This air fryer buffalo chicken breast is an easy way to make a flavorful chicken dinner without breading or extra steps. The chicken stays juicy, and the buffalo sauce adds plenty of flavor for wraps, salads, bowls, or an easy weeknight meal.
Buffalo chicken is often associated with wings and breaded recipes, but chicken breast works just as well. Keeping the chicken simple lets the buffalo flavor stand out without making dinner more complicated.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Juicy chicken with bold buffalo flavor
- No breading or complicated steps
- Easy for quick dinners or meal prep
- Works for wraps, bowls, salads, or sandwiches
- A simple way to make buffalo chicken without deep frying
Why This Buffalo Chicken Breast Recipe Works
Buffalo chicken gets most of its flavor from the sauce, so there is no need for breading or a long ingredient list. The chicken stays simple, and the buffalo sauce does the heavy lifting.
I season the chicken first and cook it until it is almost done before adding the buffalo sauce. That way the chicken keeps its texture while still getting plenty of buffalo flavor.
I also like using chicken breasts that are close in size because they cook more evenly and make dinner easier to time.
Ingredients you'll need to make boneless buffalo chicken
**Find the full list of ingredients along with the recipe instructions down below**
Boneless, skinless chicken breasts. I like using chicken breasts that are close in size so they cook more evenly. If one piece is much thicker than the others, it will usually need more time.
Garlic powder, salt, and pepper. These simple seasonings give the chicken flavor before the buffalo sauce goes on. You can also add onion powder if you like.
Olive oil. A little oil helps the seasonings stick to the chicken and keeps the outside from drying out.
Buffalo sauce. Buffalo sauce is where most of the flavor comes from in this recipe. I use a classic buffalo sauce made with hot sauce and butter, but you can use your favorite brand.
Unsalted butter, melted. The butter helps balance the heat from the buffalo sauce and gives it a richer flavor.
Tools used to make the recipe.
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How to make air fryer buffalo chicken breast
Season the chicken: In a medium bowl, add the chicken breasts, garlic powder, salt, and pepper to taste.
Air Fry: Arrange the chicken breasts in the air fryer basket in a single layer and air fry to 380ºF for 10 minutes on each side or until an instant meat thermometer inserted in the thickest part registers 165ºF.
Serving: Meanwhile, whisk together the buffalo sauce and melted butter and set aside until the chicken is done cooking. Toss the chicken breast in the buffalo sauce, and let it rest on a clean cutting board for 5 minutes before slicing. Serve and enjoy
Recipe tips
- Pat the chicken dry first. A drier surface helps the chicken cook better in the air fryer.
- Use chicken breasts that are close in size. They cook more evenly and finish around the same time.
- Flip the chicken halfway through cooking. This helps both sides cook more evenly.
- Add the buffalo sauce near the end. The chicken should do most of the cooking before the sauce goes on.
- Check the thickest piece first. I use an instant meat thermometer and cook the chicken until it reaches 165°F.
- The sauce can affect texture, which is why sometimes chicken isn't crispy in the air fryer.
What to Serve With Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Breast
Buffalo chicken has plenty of flavor on its own, so I usually keep the sides simple.
Good options include:
- Air Fryer Baby Potatoes
- Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes
- Air Fryer Green Beans
- Air Fryer Cauliflower
- A simple side salad
- Rice bowls with vegetables
- Wraps with lettuce and ranch or blue cheese dressing
This air fryer buffalo chicken breast also works well sliced over salads, tucked into wraps, or added to meal prep bowls.
How long is buffalo chicken good for
Leftover buffalo chicken air fryer will keep in the fridge for 3-4 days as long as the temperature is 40°F or less and in the freezer for up to four months.
How to reheat buffalo chicken in air fryer
Begin by preheating the air fryer to 350°F. Once it's hot, place the chicken in the basket and heat for 2-3 minutes on each side.
Use a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the meat to check for a safe internal temperature of 165°F before serving.
FAQ'S
Yes. This recipe does not use breading or flour. The buffalo sauce provides most of the flavor, so the chicken stays simple and easy to make.
Buffalo chicken usually has a little heat because buffalo sauce is made with hot sauce. You can make it milder by using a mild buffalo sauce or adding less sauce.
Near the end of cooking. This lets the chicken cook through while still picking up plenty of buffalo flavor.
Buffalo sauce adds moisture to the outside of the chicken. If you want better texture, let the chicken do most of the cooking before adding the sauce.
Yes. If you marinate the chicken, remove any excess sauce before cooking so the outside is not overly wet.
Yes. Store it in an airtight container and freeze it for up to 4 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Slice or shred it for wraps, salads, rice bowls, sandwiches, or meal prep lunches.
More Buffalo Recipes
- Air Fryer Buffalo Shrimp
- Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower
- Buffalo Chicken Thighs Air Fryer
- Buffalo Chicken Drumsticks Air Fryer
- Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Tenders
- Buffalo Chicken Meatballs Air Fryer
More air fryer chicken breast recipe
- Air fryer pecan crusted chicken
- Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast Air Fryer
- Air fryer Marinated Chicken Breast
- Air Fryer Grilled Chicken Breast
- Easy Lemon Pepper Chicken Breast Air Fryer
- BBQ Chicken Breast in the Air Fryer
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Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Breast Recipe
This air fryer buffalo chicken breast is an easy way to get bold buffalo flavor without breading or complicated steps. The chicken stays juicy and works well for wraps, salads, bowls, or an easy weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
- 2 (10 ounces) boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Oil sprayer bottle with olive oil
- 1 cup hot sauce buffalo style
- 2 Tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- Blue cheese dressing to serve, optional
Instructions
In a medium bowl, add the chicken breasts, garlic powder, salt, and pepper to taste. Arrange the chicken breasts in the air fryer basket in a single layer and air fry to 380°F for 10 minutes on each side or until an instant meat thermometer inserted in the thickest part registers 165°F.
Meanwhile, whisk together the buffalo sauce and melted butter, and set aside until the chicken is done cooking. Toss the chicken breast in the buffalo sauce, and let it rest on a clean cutting board for 5 minutes before slicing. Serve and enjoy.
Notes
- Pat the chicken dry before seasoning.
- Leave a little space between the chicken breasts so they cook more evenly.
- Add the buffalo sauce near the end of cooking.
- Check the thickest part with an instant meat thermometer. Chicken is ready when it reaches 165°F.
- Let the chicken rest for a few minutes before slicing.
- Chicken breasts that are thicker may need a few extra minutes of cooking time.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 3 Serving Size: 6 ozAmount Per Serving: Calories: 329Total Fat: 26gSaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 16gCholesterol: 80mgSodium: 204mgCarbohydrates: 4gFiber: 1gSugar: 2gProtein: 20g
Please keep in mind that the nutritional information is calculated using a nutrition facts calculator. It is a rough estimate and can vary significantly based on products used. When the recipe list salt to taste the amount of salt is not calculated, only the sodium in the other ingredients is calculated.
