Spicy, tangy, and oh-so juicy, this buffalo chicken thighs air fryer recipe is a fabulous dinner option if you’re entertaining and want to impress - without spending all night in the kitchen!
You won’t believe how tender these buffalo chicken thighs air fryer are. They truly are a treat with meat that practically falls off the bone and a sticky coating of rich and spicy buffalo sauce.
Air fryer buffalo chicken thighs are much quicker to make than chicken thighs in the oven; you can have them prepared and cooked in half an hour. In addition, air frying guarantees a succulent finish with wonderfully crispy outside every time.
This recipe uses minimal ingredients readily available in your local grocery store. So, if you want quick and easy to make after a long day at work, these buffalo boneless chicken thighs are just what you’ve been looking for.
Ingredients for buffalo chicken thighs
**Find the full list of ingredients along with the recipe instructions at the end of this post**
Boneless, skinless chicken thighs: When buying chicken thighs, always look out for meat that is within the sell-by date and colored pink. Any chicken that has started to look a little gray is past its best.
Garlic and onion powder: These little beauties are the secret to most air fryer recipes, and they add depth and flavor to these air fryer spicy chicken thighs. You can use minced fresh onion and garlic if you don’t have the powder.
Hot sauce buffalo style: This is where you get to choose how spicy your chicken thighs are - use your favorite buffalo-style hot sauce, go for a hot version if you like spice and a mild version if you don’t.
Unsalted butter: Butter gives the buffalo sauce a smooth and silky texture. I always use unsalted butter because it means you can control the salt levels in your food.
Blue cheese or ranch salad dressing: Optional but delicious with air-fried buffalo chicken thighs!
Celery and carrot sticks: Again, optional, but fantastic for dipping in buffalo sauce. You could also try a chopped apple.
Tools used to make the recipe.
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How to make buffalo chicken thighs in the air fryer?
First, In a large bowl, add the chicken thighs, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper to taste.
Next, Place the thighs in a single layer in the air fryer basket and cook to 380ºF for 12 minutes on each side or until an instant meat thermometer registers 165ºF.
Then; Meanwhile, whisk together the buffalo sauce and melted butter, and set aside until the thighs are done cooking.
Finally, Toss the chicken thighs in the buffalo sauce, return to the air fryer basket and cook for 1-2 minutes. Serve with blue cheese or ranch salad dressing, carrots, and celery sticks if desired.
Recipe tips
- Use a whisk to combine the buffalo sauce and melted butter, adding extra air to the mixture, making it light and smooth. If you don’t have a whisk, a fork also works well.
- When you lay the chicken thighs in the air fryer, ensure a gap between them. The gap is important because it allows the hot air to flow freely so that the chicken cooks evenly and goes crispy on the outside.
- Store leftovers within two hours of cooking in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or in the freezer for 3 months.
How long to air fry spicy chicken thighs
You will need to air fry buffalo chicken thighs for around 12 minutes per side (or until a meat thermometer reaches 165°F) at 380°F.
Your air fryer model and the side of the chicken thighs can affect the cooking time, so using a meat thermometer is the best way to ensure that your chicken is neither over nor undercooked.
Sides for buffalo chicken thighs
- Air fryer cauliflower steaks
- Easy air fryer corn on the cob
- Simple air fryer sweet potato cubes
- Air fryer broccolini
How to reheat buffalo chicken thighs in an air fryer?
Heat your air fryer to 380°F, and lay the buffalo chicken thighs in air fryer basket. Heat for 6-8 minutes, flipping halfway through the cooking time. If you are reheating from frozen, increase the cooking time by 8-10 minutes.
Always use a meat thermometer to check for a safe internal temperature of 165°F before serving.
FAQ'S
Chicken thighs are an excellent source of lean protein. In addition, they contain more fat than chicken breast, so chicken thighs are often far more succulent!
Provided they are prepared in a healthy way, such as air frying or baking, chicken thighs can be an excellent addition to a balanced diet.
Yes! If you marinate air fryer buffalo boneless chicken thighs for up to eight hours before cooking, the flavors will soak into the meat, making it more tender.
Be careful not to marinate for longer than eight hours, though, as this can start to toughen the meat.
More Air Fryer Chicken Thighs Recipes You’ll Love
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Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Thighs
Air fryer buffalo chicken thighs are much quicker to make than chicken thighs in the oven; you can have them prepared and cooked in half an hour. In addition, air frying guarantees a succulent finish with wonderfully crispy outside every time.
Ingredients
- 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- ¾ cup hot sauce buffalo style
- 2 Tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- Blue cheese or ranch salad dressing, optional
- Celery and carrot sticks optional
Tools
Instructions
- In a large bowl, add the chicken thighs, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper to taste.
- Place the thighs in a single layer in the air fryer basket and cook to 380ºF for 12 minutes on each side or until an instant meat thermometer registers 165ºF.
- Meanwhile, whisk together the buffalo sauce and melted butter and set aside until the thighs are done cooking.
- Toss the chicken thighs in the buffalo sauce, return to the air fryer basket and cook for 1-2 minutes. Serve with blue cheese or ranch salad dressing, plus carrots and celery sticks if desired.
Notes
- Use a whisk to combine the buffalo sauce and melted butter, as it adds extra air to the mixture, making it light and smooth. If you don’t have a whisk, a fork also works well.
- When you lay the chicken thighs in the air fryer, ensure a gap between them. The gap is important because it allows the hot air to flow freely so that the chicken cooks evenly and goes crispy on the outside.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 595Total Fat: 36gSaturated Fat: 13gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 22gCholesterol: 317mgSodium: 683mgCarbohydrates: 8gFiber: 2gSugar: 3gProtein: 63g
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.