Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken

This slow cooker buffalo chicken transforms into the perfect guilt-free handheld meal wrapped in crisp lettuce leaves. The combination of tangy buffalo sauce balanced with sweet honey and apricot preserves creates an irresistible flavor that lets you enjoy all the buffalo chicken goodness without the heaviness of traditional wraps.

I first made these lettuce wraps for a game day gathering when I wanted something lighter than traditional buffalo wings. They disappeared faster than any other dish on the table and even my kids who typically avoid anything "spicy" asked for seconds.

Ingredients

• Boneless skinless chicken breasts: provide the lean protein base that shreds beautifully after slow cooking
• Buffalo wing sauce: brings that classic tangy heat we all crave in buffalo recipes
• BBQ sauce: adds depth and smoky notes to balance the buffalo spice
• Apricot preserves: might seem surprising but they provide natural sweetness and subtle fruity notes
• Honey: rounds out the sauce with perfect sweetness and helps caramelize the chicken
• Cornstarch: optional but recommended to thicken the sauce for perfect lettuce wrap filling
• Greek yogurt: creates a healthier blue cheese dressing base with protein boost
• Blue cheese crumbles: bring that classic buffalo chicken pairing in a lighter form
• Bibb lettuce: offers the ideal cup shape with the perfect tender yet sturdy texture

Step-by-Step Instructions

Place Chicken in Slow Cooker:

Arrange your chicken breasts in an even layer in your slow cooker to ensure they cook uniformly. Make sure your chicken is thawed completely for the best texture and even cooking throughout the process.

Create the Buffalo Sauce Mixture:

In a medium bowl whisk together the buffalo sauce, BBQ sauce, apricot preserves and honey until completely smooth. This combination creates the perfect balance of spicy, tangy, sweet and savory flavors that will infuse into the chicken during the long cook time. Pour this mixture evenly over the chicken ensuring all pieces are coated.

Slow Cook to Perfection:

Cover your slow cooker and set it to either high for 3-4 hours or low for 6-8 hours. The chicken is done when it easily shreds with two forks. The longer cooking time on low results in even more tender meat that absorbs more flavor.

Shred the Chicken:

Remove the cooked chicken to a bowl and shred it thoroughly using two forks. The chicken should pull apart easily into tender strands perfect for filling lettuce cups. This is also a good time to taste and adjust seasonings if needed.

Thicken the Sauce:

For the perfect consistency whisk together cornstarch and water to create a slurry then add it to the sauce remaining in the slow cooker. Transfer this mixture to a saucepan or use your multicooker function and simmer for about 5 minutes until it thickens to a glossy sauce that will coat the chicken beautifully.

Return Chicken to Sauce:

Add the shredded chicken back to the thickened sauce and let it soak for 5-10 minutes. This step is crucial as it allows the chicken to absorb all those amazing flavors creating the perfect buffalo chicken filling.

Prepare Blue Cheese Sauce:

While the chicken rests whisk together the Greek yogurt, blue cheese crumbles, milk, lemon juice, salt and pepper. Add milk gradually until you reach your desired consistency. This cooling sauce provides the perfect counterbalance to the spicy buffalo chicken.

Assemble and Serve:

Gently wash and dry your bibb lettuce leaves, arranging them on a serving platter. Spoon the buffalo chicken mixture into each lettuce cup and drizzle with the blue cheese sauce. The contrast between the warm spicy chicken and cool creamy sauce is absolutely delicious.

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The secret star ingredient here is definitely the apricot preserves. I discovered this addition by accident when I was out of the brown sugar my original recipe called for. The preserves not only add sweetness but bring a complex flavor that balances the buffalo sauce perfectly. Now my family refuses to eat buffalo chicken any other way.

Make Ahead and Storage

These buffalo chicken lettuce wraps shine as meal prep champions. The chicken mixture actually improves after a day in the refrigerator as the flavors continue to develop. Store the chicken mixture separately from the lettuce and blue cheese sauce in airtight containers. The chicken will keep beautifully for 4-5 days refrigerated. When ready to serve simply reheat the chicken mixture in the microwave or in a skillet over medium heat until warmed through.

Customization Options

This recipe welcomes personal touches to suit your preferences. For a spicier version simply increase the buffalo sauce and decrease the BBQ sauce and preserves. Seeking a dairy free option? Skip the blue cheese sauce and use a dairy free ranch or avocado crema instead. The chicken also works wonderfully with different toppings like diced avocado, shredded carrots, or thinly sliced celery for extra crunch. For carb lovers this chicken is equally delicious served over rice or stuffed into tortillas.

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Serving Suggestions

Transform this into an interactive dinner by creating a lettuce wrap bar. Set out the warm buffalo chicken, blue cheese sauce, and additional toppings like diced tomatoes, shredded carrots, diced avocado, and extra blue cheese crumbles. Add a few hot sauce options for heat lovers. This approach makes dinner fun and lets everyone customize to their preference. These wraps pair beautifully with a simple side of sweet potato fries or a light cucumber salad to complete the meal.

Healthier Swaps

While this recipe is already on the lighter side there are ways to make it even healthier. Use skinless chicken thighs instead of breasts for more moisture if you find breast meat too dry. Replace the regular buffalo sauce with a lower sodium version and reduce the honey slightly for less sugar. The blue cheese sauce can be made entirely with Greek yogurt by omitting the milk and adding a splash of water if needed for consistency. These simple swaps maintain the delicious flavors while further reducing calories.

Recipe FAQs

→ Can I make this buffalo chicken ahead of time?

Yes, you can make the buffalo chicken up to 2 days ahead. Store the shredded chicken in its sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Reheat gently on the stovetop or microwave before assembling the lettuce wraps. The blue cheese sauce can also be made a day ahead and refrigerated separately.

→ What can I substitute for the apricot preserves?

If you don't have apricot preserves, you can substitute orange marmalade, peach preserves, or even a couple tablespoons of brown sugar mixed with a little orange juice. These alternatives will provide a similar sweet balance to the tangy buffalo sauce.

→ Is there a dairy-free alternative for the blue cheese sauce?

For a dairy-free option, you can make a sauce using dairy-free yogurt (like coconut or almond-based), a tablespoon of nutritional yeast for cheesy flavor, lemon juice, garlic powder, and herbs like dill or parsley. Alternatively, a simple avocado-based sauce with lime juice works wonderfully.

→ What type of lettuce works best for these wraps?

Bibb lettuce (as specified in the recipe) works best because its leaves are tender yet sturdy enough to hold the filling. Butter lettuce, Boston lettuce, and romaine hearts are excellent alternatives. Look for lettuce with large, cup-shaped leaves that can hold the buffalo chicken mixture without tearing.

→ How can I adjust the spice level of this dish?

To make it spicier, increase the buffalo sauce and decrease the BBQ sauce. For a milder version, do the opposite—use more BBQ sauce and less buffalo sauce. You can also add a tablespoon of butter to the sauce to mellow the heat or serve with extra blue cheese sauce to cool things down.

→ Can I use frozen chicken breasts for this recipe?

Yes, you can use frozen chicken breasts, but for food safety reasons, it's recommended to thaw them first. If using frozen chicken directly in the slow cooker, increase the cooking time by 1-2 hours and ensure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F before shredding.