Slow Cooker Honey Buffalo Chicken Tenders Tips, FAQ & printable recipe

Tips for success

For a deeper flavor, you can let the raw chicken marinate in the refrigerator with the honey buffalo sauce for up to 30 minutes before placing it in the slow cooker. This allows the sauce to penetrate the meat slightly more effectively.

If you prefer a thicker sauce, you can remove the chicken once cooked and stir in a small amount of cornstarch slurry to the remaining liquid in the pot, heating on high for a few minutes until it thickens.

If you find the sauce is too thin at the end of the cooking process, simply remove the lid for the final 15 minutes of cooking. This allows some of the excess moisture to evaporate, concentrating the flavors and creating a stickier glaze. Be sure to keep a close eye on it to prevent the sauce from burning at the edges of the insert, as the honey content can cause it to caramelize quickly once the moisture drops.

Variations

• Spicy Honey Buffalo: Increase the heat by adding a teaspoon of cayenne pepper or a dash of your favorite extra-hot sauce to the mixture before cooking. This adds a nice kick to the sweet honey profile.
• Garlic Herb Chicken: For a different flavor profile, replace the buffalo sauce with a mixture of melted butter, fresh minced garlic, and chopped fresh herbs like parsley and chives. This creates a savory, aromatic version.

Storage and make-ahead

Fridge

Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Freezer

Freeze in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Reheat

Reheat in the microwave on medium power until heated through, or in a covered pan over low heat with a splash of water.

Store any leftovers in an airtight container to maintain moisture. Ensure the chicken has cooled to room temperature for no more than two hours before placing it in the refrigerator.

Properly stored, the chicken will remain safe to eat for up to three days. When reheating, it is best to use a microwave-safe dish and cover it loosely to prevent the chicken from drying out, adding a splash of water or extra sauce if needed.

You can prepare the chicken and sauce in the slow cooker insert the night before and keep it in the refrigerator. When you are ready to cook, simply place the insert into the slow cooker base and start the cooking process. This is a great way to save time on busy mornings or when you are planning to have dinner ready as soon as you walk through the door after a long day.

Serving ideas

Serve the honey buffalo chicken tenders alongside a crisp garden salad or steamed green beans to balance the richness of the sauce. For a more substantial meal, consider serving them over a bed of fluffy white rice, which will soak up any extra honey buffalo sauce left in the slow cooker.

You can also serve them with a side of cooling coleslaw or carrot and celery sticks with a creamy dip to complement the spice of the buffalo sauce.

If you are serving these for a casual gathering, they work wonderfully as a main dish that guests can serve themselves. Provide small appetizer plates and toothpicks, or offer soft slider buns for those who might want to create their own mini sandwiches.

The versatility of these tenders makes them an excellent choice for a variety of dining occasions, from quick weeknight family dinners to relaxed weekend meals with friends.

Frequently asked questions

Recipe card

Slow Cooker Honey Buffalo Chicken Tenders

Prep 5 minCook 3 hRest 5 minTotal 3 h 10 minServes 4

Ingredients

• 1.5 lb chicken tenderloins
• 4 tbsp unsalted butter, sliced
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 cup honey buffalo sauce

Instructions

1. Place the raw chicken tenderloins into the bowl of your slow cooker, arranging them in a single layer to ensure even cooking. Dot the top of the chicken with the sliced butter.
2. Sprinkle the garlic powder evenly over the chicken and butter. Pour the honey buffalo sauce over the top, making sure every piece is lightly coated in the mixture.
3. Cover and cook on low for 3 hours. Once the time is up, check that the chicken is cooked through to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Contains: milk

Estimated nutrition per serving

Calories

320

Protein

35 g

Carbohydrates

12 g

Fat

14 g

Fiber

0.5 g

Sugar

10 g

Sodium

850 mg

Automatic estimate from the ingredient list, not laboratory-verified.