Description
This Easy Crock Pot Buffalo Chicken recipe is a flavorful, hands-off slow cooker meal featuring tender shredded chicken infused with buffalo hot sauce, ranch seasoning, butter, and a touch of sour cream for creaminess. Perfect for quick weeknight dinners, sandwiches, wraps, or salads, it combines spicy, tangy, and savory flavors with minimal prep work.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasoning
- 4–5 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 package ranch dressing mix
- 1 bottle buffalo hot sauce (about 12 oz)
Additional Ingredients
- 5 tablespoons butter, cut into pats
- 1 heaping tablespoon sour cream
Instructions
- Prepare the butter base: Place pats of butter evenly in the bottom of the slow cooker. This will melt and add richness and flavor to the chicken as it cooks.
- Layer the chicken: Arrange the boneless skinless chicken breasts in a single layer on top of the butter to ensure even cooking throughout.
- Season with ranch mix: Sprinkle the entire package of ranch dressing mix evenly over the chicken breasts to infuse them with savory flavors.
- Add buffalo sauce: Pour the buffalo hot sauce evenly over the chicken and ranch seasoning, coating all pieces thoroughly for a spicy kick.
- Cook: Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 5-6 hours or on high for 3-4 hours, until the chicken is fully cooked and tender.
- Shred the chicken: Using two forks, shred the cooked chicken directly in the slow cooker, mixing the meat well with all the sauce to combine flavors.
- Add sour cream: Stir in a heaping tablespoon of sour cream to add creaminess and balance the spiciness from the buffalo sauce.
- Serve: Serve the buffalo chicken warm. It is ideal for sandwiches, wraps, on top of rice, or as a protein-rich salad topping.
Notes
- Adjust the amount of buffalo sauce to suit your preferred spice level.
- Greek yogurt can be substituted for sour cream for a lighter option.
- For extra flavor, consider adding minced garlic or onion powder along with the ranch dressing mix.
- Cook time may vary slightly depending on your slow cooker model.
- This dish freezes well; store leftovers in airtight containers for up to 3 months.
