If you’re craving a meal that’s both comforting and packs a spicy punch, you’re going to love this Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Stuffed Sweet Potatoes Recipe. It’s hands-down one of my favorite go-to recipes when I want something easy, packed with flavor, and ridiculously satisfying. Just imagine tender, slow-cooked buffalo chicken nestled inside sweet, fluffy potatoes—pure deliciousness with barely any effort.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Minimal Prep Time: You’ll spend just 5 minutes prepping—perfect for busy days.
- One-Pot Wonder: Everything cooks together in the slow cooker, making cleanup a breeze.
- Balanced Flavor: The spicy buffalo chicken pairs perfectly with the natural sweetness of the potatoes.
- Nutritious & Filling: Loaded with protein and fiber to keep you energized and satisfied.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Stuffed Sweet Potatoes Recipe is how simple and focused the ingredients are. Each one plays a key role in creating those bold, comforting flavors you’ll want to eat again and again. Here are the essentials:
- Red hot sauce: I prefer Frank’s Red Hot for that classic tangy buffalo flavor—it’s the star of the show here.
- Butter: Adds richness and keeps the chicken moist while it cooks slowly.
- Boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs: Thighs are juicier, but breasts work great too—choose what you prefer.
- Whole sweet potatoes: Go for small ones so they cook evenly and fit nicely in the slow cooker.
- Plain Greek yogurt: Adds creaminess and balances out the heat with a cool touch.
- Lime juice: A little zing that brightens up the whole dish.
- Sea salt: To enhance all the natural flavors.
- Chopped chives or green onion: For a fresh, mild oniony finish that’s just delicious.
Variations
I’m a big fan of making recipes my own, and this one is super flexible. Over time, I like tweaking it for different flavor profiles or dietary needs. Feel free to play around and make this recipe your own!
- Variation: Swap chicken thighs for breasts if you prefer leaner meat; I find thighs stay more tender and juicy.
- Variation: For a dairy-free twist, skip the Greek yogurt and use a dollop of coconut cream instead—it’s surprisingly good!
- Variation: Add shredded cheese on top before serving for an extra cheesy kick my family loves.
- Variation: Toss in some chopped celery or carrots for added crunch and nutrients if you want a heartier meal.
How to Make Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Stuffed Sweet Potatoes Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Chicken and Sauce
Start by placing your chicken breasts or thighs right into the 6-quart slow cooker. Drizzle ¼ cup of your favorite hot sauce over the chicken and toss gently until it’s evenly coated. Then, dot the chicken with 1 tablespoon of butter—this little trick keeps the meat juicy and adds richness. Trust me, butter makes a big difference in slow cooker dishes!
Step 2: Prepare the Sweet Potatoes
While the chicken marinates in the sauce, rub the skin of each sweet potato with about 1 teaspoon of melted butter. This helps lock in flavor during the slow cooking process and keeps the skins nice and tender. Arrange the potatoes evenly on top of the chicken in the slow cooker. Don’t worry about poking holes or pre-cooking—this slow cooker magic will make them perfectly soft.
Step 3: Slow Cook to Perfection
Cover your slow cooker and set it to high for 4 hours or low for 6 hours. I recommend the low setting if you want a hands-off dinner you can leave while you run errands or work. The chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165°F and the sweet potatoes will be tender when poked with a fork. This is the moment all those flavors meld beautifully!
Step 4: Assemble the Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
Once everything’s cooked, remove the sweet potatoes carefully and slice them open lengthwise. Shred the buffalo chicken with two forks right in the slow cooker, mixing in the remaining hot sauce if you want it spicier. Spoon the chicken generously into the sweet potato boats, then top with a dollop of Greek yogurt, a squeeze of lime juice, a sprinkle of sea salt, and finish with chopped chives or green onions for that fresh, vibrant touch.
Pro Tips for Making Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Stuffed Sweet Potatoes Recipe
- Choosing Chicken Cuts: I’ve found chicken thighs stay more tender and juicy in slow cooker recipes compared to breasts—save yourself from dryness!
- Even Cooking: Make sure your sweet potatoes are roughly the same size so they cook evenly with the chicken.
- Adjusting Heat Level: If you’re not a huge heat fan, start with less hot sauce and add more when you shred the chicken—this way, you control the spice perfectly.
- Yogurt Swap: If you want to skip the Greek yogurt, crema or sour cream works well, too; it cuts the heat and adds creaminess.
How to Serve Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Stuffed Sweet Potatoes Recipe
Garnishes
I love topping the finished potatoes with a generous scoop of Greek yogurt—it cools down the heat and adds a luscious creaminess. Then, sprinkle chopped chives or green onion on top for a fresh, mild bite and a splash of color. Sometimes, I add a little crumbled blue cheese if I’m feeling fancy—it’s an indulgence my family absolutely adores.
