If you love game-day recipes or easy family dinners, this Crock Pot Buffalo Chicken Sliders with Cream Cheese Recipe is a total winner. I absolutely love how tender and flavorful the chicken gets when it slow cooks with tangy buffalo sauce and cream cheese—it’s creamy, spicy, and downright addictive in each bite.
I’ve found this recipe especially perfect when you want something fuss-free but that still feels special, like for casual get-togethers or when the kids have friends over. You’ll find that once the sliders come together, everyone keeps reaching for just one more!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Hands-off Cooking: Just toss ingredients into the crock pot and forget it until dinner time.
- Perfect Party Food: These sliders are easy to serve and loved by kids and adults alike.
- Rich, Creamy Flavor: The cream cheese adds a luscious texture that balances spicy buffalo sauce beautifully.
- Great for Meal Prep: Make a batch ahead and enjoy quick lunches or dinners all week long.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The ingredients for this Crock Pot Buffalo Chicken Sliders with Cream Cheese Recipe come together in a way that’s simple but packs layers of flavor — from tangy buffalo sauce to creamy cheeses and ranch seasoning. A few pantry staples make this both budget-friendly and speedy to prep.
- Boneless skinless chicken breasts: They shred effortlessly after slow cooking, making perfect slider filling.
- Buffalo sauce: Choose your favorite brand or homemade version for the right kick.
- Butter: Melting it before adding helps blend the flavors into a silky sauce.
- Ground black pepper: Just a touch to add mild heat and depth.
- Onion powder: Brings subtle savoriness without overpowering.
- Ranch seasoning mix: This is the secret that makes these sliders taste extra special.
- Cheddar cheese: Sharp cheddar melts perfectly on top for gooey goodness.
- Cream cheese: Cubed to melt slowly, adding smooth creaminess to balance the heat.
- Ranch dressing: For drizzling when serving — it cools everything down deliciously.
- Slider buns: Soft and small size makes them ideal for picky eaters and crowd-pleasing portions.
Variations
I love that this Crock Pot Buffalo Chicken Sliders with Cream Cheese Recipe is super easy to customize based on what you have or who you’re feeding. Feel free to tweak the heat level or swap cheeses for a new twist, and you’ll still be amazed at how well it turns out.
- Mild Version: I once made it mild by cutting back on buffalo sauce and adding extra ranch, perfect when serving kids or anyone sensitive to spice.
- Spicy Kick: Adding a pinch of cayenne or extra buffalo sauce amps up the heat if you crave a bolder bite.
- Dairy-Free: Substitute cream cheese with a dairy-free alternative and use vegan ranch to keep it creamy without dairy.
- Blue Cheese Swap: My family goes crazy for blue cheese instead of cheddar—try mixing it in for that classic buffalo blue cheese flavor.
How to Make Crock Pot Buffalo Chicken Sliders with Cream Cheese Recipe
Step 1: Prep and Layer Your Ingredients
This is the easiest part — simply place the chicken breasts in the bottom of your crock pot. In a medium bowl, mix the buffalo sauce, melted butter, black pepper, onion powder, and ranch seasoning mix until combined. Pour this sauce mixture all over the chicken, making sure each piece is well coated.
Step 2: Add the Cheeses
Next, sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the chicken, then place the cubed cream cheese on top. This layering helps the cheeses melt into a creamy sauce as it cooks.
Step 3: Slow Cook to Perfection
Cover the crock pot and cook on high for about 3½ hours or on low for 6 to 7 hours. You’ll know it’s ready when the chicken is tender enough to shred easily with two forks. I like to shred it right in the pot and mix everything well so all those flavors get beautifully combined.
Step 4: Assemble and Serve
Scoop the buffalo chicken mixture onto slider buns and drizzle ranch dressing over the top. These sliders are best enjoyed warm, with plenty of napkins handy — trust me, they’re juicy and irresistible!
Pro Tips for Making Crock Pot Buffalo Chicken Sliders with Cream Cheese Recipe
- Use Thick Buffalo Sauce: A thicker sauce sticks better to the chicken, giving you that perfect coating.
- Don’t Skip the Ranch Seasoning: It adds a subtle herby flavor that balances buffalo heat fantastically.
- Shred While Warm: Shredding the chicken right in the crock pot ensures it soaks up all the creamy sauce.
- Avoid Overcooking: Set a timer and check around the low end of recommended time to prevent dry chicken.
How to Serve Crock Pot Buffalo Chicken Sliders with Cream Cheese Recipe
Garnishes
I usually top the sliders with a sprinkle of chopped fresh celery or green onions to add a little crunch and freshness that pairs perfectly with the rich, spicy filling. Some blue cheese crumbles on top never hurt either if you want to indulge.
