If you’re craving something bold, flavorful, and downright addictive, I’ve got just the thing for you — my Buffalo Chicken Blue Cheese Slaw Burgers Recipe. This is one of those meals I love pulling together when I want the perfect mix of spicy, creamy, and crunchy all in one bite. Trust me, once you try this, it’s going to become a family favorite, and you’ll find yourself coming back for seconds (and maybe even thirds!).
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Perfect flavor harmony: The spicy buffalo chicken paired with cool, creamy blue cheese slaw makes every bite exciting.
- Easy weeknight winner: Prep takes just minutes, and then the slow cooker does all the work while you relax.
- Family-friendly crowd pleaser: Everyone, from kids to adults, loves the combination of melty cheese and tangy slaw.
- Minimal cleanup: Hands-off slow cooking means less fuss and more time enjoying your meal.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Each ingredient in this Buffalo Chicken Blue Cheese Slaw Burgers Recipe is thoughtfully chosen to balance the rich, spicy chicken with a fresh, tangy crunch. Using some pre-made staples like coleslaw speeds things up without compromising flavor.
- Chicken breasts: I like using skinless boneless for easy shredding once cooked.
- Buffalo sauce: Sweet Baby Ray’s is my go-to for just the right blend of heat and sweetness.
- Mozzarella cheese slices: Melts beautifully, adding a gooey texture that complements the slaw.
- Coleslaw: Pre-made coleslaw works wonders, making prep a breeze.
- Blue cheese dressing: I prefer homemade, but store-bought bottles save time.
- Potato hamburger buns: Soft yet sturdy, these buns hold all the toppings perfectly.
Variations
The great thing about this Buffalo Chicken Blue Cheese Slaw Burgers Recipe is how easy it is to tweak. I often play around with what I have on hand or what suits my family’s tastes.
- Variation: Swap mozzarella for pepper jack cheese for extra spice—that really kicks it up a notch.
- Variation: For a lighter twist, use Greek yogurt mixed into your blue cheese dressing to cut down on calories without losing creaminess.
- Variation: If you’re making it vegetarian-friendly, try crispy fried cauliflower tossed in buffalo sauce instead of chicken.
How to Make Buffalo Chicken Blue Cheese Slaw Burgers Recipe
Step 1: Set Up Your Slow Cooker for the Juiciest Buffalo Chicken
Place 2-3 chicken breasts in your slow cooker (skinless for easy shredding). Pour over 1 cup of buffalo sauce, making sure each piece is coated well. Cover and cook on low for about 2 hours until the chicken is super tender and shreddable. Slow cooking really locks in the flavor and keeps the meat juicy every time. If you try faster cooking methods, you might dry the chicken out, so patience pays off here.
Step 2: Shred and Layer the Magic
Once done, shred the chicken directly in the slow cooker using two forks. This makes clean-up way easier. Then layer the shredded buffalo chicken on potato buns and top each with a slice of melty mozzarella cheese. I like to pop them under the broiler for a couple of minutes to melt the cheese perfectly without drying the bun.
Step 3: Add the Blue Cheese Slaw for That Crunch
Top each cheesy chicken pile with about a cup of coleslaw tossed in your favorite blue cheese dressing. I usually mix the slaw and dressing just before serving to keep it crisp and fresh. The cool crispness against the spicy chicken is exactly what makes these burgers sing.
Step 4: Serve and Enjoy the Flavor Explosion
Cap your creation with the top bun, and get ready for some serious burger love. When I serve these, my family goes a little crazy, so make sure you have napkins handy (the buffalo sauce can get deliciously messy!).
Pro Tips for Making Buffalo Chicken Blue Cheese Slaw Burgers Recipe
- Get your timing right: Cooking chicken low and slow guarantees shreddable tenderness without drying out.
- Cheese melt magic: Broil the top bun with cheese a minute or two for that melty, gooey texture that brings it all together.
- Slaw freshness: Toss your coleslaw in blue cheese dressing right before serving to avoid soggy buns.
- Sauce control: If you like less heat, mix buffalo sauce with a little butter or honey—learned this the hard way when my kids thought it was too spicy!
How to Serve Buffalo Chicken Blue Cheese Slaw Burgers Recipe
Garnishes
I love topping these burgers with a few extra blue cheese crumbles and fresh chopped green onions for a pop of color and flavor. If you’re feeling adventurous, a few pickle slices add a welcome tang and crunch that balances the spicy sauce perfectly.
Side Dishes
These burgers pair wonderfully with sweet potato fries or classic crispy onion rings. You can’t go wrong with a fresh side salad, either, especially one with a light vinaigrette to cut through the richness.
