These 20-minute healthy air fryer buffalo chicken breasts are super moist and perfectly crisp; use store-bought or make your own buffalo sauce with three ingredients. An easy, high-protein weeknight dinner and meal prep!
The crispiest and juiciest air fryer buffalo chicken breasts
I love air frying chicken! Why? Well, it's always super moist and juicy, with the crispiest edges. Plus, you don't need oil, making air fryer recipes low in fat and healthier. I have so many air fryer chicken recipes on my blog. Besides this one, my favorites are these air fryer chicken thighs, air fryer chicken cutlets, and this air fryer BBQ chicken.
These air fryer buffalo chicken breasts are ranked #1 on Google for a reason. They are super moist and juicy with a crispy outside and crunchy edges. The buffalo sauce is caramelized, and each bite bursts with flavor.
Best of all, this buffalo chicken breast recipe is also so easy to prepare in under 20 minutes. It makes for a quick lunch, weeknight dinner, and a Gameday snack. I love to meal prep this recipe since it keeps well for up to 5 days in the fridge, and you can quickly reheat it in the microwave or air fryer.
If you are bored of plain old chicken breasts, try this FUN & FLAVORFUL air-fried buffalo chicken recipe. It's next-level delicious, high in protein, and healthy!
Why you'll love this air fryer recipe:
- So Crispy: No oil is needed for the crispiest buffalo chicken.
- High-Protein: This recipe has 48 grams of lean protein per serving.
- 4 Ingredients: You only need chicken breast, buffalo sauce, salt, and pepper.
- Healthy: A delicious guilt-free option everyone can enjoy!
- Quick and Easy: It's ready in under 20 minutes; a speedy recipe for busy individuals.
- Bold Flavors: Nailing the classic buffalo chicken taste with the perfect blend of spice and tang.
- Dairy-Free: Just use dairy-free buffalo sauce!
- Chicken Thighs: This recipe calls for chicken breast, but you can also use chicken thighs.
- Try these crispy and delicious air fryer BBQ chicken breasts next!
Ingredients needed
This delicious and crispy air fryer buffalo chicken recipe calls for four simple ingredients: chicken breasts, buffalo sauce, salt, and pepper. Here is a list of ingredients you'll need:
- Chicken Breasts: You need three medium-sized chicken breasts for this recipe. You can certainly use four if you can fit it inside your air fryer basket without overlapping.
- Buffalo Sauce: Use any brand you like. Personally, I am a huge fan of the no-oil, healthier Primal Kitchen brand. Frank's Buffalo Sauce is great, too, or you can make your own with hot sauce, paprika, and ghee or butter. I left a simple recipe in the recipe card below.
- Salt & Pepper: For seasoning!
Kitchen tools needed
I am all about simple recipes. Here are the four tools you need to make the best air-fryer buffalo chicken breasts:
- Air Fryer
- Shallow Mixing Bowl
- Tongs
- Measuring tools and cups
How to make air fryer buffalo chicken breast
These air fryer buffalo chicken breasts are easy to make in under 20 minutes. They are so crispy on the outside and super moist on the inside. No breading or oil is needed! Here are step-by-step instructions with pictures so that any level cook can make this recipe:
Step 1:
First, preheat your air fryer to 360°F and lightly grease the basket with olive oil or avocado spray.
Step 2:
Pat the chicken breasts dry with a paper towel and place them in a shallow bowl.
Step 3:
Pour ⅓ cup of buffalo sauce over the chicken and season with salt and pepper. Use kitchen tongs to flip the chicken breasts to ensure they are completely coated. Let marinate for 5 to 10 minutes.
Step 4:
Once the air fryer is heated, evenly space the chicken breasts into the basket, placing them breast side down (the smooth side).
Step 5:
Air fry for 10 minutes, flip with kitchen tongs and cook for another 3 - 5 minutes.
Step 6:
Finally, remove the chicken breasts from the air fryer and generously top them with the remaining 3 tablespoon or more buffalo sauce. Return to the air fryer and cook for another 2 - 3 minutes or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
Then, allow the chicken breasts to rest for 5 minutes before cutting and serving. Enjoy!
Expert recipe tips:
- Pat Your Chicken Dry: It's essential to pat the chicken breasts dry before seasoning. This ensures a crispy exterior after air frying.
- Smooth Side Down in Air Fryer: Arrange the chicken with the smooth side down in the air fryer. This promotes extra moisture retention, keeping the chicken juicy.
- Single Layer: Place chicken breasts in a single layer in the air fryer basket. This guarantees uniform cooking and optimal crispiness on all sides. NO OVERLAPPING!
- Rest for Juiciness: It's super important to allow the chicken to rest for around 5 minutes after air-frying before serving. This ensures extra juicy chicken!
- Use Chicken Thighs: You can also use chicken thighs. Just decrease the cooking time by 2 minutes and ensure the centers reach 165°F before enjoying.
- Make Homemade Buffalo Sauce: You can use store-bought or homemade buffalo sauce. I left a simple recipe below, which calls for hot sauce, paprika, and melted ghee or butter.
- Meal Prep: Air fryer buffalo chicken is perfect for meal prep since it keeps for up to 5 days in the fridge. Make a batch or two on a Sunday and enjoy all week long!
How to make 3 ingredient buffalo sauce from scratch:
If you do not have buffalo sauce, don't worry! You can make your own with three ingredients. Here is what you'll need for homemade buffalo sauce:
- Hot Sauce: ⅓ cu of Frank's Red Hot Sauce. But your favorite brand should work!
- Butter or Ghee: You will need 1 Tablespoon of melted butter or ghee (if you are dairy-free).
