Crave Worthy Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Sandwiches are your answer to an incredibly easy, flavor-packed meal perfect for busy weeknights or game day gatherings. This simple slow cooker recipe transforms basic ingredients into a crowd-pleasing dish that’s both budget-friendly and undeniably delicious.
Key Ingredients for Crave Worthy Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Sandwiches
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- 1 bottle (12 ounces) Frank’s RedHot Original Sauce (or your favorite buffalo wing sauce)
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1/4 cup ranch dressing (plus more for serving)
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 12-16 slider buns or your favorite sandwich rolls
- Optional toppings: blue cheese crumbles, dill pickle slices, shredded lettuce, sliced red onion, extra ranch or blue cheese dressing
How to Make Crave Worthy Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Sandwiches
Get ready for shredded chicken perfection with minimal effort! This recipe is a lifesaver for busy cooks, delivering incredibly tender and flavorful buffalo chicken with just a few simple ingredients and a long, slow cook. In under 15 minutes of active prep time, you’ll have a dish that will have everyone begging for seconds, boasting a perfect balance of tangy, spicy, and creamy notes, all without the fuss of traditional stovetop methods.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Pat the chicken breasts or thighs dry with paper towels. If using chicken breasts, you can leave them whole or cut them in half to ensure more even cooking. Season them lightly with salt and pepper on both sides.
- Combine the Sauce Ingredients: In your slow cooker insert, or in a separate bowl, whisk together the Frank’s RedHot sauce, melted butter, ranch dressing, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, garlic powder, and onion powder. Stir until well combined.
- Add the Chicken: Place the seasoned chicken into the slow cooker, nestling it into the sauce. Ensure the chicken is mostly submerged in the liquid.
- Cook on Low: Cover the slow cooker and cook on low heat for 4-6 hours, or on high heat for 2-3 hours, until the chicken is cooked through and easily shreds with a fork. The exact cooking time will depend on your slow cooker and the thickness of the chicken.
- Shred the Chicken: Once the chicken is cooked, carefully remove it from the slow cooker using tongs and place it in a large bowl. Use two forks to shred the chicken into bite-sized pieces.
- Return Chicken to Sauce: Add the shredded chicken back into the slow cooker with the remaining sauce. Stir gently to coat all the chicken evenly.
- Warm Through: Allow the shredded chicken and sauce to combine and warm through in the slow cooker on the “warm” setting, or on low heat for about 15-30 minutes, stirring occasionally. This allows the chicken to soak up all the delicious buffalo flavor.
- Assemble the Sandwiches: Toast your slider buns or sandwich rolls, if desired. Spoon generous portions of the Crave Worthy Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken mixture onto the bottom halves of the buns.
- Add Toppings: Top with your favorite buffalo chicken sandwich toppings. Classic choices include creamy blue cheese crumbles, tangy dill pickle slices, crisp shredded lettuce, or thin slices of red onion. Drizzle with extra ranch or blue cheese dressing for an extra layer of flavor.
- Serve: Place the top halves of the buns on your sandwiches and serve immediately.
Why You’ll Love This Crave Worthy Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken
You’ll absolutely adore these Crave Worthy Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Sandwiches for their incredible ease and mouthwatering flavor. The star of the show is undoubtedly the tender, shredded chicken, slow-cooked to perfection in a rich and zesty buffalo sauce that’s leagues beyond what you’d get from a dry chicken breast. Making these at home is a fantastic cost-saver compared to takeout buffalo chicken, offering a gourmet experience without the gourmet price tag, all thanks to the magic of pantry staples and a trusty slow cooker.
The melty richness of the butter and the creamy tang of the ranch dressing create a balanced sauce that coats every strand of chicken beautifully, making each bite an explosion of satisfying flavor that rivals your favorite sports bar. Forget the intricate steps and constant attention of other recipes; this is a “set it and forget it” kind of dish that delivers maximum flavor with minimal effort. So, gather your ingredients and get ready to impress your taste buds – this is one slow cooker recipe you’ll be making again and again!
Storing and Reheating Tips
To store leftover Crave Worthy Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken, allow the mixture to cool completely at room temperature. Once cooled, transfer the buffalo chicken to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3-4 days. For longer storage, you can freeze the cooled buffalo chicken mixture in freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags for up to 2-3 months.
To reheat, you can gently warm the buffalo chicken in a saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally, until heated through. Alternatively, you can reheat it in the microwave in a microwave-safe dish, stirring every minute or so to ensure even heating. If reheating from frozen, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight first, then reheat as directed. For assembled sandwiches, it’s best to reheat the chicken mixture separately and then assemble fresh sandwiches for optimal texture.
Final Thoughts
These Crave Worthy Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Sandwiches are a testament to how simple ingredients and a slow cooker can create something truly special. Gather your ingredients and give this easy, flavorful recipe a try – your taste buds will thank you!
Crave Worthy Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Sandwiches
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Pat the chicken breasts or thighs dry with paper towels. If using chicken breasts, you can leave them whole or cut them in half to ensure more even cooking. Season them lightly with salt and pepper on both sides.2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- In your slow cooker insert, or in a separate bowl, whisk together the Frank’s RedHot sauce, melted butter, ranch dressing, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, garlic powder, and onion powder. Stir until well combined.1 bottle (12 ounces) Frank’s RedHot Original Sauce, 1/2 cup unsalted butter, 1/4 cup ranch dressing, 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar, 1 tablespoon brown sugar, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- Place the seasoned chicken into the slow cooker, nestling it into the sauce. Ensure the chicken is mostly submerged in the liquid.2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- Cover the slow cooker and cook on low heat for 4-6 hours, or on high heat for 2-3 hours, until the chicken is cooked through and easily shreds with a fork. The exact cooking time will depend on your slow cooker and the thickness of the chicken.
- Once the chicken is cooked, carefully remove it from the slow cooker using tongs and place it in a large bowl. Use two forks to shred the chicken into bite-sized pieces.
- Add the shredded chicken back into the slow cooker with the remaining sauce. Stir gently to coat all the chicken evenly.
- Allow the shredded chicken and sauce to combine and warm through in the slow cooker on the “warm” setting, or on low heat for about 15-30 minutes, stirring occasionally. This allows the chicken to soak up all the delicious buffalo flavor.
- Toast your slider buns or sandwich rolls, if desired. Spoon generous portions of the Crave Worthy Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken mixture onto the bottom halves of the buns.12-16 slider buns or your favorite sandwich rolls
- Top with your favorite buffalo chicken sandwich toppings. Classic choices include creamy blue cheese crumbles, tangy dill pickle slices, crisp shredded lettuce, or thin slices of red onion. Drizzle with extra ranch or blue cheese dressing for an extra layer of flavor.blue cheese crumbles, dill pickle slices, shredded lettuce, sliced red onion, extra ranch or blue cheese dressing
- Place the top halves of the buns on your sandwiches and serve immediately.