Easy Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Breast Spice Up Your Dinner

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These air fryer buffalo chicken breasts are the perfect way to satisfy your craving for that classic buffalo wing flavor without all the mess and guilt. You get juicy, tender chicken breasts coated in a crispy, spicy crust – it’s like a game day dream come true!

Sliced buffalo chicken with blue cheese, celery sticks, broccoli, and a dip on a plate.

I’ve loved buffalo wings since college. Late-night study sessions were often fueled by takeout wings and celery sticks! But as I got older (and wiser), I realized I could enjoy those same bold flavors in a healthier, more grown-up way, like these air fryer buffalo chicken breasts.

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The air fryer works some serious magic on the chicken. It gives you a golden-brown exterior without all the oil and mess of deep frying. Plus, by using lean chicken breasts instead of wings, you get a protein-packed meal that’s lower in fat and calories but still has that delicious Buffalo wing flavor!

It cooks super fast, too, although you do have to allow some time to marinate the chicken. And if you’re worried about the spice level, don’t be! By making these at home, you can easily adjust the amount of buffalo sauce to suit your tastes.

In this post, I’ll walk you through the simple steps for marinating and air frying your chicken. I’ll also share some creative serving ideas and answer your questions so you can experience the bold, spicy flavors of buffalo chicken in a new way.

Are you looking for more air fryer chicken dinner ideas? Try air fryer ranch chicken, air fryer peri peri chicken, or air fryer chicken tenders without breading.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Read my disclosure policy.

🥘Ingredient Notes

For exact amounts needed see the recipe card below

  • Boneless chicken breasts: I like to use chicken breasts for this recipe because they’re lean, healthy, and cook up quickly in the air fryer. Plus, they absorb the flavors of the marinade beautifully.
  • Buffalo wing sauce: I use Frank’s Red Hot wing sauce for this recipe, but you can use your favorite. 
  • Honey: Honey helps to balance out the spice and adds a touch of sweetness.
  • Garlic powder
  • Oil
  • Salt
  • Black pepper
Ingredients for buffalo chicken: raw boneless chicken breasts on a plate, with bowls of buffalo wing sauce, honey, garlic powder, oil, black pepper, and salt on a marble surface.

🥣How to Make Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Breasts

  1. First, cut your chicken breasts in half lengthwise to create two thinner pieces. This will help them cook more quickly and evenly in the air fryer.
  2. Combine the buffalo wing sauce, honey, garlic powder, oil, salt, and black pepper in a large bowl. Whisk everything together until well combined and smooth.
  3. Add the chicken breast halves to the bowl with the marinade and toss to coat evenly. Refrigerate for 1 hour.
  4. When you’re ready to cook, place the marinated chicken breast halves in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure they’re not touching or overlapping. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the chicken in batches.
  5. Air fry the chicken for 10-12 minutes at 380 degrees F until it’s cooked through and the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F. The exact cooking time will depend on the thickness of your chicken breasts and the power of your air fryer, so keep an eye on it and adjust as needed.
  6. Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the air fryer and brush it with additional buffalo sauce for an extra kick of flavor.
A bowl containing hot sauce, oil, salt, black pepper, and garlic powder mixed together.
Combine marinating ingredients.
Raw chicken pieces marinated in a red sauce with black pepper, in a glass bowl with a wooden spoon.
Add chicken and marinate.
Marinated chicken breast placed in an air fryer basket, ready for cooking.
Before air frying.
Cooked chicken breast with a glazed surface placed on a perforated tray.
After air frying.

🍴Serving Ideas

This spicy, flavorful air fryer buffalo chicken breast is incredibly versatile and can be enjoyed in many ways. For a main dish, sprinkle the chicken with crumbled blue cheese and serve it with your favorite sides, like a simple salad or some roasted veggies.

It is also great served on a crisp, cool lettuce bed for a satisfying salad. I like to mix up a quick ranch or homemade blue cheese dressing to drizzle over the top and add some diced celery and carrots for crunch.

Another fun way to enjoy this chicken is as a filling for tacos or wraps. Simply slice or chop the chicken into bite-sized pieces and pile it into soft tortillas or lettuce wraps along with your favorite toppings. 

If you’re in the mood for a classic buffalo chicken sandwich, this Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken is the perfect base. Simply toast up some buns, add a layer of crisp lettuce, and pile on the sliced buffalo chicken.

Grilled chicken breast with buffalo sauce and blue cheese crumbles, served with celery sticks and broccoli.

