredient Highlights:

• Boneless, Skinless Chicken: Use a combination of chicken
  thighs and breasts for the best flavor and texture. You’ll need about one and
  a half pounds of each. Be sure to thaw frozen chicken in the refrigerator
  overnight.
• Onion: Any type of onion works well in this recipe. Yellow
  cooking onions are a great choice.
• Red Bell Pepper: Feel free to use any color bell pepper.
• Tomato Sauce: A large can of tomato sauce creates the perfect
  saucy consistency. Opt for no-salt-added tomato sauce to control sodium
  intake.
• Hot Pepper Sauce: Frank’s RedHot sauce is a classic choice,
  but feel free to use your favorite brand. Adjust the amount to your desired
  spice level.
• Worcestershire Sauce: Adds a rich, savory depth of flavor to
  the sauce.
• Yellow Mustard: Yellow mustard provides the perfect tangy
  flavor profile for Buffalo chicken.
• Dark Brown Sugar: Just one tablespoon balances the tartness of
  the tomato sauce. You can also substitute with honey or maple syrup, or omit
  it altogether.
• Garlic Powder: For extra garlic flavor, feel free to add more
  garlic powder, or use fresh minced garlic.
• Cornstarch: Helps thicken the sauce. Slow cooker recipes
  often release a lot of liquid.
• Blue Cheese, Optional: Garnish your Buffalo chicken
  sandwiches with crumbled blue cheese or blue cheese dressing for extra
  flavor.

Step-by-Step Guide: Making Crockpot Buffalo Chicken

Follow these simple steps to make the best Buffalo chicken:

Prep the Chicken: Place the chicken in the slow cooker. If the
chicken thighs have excess fat, trim it off with kitchen shears if desired.

Chop the Veggies: Dice the onion and bell pepper into small
pieces for best results. Add the chopped vegetables to the slow cooker with the
chicken.

Make the Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the sauce
ingredients (everything except the cornstarch). Pour the sauce over the
chicken, ensuring it’s evenly coated.

Slow Cook: Cover the slow cooker and set it to High or Low,
depending on how much time you have. It will take 3-4 hours on High and 6-7
hours on Low.

Shred the Chicken: Once the chicken is incredibly tender (easily
tested with a fork), remove it from the slow cooker and place it on a large
plate or cutting board. Let it cool slightly so you can handle it. Remove
about a half cup of the sauce and set it aside to cool. Using two forks, shred
the chicken. Put the shredded chicken back into the slow cooker.

Thicken the Sauce: The reserved sauce should be at room
temperature by now. Stir in the cornstarch until it’s smooth. Add this mixture
back to the slow cooker and simmer on High until the sauce thickens.

Serve: Load your buns with a generous scoop of the Buffalo
chicken and top with crumbled blue cheese or blue cheese dressing. Add an
extra drizzle of hot sauce, if you like.

Serve the sandwiches with air fryer French fries
or
air fryer sweet potato fries. Don’t forget crisp celery sticks!

Recipe Adaptations:

• Customize Your Meat: This recipe calls for a mix of dark and
  white meat, which provides great flavor. You can use all chicken breasts or
  all chicken thighs if that’s your preference.
• Adjust the Spice Level: If you don’t like spicy food, reduce
  the amount of hot sauce. The recipe is already quite mild. If you want more
  heat, add more hot sauce or try a spicier variety, such as habanero sauce.
• Alternative to Blue Cheese Dressing: If blue cheese isn’t your
  favorite, you can drizzle ranch dressing over the chicken instead.
• Low-Carb Option: Serve the chicken in lettuce wraps or low
  carb wraps instead of buns.
• Buffalo Chicken Salad: Make a
  Buffalo chicken
  salad, which can be enjoyed on a bun, bread, wrap, or over lettuce.
  It’s perfect for summer gatherings!

Make-Ahead Tips

Prep Ahead: To save even more time, prepare everything the
night before. Dice the onion and pepper, and store them in a covered bowl or
resealable bag in the refrigerator. Make the sauce and keep it in a separate
bowl in the fridge. In the morning, simply add the chicken, veggies, and
sauce to the crockpot, turn it on, and you’re good to go!

Storage & Reheating Instructions

Refrigerate/Freeze: Leftover Buffalo chicken can be stored in
the refrigerator for up to 4 days and in the freezer for up to six months.
For freezing, portion the chicken into freezer-safe containers or bags and
label them. Thaw the chicken in the fridge overnight before reheating for best
results.

Reheat: Reheat the chicken in a saucepan or skillet on the
stove, or in a microwave-safe container in the microwave, until heated
through.

Leftover Ideas

• Make a Buffalo chicken bowl with your favorite grain, chopped greens,
  celery, green onions, tomatoes, and avocado. Drizzle with blue cheese
  dressing.
• Add Buffalo chicken to hot cooked pasta, with extra blue cheese.
• Create Buffalo chicken tacos or burritos.