Crockpot Buffalo Chicken Tacos- Juicy and delicious buffalo chicken cooked to perfection and made with only four ingredients! Stuff it into tortillas with a little coleslaw mix, blue cheese crumbles, and a drizzle of homemade Buffalo Ranch, and you have an easy and yummy dinner!
With all of the chilly weather this time of year, I love to turn to my good pal the crockpot. He never lets me down.
And if you love buffalo wings, then you need some of these Crockpot Buffalo Chicken Tacos in your life!
These are crazy easy to make. Making the chicken takes you less than a minute of prep, and then you let the crockpot do the rest.
When the chicken is done cooking, shred it up with a couple of forks, stuff it into some tortillas (or hard taco shells if you’d rather), add on some toppings, and bam, dinner is done!
Ingredients for Crockpot Buffalo Chicken
- boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- dry ranch dressing mix
- bottled buffalo wing sauce
- prepared ranch dressing
How to Make Crockpot Buffalo Chicken – Step by Step
Step 1: Prepare
Step 2: Cook
Cook chicken on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 4-5 hours. Shred chicken with two forks and stir to combine with the sauce.
Step 3: Serve
Tips and Notes
- I decided to spice my tacos up with a little bit of Buffalo Ranch, which again, is very easy to make. Just reserve a couple tablespoons of the buffalo wing sauce and stir it into your ranch dressing and you’re ready to roll. You could also use regular ranch, or blue cheese dressing if you like that better.
- In addition to tacos, you can also serve this over rice, on buns or Hawaiian rolls, or over fresh salad greens for a low carb option.
How to Make Buffalo Chicken in the Instant Pot
On super busy nights, or when I forget to put everything in the crockpot in time, I like to make this in the Instant Pot. Add 1/2 a cup of chicken broth or water to the bottom of your Instant Pot, then add the rest of the ingredients on top. Cook on high pressure for 10 minutes, then allow the pressure to naturally release for 10 minutes. Release any remaining pressure, remove the lid, and shred chicken as directed.
Can I Use Chicken Thighs?
Yes! Chicken thighs work great in place of chicken breasts. All instructions and cook times remain the same for thighs.
Can I Use Frozen Chicken?
Yes! You can use frozen chicken in either the crockpot or Instant Pot version. You might need to increase the cook time by about 1-2 hours in the slow cooker. For the Instant Pot, cook on high pressure for 20 minutes with a 10 minute natural release before manually releasing any remaining pressure.
Is Buffalo Chicken Gluten Free?
Yes, just make sure you choose a gluten-free ranch seasoning. Many of the kinds that you can buy at the store are gluten-free already, just double check the labels. You would also want to choose gluten free, or corn tortillas.
Is Buffalo Chicken Keto?
Yes! If you’re following a Keto plan, you are in luck! This recipe is very low in carbs, so it will fit right in with your diet. My one suggestion would be to serve it over keto friendly tortillas, cauliflower rice, or fresh salad greens.
Can I freeze Buffalo Chicken?
Yes! I like to make a big batch and freeze leftovers. Once your chicken is cooled, add small servings to individual ziplock bags and squeeze out the air. Lay flat and place in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight then reheat on the stove over low heat, or in the microwave.
More Easy Chicken Crockpot Recipes
- Crockpot Mississippi Chicken
- Slow Cooker Cilantro Lime Chicken Tacos
- Cream Cheese Chicken Chili
- Slow Cooker Thai Chicken
Crockpot Buffalo Chicken Tacos
Ingredients
Buffalo Chicken:
- 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 packet dry ranch dressing
- 1 12 oz bottle buffalo wing sauce (reserve 2 TB)
Buffalo Ranch Dressing:
- 1/2 cup prepared ranch dressing
- 2 Tablespoons buffalo wing sauce
Tacos:
- Small corn or flour tortillas
- Coleslaw mix
- Blue cheese crumbles
Instructions
- Place chicken breasts in the bottom of your crockpot. Sprinkle with ranch seasoning then pour buffalo wing sauce over the top, reserving 2 Tablespoons of sauce for later. Cook chicken on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 4-5 hours. Shred chicken with two forks and stir to combine with the sauce.
