Get ready to transform your weeknight dinner routine with an explosion of flavor and unparalleled ease. Our Buffalo Chicken Garlic Texas Toast recipe brings together the fiery zest of classic buffalo chicken, the irresistible crunch of buttery garlic Texas toast, and the comforting melt of cheddar cheese. This dish isn’t just a meal; it’s a culinary experience designed for busy individuals and families who crave delicious food without spending hours in the kitchen.
The Ultimate Weeknight Meal: Speedy, Savory, and Satisfying
We’ve had a blast exploring the versatility of Texas Toast, turning it into everything from French Dips to Pizzas and Sloppy Joes. Now, prepare for the crowning glory: Buffalo Chicken Texas Toast! This recipe is a game-changer, especially with the magic of a slow cooker doing most of the heavy lifting. Imagine coming home to perfectly shredded, spicy, and creamy buffalo chicken, ready to be piled onto golden-brown garlic toast and crowned with gooey, melted cheese. It’s a symphony of textures and tastes that’s incredibly simple to assemble, making it the perfect solution for those hectic weeknights when you want something hearty, flavorful, and fuss-free.
“Made this for my wife and kids and it was a huge hit with everyone. It was so easy to make and had great flavor! Definitely adding this to our regular rotation.”
– Brandon
Frequently Asked Questions About Buffalo Chicken Texas Toast
This robust dish pairs wonderfully with simple, fresh sides that balance the rich, spicy flavors. A crisp, green side salad with a light vinaigrette is always a fantastic choice, offering a refreshing contrast. For something warm, steamed vegetables like broccoli, green beans, or asparagus are excellent. You can even opt for quick microwavable steamed broccoli for ultimate convenience. Other great options include coleslaw, potato wedges, or even a creamy blue cheese dip for extra dipping pleasure.
The slow cooker is your best friend for hands-off cooking! If you have a programmable slow cooker, you can easily set the chicken to cook for 4-6 hours on low before you leave for work. Once the cooking time is complete, most digital models automatically switch to a “warm” setting, keeping your chicken perfectly heated until you arrive home. This means you return to a delicious, ready-to-shred chicken mixture, making the final assembly a breeze. It’s the ideal solution for those with full-time jobs who still want to enjoy a comforting, homemade meal.
Absolutely! If cream cheese isn’t to your liking, you can simply omit it from the recipe. The buffalo sauce alone will still provide plenty of flavor. However, if you’re looking to achieve a similar creamy texture, consider stirring in a dollop or two of sour cream or Greek yogurt after the chicken has finished cooking and you’ve shredded it. This will add a lovely tang and richness without the distinct taste of cream cheese. Start with a small amount and adjust to your preference.
Yes, you certainly can! While the slow cooker offers incredible convenience, you can cook the chicken using other methods. You could boil chicken breasts on the stovetop until cooked through, roast them in the oven, or even use an air fryer for a quicker option. Once cooked, shred the chicken and combine it with the buffalo sauce and softened cream cheese (if using) in a saucepan, heating gently until everything is well combined and warmed through. Then, proceed with the rest of the recipe as directed.
This recipe is very flexible! For a super-fast version, you can use pre-cooked frozen popcorn chicken or chicken tenders. Simply air fry or bake them according to package directions, then toss with buffalo sauce and melted cream cheese. This drastically cuts down on cooking time. Alternatively, using thin-cut chicken breasts or chicken tenderloins instead of full-sized breasts will reduce the slow cooker time significantly, allowing the chicken to cook through much faster. Feel free to experiment with different chicken cuts to suit your schedule.
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. While they will still be delicious, the garlic bread might lose some of its crispiness upon refrigeration. For the best experience, we recommend enjoying this dish immediately after preparation to savor the perfect crunch of the Texas toast. If reheating, you can warm them in a toaster oven or air fryer to help restore some of that crispy texture.
Key Ingredients for Your Buffalo Chicken Garlic Texas Toast
Crafting this delightful dish requires just a handful of straightforward ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need, along with some helpful tips for each:
- Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts: We recommend about 2 pounds, which typically equates to 3 large chicken breasts. Boneless and skinless are ideal for easy shredding. If you prefer, chicken thighs can also be used for a richer flavor and moister texture.
- Bottle of Buffalo Wing Sauce: The heart of the flavor! Frank’s RedHot Buffalo Wing Sauce is a classic choice, known for its perfect balance of heat and tang, but any quality buffalo wing sauce brand will deliver fantastic results.
- Cream Cheese: You’ll need 4 ounces, or half a block, cubed. For easier mixing into the sauce, ensure your cream cheese is softened to room temperature. If you’re short on time, check out these tips for softening cream cheese quickly.
- Frozen Garlic Texas Toast: This is the crispy foundation of our dish. Choose your favorite brand, but we particularly enjoy Cole’s Garlic Texas Toast for its consistently thick slices and generous garlic flavor. Many brands have reduced thickness lately, a common effect of shrinkflation, but Cole’s often maintains its hearty cut, which is crucial for holding all that delicious buffalo chicken.
- Shredded Cheddar Cheese: About 1 cup will provide a lovely, melty topping. While cheddar is a popular choice, feel free to use your preferred cheese. Some adventurous eaters love blue cheese with buffalo chicken for an extra pungent kick, but a milder mozzarella or a spicy Monterey Jack would also be excellent.
