I love a simple crockpot recipe, and I’m venturing to guess you do too. This easy slow cooker buffalo chicken is one of my go to summer meals that the whole family enjoys!

With summer just around the corner, I love having some back pocket dinners I know I can rely on. Something simple I can get going well before dinner time, and if I can easily double it that’s even better!

This is one of those recipes. With only a few minutes of prep, you’re well on your way to having a versatile high protein option for a quick dinner on busy nights (or nights you just want to give yourself a little break).

You can serve this easy slow cooker buffalo chicken hot or cold, making it the perfect on the go dinner for nights where you want to ditch the drive thru and don’t have extra time to spare.

Why You Will Love This Easy Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken

Fast – This recipe comes together in just a few minutes, and your crockpot does all the legwork for you!

Simple – No need for expensive buffalo sauce.. this recipe uses staple kitchen ingredients that are always have on hand which makes this one of my go-to back up dinners.

Delicious – Even though this buffalo chicken is only made with a few ingredients, it packs a classically flavorful punch.

Ingredients

Chicken breasts
Spices
Hot sauce
Ranch
Cream cheese

Tools You Will Need

Slow cooker – I have this slow cooker and love it, plus the locking lid is great for traveling with crockpot recipes and keeps the protein from drying out.

How to Make This Easy Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken

Step 1 – Place your chicken breasts (3-3.5 pounds) in your crockpot and rub with spices (1 tsp each of salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika, cumin and creole seasoning (optional)), making sure to coat them well. Cover seasoned chicken breasts with hot sauce (1/2 cup). Place lid on crockpot and cook on high for 3 hours or low for 5-6 hours.

Step 2 – After the chicken is cooked, drain the liquid from the crockpot (you can save this to use in place of water to make rice or to use in soup). Shred the chicken using two forks, a hand mixer or a stand mixer.

Step 3 – Add remaining hot sauce (1/4 up to 1/2 cup depending on the heat level you prefer), ranch dressing (1/2 cup) and cream cheese (1-8 oz package) to shredded chicken. Turn on low for 30 minutes to allow cream cheese to completely soften and flavors to incorporate.

Step 4 – Serve warm on sandwiches or store in the fridge to serve cold in wraps or on a salad and enjoy!

Crockpot Buffalo Chicken with Cream Cheese Step by Step Instructions with Pictures

Place chicken breasts in crockpot and coat well with seasonings.

Coat seasoned chicken with 1/2 cup of hot sauce.

Cook on high for 3 hours or low for 5-6 hours.

Shred warm chicken using forks, hand mixer (easiest) or a stand mixer.

To the warm chicken add cream cheese, remaining hot sauce and ranch dressing. Turn crockpot back on the low setting for 30 minutes and mix well.

Serve your easy slow cooker buffalo chicken warm on sandwiches, pizza, nachos, quesadillas and more or cold on wraps and salads and enjoy!

Substitutions

Chicken breast – you can use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts
Hot sauce – equal parts buffalo sauce will work well for this recipe

Shredded Buffalo Chicken Recipe Ideas

Served warm

Crockpot buffalo chicken sliders served on sourdough discard dinner rolls
Crockpot buffalo chicken sandwiches with melted cheese
Quesadilla-style buffalo chicken in a tortilla with cheese
Tacos with shredded buffalo chicken
Nachos served over chips with peppers, onions and melted cheese
On pizza as a delicious homemade buffalo chicken pizza

Served cold

Buffalo chicken wraps with lettuce, extra ranch and bacon
Southwest salad with shredded buffalo chicken
Buffalo chicken sandwiches with sliced cheese

Tips for making the best easy slow cooker buffalo chicken

Don’t overcook the chicken. You can always cook it longer, but you want to avoid cooking it too long at first so the chicken doesn’t turn out dry
Double this recipe and save half for the freezer! This easy dinner will be even easier when all you have to do is thaw it out.
Shred the chicken when it is still warm as this makes the shredded process super easy. To make it even easier and get the chicken super finely shredded in a flash, use a hand or stand mixer.

Easy Shredded Buffalo Chicken in the Instant Pot

This easy slow cooker buffalo chicken can easily be made in the Instant Pot and comes out super well.

Place the chicken breasts on the metal Instant Pot trivet and prepare as per recipe instructions. Place lid on, set valve to seal and cook on high pressure for 6 minutes.

Allow pressure to naturally release for 10 minutes and then manually release the remaining pressure. Continue with recipe per instructions.

Homemaker Tip

Double this recipe and stash half away in the freezer for a night when you’re tired or just don’t feel like cooking. You will certainly thank yourself later!