CrockPot Buffalo Chicken is a delicious combination of your favorite hot sauce, a creamy base, and chicken that is ideal for sandwiches, wraps, and atop salad greens. This healthier version gives you a great flavor without the guilt of a high-fat meal. Making it in the slow cooker creates the perfect busy weeknight meal!
With the first bite of this buffalo chicken, you will wonder what has kept you from making it before! If you’ve ever enjoyed buffalo or hot sauce flavors, then you will definitely appreciate the bright spice from the Frank’s Red Hot Sauce.
Sometimes, this is considered a “dip”, but I much prefer it as a sandwich spread that can go on toasted buns, in lettuce, or even on top of a nice blend of spinach and kale. No matter what way you choose to serve your buffalo chicken mixture, this is always a crowd-pleaser.
What Makes This a Healthier Buffalo Chicken Dip Recipe?
Instead of the rich high-fat cream cheese, cheddar, and sour cream often found in this recipe, we substitute them with healthier options.
Using reduced-fat or fat-free cream cheese is a huge difference in both fat and calories. We also added protein-laden Greek yogurt instead of sour cream to the mixture. This adds not just a creamy texture without the higher calories, but more protein, which is great to keep you full longer.
Does Fat-Free Cream Cheese Melt Well?
One of the more common questions, when someone sees this recipe, is if the low-fat or fat-free cheeses will work for the same consistency.
While not all cheeses are good for melting when reduced-calorie, this is one that we love. Fat-free cream cheese isn’t as good as the low-fat version, but both will blend well and meltdown just as you want for this recipe.
Tip: When working with slow cookers, you may wish to line your CrockPot with a liner to prevent sticking. For this and more tips, check out our How to use a CrockPot post.
How To Serve Your Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken
in sandwiches, burger buns, or sliders
wraps or lettuce wraps
in potato skins
as nachos
atop a salad
as a dip with carrots, celery, and potato chips (so good for game day!!)
This is a great recipe to make on busy weekends when you have guests coming over to hang out or to watch the game. Grab your ingredients, dump into the CrockPot and forget about it until time to enjoy!
Step 1
Place your chicken breasts on the bottom of the slow cooker. Top this with the softened cream cheese, Greek yogurt, Frank’s Red Hot sauce, garlic powder, and onion powder.
Step 2
Stir everything together to make sure chicken is coated, and then cover and cook on high for 3-4 hours.
Step 3
Remove the chicken breasts from the slow cooker, and shred with forks and then return to the slow cooker to stir and mix together with the cheese mixture.
Step 4
If desired, add in blue cheese and allow to sit for 15 minutes to let the chicken absorb all of the yummy flavors.
Step 5
Turn slow cooker to warm setting until ready to serve. This is great as a party dip with chips or veggies, as you can leave on warm for a few hours to stay at the safe temperature while guests help themselves.
Tips for Making Healthy Buffalo Chicken in the Crockpot
The cheese will appear to separate as it cooks, but don’t worry it will be the right consistency after the chicken is shredded and then the mixtures cools.
Adding the blue cheese is optional. If you’re not a fan, you can leave it out.
This Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken is wonderful leftover the next day. Just reheat and eat!
We don’t find this recipe overly spicy, but you can adjust the amount of hot sauce to your liking.
Frank’s Redhot Sauce really is the best for this recipe. It can usually be found at your local grocery store.
If you wanted to create a freezer-meal, add all the ingredients (except cream cheese and Greek yogurt) to a freezer safe container. Label and date, When ready to use, thaw and place in your crockpot, add cream cheese and Greek yogurt and cook per the instructions.
Slow cooker variations: The exact heat and speed of cooking can vary between different crockpots. Some crockpots, especially newer models, may cook hotter and faster than others so modify the recipe accordingly.
Tool Used to Make Crockpot Chicken in Buffalo Sauce
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Add the chicken to your crockpot. Add softened cream cheese, Greek yogurt, hot sauce, garlic, and onion powder. Then, stir to mix and chicken is completely coated.
Cover and cook on high for 3-4 hours, until cooked through.
Remove the chicken breasts, shred with two forks and return the shredded chicken to the crock pot. Stir into the sauce until well mixed.
Add in the blue cheese (if using) and allow the mixture to sit for about 15 minutes to let the chicken absorb all the juices and flavors. You can either turn off the crock pot or use the warm setting. Enjoy!
Notes
The cheese will appear to separate as it cooks, but don’t worry it will be the right consistency after the chicken is shredded and then the mixtures cools.
Adding the blue cheese is optional. If you’re not a fan, you can leave it out.
This Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken is wonderful leftover the next day. Just reheat and eat!
Slow cooker variations: The exact heat and speed of cooking can vary between different crockpots. Some crockpots, especially newer models, may cook hotter and faster than others so modify the recipe accordingly.Nutritional information is approximate and was calculated using a recipe nutrition label generator.★ Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to give it a star rating below!
Since its founding in 2015 by suburban mother Erin Henry, Suburban Simplicity has provided an outlet for like-minded women to connect and share their methods for a serene and simple home life. It has become a trusted resource for advice on simple, modern homemaking, appearing on Oprah Magazine, Good Housekeeping, Buzzfeed, MSN and Yummly.
Reader Interactions
Comments
Kathleensays
Wow I have always loved buffalo chicken but I love it even more because you made a healthier version. Thank you thank you!
Kathleen says
Wow I have always loved buffalo chicken but I love it even more because you made a healthier version. Thank you thank you!
Erin Henry says
We love this recipe because it tastes great, but is a little healthier!
Kimberly says
Where has this recipe been all my life?? So easy and SO good!
Erin Henry says
So easy is right! So good is double right!
ND says
I love the healthier buffalo chicken. The recipe is so easy to prepare and leftovers are just amazing.
Erin Henry says
So true, the leftovers are amazing. The whole family loves this chicken!
Krissy Allori says
This is a great recipe to make and have on hand through the week for different recipes or lunches. Love it!
Erin Henry says
It’s great for super bowl Sunday as well!