Busy nights call for quick, easy meals, such as this Buffalo Chicken Recipe. It is big on flavor and short on preparation and cooking time.
What do you do when you have little time to cook but don’t want to settle for takeout or frozen food? You turn to this incredible Buffalo chicken recipe to get dinner on the table in less than 30 minutes!
Everyone loves spicy chicken, and with this recipe, you can control the amount of heat by using your family’s favorite hot sauce. It is easy for those who like it “HOT” to add a few dashes of their chosen sauce to the finished recipe. Plus, in the twenty minutes your chicken is cooking, you can throw together a quick salad or some veggies for a filling and tasty dinner.
There’s So Much to Love About This Buffalo Chicken Recipe
There are many reasons why I love making this Buffalo chicken recipe. The first is that although it calls for boneless, skinless chicken breasts, I have also used chicken thighs, wings, and drumsticks, all of which have turned out great. I adjust the cooking time based on the type of poultry being used. Use a poultry or meat thermometer to ensure the chicken reaches the ideal internal temperature of 165˚ F.
One of the reasons I adore this spicy chicken recipe is its versatility. Once it’s cooked, you can serve it in so many ways. The possibilities are endless, whether wrapping it in tortillas for a quick taco or burrito dinner or slicing it up to add to Spanish rice and beans. Let your imagination run wild!
A Healthy Way to Enjoy Buffalo Chicken
Unlike some recipes, which call for dredging the chicken in flour and deep-frying it, this Buffalo chicken recipe is baked in the oven. The only fat comes from the 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter; you do not need any oil and can substitute your favorite buttery spread if you want to keep it dairy-free.
When making this recipe with full-size chicken breasts, I use an 11 x 8-inch baking pan or casserole dish. When I only use 4 thighs, a square baking dish works fine. Remember to spray the cooking dish with non-stick cooking spray to make cleanup a breeze.
How to Make Ahead and Store?
I often marinate my chicken overnight, and this recipe infuses the chicken with lots of flavor. Pour the sauce over the chicken in the baking dish, cover, and refrigerate for no more than 24 hours before baking. Then, bake as directed.
If there are any leftovers, they can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 3 months in an airtight container. You can double or triple this recipe for a crowd or freeze it in individual meal portions for future use.
Serving Suggestions
One of my favorite side dishes to serve with this Buffalo chicken is this Easy Cheesy Mexican Rice. It takes only 5 minutes to prepare and the same 20 minutes to cook as the chicken. It is the perfect complement to the meal. Complete your meal with our Easy Homemade Refried Beans recipe, which takes 10 minutes to prepare and another 10 minutes to cook. How perfect is that?
If you have time to preplan your dessert, I highly recommend making Tres Leches Cake the day before you serve your spicy chicken dinner. It is the perfect ending to a tasty and filling meal.
Buffalo Chicken
Ingredients
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1/2 cup hot sauce
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter melted
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt to taste
- Ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F.
- In a small bowl, combine the hot sauce, melted butter, garlic powder, paprika, and onion powder. Mix well.
- Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper, then place them in a baking dish.
- Pour the hot sauce mixture over the chicken, making sure each piece is well coated.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes before slicing.
- Serve hot, garnished with extra hot sauce if desired.
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