Side Dishes
This dish is satisfying on its own, but for a well-rounded meal, I love pairing it with a crisp green salad or some steamed green beans. If you want a classic touch, crunchy celery sticks with ranch or blue cheese dressing serve as an awesome side that complements the buffalo flavor perfectly.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun dinner party, I like to serve these stuffed potatoes on a large platter with lots of colorful garnishes on the side—extra yogurt, lime wedges, chopped herbs, and even some crunchy tortilla strips. It turns a simple meal into something playful and festive that always impresses guests.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store leftovers in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 3 days. I usually keep the chicken and sweet potatoes separate to preserve the textures better, then reassemble when reheating. This way, the sweet potatoes avoid getting too mushy overnight.
Freezing
This recipe freezes very well! After cooking, I shred the chicken and freeze it in portion-sized containers or freezer bags. I freeze the sweet potatoes separately, wrapped tightly in foil or plastic. When you’re ready to eat, thaw overnight in the fridge and warm gently on the stovetop or microwave.
Reheating
To reheat leftovers, I find warming the shredded buffalo chicken on the stovetop with a splash of water or extra hot sauce keeps it moist and flavorful. Sweet potatoes warm up great in the microwave or oven—just sprinkle a little water and cover to keep them from drying out.
FAQs
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Can I use frozen chicken for this Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Stuffed Sweet Potatoes Recipe?
Yes! You can use frozen chicken in the slow cooker, but be sure to add extra cooking time. Frozen chicken generally requires about 30 minutes longer on the same slow cooker setting. Just make sure the chicken reaches the safe internal temperature of 165°F before serving.
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What type of sweet potatoes work best for this recipe?
Small to medium-sized sweet potatoes work best since they’ll cook evenly alongside the chicken. If they’re too large, they might stay firm in the center after the cooking time is up. I usually pick ones that fit comfortably into my slow cooker.
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Can I make this recipe spicier or milder?
Absolutely! Adjust the amount and type of hot sauce to suit your spice preference. Start with less and add more when shredding the chicken if you want more heat. For a milder version, use a milder hot sauce or balance it with extra Greek yogurt on top.
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Is it possible to make this recipe gluten-free?
Yes, this recipe is naturally gluten-free as long as your hot sauce doesn’t contain gluten ingredients. Always double-check the label to be sure your buffalo sauce or any add-ons are gluten-free.
Final Thoughts
This Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Stuffed Sweet Potatoes Recipe is truly one of those meals that feels like a hug in food form. It’s easy enough for busy weeknights but impressive enough for casual gatherings. I love how the spicy, savory chicken perfectly complements the mellow sweetness of the potatoes—it’s a combo my whole family goes crazy for. Give it a try, and I promise this will become one of your favorite “set it and forget it” recipes too!
PrintSlow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Stuffed Sweet Potatoes Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 min
- Cook Time: 240 min
- Total Time: 245 min
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat
Description
This Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Sweet Potatoes recipe is an easy, flavorful, and protein-packed one-pot meal that requires only 5 simple ingredients and minimal prep. Chicken and whole sweet potatoes cook together in a slow cooker, infused with spicy buffalo sauce and a touch of butter, resulting in a tender, satisfying dish perfect for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
Buffalo Chicken
- 1/2 cup red hot sauce, such as Frank’s Red Hot
- 1 1/3 tablespoon butter
- 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
Sweet Potatoes and Garnish
- 4 small whole scrubbed sweet potatoes
- 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 1 tablespoon chopped chives or green onion
- 1 teaspoon melted butter (for rubbing on sweet potatoes)
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Place the chicken breasts or thighs in the bottom of a 6-quart slow cooker. Drizzle with ¼ cup of the hot sauce and toss gently to coat the chicken evenly. Dot the chicken pieces with 1 tablespoon of butter and sprinkle with ¼ teaspoon of sea salt to enhance flavor.
- Prepare the Sweet Potatoes: Rub 1 teaspoon of melted butter onto the skin of each scrubbed whole sweet potato to help with flavor and texture during cooking.
- Assemble in Slow Cooker: Arrange the butter-rubbed whole sweet potatoes evenly on top of the coated chicken in the slow cooker, ensuring they are nestled securely so they cook through evenly.
- Cook: Cover the slow cooker with the lid and cook on high for 4 hours or on low for 6 hours, or until the chicken is fully cooked through (internal temperature of 165°F) and the sweet potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork.
- Prepare the Sauce: In a small bowl, mix the remaining ¼ cup hot sauce with ¼ cup plain Greek yogurt and 1 tablespoon lime juice to create a cooling, creamy buffalo sauce.
- Serve: Once cooked, plate a sweet potato and a portion of the buffalo chicken. Drizzle with the prepared creamy buffalo sauce and garnish with 1 tablespoon chopped chives or green onion for a fresh finish.
Notes
- This recipe cooks completely in the slow cooker, making it a convenient one-pot meal with minimal prep time.
- There is no need for chopping except for optional garnish, making it ideal for quick meal prep.
- Use skinless chicken breasts or thighs based on your preference; thighs tend to be juicier, breasts leaner.
- Adjust hot sauce quantity to your preferred spice level.
- The Greek yogurt sauce adds creaminess and balances the heat from the buffalo sauce.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 413 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 705 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 27 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 52 g
- Cholesterol: 156 mg
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