Buffalo Chicken Sliders (Crock Pot)

It's that time of year again in America - Super Bowl time!

I've been doing this blog for a while now and this is a not just a big football event, 

it's a big FOOD event.

I usually see a big surge of views from folks looking for good and easy party foods.

The most popular recipes right now?

Crock Pot Party Meatballs

Kickin Chicken Wings

Cheesy Bacon Ranch Bread

Cream Cheese Sausage Balls

Warm Bean Dip
Cheesy Garlic Bread

Jalapeno Popper Bites

And although I don't follow football all that much, I do love to have fun with the food.

So this year, I thought I'd make a little twist on the usual Buffalo Chicken Wings.

I wanted to have all the flavor of the favorite chicken wing, but maybe turn it into something a little more filling and a bit more cost effective.

If you've ever bought a pack of chicken wings, then you know what I'm talking about.

They can get pretty pricey when feeding a group of people.

So, if you are making chicken wings, try to buy frozen and maybe get the larger packs that you can sometimes find at places like Sam's Club or Costco.

Those will be cheaper and then all you will have to do is just thaw them in the fridge about a day or two before you need to make them.

Or, maybe try making these fun sliders.

 You can always double this recipe if you have lots of folks coming over and they are a bit easier to make so you can spend more time hanging out with your friends during the big game!

   Ingredients:

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

1 (12 oz.) bottle Buffalo wing sauce (I like Frank's Red Hot)

2 celery ribs, ends and tops cut off and thinly sliced

1 tbsp. thinly sliced red onion

1/3 cup ranch or blue cheese dressing

1 package (12) dinner rolls

I try to use frozen chicken breasts (when I can) for slow cooker recipes.

They are usually cheaper than their raw counterpart and they cook up really nicely in
 most crock pot meals.  Some do tend to be on the smaller side though. 

So if yours are small, you may want to add an extra one into the pot.

Directions:

Set aside two tablespoons of the Buffalo wing sauce. 

You are going to use this later for the dressing (celery slaw).

 Spray your slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray or add a slow cooker liner.

Then add in chicken breasts.

Season breasts with a little salt and pepper.

Then pour in the rest of the bottle of Buffalo Wing Sauce.

 You are going to use the whole bottle of sauce except for the 2 tbsp. you set aside.
(See my Cook's Notes below)

 Cover and cook on low for about 3-4 hours.

 When ready, put the breasts onto a plate and shred with two forks.
Set aside a generous 1/2 cup of the cooking liquid that is left in the slow cooker
 (you can toss the rest). 
The chicken should be very tender and easy to shred at this point.

Or you can use your stand mixer to shred.
 See my Creamy Chicken Enchilada post for details on how to do that. 

Transfer chicken to a medium bowl.

Pour in 1/2 cup of the leftover cooking liquid over the shredded chicken and stir well.

At this point you can put the shredded chicken back into your slow cooker (after you have disgarded leftover cooking juices), cover and keep it on the warm setting until ready to serve.

Now it's time to make a quick little slaw to put on top.

In a bowl, combine ranch or blue cheese dressing with 2 tbsp. buffalo wing sauce, 

sliced onions and celery.

I'm using my Homemade Ranch Dressing for this but you can use your favorite bottled dressing. I just happened to have some made up when I made this.

Also, if you prefer blue cheese dressing then please use that instead. 

Serve shredded chicken on rolls and spoon some of the celery slaw on top.

Or if it is easier, you can just combine this slaw with the shredded chicken just before 
serving and serve it up that way. 

You can also serve this on full size hamburger buns. 

You would probably be able to get about 6 sandwiches if you served it that way.

Cook's Notes: For those that may ask about the spiciniess of this dish, it is not overly hot or spicy at all.  It is no more spicy than the average mild Buffalo chicken wing. I have acid reflux, so I can't have things that are too spicy and hot or I'll have troubles later! The chicken only cooks in all that sauce but it only imparts the flavor of the hot sauce - not the heat.  You are only adding a little extra heat with what you add to the slaw dressing on top. 

Enjoy!

Printable Recipe Here