Side Dishes
These sliders pair wonderfully with classic sides like celery sticks, carrot sticks, or even a big bowl of crispy baked fries. For a more substantial meal, I sometimes serve them alongside a simple garden salad or creamy coleslaw to balance the heat.
Creative Ways to Present
For parties, I love lining up these sliders on a rustic wooden board with small ramekins of ranch and more buffalo sauce for dipping. Another fun idea is to make mini slider stacks layered with pickles and a dash of extra ranch inside for an impressive finger food option.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover buffalo chicken stores really well in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. I recommend keeping the buns separate until you’re ready to serve so they stay fresh and not soggy.
Freezing
This Crock Pot Buffalo Chicken Sliders with Cream Cheese Recipe freezes nicely too. Just pack the shredded chicken mixture in a freezer-safe bag or container, and it’ll keep for up to 3 months. When you want to eat it again, thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Reheating
I like reheating leftovers gently in a skillet or microwave, stirring occasionally to keep the creamy sauce smooth. Adding a splash of water or extra buffalo sauce can refresh the moisture if it seems a bit thick.
FAQs
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Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts?
Absolutely! Chicken thighs have a bit more fat and stay juicy, which makes them a great substitute. Cooking times are generally the same, but keep an eye to ensure they shred easily.
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Is it possible to make this recipe spicier?
Yes, you can increase the buffalo sauce amount or add cayenne pepper and hot sauce to the mixture before cooking. Just add gradually to suit your heat tolerance!
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Can I prepare this recipe without a crock pot?
Yes, you can cook the chicken mixture in a covered oven-safe dish at 300°F (150°C) for about 2 to 3 hours or until the chicken is tender. Just shred and mix with the cheeses as in the slow cooker method.
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What type of cream cheese works best for this recipe?
Regular full-fat cream cheese gives the best flavor and creaminess, but you can use reduced-fat versions if you prefer. Make sure to cube it so it melts evenly during the cooking process.
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How do I prevent the slider buns from getting soggy?
Serve the buffalo chicken mixture warm but assemble the sliders right before eating. Keeping buns separate until serving time helps avoid sogginess, especially if you store leftovers.
Final Thoughts
This Crock Pot Buffalo Chicken Sliders with Cream Cheese Recipe quickly became one of my family’s favorites because it’s simple, delicious, and feels like a little celebration every time we have it. I encourage you to try it out for your next casual gathering or easy dinner night—you’ll love the creamy buffalo flavor and how stress-free the preparation is. Trust me, once you make these sliders, they’ll be requested on repeat!
Print
Crock Pot Buffalo Chicken Sliders with Cream Cheese Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 hours 30 minutes
- Total Time: 3 hours 35 minutes
- Yield: 12 sliders
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Crock Pot Buffalo Chicken Sliders are a perfect blend of spicy buffalo sauce, creamy cream cheese, and melty cheddar, slow-cooked to tender perfection. Ideal for game day, casual gatherings, or a tasty weeknight meal, these sliders offer a deliciously easy way to enjoy classic buffalo chicken flavors with minimal effort.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 1/2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 3/4 cup buffalo sauce
- 3 tbsp butter (melted)
- 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1 oz ranch seasoning mix
- 1 cup cheddar cheese (shredded)
- 4 oz cream cheese (cut into cubes)
- 1/2 cup ranch dressing (for serving)
- 12 slider buns
Instructions
- Prepare Slow Cooker: Add the boneless skinless chicken breasts to your slow cooker, spreading them evenly across the bottom for consistent cooking.
- Mix Sauce: In a medium mixing bowl, combine buffalo sauce, melted butter, ground black pepper, onion powder, and ranch seasoning mix. Stir well until all ingredients are evenly incorporated.
- Combine and Layer Cheese: Pour the buffalo sauce mixture over the chicken in the slow cooker, ensuring the chicken pieces are well coated. Then, evenly sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese over the top, followed by cubed cream cheese layered above the cheddar.
- Cook Chicken: Cover the slow cooker with its lid and cook on high for 3½ hours or on low for 6-7 hours, allowing the chicken to cook thoroughly and absorb the flavors.
- Shred Chicken: Once cooked, remove the chicken breasts and shred them using two forks. Return the shredded chicken back into the slow cooker and mix everything until the cheeses and sauce are fully combined with the chicken.
- Assemble Sliders: Spoon the buffalo chicken mixture onto slider buns. Drizzle ranch dressing over the sliders for a cool, creamy contrast to the spicy buffalo chicken. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Notes
- For extra heat, add more buffalo sauce or a pinch of cayenne pepper to the sauce mixture.
- To make this recipe milder, reduce the amount of buffalo sauce or use a mild version.
- Using shredded rotisserie chicken is a quick shortcut if you want to skip slow cooking, just heat with sauce and cheeses to melt.
- Slider buns can be toasted for added texture and flavor before assembling.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated on the stovetop or microwave.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slider
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 17g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