- Sliced Green Onions: This is an optional but highly recommended garnish. A mere ⅛ cup of sliced green onions adds a vibrant pop of color and a subtle, fresh onion flavor that beautifully complements the richness of the chicken and cheese.
How to Prepare Delicious Buffalo Chicken Garlic Texas Toast: A Step-by-Step Guide
Follow these simple steps to bring this incredibly flavorful and easy meal to life:
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Prepare the Slow Cooker: Begin by placing the boneless, skinless chicken breasts into a 5-6 quart slow cooker.
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Add Sauce and Cream Cheese: Pour the entire bottle of buffalo wing sauce over the chicken. Then, add the cubed cream cheese evenly across the top.
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Slow Cook the Chicken: Cover the slow cooker with its lid and cook on the low setting for 4 to 6 hours, or on the high setting for 2 to 3 hours, until the chicken is tender and easily shredded.
- Preheat Oven: Once the chicken is nearly done, preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). This is for the Texas toast.
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Shred and Combine Chicken: Carefully remove the cooked chicken breasts from the slow cooker and set them aside. Whisk the sauce remaining in the slow cooker until all the cream cheese is fully incorporated and the sauce is smooth. On a cutting board, chop the chicken into bite-sized pieces. Alternatively, you can shred it using two forks.
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Return Chicken to Sauce: Transfer the chopped or shredded chicken back into the slow cooker with the buffalo cream cheese sauce. Stir everything together until the chicken is thoroughly coated and heated through. Keep warm while you prepare the toast.
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Bake the Texas Toast: Arrange the frozen garlic Texas toast slices on a large baking sheet. Bake in the preheated oven for approximately 4 minutes per side, or until golden brown and crispy.
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Assemble the Toasts: Remove the crispy Texas toast from the oven. Evenly distribute the buffalo chicken mixture over each slice of garlic toast. Pro Tip: You can gently press down the center of each toast slice with the back of a spoon to create a slight well, allowing you to pile on even more delicious chicken!
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Add Cheese and Melt: Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese generously over the buffalo chicken on each piece of toast.
- Final Bake: Return the baking sheet to the oven and bake for about 3 minutes, or until the cheese is beautifully melted and bubbly.
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Garnish and Serve: Carefully remove the Buffalo Chicken Texas Toast from the oven. Garnish with the sliced green onions before serving immediately. Enjoy!
Craving More Easy & Flavorful Recipes?
If you’ve loved this Buffalo Chicken Garlic Texas Toast, you’re in for a treat! We specialize in comforting, simple recipes that bring joy to your table without the fuss. Explore some of our other popular creations:
- Texas Toast French Dips
- Texas Toast Pizzas
- Texas Toast Meatball Subs
- Cheeseburger Texas Toast
- Texas Toast Sloppy Joes
- Texas Toast Chicken Parmesan
- Buffalo Chicken Enchiladas
- Crock Pot Buffalo Chicken Pasta
- Crock Pot Buffalo Chicken Sliders
Buffalo Chicken Garlic Texas Toasts
Thick, garlic Texas toast piled with tender, shredded buffalo chicken and finished with a sprinkle of fresh green onions.
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Ingredients
- 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts (approximately 3 large breasts)
- 12 ounce bottle buffalo wing sauce (Frank’s RedHot is a favorite)
- 4 ounces (½ block) cream cheese, cubed and softened
- 11.25 ounce box (8 slices) frozen garlic Texas Toast
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ⅛ cup sliced green onions (for garnish, optional)
Instructions
- Add the 2 pounds of boneless, skinless chicken breasts to a 5-6 quart slow cooker.
- Pour the 12 ounce bottle of buffalo wing sauce over the chicken, then add the 4 ounces of cubed cream cheese.
- Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 4 to 6 hours, or on high for 2 to 3 hours, until chicken is very tender.
- When the chicken is cooked, begin preheating your oven to 425°F (220°C).
- Carefully remove the chicken from the slow cooker. Whisk the sauce thoroughly in the slow cooker until all the cream cheese has completely blended with the buffalo sauce. Chop the chicken into bite-sized pieces on a cutting board.
- Return the chopped chicken to the slow cooker and mix it well with the sauce to ensure it’s evenly coated and heated through. Set aside.
- Place the 8 slices of frozen garlic Texas Toast on a large baking sheet. Bake for about 4 minutes per side, until golden and crispy.
- Remove the Texas toast from the oven. Spoon a generous amount of the buffalo chicken mixture onto each slice of garlic Texas toast. (You can gently press down the center of each toast piece with a spoon to hold more chicken.)
- Evenly sprinkle the 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese over the buffalo chicken on each piece of toast.
- Place the baking sheet back into the oven and bake for approximately 3 minutes, or until the cheese is fully melted and bubbly.
- Remove from the oven and top with the ⅛ cup of sliced green onions before serving immediately.
Notes
- For more detailed information on substitutions, cooking variations, or answers to common queries, please refer to the Frequently Asked Questions and ingredient list provided above.
Nutrition Information (Estimated Per Serving)
Calories: 342 kcal | Carbohydrates: 19g | Protein: 33g | Fat: 15g | Sodium: 1836mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g
Nutritional Disclaimer
Please note that “The Country Cook” is not a dietician or nutritionist, and all nutritional information provided is an estimate based on the ingredients used. If precise calorie counts or other nutritional values are important for your dietary needs, we recommend inputting the ingredients into your preferred online nutritional calculator. Values can vary significantly depending on specific brands and exact measurements used.
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