Crock Pot 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!
You’ll also want to try these crockpot favorites, Crock Pot Crack Chicken, which is made with cream cheese, and Crock-Pot Lasagna that so easy! Or try any one of these Healthy Slow Cooker Recipes!
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Healthier CrockPot Buffalo Chicken
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 we much prefer it as a sandwich spread that can go on toasted buns, in lettuce wraps, 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.
Another great option for parties and easy meals is our Crockpot Salsa Verde Chicken recipe. So flavorful and easy to prepare! If you need something more kid-friendly, check out this 3-Ingredient Grape Jelly Meatballs recipe.
If you like cream cheese and chicken, definitely try Crock Pot Crack Chicken!
Related: Healthy Crockpot Recipes
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!!)
More Healthier Crockpot Recipes
Healthy Crockpot Taco Soup
Healthy Crockpot Turkey Chili
Chicken Noodle Soup
Crockpot Salsa Verde Chicken
How to Make CrockPot Buffalo Chicken
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
6-quart programmable crockpot – a kitchen workhorse you’ll use years after year.
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Crock Pot Buffalo Chicken (healthy version)
Equipment
- Crock Pot
Ingredients
- 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 4 ounces reduced-fat (or fat-free cream cheese, softened)
- 1/2 cup nonfat plain Greek yogurt (or sour cream)
- 1 celery stalk (diced)
- 1/2 onion (diced)
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 cup Frank’s redhot sauce
- 1 clove garlic ( minced)
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 cup blue cheese crumbles
- Salt and black pepper (to taste)
Instructions
- 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!
