Buffalo Chicken Thighs recipe is a super simple way to prepare boneless skinless chicken thighs in the oven or air fryer that is perfect for a weeknight dinner or a game night. The meat is both marinaded and smothered in Frank’s Hot Sauce for the ultimate Buffalo flavor experience.
I also love these Air Fryer Naked Buffalo Chicken Tenders and this healthier Buffalo Chicken Dip.
If you like Buffalo chicken wings, you MUST try this thigh recipe. Though Buffalo wings are perfect in every sense, who said you can’t put wing sauce on thighs? Once you try this recipe, you will find yourself asking the question “why didn’t I think of this genius idea before?”.
Air fryer or oven baked Buffalo Chicken Thighs are especially great for boneless skinless thighs lovers and for those people in your life who “don’t eat chicken on the bone”. You know who I’m talking about. That friend who always orders “boneless wings” aka dried out battered chicken tenders smothered in wing sauce. Boneless chicken thighs are WAY healthier and overall better.
Looking for more easy chicken dinners? Try these Air Fryer Chicken Kabobs (Kebabs).
Jump to:
- Why this recipe works
- What you will need
- How to make Buffalo chicken things
- How to make Buffalo chicken thighs in the air fryer?
- Can I make these chicken thighs paleo/ Whole30/ keto?
- Will this recipe work with skin-on bone-in chicken thighs?
- Serving suggestions
- Storage tips
- More chicken ideas
- Recipe
- You may also like
- Meet the Author
Why this recipe works
- Boneless skinless chicken thighs are a great cut of chicken to cook. The fat content is higher than in boneless skinless chicken breast or tenders which adds more flavor and prevents the meat from drying out.
- The meat is poked with a fork and marinaded in oil, hot sauce and garlic powder so that the delicious Buffalo flavor permeates the chicken as it cooks.
- The thighs are baked in high temperature in the oven or air fryer for a wonderful crispy outside while staying tender and juicy inside. If you have an air fryer I highly recommend making these thighs using this method. The crispy edges are unparalleled!
- Tossing hot thighs in more hot sauce after baking adds a whole other layer of flavor and texture that will knock your socks off, especially if you like spicy food.
What you will need
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Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs: my favorite cut of chicken to cook with!
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Hot Sauce: for an authentic Buffalo chicken flavor, there is nothing better than Frank's Hot Sauce but feel free to swap it for your favorite hot sauce. See my note below on paleo/whole30/keto option.
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Olive oil: used in the marinade, oil ensures that the meat stays juicy and doesn't dry out.
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Garlic & Onion Powder: for an extra layer of flavor.
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Black Pepper: to season the meat.
How to make Buffalo chicken things
- Marinade the meat. Mix together hot sauce, oil, black pepper, onion and garlic powder in a bowl or airtight container. Remove most of the visible fat off of the chicken thighs (these kitchen scissors are great for that) and poke the meat with fork a couple times. Place the meat in the bowl and let marinade in the fridge for at least 1 hour or overnight.
- Bake in the oven. Place marinaded chicken thighs on a baking tray and bake in the oven preheated to 425 degrees Fahrenheit for bout 25 minutes or until the meat thermometer inserted in the thickest part shows 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Add sauce. Pour ⅓ cup (or more) hot sauce in a large bowl, add the baked hot chicken thighs and stir to coat.
Baking tip for crispier chicken: broil during last 1 – 3 minutes for crispier outside. Keep an eye on it the whole time so you don't get the chicken too charred!
How to make Buffalo chicken thighs in the air fryer?
If you have an air fryer, I highly recommend using it to make this recipe! Air frying has been my favorite way of cooking chicken ever since I got mine. It makes the meat crispy and caramelized on the outside and tender and juicy on the inside. Plus, it saves a ton of time!
To make these thighs in the air fryer, preheat the air fryer to 380 degrees Fahrenheit for a couple minutes, spray the basket with non-stick spray (this avocado oil spray is what I use) and place the marinaded thighs in the basket in a single layer. Air fry for 10 minutes, then flip and air fry for 8 more minutes or until the chicken reaches your desired level of crispiness. Then toss with more hot sauce and serve immediately.
Note: if your air fryer is on the smaller side, you may need to cook the chicken in two batches. My air fryer is this 7-qt one from GoWise and the basket is large enough to fit all the thighs in this recipe in one layer.
Can I make these chicken thighs paleo/ Whole30/ keto?
Yes you can! To make these Buffalo chicken thighs paleo/whole30 and keto compliant, use hot sauce that's sugar and soy free, such as Noble Made by The New Primal.
Will this recipe work with skin-on bone-in chicken thighs?
Yes, absolutely! If you prefer to use bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs, follow all the directions in the recipe card until ready to bake. If using an air fryer, place the thighs in the preheated air fryer at 400 degrees for 15 minutes on each side. Then toss with the sauce and serve.
If you are using the oven, it's best to bake the chicken thighs on a baking sheet with a rack for about 35-45 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit or until the meat reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Toss in hot sauce and serve.