💭How to Store

Place any leftover cooled chicken in an airtight container or resealable plastic bag. Store the chicken in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. When you’re ready to reheat, simply place the chicken in the air fryer or oven at 350 degrees F for a few minutes until it’s heated through and crispy again.

If you want to freeze your leftover buffalo chicken, place it in a freezer-safe container or bag and freeze for up to 2-3 months. When you’re ready to eat, thaw the chicken in the refrigerator overnight, then reheat it in the air fryer or oven as described above.

Grilled chicken breast topped with crumbled cheese on a plate, served with celery stalks and broccoli florets.

⭐Tips

Be sure to check out the step by step instructions

  • To get a crispy exterior and juicy interior, you need to make sure there’s plenty of space for the hot air to circulate around each piece of chicken, so don’t crowd the basket.
  • Use a meat thermometer to check for doneness. While the cooking times in this recipe are a good guideline, the actual time may vary depending on the size and thickness of your chicken breasts and the power of your air fryer.
  • Customize the level of heat to your liking. If you’re a fan of spicy food, feel free to add more buffalo sauce or even a pinch of cayenne pepper to the marinade to really kick things up a notch. On the other hand, if you prefer a milder flavor, you can use a bit less buffalo sauce or swap it out for a milder hot sauce instead.

📝Reader Questions

Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts?

Absolutely! Chicken thighs would work great in this recipe. Thighs may take a bit longer to cook through, so be sure to use a meat thermometer to check for doneness.

Can I make this recipe in a regular oven if I don’t have an air fryer?

Yes, you can definitely make this buffalo chicken in a regular oven if you don’t have an air fryer. Simply preheat your oven to 400 degrees F, place the marinated chicken on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone mat, and bake for 20-25 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F.

How spicy is this buffalo chicken?

The level of spice in this buffalo chicken will depend on the brand of buffalo sauce you use and how much you add to the marinade. Most store-bought buffalo sauces are pretty spicy but not overwhelmingly so. If you’re sensitive to heat, start with a bit less sauce and add more to taste.

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Grilled chicken breast with buffalo sauce and blue cheese crumbles, served with celery sticks and broccoli.
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Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Breasts

Published By Anne
Satisfy your craving for buffalo wing flavor with this easy air fryer buffalo chicken breast recipe. Learn how to make crispy, juicy, and spicy chicken breasts in your air fryer.
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time10 minutes
Marinate Time1 hour
Total Time1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 4
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Ingredients
 

  • 2 chicken breasts boneless
  • cup buffalo wing sauce
  • 1 tablespoons honey
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 tablespoons oil
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper

For serving (optional)

  • ¼ cup buffalo wing sauce
  • 2 tablespoons blue cheese

Instructions

  • Slice the chicken breast in half lengthwise so you have 2 thinner pieces.
    2 chicken breasts
  • Mix the buffalo wing sauce, honey, garlic powder, oil, salt, and pepper in a large bowl. Stir well, then add the chicken pieces and let them marinate in the fridge for 1 hour.
    ⅓ cup buffalo wing sauce, 1 tablespoons honey, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 tablespoons oil, 1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • Put the chicken pieces in a single layer in the air fryer. Air fry at 380 degrees F for 10-12 minutes.
  • Use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken has reached 165 degrees F internally.
  • Brush the chicken with more Buffalo wing sauce and garnish with blue cheese if desired.
    ¼ cup buffalo wing sauce, 2 tablespoons blue cheese

Notes

  • Use a meat thermometer to check for doneness. While the cooking times in this recipe are a good guideline, the actual time may vary depending on the size and thickness of your chicken breasts and the power of your air fryer.
  • Customize the level of heat to your liking. If you’re a fan of spicy food, feel free to add more buffalo sauce or even a pinch of cayenne pepper to the marinade to really kick things up a notch. On the other hand, if you prefer a milder flavor, you can use a bit less buffalo sauce or swap it out for a milder hot sauce instead.
  • Chicken thighs would work great in this recipe. Thighs may take a bit longer to cook through, so be sure to use a meat thermometer to check for doneness.

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Nutrition Information

Calories: 191kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 25g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.03g | Cholesterol: 75mg | Sodium: 1827mg | Potassium: 442mg | Fiber: 0.1g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 62IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 27mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutrition facts are estimates.

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A plate with a piece of grilled chicken topped with crumbled cheese, broccoli florets, celery sticks, and a small bowl of dipping sauce.
anne

Hi, I’m Anne!

I love to cook and I want to share my recipes with you. I believe cooking should be approachable and fun, not a chore. I want to make simple recipes using everyday ingredients that you can make again and again, whether it is for a busy weeknight, a summer cookout or a special dessert. Read more...

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