Creative Ways to Present
For casual get-togethers, I like setting up a “build your own burger” bar with extra slaw, buffalo sauce, and cheeses. It’s fun, interactive, and lets everyone make their burger just how they like it.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I keep leftover shredded buffalo chicken in an airtight container in the fridge and store the blue cheese slaw separately so it doesn’t get soggy. The buns can be wrapped tight or kept in a bread box to stay fresh a day or two.
Freezing
You can freeze the cooked buffalo chicken (sans slaw and buns) for up to 3 months. Just portion it out in freezer-safe bags and defrost overnight in the fridge when ready to eat.
Reheating
To reheat, I pop the frozen or refrigerated chicken in a pan with a splash of water or extra buffalo sauce to keep it moist. For the buns and slaw, fresh is best—just toast the buns lightly and toss up some new slaw if needed.
FAQs
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Can I make Buffalo Chicken Blue Cheese Slaw Burgers Recipe without a slow cooker?
Absolutely! While the slow cooker makes it super easy, you can poach chicken breasts in simmering buffalo sauce on the stovetop or bake them at 375°F covered in sauce until cooked through, then shred. The key is cooking gently to keep the chicken juicy.
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What can I substitute for blue cheese dressing?
If you’re not a fan of blue cheese, ranch dressing makes a great substitute, or mixing sour cream with a bit of crumbled feta can give a creamy, tangy alternative that still pairs well with buffalo chicken.
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How spicy is this Buffalo Chicken Blue Cheese Slaw Burgers Recipe?
It’s got a nice kick from the buffalo sauce, but if you prefer mild, you can tone it down with some added butter or honey in the sauce. For more heat, add extra hot sauce or diced jalapeños to the slaw.
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Can I prepare the slaw in advance?
You can prepare the coleslaw mix ahead of time, but I recommend tossing it with the blue cheese dressing right before serving to keep it crisp and fresh.
Final Thoughts
I absolutely love how this Buffalo Chicken Blue Cheese Slaw Burgers Recipe comes together—spicy, creamy, crunchy, and satisfying all at once. When I first made it, I didn’t expect it to become a go-to around here, but it’s now the burger my family asks for time and again. I hope you’ll give it a try soon and enjoy every messy, delicious bite as much as I do!
Print
Buffalo Chicken Blue Cheese Slaw Burgers Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 120 min
- Total Time: 135 min
- Yield: 6 burgers
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Buffalo Chicken and Blue Cheese Slaw Burger combines tender, slow-cooked buffalo chicken with creamy mozzarella and a tangy homemade blue cheese slaw, all nestled in a soft potato bun. A perfect make-ahead weeknight meal that delivers bold flavors with minimal effort, featuring spicy buffalo sauce and crisp slaw topping for a deliciously satisfying burger experience.
Ingredients
Chicken and Sauce
- 2-3 chicken breasts (1.5-2 pounds)
- 1 cup buffalo sauce (we prefer Sweet Baby Ray’s)
- 6 slices mozzarella cheese
Slaw and Dressing
- 6 cups coleslaw (pre-made works great!)
- 1 recipe blue cheese dressing
Buns
- 6 potato hamburger buns
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Place the chicken breasts in a slow cooker and pour the buffalo sauce over them, ensuring they are well coated.
- Slow Cook the Chicken: Cook on low for about 2 hours or until the chicken is tender and fully cooked. This slow cooking process infuses the chicken with spicy buffalo flavor and makes it easy to shred.
- Shred the Chicken: Remove the chicken from the slow cooker and shred it using two forks. Return the shredded chicken to the sauce to keep it moist and flavorful.
- Warm the Cheese: Place shredded buffalo chicken on the bottom half of each bun and top with a slice of mozzarella cheese. You can briefly heat them in a skillet or oven until the cheese melts slightly.
- Prepare the Slaw: Toss the coleslaw with the blue cheese dressing until evenly coated to create a creamy, tangy slaw that balances the heat of the chicken.
- Assemble the Burgers: Top each buffalo chicken and mozzarella layer with a generous spoonful of blue cheese slaw, then place the top half of the potato bun on each burger.
- Serve: Serve immediately while the chicken is warm and the cheese is melty. These burgers pair well with fries or a side salad.
Notes
- Make-ahead weeknight meal featuring flavorful, spicy buffalo sauce and creamy blue cheese slaw.
- Pre-made coleslaw can save time without compromising taste.
- Using a slow cooker ensures the chicken is tender and infused with buffalo flavor.
- For an extra kick, add more buffalo sauce or a few dashes of hot sauce to taste.
- Potato buns add a soft, slightly sweet texture that complements the spicy and creamy flavors.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 burger
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 1100mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0.2g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