Serving suggestions
My favorite way to serve Buffalo Chicken Thighs is with a side salad. Toss mixed greens, carrots and peppers with a simple vinaigrette or whip up a quick Caesar salad with my homemade Ceasar dressing. If you want something fancier, try some of these delicious salads:
- Greek Chickpea Salad
- Spinach Caprese Salad with Strawberries
- Spinach and Strawberry Salad with Feta Cheese
- Red Lentil Pasta Salad
- Apple Gorgonzola Salad
You can also serve these thighs with a side of roasted white or sweet potatoes, mac and cheese, steamed broccoli, grilled zucchini or mixed roasted vegetables. Try these Air Fryer Sliced Potatoes or Air Fried Red Potatoes.
For a game night appetizer, go with a classic wing ensemble and serve them with a side of celery sticks, baby carrots and blue cheese dressing for dipping.
Storage tips
These Buffalo Chicken Thighs are best when served immediately but if you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container for up to 4 days in the fridge. You can then cut it up and serve cold on top of a green salad or reheat briefly in the air fryer or oven watching not to overcook the meat.
More chicken ideas
- Air Fryer Asparagus Stuffed Chicken Wrapped in Prosciutto
- Brined Chicken Wings (Over or Air Fryer)
- Chicken Caprese Sheet Pan
- Chicken, Bacon, Peach Salad with Goat Cheese
- Chicken, Mushroom Cauliflower Rice Casserole
- Air Fryer Chicken Kebabs
Recipe
Buffalo Chicken Thighs (Air Fryer or Oven)
Ingredients
- 6 boneless skinless chicken thighs about 1-1 ½ lbs
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- ⅔ cup hot sauce such as Frank's, divided
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon black pepper freshly ground
- extra salt in needed (see recipe notes)
Instructions
- Trim chicken thighs so most of the visible fat is removed.
- Place ⅓ hot sauce, olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder in a medium bowl and mix together. Add the chicken and stir to coat. Cover and let the chicken marinade for at least 1 hour in the fridge.
- To bake in the oven, preheat the oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit, place the marinaded meat onto a baking tray in one layer and bake for about 25 minutes or until a meat temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit. If you like crispier chicken, broil for 1-3 minutes at the end.
- To air fry, preheat your air fryer to 380 degrees for a couple minutes. Spray the air fryer basket with a non-stick spray and place the chicken thighs inside in one layer. Air fry 10 minutes, then flip and air fry for 8-10 more minutes.
- Place the hot cooked chicken in a bowl and pour the remaining ⅓ cup hot sauce on top. Toss to coat and serve immediately.
Notes
Nutrition
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Meet the Author
Hi, I'm Agnieszka. I'm a mom of three and recipe developer, writer and photographer behind Wholly Tasteful. I love creating comforting, delicious, family-friendly recipes that you can feel good about.
Freya says
Such a simple and delicious recipe! I’m going to share it with my keto boyfriend who is always after new ideas!
Lucy says
These chicken thighs are such a simple but delicious meal. I love making a large batch so I have dinner prepped for the week. They go perfectly with such a range of side dishes.
Mihaela | https://theworldisanoyster.com/ says
I love a hot marinade and recipe ready in no time! Great idea for dinner this evening:)) Thanks!:)
Amanda Dixon says
These chicken thighs were delicious! The Frank's gave them the perfect kick, and I love that you can make them in the air fryer.
Genevieve says
Oh man, my hubby is going to love these! Perfect for game day too!
Addie says
Buffalo chicken is the best! This recipe is so easy and delicious.
Jeri says
These buffalo chicken thighs were such an easy recipe to make, and the whole family loved them! I used the air fryer, and they cooked up so quickly!
Anaiah says
These buffalo chicken thighs are sooo goooood! They are so flavorful and perfect to use in wraps.
Kayla DiMaggio says
Love these chicken thighs! The air fryer is a great way to make them too!
Megan Ellam says
I am always up for a big plate of buffalo wings. These thighs look fab!
Amanda Scarlati says
Made these for my husband the other day for lunch and he loved them!
Michelle says
Such a great idea to use thighs! Thank you for the tip to make them extra crispy! Absolutely delicious!!
Rob says
I’m always on the hunt for new chicken recipes. This one was easy and absolutely delicious!
Nora says
What a wonderful idea! Just the thing for a game night with friends. I will prepare these for the next one right away!
Linda says
Love these super easy chicken recipe! They're perfect for a quick snack, gathering, or even dinner
Lilly says
This chicken is so good! The perfect amount of heat
Ari says
I love Buffalo recipes, but few deliver. This is one of those few; a perfect recipe, and now part of my rotation. The thighs I bought were huge & with bone-in (4 thighs = 2lbs) so I had to bake for ~10 mins longer. Broiling for the last few minutes was clutch for that crunchy skin I love. Highly recommend this recipe!
Agnieszka says
So glad to hear that, Ari!
Leanne says
Can you do them on the bbq?
Agnieszka says
Yes you can!
Kristen says
So good! Mess free version of wings. Husband went back for seconds!
Annette Quadling says
So easy and so good! Thank you!
Agnieszka says
You are welcome, Annette!
frixio says
tasty chicken remind me of jamaica
Jan says
Ok
Chari says
I am so thrilled that I happened on this recipe! These are soooo good! I did them in the air fryer and next time, may try the oven to see which method I like better. Thank you for sharing this recipe!
Agnieszka says
I'm so glad, Chari!