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.
I cook the chicken first, then toss it with the Buffalo sauce and melted butter after it comes out of the air fryer. The hot chicken picks up plenty of flavor without leaving a wet layer of sauce in the basket.
I also use chicken breasts that are close in size whenever possible. 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 and exact measurements in the recipe card 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 spray: A light spray helps the seasonings stick and keeps the outside from looking dry. You only need enough to lightly coat the chicken.
- Buffalo sauce: Use your favorite mild, medium, or hot Buffalo sauce.
- Unsalted butter: Mixing melted butter with the Buffalo sauce rounds out the heat and gives the sauce a richer finish.
Tools used to make the recipe.
"As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases"
How to make air fryer buffalo chicken breast
Season the chicken:Pat the chicken breasts dry and lightly spray them with olive oil. Season both sides with garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
Air Fry: Arrange the chicken breasts in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Air fry at 380°F for about 20 minutes, turning halfway through, or until each chicken breast reaches 165°F in the thickest part.
Serving:While the chicken cooks, whisk together the Buffalo sauce and melted butter. Transfer the cooked chicken to a clean bowl and toss it with the Buffalo sauce mixture. Let it rest for 5 minutes before slicing and serving. Serve and enjoy
Recipe tips
- Pat the chicken dry before seasoning.
- Use chicken breasts that are close in size so they finish around the same time.
- Leave space between the pieces in the basket.
- Turn the chicken halfway through cooking.
- Check each breast in the thickest part and remove it when it reaches 165°F.
- Toss the cooked chicken with the Buffalo sauce while it is still hot.
- Let the chicken rest before slicing.
- The sauce can affect texture, which is why sometimes chicken isn't crispy in the air fryer.
Make It a Meal
Classic Buffalo dinner: Serve the chicken with baby potatoes, green beans, carrots, or cauliflower.
Buffalo chicken wrap: Slice the chicken and add lettuce, ranch or blue cheese dressing, and any crunchy vegetables you like.
Easy bowl: Serve it over rice with vegetables, avocado, and an extra drizzle of Buffalo sauce.
Fresh dinner: Slice the chicken over a salad with cucumbers, tomatoes, carrots, and ranch or blue cheese dressing.
Meal prep: Pack the cooled chicken with rice, potatoes, or vegetables for easy lunches.
How to Store and Reheat Buffalo Chicken
Store leftover Buffalo chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days or freeze it for up to 4 months.
Reheat it in the air fryer at 350°F for a few minutes, just until hot. Start checking early because sliced or smaller pieces warm quickly and can dry out when reheated too long.
Thaw frozen chicken overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
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.
Toss the chicken with the Buffalo sauce and melted butter after it comes out of the air fryer. The hot chicken picks up plenty of flavor, and the sauce stays out of the basket.
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
Please, do not forget to subscribe and follow us on Instagram and Pinterest. for more healthy recipes and ideas. Thank you for reading Enjoy Clean Eating!
Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Breast Recipe
This air fryer Buffalo chicken breast gives you bold, buttery Buffalo flavor without breading or complicated steps. Serve it in wraps, salads, rice bowls, sandwiches, or as 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
- Pat the chicken breasts dry and lightly spray them with olive oil. Season both sides with garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Arrange the chicken breasts in the air fryer basket in a single layer.
- Air fry at 380°F for 20 minutes, turning halfway through, or until each chicken breast reaches 165°F in the thickest part.
- Meanwhile, whisk together the Buffalo sauce and melted butter.
- Transfer the cooked chicken to a clean bowl and toss it with the Buffalo sauce mixture.
- Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before slicing. Serve with blue cheese dressing, if desired. Enjoy!
Notes
- Use chicken breasts that are close in size.
- Leave space between the pieces in the basket.
- Check each chicken breast individually and remove it when the thickest part reaches 165°F.
- Thicker chicken breasts may need a few extra minutes.
- Toss the chicken with the Buffalo sauce while it is still hot.
- Let the chicken rest before slicing.
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.
