Bold and delicious buffalo chicken thighs in the air fryer are easy to make with just a handful of ingredients. Bone-in and skin-on thighs are quickly air fried to juicy and crisp perfection, then tossed in your favorite spicy buffalo sauce.In only 20 minutes you are ready to serve that classic chicken wing flavor you know and love as a satisfying main dish!
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If you need a protein that is tasty, meaty, easy to work with, and happens to be budget-friendly - look no further than chicken thighs. These dark meat pieces of chicken are ultra savory and juicy, and pair well with intense flavors. This recipe for spicy buffalo chicken thighs in the air fryer is a great example!
It starts simple enough... Bone-in and skin-on chicken thighs are seasoned with salt, pepper, and olive oil. There is no marinade or marinating time needed! Place the thighs directly in the basket, and in a quick 20 minutes the meat is cooked fork-tender with golden brown and crispy skin.
Now here comes the exciting part! The crispy thighs are tossed in a luscious combination of melted butter and your choice of buffalo wing sauce. The key is to coat them in the buttery buffalo sauce while still hot, so that every bit of chicken is evenly covered in deliciousness. It's hard to resist licking your fingers while you toss them!
The juiciness of the meat, crispiness of the chicken skin, and spiciness of the buffalo sauce is an irresistible combination. Just like the taste of classic buffalo chicken wings, but in even meatier pieces of chicken thighs... These are perfect to enjoy as fun and fiery dinner entree!
Recipe ingredients
- 4 Chicken Thighs: Chicken thighs are dark meat, so they're deliciously rich and fatty. This is perfect to balance the sharp heat from the buffalo sauce. Choose skin-on and bone-in thighs that are equal size so they cook evenly.
- Salt and Pepper: A generous sprinkle of both classic spices brings together all other ingredients. These two are practically a must-have for savory cooking!
- 1 tablespoon Olive Oil: Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO) has a buttery taste and is ideal for high heat cooking.
- ½ cup Buffalo Sauce: Use your favorite brand of hot sauce. Frank's RedHot is always a hit! Choose mild, regular, or extra spicy hot, depending on how much heat you like.
- 1 tablespoon Butter: Unsalted butter is best. Then you have more control over how much total salt goes in to the dish, and can add to taste instead.
- 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder: The earthy and savory notes of garlic helps to mellow the spiciness. So you still get that fire but with deeper flavor.
How to cook buffalo chicken thighs in air fryer
First, take 3 chicken thighs that have the skin on and bones in. Use some paper towels to pat them dry. This helps the seasoning stick better and makes the skin crispier. Next, sprinkle them with a bit of salt and pepper to taste. Once they're seasoned, lightly brush each thigh with olive oil. This helps to keep them moist while cooking and adds a bit of flavor.
Now, it's time to cook the chicken. Turn on your air fryer and set it to 380°F. Take the chicken thighs and place them in the air fryer basket, but make sure you lay them skin side down. This helps the skin get really crispy. Let them cook like this for 10 minutes.
After 10 minutes, open the air fryer and carefully flip each thigh over so the skin side is now up. Close the air fryer again and cook them for another 10 minutes, or until a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the chicken reads 165°F. This temperature ensures the chicken is cooked safely.
While the chicken is cooking, let's make the buffalo sauce. In a bowl, combine ½ cup of buffalo sauce with 1 tablespoon of melted butter and 1 teaspoon of garlic powder. Mix these together well. This sauce will give the chicken a spicy, tangy, and slightly garlicky flavor that's irresistible.
Once the chicken is fully cooked, take it out of the air fryer. Now, put the chicken in the bowl with the buffalo sauce mixture. Toss the chicken around in the sauce until each piece is well coated. This step adds a delicious layer of flavor to the crispy chicken.
And that's it! You've just made a tasty batch of buffalo chicken thighs using your air fryer. The outside is crispy, and the inside is tender and juicy, with a spicy kick from the buffalo sauce. Enjoy your meal!
Side dishes
Celery and Carrot Sticks: Fresh and crunchy, perfect for dipping in extra sauce or a cooling dip like ranch or blue cheese.
Coleslaw: A classic side that adds a crisp and creamy texture. Mix shredded cabbage and carrots with mayonnaise, vinegar, sugar, salt, and pepper.
Corn on the Cob: Sweet corn balances the heat of buffalo sauce. Boil or grill whole cobs and serve with butter.
Cucumber Salad: Thinly slice cucumbers and toss with vinegar, sugar, salt, and dill for a refreshing side.
Garlic Bread: Easy to make and great for soaking up extra sauce. Spread butter and minced garlic on bread and bake until golden.
Baked Beans: Warm and comforting, with a sweetness that complements the spicy chicken. Use canned for convenience, heated up with a little added BBQ sauce.
Potato Salad: Creamy and filling, it's a nice contrast to the spicy chicken. Mix boiled diced potatoes with mayonnaise, mustard, diced onion, and celery.
Leftovers and reheating
Store cooked air fryer buffalo chicken thighs in the air tight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. You can also freeze them for up to 6 months in the freezer safe container or bag.
Reheat in the air fryer or microwave until heated through but not dried out.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, I recommend that you flip the thighs. Start them skin-side down in the fry basket. Use tongs to flip the chicken right-side up about halfway through the cook time. Flipping chicken in the air fryer helps them to cook to an even temperature on all sides. And gets the skin extra crispy!
Chicken needs to reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees to be considered safe to eat. Stay within 165-170 for the most juicy and delicious thigh meat.
It is super important to pat the chicken thighs completely dry with a clean towel before seasoning. Even a little bit of water can result in soggy skin.
If you are still having issues with getting crispy chicken skin, check to be sure your air fryer is operating at the correct temperature.
Yes, traditional buffalo sauce does have a spicy kick. The base of the sauce is typically made with cayenne pepper. For reference, cayenne pepper is much spicier than jalapeno. And we love it!
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Hope you will like this buffalo chicken thighs air fryer recipe as much as we do. Rate this recipe if you made it and leave a comment below if you have any questions or suggestions.
Recipe
Buffalo Chicken Thighs in Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 3 chicken thighs skin-on, bone-in
- Salt and pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ cup buffalo sauce
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions
- Dry the chicken with paper towels. Season with salt and pepper, then brush with olive oil.
- Set air fryer to 380°F.
- Place chicken in the basket, skin down. Air fry for 10 minutes, then flip and air fry another 10 minutes or until internal temp is 165°F.
- Mix buffalo sauce, melted butter, and garlic powder.
- After cooking, toss the chicken in the sauce.
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