This simple slow cooker buffalo chicken takes only minutes to prepare. It's an easy recipe where you just dump the ingredients into a crockpot!
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Why you'll love it
This slow cooker buffalo chicken is one of the easiest and tastiest meals you will make for your family. There are so many ways you can eat and reuse this chicken.
I like to pull out the slow cooker during hot summer days. Since I didn't want to heat the kitchen by baking, I made a batch of slow-cooked crockpot buffalo chicken drumsticks!
Normally, I make buffalo chicken in the oven. I just mix the buffalo sauce with butter and bake until the chicken is cooked.
It's super easy to make.
I hope you enjoy the simplicity of this crockpot buffalo chicken drumstick dish. It's perfect for busy days!
Note: If you like this recipe, you may also want to try my Buffalo chicken meatloaf recipe here.
I made chicken legs, but if you use boneless chicken breasts (or even frozen chicken breasts), you can fork shred chicken and use it on top of mashed cauliflower. When you use the slow cooker, chicken shreds easily.
Ingredients
There are just a few easy ingredients in this slow cooker buffalo chicken recipe. Here's a bit more information about what I used.
Chicken
You will need chicken, of course. I used drumsticks because they are affordable when buying them in bulk. If you want to make shredded chicken, I suggest using chicken breasts.
Hot sauce
Use your favorite wing sauce. I used buffalo sauce!
Apple cider vinegar
For the crockpot chicken, I replaced the butter with apple cider vinegar. I wanted to get a tangier flavor. Plus, apple cider vinegar helps tenderize the meat.
Oil
Use your favorite type of oil. Either avocado oil or olive oil will work perfectly.
Garlic
Fresh cloves of garlic will have the most flavor. If you don't have fresh garlic, you can use garlic powder instead!
Parsley
Finally, get some fresh or dried parsley to add to the chicken as a garnish.
Please note: Check out the recipe card at the bottom for a full list of ingredients used to make this low-carb recipe.
Tips
- Use your favorite type of sauce. If you or your family don't like spicy foods, this recipe works with any type of sauce.
- Use a slow cooker liner. This will make clean-up a lot easier.
- Save extra sauce. Drizzle leftover sauce on top of the chicken before you serve it.
Instructions
It takes less than a minute to prepare this slow cooker buffalo chicken in the slow cooker. Here's how to make it.
Let it marinate
I mixed all of the ingredients in the crockpot when I first woke up. Then, I put it in the refrigerator to marinate. After a few hours, I took it out of the refrigerator.
I let the crockpot sit on the counter for about half an hour before cooking. If you change the temperature too quickly, the crock could crack.
Cook the chicken
Cover the slow cooker and let the Buffalo chicken cook on low for 4-6 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.
I cooked the chicken for a little over four hours on low. It was just enough time for me to go out and run some errands. I always love coming home to the smell of a freshly cooked meal!
????️ Serving suggestions
Serve this slow cooker chicken with your favorite gluten-free side dishes.
Cauliflower rice is a popular side for chicken. Or, top it with sour cream and eat it with some mashed cauliflower.
Slow cooker buffalo chicken tastes the best with raw veggie sticks, just like your favorite sports bar. Make some tasty low-carb ranch or blue cheese dressing to go with it!
Add some jicama fries on the side. They taste just like french fries.
Variations
I used chicken drumsticks because that's what I had. You could use any part of the chicken for this dish. Slow cooker chicken legs and thighs tend to have more flavor than breast meat.
Wing pieces are the most popular, but there's very little meat on each piece. Great for appetizers, but not so great for the main dish.
If you want to use cooked rotisserie chicken, just drizzle the hot sauce on top. You don't need to use the slow cooker. This is a shortcut for making delicious shredded chicken.
Add cream cheese during the last 30 minutes of cooking to get a creamy texture.
Rub the chicken legs with some of your favorite spices. Add some cayenne pepper and garlic powder for more bite.
FAQs
Before we get to the printable recipe card, here are some questions people often ask about how to make it.
Most types of Buffalo wing hot sauce are low carb. But, you'll want to check the carb data listed before buying. There should be zero or almost zero carbs per serving. I always compare brands and choose the one with the lowest carb count.
The chicken meat was very tender. The longer you slow cook it, the more tender it will be. I was a little hungry, so I took out a piece to eat while letting the rest cook a little longer. The remaining meat just fell off the bone because those pieces cooked longer.
This depends on what type of chicken you are cooking and your crockpot setting.
On low, the slow cooker buffalo chicken will be fully cooked in about four hours. Alternatively, the chicken is typically cooked through in 3-4 hours if cooked on high. Even frozen chicken will cook for about 4-6 hours on high.
The cooking time is about the same for chicken thighs, but if you cook skinless chicken breasts, they will cook faster.
Yes, this is a dairy-free recipe! If you cannot eat dairy, I suggest finding a dairy-free ranch dressing to serve on its side.
Related recipes
Love the taste of Buffalo chicken? Here are a few more recipes to try: They are some of my favorites!
- Paleo Buffalo Chicken Casserole is a spicy chicken meal that takes chicken and adds a fantastic kick.
- Buffalo Chicken Meatloaf elevates your typical meatloaf routine.
- Air Fryer Chicken Wings taste just like the wings from your favorite sports bar.
- Buffalo Chicken Cauliflower Casserole is a filling and healthy casserole that you can make for a crowd of people.
- Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower Bites are a spicy and fun appetizer or snack.
Do you know of any other ways to enjoy Buffalo chicken? Let us know in the comment section below.
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Recipe
Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken
Video
Ingredients
- 12 chicken drumsticks
- 7.5 ounces Wing sauce half a 13 ounce bottle
- ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
- ¼ cup avocado oil or olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 3 tablespoons dried parsley
Instructions
- Dump all ingredients into a slow cooker crock 6 quart size or larger.
- Toss ingredients to combine. Set in refrigerator for at least 3 hours to marinate.
- Allow crock to sit at room temperature for 15-30 minutes before heating.
- Cover crock and cook on low setting for 4-6 hours or high setting 3-4 hours.
- Remove chicken to a platter and drizzle sauce over.
- Serve with blue cheese dressing and celery, if desired.
Low Carb Sweeteners | Keto Sweetener Conversion Chart
Nutrition
Additional Info
Notes on Nutritional Information
Nutritional information for the recipe is provided as a courtesy and is approximate only. We cannot guarantee the accuracy of the nutritional information given for any recipe on this site. Erythritol carbs are not included in carb counts as it has been shown not to impact blood sugar. Net carbs are the total carbs minus fiber.
Copyright
© LowCarbYum.com - Unauthorized use of this material without written permission from Lisa MarcAurele is strictly prohibited unless for personal offline purposes. Single photos may be used, provided that full credit is given to LowCarbYum.com along with a link back to the original content.
First published on July 18, 2016. Post updated on May 31, 2022, with additional recipe information and new photos.
Kirsten Davis
I don’t have dried parsley, would dried thyme work?
Lisa MarcAurele
I'd just leave it out. But a sprinkling of another herb would be fine.
Bonnie
Love this recipe, but my family doesn't like hot sauce. Can you substitute the wing sauce for something a little milder?
Lisa
Any sauce works.
Christine
I love Buffalo Wild Wings spicy garlic. Can't go wrong. Of course, I love Frank's too.
Lisa
I haven't tried that one. I'll have to give it a taste.
Lisa
My favorite is Frank's RedHot Buffalo Wings Sauce. It has 0 calories and 0 carbs! So yummy!!!
Lisa
You can't go wrong with Frank's!