The Super Bowl is nearly here, which means it's time for football and, just as importantly, lots of food! Every year, I look forward to shoveling down some nachos, poppers, 'skins, and dip, but the greatest game day grub comes in the form of Buffalo Chicken.
While most people think of Buffalo Chicken in its wing form, my favorite way to eat it is when it's shredded! There's no frying required, it's healthier, it's customizable, it's inexpensive, it's easy to make, and it tastes absolutely amazing. It's not often you can fill all of those qualifications, you know. With that resume, I would hire this stuff... for my belly... that wasn't as clever as I imagined when I first started typing.
Maybe I should have gone with "this Buffalo Chicken would be my first round draft pick!" Because football.
About four years ago, someone shared this recipe with me, and I have made it ever since. I'm not sure where it originated (it most certainly is not a creation of my own) but I'm here to share it with all of you so you can enjoy it, too!
This recipe is an absolute hit with everyone who tries it, and is a pretty popular one on this blog despite being from waaay back when I just started and didn't know a thing about food blogging! I decided it was time for some updated pictures (as you may have noticed), but the recipe hasn't changed at all.
Crock Pot Buffalo Chicken
- Total Time: 5 hours 15 minutes
Description
The often requested recipe for Crock Pot Buffalo Chicken that everyone in the world loves. Everyone.
Ingredients
- 3 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breast
- 1 (12 ounce) bottle Frank's Buffalo Sauce (make sure you DON'T get "Hot Buffalo". It's far too hot for the amount of sauce we're using.)
- 1 package Hidden Valley Dry Ranch Mix
- ½ stick of butter
Instructions
- Put the chicken and the buffalo sauce in the slow cooker and cook on low for 4-5 hours.
- Remove the chicken from the crock pot and shred it, using two forks.
- Add the shredded chicken back to the slow cooker, add the ranch mix and the butter, and stir until the butter is melted and ingredients are well-mixed.
- Serve with finger rolls and your choice of cheese.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 5 hours
- Category: Appetizer
Now you know how to make the Buffalo Chicken, but why stop there? You can use it in a ton of recipes, such as:
Buffalo Chicken Dip Stuffed Bread
Buffalo Chicken Stuffed Peppers
Buffalo Chicken Mozzarella Logs
Buffalo Chicken Pull-Apart Bread
And more! Do you have any creative ideas for how to use this Simple Shredded Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken? If so, leave a comment with your idea!
sunny donn says
How many cups of buffalo chicken will this yield? Thanks
Morgan says
Sunny, I'm sorry but I don't remember the exact amount. If I had to guess I'd say about 10 cups.
Christi Geyer says
in that awesome looking pic was that blue cheese or ranch drizzled on top of the meat on thr bun?
Charlie A says
How many servings does this make? Looking to make it for 2 people so I usually use a lb. great recipe!
Lauren Sandy says
Tonight I'm attempting to stuff this shredded chicken inside a croissant with some shredded cheese to make buffalo chicken empanadas. I tried the buffalo chicken bread and it was delish but difficult to stack. I'm assuming it will taste pretty much the same as that just in a different form.
Kelci says
Can you put regular ranch dressing in instead of the packets?
Lydia says
Im wondering the same thing
Ryan says
Yes you can, and you can also substitute bleu cheese for the ranch. Half a bottle (8oz) imparts a very mild flavor, a full bottle (16oz) give more ranch 'zing'. Just know that all that extra liquid will make the buffalo chicken soupier and less suitable for sandwiches, but still great as a compote.
Nikk Squirrell says
I'm in UK and just wondering what dry ranch mix is so I can try and find something similar?
Thanks
Nikki
Morgan says
Don't worry about it, Nikki. The recipe will be absolutely fine without it, and unfortunately I don't believe it is readily available in the UK.
Chill says
http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_3_6/278-5709782-1414139?url=search-alias%3Dgrocery&field-keywords=hidden+valley+ranch+dressing+mix&sprefix=hidden%2Cgrocery%2C537
Kristi V says
What is the point of adding butter? Would it taste the same without it?
Laura says
For me, the butter adds a delicious richness. Traditional Buffalo wings are tossed in the Frank's sauce simmered with butter, as well. This is a take on that recipe. Enjoy!!
Hrock says
Hi Morgan, is it possible to cook this on High instead to speed up the process?
Paige says
What is a serving size?
Brian says
How many people will this serve? I am having a party for 12 people and am looking for each person to have 2 sliders each?
Morgan says
It should make about 6 cups worth of buffalo chicken, so it depends on the size of your sliders. I would say 1/4 cup buffalo chicken per slider should be good, so that should be perfect!
Casey says
What are the toppings? Looks delicious!
Chelsi Woodard says
Heyy I would like to make this but what if I can't find any franks hot sauce, I live in Texas and mostly see Louisiana hot sauce, could I use that?
Morgan says
Make sure you use buffalo sauce (not just hot sauce) or it will be far too hot. Any brand of buffalo sauce should do! =)
Cindy says
How about using this recipe with nachos?
Lori Lyon says
There is Franks hot sauce EVERYWHERE in Texas!
Alma says
Would it be possible to cook on high?
Morgan says
Hi Alma! Yes, if you cook it on high for ~4 hours it will work as well, it just is a little tougher to shred in my experience.
Crissy says
I love buffalo chicken everything! I made the sliders, this chicken would work on nachos, salads, potato skins, empanadas, quesadillas, and much more. I add the ranch mix and butter with the buffalo sauce and cook on low for about 5 hours! Perfect!
Kalindi Patel says
Could you make this in an instant pot? If yes would you happen to know what settings and times?
Cheryl says
How big is a serving containing the 500 calories mentioned?
Cheesesteak22 says
DELICIOUS and Simple...what more could you want?
Thanks for this recipe
Allissa says
Is the chicken breast thawed before putting it in the crockpot or frozen ?
Morgan says
Use thawed chicken breasts 🙂
Zane says
You can also use frozen chicken breasts. I made a pot of it today and it tastes great.
Anthony says
Cook time at top of recipe says 8 hours but in the recipe instructions it says 4-5. Which is it?
Morgan says
4-5! Sorry for the confusion. I used to do 8 hours but have since realized it's better if you stick to 4-5, just forgot to update that part of the recipe card. Going to fix it now 🙂
Angie says
Still haven’t fixed it. This confused me too.
Morah says
I made this for my husbands" work section. I tripled it! It is absolutely delicious. I got rave reviews! Thank you for this yummy recipe.
Shari says
Hi
Did you put all the chicken in at once when you tripled it or cook them in batches?
Shari says
Can you make this a day ahead of serving?
Morgan says
Yes you can! Just remove + refrigerate the bowl of the slow cooker, then reheat on low in the slow cooker.
Tracey says
Made this for 4th of July...rave reviews. A little something different than BBQ
Megan says
Has anyone attempted this in their instant pot?
Amy says
Curious do you know nutrion info? I’m thinking of making a huge batch and freezing single servings.
Lisa says
I loved it, except it was too salty - how can I reduce the saltiness?