- In a small bowl combine ranch dressing and the reserved 2 Tablespoons of buffalo wing sauce. Stir to combine, then refrigerate until ready to use.
- To assemble tacos, fill tortillas with the buffalo chicken, then sprinkle with coleslaw mix, blue cheese crumbles, and drizzle with the buffalo ranch dressing. Enjoy!
Video
Notes
- Serving Suggestions: I decided to spice my tacos up with a little bit of Buffalo Ranch, which again, is very easy to make. Just reserve a couple tablespoons of the buffalo wing sauce and stir it into your ranch dressing and you're ready to roll. You could also use regular ranch, or blue cheese dressing if you like that better.
- In addition to tacos, you can also serve this over rice, on buns or Hawaiian rolls, or over fresh salad greens for a low carb option.
- How to make Buffalo Chicken in the Instant Pot: On super busy nights, or when I forget to put everything in the crockpot in time, I like to make this in the Instant Pot. Add 1/2 a cup of chicken broth or water to the bottom of your Instant Pot, then add the rest of the ingredients on top. Cook on high pressure for 10 minutes, then allow the pressure to naturally release for 10 minutes. Release any remaining pressure, remove the lid, and shred chicken as directed.
- Using chicken thighs: Chicken thighs work great in place of chicken thighs. All instructions and cook times remain the same for thighs.
- Using frozen chicken: You can use frozen chicken in either the crockpot or Instant Pot version. You might need to increase the cook time by about 1-2 hours in the slow cooker. For the Instant Pot, cook on high pressure for 20 minutes with a 10 minute natural release before releasing any remaining pressure.
- Gluten Free: This recipe is gluten free, just make sure you choose a gluten-free ranch seasoning. Many of the kinds that you can buy at the store are gluten-free already, just double check the labels. You would also want to choose gluten free, or corn tortillas.
- Keto: If you’re following a Keto plan, you are in luck! This recipe is very low in carbs, so it will fit right in with your diet. My one suggestion would be to serve it over keto friendly tortillas, cauliflower rice, or fresh salad greens.
- Freezing leftovers: I like to make a big batch and freeze leftovers. Once your chicken is cooled, add small servings to individual ziplock bags and squeeze out the air. Lay flat and place in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight then reheat on the stove over low heat, or in the microwave.
Taylor says
Question- is it cole slaw mix just the cabbage or the mix prepared with the cole slaw dressing in it too? Thank you in advance!
Ashlyn Edwards says
Hi, just the mix and leave out the dressing.
Raia says
These sound perfect for family taco night! I love this compilation of flavors, especially that blue cheese on top!
Tatiana says
This looks delicious! Love the combo of buffalo chicken and tacos!!
ali randall says
What a great idea for game day. We love anything buffalo in my house and these are a great way to mix up your taco night. I’m sold!
Danielle Wolter says
oh my these sound incredible. buffalo chicken is so good, and what a great idea to use it in tacos!
Katherine says
So many great flavours, and so easy in the crockpot!
Adrianne says
You had me at ‘blue cheese crumbles!’. YUM!!!! This recipe makes me drool a little. I cannot wait to make these. The photos are very good as well, if you want to make me a plate for dinner that would be great. Just kidding! Great post, cheers!
Mary says
Good luck to the little one on preschool and t-ball! (These tacos look wonderful!)
Jill says
Always looking for kid-pleasing crock pot recipes this time of year. Swim team, boy scouts, choir rehearsals, flag football… it’s a lot to plan around, LOL My kids would definitely love these tacos!
Michelle @ A Dish of Daily Life says
I love this kind of meal…actually I love anything buffalo chicken! Can’t wait to try this! So glad you shared it with us at Foodie Fridays and DIY…I’m pinning it to our Features and Faves board and will do some sharing for you too!! Hope to see you again tonight!
