Healthy Crock-Pot Buffalo Chicken Sandwiches
~ Wish you could indulge in buffalo chicken dip every day? Now you can! We’ve turned everyone’s favorite party dip into a sandwich! It’s just as delicious, but so much healthier and super-easy (in the slow cooker)! YUM! ~
Healthy Crock-Pot Buffalo Chicken Sandwiches.
Yep, you read that correctly.
CROCK-POT. BUFFALO CHICKEN. On a bun.
Really, what more do you possibly want out of life?
Buffalo chicken dip is phenomenal. We’ve all had it. We all love it.
It’s spicy, creamy, and ooey-gooey deliciously cheesy. A staple at New Year’s Eve celebrations and Super Bowl parties. It’s always the first thing gobbled up.
Yeah, yeah. We know what you’re thinking, “Silly Gretchen and Shelley! Those parties are months away! Why on earth are we planning that far ahead?!” (But if you are, in fact, planning that far in advance, check out some amazing healthy dips!)
Really, though … we didn’t want to wait that long. And we didn’t want to nosh on buffalo chicken dip just for special, indulgent occasions!
Nope – we wanted buffalo chicken dip NOW. And we wanted to not feel guilty after chowing down on all that spicy-creamy yumminess.
There had to be a way …
Like, if only we could lighten up the typical buffalo dip, and then turn it into an easy-enough-to-make-every-day sandwich. Guilt-free buffalo chicken for dinner? Yes! That we could do!
Oh, sure – you could put this recipe in your back pocket and save it for a special occasion. (Please remove before laundering. Paper never turns out well after a trip through the washer.) OR you could make this awesome sandwich for dinner. Tonight.
(Psssst … you could also turn it into our AMAZING Baked Buffalo Chicken Nachos for a snack, or for your big Super Bowl party menu. Or, you know … make enough for both dinner tonight … and nachos tomorrow. Brilliant!)
With back-to-school only a few days away (where did summer go??), it seems like planning a meal is just too hard. We get it! Life is a little crazy right now, as school looms on the horizon.
All those (lovely) early-morning sports practices. Trying to find the perfect jeans for your growing daughter, or the coolest sneakers for your son. Endless school supply shopping (they need exactly how many glue sticks?). And can we squeeze in just one more trip to the zoo/pool/playground/hiking trails …
By dinnertime, you’re exhausted. It’s hot outside, and you’re tired. You’re busy!
So why not start a speedy-fast dinner in the morning … before the crazy three-ring circus begins? Somewhere between dropping off at soccer practice and heading to Target for the umpteenth time in two days … you could throw together a crockpot chicken recipe that’ll actually make dinner a breeze!
Do ya have five minutes somewhere in your morning? It’s sooooo worth it.
Just look at it. Is your mouth watering? Yeeeaaahhhhh …
The absolute best part? (Did you think it could get any better?? It can! It can!) This delicious recipe takes just a handful of ingredients. And you’ve already got most of them. (Let the happy dance commence!)
Well … it actually gets just a teensy bit better still. That awesome creaminess is a Greek yogurt sauce. No, no we aren’t joking. Protein-packed, low-fat goodness!
And even better yet?!? (Yep … you know us … we just keep on giving!) Once we had this Healthy Crock-Pot Buffalo Chicken Sandwiches recipe ironed out, we found so many ways to adapt it, so we could have HEALTHY Buffalo Chicken Dip in our lives in lots more ways, too!
Like those amazing Baked Buffalo Chicken Nachos we mentioned earlier, or our picnic-perfect Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad … even Buffalo Chicken Dip Grilled Cheese Sandwiches (yes … even more fantastic than they sound!). And for a veggie-filled change-up, we created a to-die for riff on a favorite restaurant recipe: LOADED Baked Buffalo Cauliflower Wings!
(We know! Could this be true? Is this real? Sooooooo many ways to get your “Buffalo” fix!)
Yep. This is as real as real gets.
And it all started with these delicious sandwiches!
Easy. Super fast. Healthy. Delicious. A family favorite.
Real.
Gotta make it!
Looking for More Easy, Healthy Crock-Pot Chicken Recipes? Check Out Our:
- 3-Ingredient Crock-Pot Chicken Tacos
- Crock-Pot North Carolina BBQ Pulled Chicken Sandwiches
- Top 10 Easy, Healthy Crock-Pot Chicken Recipes
- Top 10 Healthy Crock-Pot Chicken Soups and Chilis
- Crock-Pot Corn Chowder with Chicken and Bacon
Healthy Crock-Pot Buffalo Chicken Sandwiches
Everyone's favorite party dip – in a sandwich! Just as delicious as buffalo chicken dip, but much healthier and so easy in the slow cooker!