- Paprika: ½ a teaspoon of paprika adds a lot of flavor, making this the best buffalo sauce.
Just mix all the ingredients together, and BAM! You have a healthy, homemade buffalo sauce.
Why this air fryer buffalo chicken is healthy:
This air fryer buffalo chicken is healthy for a few reasons; here are my top four:
- High-Protien: It is packed with 48 grams of lean protein.
- No Oil: This recipe does not call for oil. It's made in your air fryer.
- Dairy-Free: Use dairy-free buffalo sauce to make this recipe 100% dairy-free.
- Simple Ingredients: This recipe has simple, wholesome ingredients. There are no preservatives or sugars!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use frozen chicken for air fryer buffalo chicken?
Yes, but remember to thaw the chicken before air frying for even cooking.
Can I use chicken thighs?
Yes! I recommend using boneless and skinless chicken thighs for this air fryer buffalo chicken recipe. Air fry for 10 minutes. Then, flip each chicken piece with tongs and an air fryer for 4 - 5 more until cooked through when the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
Can I use chicken tenders?
Yes! You can make this recipe into chicken tenders. All you need to do is cut the chicken into strips length-wise, coat them in buffalo sauce, and air fry them for 10 - 12 minutes.
What to serve with buffalo chicken?
Buffalo chicken goes well with so many things! I love enjoying mine with this healthy mac and cheese, high-protein buffalo chicken mac and cheese, or some simple roasted broccoli and brown rice. Try this cucumber carrot salad or kale crunch salad if you want something fresher. I love adding mine to salads as the protein!
Is this recipe keto?
Yes, this recipe is keto since there is no breading. Such a great low-carb recipe!
How do I prevent the chicken from drying out in the air fryer?
To prevent chicken from drying out in the air fryer, ensure you don't overcook it and use a marinade or coating to retain moisture during cooking. Additionally, periodically check the chicken's internal temperature to avoid overcooking.
Can I freeze cooked buffalo chicken?
Yes! You can freeze cooked buffalo chicken in any freezer-safe bag or container for up to 2 months. Once you are ready to enjoy, thaw overnight in the refrigerator or at room temperature for a few hours. To reheat, place back in the air fryer for 5 - 8 minutes until warm or microwave-wrapped in a damp paper towel for 20 - 30 seconds.
How to store and reheat buffalo chicken:
Storing: Let the cooked buffalo chicken breast come to room temperature, then place it in an airtight container. Store in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Reheating: For best results, reheat the buffalo chicken in the air fryer for 5 - 8 minutes until warm. Alternatively, you can microwave it wrapped in a damp paper towel for 20 - 30 seconds.
If you loved this recipe, try these air fryer recipes next!
- Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Breasts
- Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
- Air Fryer Turkey Burgers
- Air Fryer Chicken Meatballs
- Hot Honey Chicken Tenders
- Air Fryer Chicken Sausages
- Air Fryer Teriyaki Chicken
- Air Fryer Chicken Thighs
- Air Fryer Chicken Cutlets
Did you make this recipe?
If you make this recipe, be sure to comment and rate it down below. Also, don't forget to tag me @healthfulblondie on Instagram and use the hashtag #healthfulblondie so I can see your delicious creation and share it with my followers!
📖 Recipe
Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken
Ingredients
- 3 medium chicken breasts, skinless and boneless
- ⅓ cup + 3 tablespoon buffalo sauce*, e.g., Primal Kitchen, plus more for serving
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- Avocado or olive oil cooking spray
Homemade Buffalo Sauce:
- ½ cup Frank's Red Hot Sauce
- 1 tablespoon melted butter or ghee
- ½ teaspoon paprika
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 360°F and lightly grease the basket with olive oil or avocado spray.
- Pat the chicken breasts dry with a paper towel and place them in a shallow bowl.
- Pour ⅓ cup of buffalo sauce over the chicken and season with salt and pepper. Use kitchen tongs to flip the chicken breasts to ensure they are completely coated. Let marinate for 5 to 10 minutes.
- Once the air fryer is heated, evenly space out the chicken breasts into the basket, placing them breast side down (the smooth side).
- Air fry for 10 minutes, then flip with kitchen tongs and cook for another 3 - 5 minutes.
- Remove the chicken breasts from the air fryer and generously top them with the remaining 3 tablespoon or more of buffalo sauce. Return to the air fryer and cook for another 2 - 3 minutes or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Allow the chicken breasts to rest for 5 minutes before cutting and serving. Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
I only recommend products I love and use myself. In full disclosure, I may receive a small compensation for purchasing a product I recommend. Thank you for supporting Healthful Blondie!
Sharing is caring!
Melissa says
Ok, I see it now. I made the mistake of not using the direct recipe part, but the written out.
Melissa Vogt says
Where does the butter and paprika happen? These are listed in picture and list of ingredients but no where to be found in steps.
Keara Palmay says
Super tasty and easy. The chicken came out perfect. Thanks for helping me find my new go-to lunch 🙂 The process only took me about 15 minutes total for making the sauce + flipping the chicken + checking its temperature.
Tati Chermayeff says
Hi! Thank you so much 🙂 so happy to hear that!
Dillian D says
I've been making these for the past few weeks as meal prep. They are just so good! I love my air fryer and this recipe is a MUST try!
ashleyisen says
I love the texture of this chicken dish! Best flavor and so many different things you can pair it with!
Max says
One of my favorites! The chicken is super juicy and tender. Plus I even made my own buffalo sauce like the recipe instructed and it tasted fantastic. Thank you!
Tati Chermayeff says
Thank you, Max! Happy you made your own sauce
Saskia Chermayeff says
So delicious!!!! 10/10 recommend
Tati Chermayeff says
Happy to hear this!