While eating wings can be absolutely messy, these buffalo chicken thighs help out with that. You get that same juicy chicken, but in a way that can be eaten with a fork. Tender thighs are seasoned and seared in a pan and then drenched in a delicious buffalo sauce. It’s an easy go-to weeknight meal!
Why you’ll love these boneless buffalo thighs
These boneless thighs are coated in delicious buffalo sauce and ranch (or blue cheese) dressing. You get that tangy spicy flavor topped with a cool dressing.
This juicy chicken recipe is so easy to make and comes together in less than 20 minutes. It’s perfect for a busy weeknight.
Not only is it quick and easy, but it’s way less messy than standard chicken wings without sacrificing any of the flavor.
Since this uses a boneless skinless chicken thigh, you get all of that same dark meat chicken flavor you expect from wings. It’s also helpful that you don’t have to worry about eating around bones.
These boneless buffalo thighs give you crispy chicken soaked in a buffalo wing sauce. No worrying about breading or eating them off the bones!
ingredients to make boneless buffalo chicken
- boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- kosher salt
- ground black pepper
- garlic powder
- onion powder
- avocado oil
- buffalo sauce
- ranch or blue cheese dressing
- blue cheese crumbles
substitutions
Chicken thighs – You can use bone in skin on chicken thighs if you’d like, but they will need to cook longer. You could also use boneless skinless chicken breasts.
Buffalo sauce – Hot sauce can be substituted for the buffalo sauce, but keep in mind it will be much hotter.
Avocado oil – I like using avocado oil because it is neutral tasting and has a high smoke point. You can use olive oil in it’s place if you prefer.
kitchen tools to make buffalo thighs
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Buy Now → how to make buffalo chicken thighs
- Season both sides of the chicken thighs with the salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder making sure all sides are coated.
- Add the avocado oil to a large skillet and heat over medium heat.
- Once the oil is hot, add the chicken thighs.
- Cook about 5 minutes and flip them.
- Let them sear for about 1 minute and then pour in the buffalo sauce.
- Continue to cook them until the internal temperature reaches 165ºF, about 5 more minutes.
- Remove from the heat.
- Turn the thighs to coat on all sides.
- Drizzle with the ranch dressing and sprinkle with blue cheese. Enjoy!
tips and tricks for the best buffalo chicken
Be sure the oil is hot when adding your chicken to get a nice sear on the outside.
Trimming the excess fat from the chicken thighs helps to avoid the undesirable texture that can sometimes happen with chicken thighs.
You can serve these up just like wings with the classic sides of celery and carrot sticks.
how to store leftovers
Allow the chicken to cool completely. Place the chicken along with the sauce into an airtight container.
Store the chicken in the fridge for up to 3 days or in the freeze for up to 6 months.
how to reheat buffalo thighs
To reheat the chicken from frozen, you’ll need to let it thaw in the refrigerator overnight.
Place the chicken in a skillet and heat over medium-low heat until heated through. You can also reheat individual servings in the microwave.
buffalo chicken thighs (oven method)
You can make these same chicken thighs in the oven. You’ll still want to season and sear the chicken.
Once seared, place them in an oven safe baking dish along with the buffalo sauce.
Bake them in the oven at 350°F until cooked through, about 20 minutes. You’ll have yummy baked buffalo chicken thighs.
Top Tip
Be sure to cook chicken in a single layer in the skillet. This will make sure they cook evenly and get a nice sear on the outside.
air fryer buffalo chicken thighs
Another great way to make these is in the air fryer! Simply season and cook the thighs in the air fryer basket (without the sauce) until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
You will want to air fry them at 375°F for about 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through.
You may also want to spray the air fryer basket with nonstick spray. Toss the chicken in the sauce after they’ve been fully cooked.
how to serve buffalo chicken
This buffalo chicken makes a great main dish for a busy weeknight. It goes really well with so many side dishes. Some of my favorites are:
- Air Fryer Baby Potatoes
- House Salad
- Baked Mac and Cheese
- Crack Green beans
- Boursin Mashed Potatoes
- Crispy Potato Wedges
FAQs for this buffalo chicken thigh recipe
In most cases, chicken becomes more tender as it cooks. It can reach a point where overcooking it can cause it to be dry though.
Buffalo chicken refers to the flavor of chicken using the signature Buffalo sauce. It’s a spicy and tangy sauce that’s typically a combination of hot sauce, butter, and seasonings.
more buffalo chicken recipes you might like
- Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Dip
- Buffalo Chicken Sliders with Hawaiian Rolls
- Garlic Butter Chicken Wings
- Boneless Buffalo Chicken Wings
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Buffalo Chicken Thigh Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken thighs trimmed of excess fat
- 1 teaspoon coarse kosher or sea salt
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 2 tablespoons avocado oil
- 1 cup buffalo sauce
- 1/4 cup ranch or blue cheese dressing
- 1/4 cup blue cheese or gorgonzola crumbles optional
Instructions
- Season both sides of the chicken thighs with the salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder making sure all sides are coated.
- Add the avocado oil to a large skillet and heat over medium heat.
- Once the oil is hot, add the chicken thighs.
- Cook about 5 minutes and flip them.
- Let them sear for about 1 minute and then pour in the buffalo sauce.
- Continue to cook them until the internal temperature reaches 165ºF, about 5 more minutes.
- Remove from the heat.
- Turn the thighs to coat on all sides.
- Drizzle with the ranch dressing and sprinkle with blue cheese. Enjoy!
Video
Notes
- Be sure the oil is hot when adding your chicken to get a nice sear on the outside.
- Trimming the excess fat from the chicken thighs helps to avoid the undesirable texture that can sometimes happen with chicken thighs.
- You can serve these up just like wings with the classic sides of celery and carrot sticks.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