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
- 3 tablespoons hot sauce (such as Frank's Red Hot)
- 1 cup reduced-fat shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 (5.3-ounce) container nonfat plain Greek yogurt
- 2 tablespoons hot sauce (such as Frank's Red Hot)
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
- 6 whole wheat buns
- for serving: additional shredded cheddar cheese and hot sauce, if desired
Instructions
- Place chicken in slow cooker and add water.
- Sprinkle salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper on chicken.
- Drizzle 3 tablespoons hot sauce on top of chicken.
- Cook for 4-5 hours on high, or 6-7 hours on low, until chicken is thoroughly cooked but still moist and fall-apart tender. (See note.)
- Just before serving, shred chicken (we use two forks to do this).
- Stir together cheese, Greek yogurt, remaining 2 tablespoons hot sauce, and basil. (You can do this ahead of time in a separate bowl, cover and refrigerate until needed, and then add the mixture to the shredded chicken in your slow cooker at the end of cooking. Or you can simply add the ingredients directly into the crock-pot after shredding the chicken and stir to combine.) Mix until all ingredients are thoroughly combined and cheese is melted.
- Serve on whole wheat buns and garnish with additional cheese or hot sauce, if desired.
Notes
Slow cooker variations: The exact heat and speed of cooking can vary between different slow cookers. Some slow cookers, especially newer models, may cook hotter and faster than others. Our research has also led us to believe that some models allow for imperceptible evaporation of liquid (although you’d expect that no liquid would be lost when using a slow cooker), which can leave your recipes less saucy and moist. Because this recipe uses very little liquid, it’s particularly sensitive to these variations. No need to worry – it’s delicious even when cooked until it’s a bit drier. The key is simply to control the cook time and temperature to yield the most juicy, fall-apart-tender result.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 6 servings Serving Size: 2/3 cup chickenAmount Per Serving: Calories: 240Total Fat: 6gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 3gCarbohydrates: 2gFiber: 0gSugar: 1g
Nutrition information is provided for cooked, shredded chicken only, as nutrition can vary for the buns depending on brand. Nutrition information should be considered an estimate only, and may additionally vary depending on your choice of ingredients or preparation. No guarantees are made regarding allergies or dietary needs. Always consult a physician or dietician for specific advice and questions.
Love that you make this in your slow cooker! Great for busy days. And now I’m craving buffalo chicken at 8:30am. haha!!
I’m so happy you enjoyed it, Lisa … and that it made a busy day easier for you! Crock-pot recipes are so awesome that way – I love them, too! And I hope you have a little buffalo chicken left over for your lunch today. Or … hey … maybe even for breakfast?! I mean, why not? 😉 ~Shelley
Crock-pot chicken in a bun – what an excellent idea! I loved that it is super tasty, cheesy, and creamy. This recipe is surely going to be one of our favorites at home.
I’m so happy you enjoyed it, Natasha – and definitely honored that it’s earned a place in your “favorites” rotation! Thanks for the lovely feedback! ~Shelley
Love the idea of making nachos with this great looking chicken. We are nacho nuts around here and always looking for a new variation.
It’s a super-fun twist, for sure! Those Buffalo Chicken Nachos are sensational! And really, if you play your cards right, you can have Buffalo Chicken Sandwiches for dinner … and then nachos the next day. 😉 Or, try making a double-batch of the chicken for a party, and serve up the nachos as an appetizer, and then double-down by serving sammies with the main course. Easy entertaining option and great for casual gatherings and football parties! ~Shelley
Oh yes!!! This looks so so yummy!!! Definitely trying this weekend!
I really think you’ll love it, Ashley – at least if my own family is any gauge haha – these are always a smash hit at our dinner table! Enjoy!
Since these are healthy sandwiches, I won’t feel guilty more than one 🙂 I love a kick & these are perfect & so easy!
Hahaha – perfect plan! That really is a terrific thing about them – they still have wonderful Buffalo Chicken flavor, but are so much healthier than Buffalo Chicken Wings and most of the Buffalo Chicken Dip recipes you come across. All the yum … without the guilt! ~Shelley