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Crockpot Buffalo Chicken and Broccoli, a cozier weeknight slow cooker meal. This comforting spicy chicken and broccoli is tossed in a creamy buffalo white cheddar cheese sauce. Then finished with extra buffalo sauce and chopped green onions, so delish. A simple weeknight dinner everyone really enjoys. Serve over rice with a side of yummy beer bread. It’s especially fun for game night too!
As a kid, the buffalo chicken pizza we’d order from our local pizza spot used to be one of my favorites. Anytime we’d do an at-home pizza night I’d request the buffalo chicken. Most of the time we stuck with cheese and pepperoni, super average. But then there were nights we’d order from our local in-town pizza place in Ohio, Pelicanos. It was my best friend, Stephanie, who first introduced me to this saucy, spicy, cheesy chicken pizza.
I first had it at Stephanie’s, loved it, and then got my family hooked. Anytime that pizza was on the menu, everyone was excited for dinner.
Obviously, this is not a buffalo chicken pizza recipe, if you need that I already have one on the site. But this saucy chicken reminds me so much of that pizza.
The pizza I remember had a creamy chicken base with lots of sauce. It was not thick or heavy, just super saucy and spicy. The cheese on top held everything together.
It was loaded up with green onion, which I think was part of their secret.
At the moment, I’m very into green onions, so I did the same here. I piled green onions onto the chicken and made sure to have lots of sauce. Not only was this the easiest to create, but it’s delicious and saucier than you’d expect.
Details – these are quick
Step 1: layer the chicken
Working in the bowl of your crockpot, layer the onions, chicken, and seasonings. I like to use dried parsley, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and chili powder. Then pour over your favorite hot sauce and add some water.
Add the butter for the sauce, and then if you like it spicy, we do a chopped jalapeño.
Now cover the crockpot and let the chicken cook. I usually cook for 1-2 hours on high or 3 to 4 hours on low.
Step 2: make the chicken creamy
Once the chicken is cooked, mix in a block of cream cheese, a couple of handfuls of cheddar cheese, and lots of fresh broccoli. Aside from the broccoli, this is very similar to how you would make buffalo chicken dip.
Let the chicken and broccoli cook on high for 5 or 10 minutes. Just until the sauce is very creamy and the cheese has melted.
Step 3: extra buffalo sauce, top, and serve
Before serving, you can mix up a homemade buffalo sauce with equal amounts of melted butter and hot sauce, and a good pinch of seasoned salt. This is my go-to sauce. I love to drizzle it over the chicken for extra spiciness. You can also use your own.
This is “extra” and while you don’t need it, it makes every bite of this dish that much yummier. Of course, if you like less heat, adjust as you please!
I love to serve the chicken, broccoli, and sauce over rice. Or have fun and make a big plate of nachos for the family with queso on top. That would be so yummy too!
If you decide on rice, beer bread on the side is a must. You can mop up all the sauce with a slice of beer bread. Sounds a little different, but it’s so good.
Looking for other easy family dinners? Here are a few ideas:
One Pot Buffalo Chicken “Helper”
Healthier Homemade One Pot Hamburger Helper
Broccoli Cheddar Chicken and Rice Casserole
One Pan Autumn Chicken and Wild Rice Casserole
Easy Southern Style Baked Mac and Cheese
Pumpkin Cheese Stuffed Pasta Bolognese Bake
One Skillet Cheesy Broccoli Cheddar Orzo Bake
Lastly, if you make this Crockpot Buffalo Chicken and Broccoli be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Crockpot Buffalo Chicken and Broccoli
Servings: 6
Calories Per Serving: 527 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Ingredients
- 1 yellow onion, chopped
- 2 pounds boneless chicken breasts or thighs
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- 1 tablespoon dried parsley
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon chipotle chili powder
- kosher salt and black pepper
- 1/2 cup hot sauce
- 4 tablespoons salted butter
- 1 jalapeño, seeded and chopped
- 6 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 3-4 cups chopped broccoli
- 4 green onions, chopped
- buffalo sauce, for serving (optional)
Instructions
Crockpot
- 1. In the bowl of your slow cooker, layer the onion and then the chicken. Sprinkle the chicken with paprika, parsley, garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, and season with salt and pepper. Pour over the hot sauce and 1/4 cup water. Add the butter and jalapeño. Cover and cook on low for 3-4 hours or on high for 1-2 hours.2. Crank the heat on the slow cooker to high. Stir in the cream cheese, and cheddar cheese. Add the broccoli. Cover and cook for 15 minutes, or until the sauce is creamy.3. Serve the chicken, broccoli, and sauce topped with green onions. Enjoy!