Jodee Weiland says
Love Buffalo Chicken sandwiches, so these tacos look wonderful to me! So delicious and full of flavor…love this idea…thanks for sharing!
Ashlyn says
Thank you so much, Jodee!
Emily says
What size buffalo wing sauce, we eat this stuff on everything so we only buy the really large bottle. Does this recipe refer to small bottle or what? Can you please but a weight in ounces?
Ashlyn says
Hi Emily! Great question. It’s the 12 oz bottle. I will update the recipe with this info!
Andi @ The Weary Chef says
I know I always say this, but I LOVE Mexican food! I also love buffalo chicken, so these tacos look dreamy. Would love to have them for dinner!
Ashlyn says
Thanks Andi! These are good for the Mexican AND buffalo chicken lovers! 🙂
Kim (Feed Me, Seymour) says
I am obsessed with buffalo chicken tacos. I would love these for dinner tonight (and I’m pretty sure I have everything for them! Hooray!).
Ashlyn says
Awesome Kim!! I hope you enjoy them if you give them a whirl! 🙂
Beth says
This recipe is going on our game day menu for sure, YUM!!
Ashlyn says
Yay Beth!! These would be great for the game! Especially beside one of your football treats. 🙂
Ashley@blondegirlcravings says
yum yum yum! I ADORE anything buffalo chicken. My daughter is in preschool also, this sounds like a perfect quick meal for school nights!
Ashlyn says
Thanks Ashley! This is one of those great, easy meals when your kiddos are back at school!
amanda @ fake ginger says
I’m so happy to get back into my routine now too. The holidays were fun and all but dangit, it’s nice to send the kids off the school! These look delicious. I digging the buffalo ranch dressing!
Ashlyn says
Thanks girl! And I totally agree, our needs as mamas for them to be back at school are just as important! 😉
Nancy P.@thebittersideofsweet says
My preschooler started today and tomorrow they already have a two hour delay because of ice! I am ready for things to return to normal around here! These tacos are something I believe my whole family would enjoy!!
Ashlyn says
Oh no on the ice, Nancy! That’s never a fun way to start back to school. Hopefully you’ll get some warmer weather headed your way soon! And thank you! 🙂
Serene @ House of Yumm says
Ahslyn, what a great family dinner, or even as a snack to set up for a game day. The crock pot is my friend too. I know exactly how you feel with having little ones in sports. They take up pretty much all of our week nights. Saving this for when soccer season starts in a couple weeks!
Ashlyn says
Oh Serene, I know you’re a busy lady with your kiddos, with both homeschool and sports! Thank goodness for the crockpot during those extra busy times, right? 🙂 I’ve only got one in school/sports, but I’m already worn out thinking about it all!
Sara @ Bitz & Giggles says
These crock pot tacos would be great for a football party! When it comes to buffalo anything ranch vs. blue cheese is always the struggle isn’t it? It’s great this is versatile enough to taste delicious with either dressing choice! Looks great!
Ashlyn says
Girl, isn’t that the truth?! I can’t ever quite decide which I like better; blue cheese or ranch? But yes, you could use either one here. Thank you so much!
emily says
I was never a fan of bleu cheese, but my mom loves it. I don’t like the smell of it. So one day I ordered a buffalo chicken salad and asked them to hold the bleu cheese, and they didn’t. So I ate it anyway, the combination of the hot sauce, the salty bleu cheese and the ranch was awesome. So I now eat it on anything involving hot sauce and chicken. Because I’m not a huge bleu cheese fan, what we do is take some crumbles and mix it in with the ranch dressing. Try it that way. It’s the best of both worlds!
Ashlyn says
Now THAT sounds awesome! I think the blue cheese and ranch together is WINNING!
Melanie | Melanie Makes says
Love this take on tacos! Buffalo wings meat tacos – perfection!
Ashlyn says
Thanks Melanie! I’m a fool for anything buffalo related! 🙂