Stove
- 1. In a large skillet with sides, layer the onion and then the chicken. Sprinkle the chicken with paprika, parsley, garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, and season with salt and pepper. Pour over the hot sauce and 1/4 cup water. Add the butter and jalapeño. Turn the burner to medium. Partially cover the skillet and cook, stirring around the halfway point, 15-20 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through. 2. Stir in the cream cheese and cheddar cheese, then add the broccoli. Cook for 10 minutes, or until the sauce is creamy.3. Serve the chicken, broccoli, and sauce topped with green onions. Enjoy!
Delicious and simple!
Thanks so much Mica!!
Made this tonight – my husband said it’s the best meal I’ve ever cooked. I owe You. WE ALL OWE YOU xo
Thanks so so much! Always love to hear when a recipe is enjoyed! Have a great weekend 🙂 xT
Do you use fresh broccoli or frozen?
Hi! I usually use fresh broccoli! xT
This looks amazing and I’d love to try it. What type of hot sauce do you recommend?
Hi Madeline! I usually use Frank’s red hot sauce! xT
We all loved it! When the kids came by, I ended up shredding the chicken with two forks to stretch the recipe. It was delicious and served in Torillas with a side of refried beans, yummy. Delicious, simple, and easy!! Thank you, Tieghan.
Thank you so much Kym! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! xT
Hi Tieghan-
I’m currently looking for a new slow cooker that would be good for a family of 6 and was wondering if you had any recommendations? Thank you!
Hey Amy,
I sure do!! Here is the link for one that I love:
https://api.shopstyle.com/action/apiVisitRetailer?id=900703822&pid=uid3696-43323264-41&aid=45496900&utm_content=productwidget%3A63598b1f870c5535efb66d84&utm_medium=referral
Please let me know if you have any other questions! xT
Any tips if I want to cook this in the instapot? Thank you!
Hi Elaina,
So sorry, I have not tested this recipe in the crockpot so I do not have the exact instructions for that! Please let me know if you give this recipe a try! xx
Eliana, I used the Instapot setting for chicken and then kept it on the warm setting until we were ready to eat. It was super quick and came out great. PS> I didn’t realize the Instapot does have a high setting through the low setting button, just an FYI.
We did this in the Instapot under Slow Cook Option and it was fabulous. It’s a “Keto” meal for us. We put it over Cauliflower Rice and it did not disappoint. I did 1/4 cup of sriracha and 1/4 cup Louisiana hot sauce, a full 8 oz cream cheese and I didn’t have dried parsley so used a little of Italian seasoning instead.
Incredible! Great Friday night meal. We have a lot of left over and want to make this more of a weekend meal- is it freezable ?
Hi Darma,
Love to hear that this recipe was delish! Thanks for making it and your feedback! Yes, you can definitely freeze this. Have a great weekend!🍁🍃
This was so easy and so delicious! Our whole family loved it.
This recipe was so good and very easy to make! I subbed cream cheese for some almond milk just to keep the calories lower and it was still very good! Will definitely make this again
Hey Kristen,
I love to hear that this recipe was a hit, thanks for making it and sharing your review:) xT
I’d love to hear how much almond milk you used! Looking to sub cream cheese also
This was absolutely delicious! Such a perfect dish to make during ski season.
Thank you! Love your recipes!
Hi Jill,
Happy Sunday!!🍂 Thanks a bunch for making this recipe and your review, so glad it was enjoyed:) xx