Recipe Highlights: Why You’ll Love These Buffalo Chicken Thighs

• Ultimate Game Day Recipe: These substantial chicken thighs are much more filling and easier to manage than traditional wings, making them the perfect centerpiece for your next game day spread. They offer a hearty meal that’s sure to satisfy a crowd, combining robust flavor with satisfying portions.
• Achieve Crispy Buffalo Chicken Thighs Every Time: Say goodbye to soggy chicken skin! By utilizing bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs and a clever baking powder technique (just like crispy chicken wings), we ensure an incredibly crispy, golden-brown skin straight from your oven. This method locks in moisture while creating that desirable crunch.
• Naturally Low Carb and Flavor-Packed: For those mindful of their carbohydrate intake, this recipe is a dream come true. It’s an easy, low-carb chicken thigh recipe that doesn’t compromise on flavor. You get all the bold, spicy taste of classic buffalo, making it a delicious choice for a healthier lifestyle.
• Simple, Homemade Buffalo Sauce: Crafted with just a few pantry staples – cayenne pepper hot sauce, butter, Worcestershire sauce, and garlic powder – our homemade buffalo sauce comes together in minutes. It’s perfectly balanced with the right amount of heat and tang, allowing you to control the spice level to your preference.
• Versatile Serving Options: Whether you prefer them as a main course with hearty sides or as a star appetizer with cooling dips and fresh veggies, these buffalo chicken thighs are incredibly versatile. They adapt beautifully to various meal plans and dietary preferences.

Essential Ingredients for Perfect Buffalo Chicken Thighs

You’ll be pleased to find that most of the ingredients needed for these delicious buffalo chicken thighs are likely already in your pantry. We focus on quality staples to bring out the best in this recipe.

• Chicken Thighs: We highly recommend using bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs. The bone helps retain moisture, while the skin crisps up beautifully in the oven, adding incredible flavor and texture.
• Baking Powder: This might seem unusual, but a small amount of baking powder is crucial for achieving that extra-crispy skin, much like you’d find on perfectly cooked chicken wings. It raises the pH level on the chicken surface, allowing it to brown and crisp more effectively.
• Salt and Pepper: Essential seasonings to enhance the natural flavors of the chicken and create a delicious base before the buffalo sauce is added.
• Olive Oil: A light drizzle of olive oil further aids in crisping the chicken skin and helps the seasonings adhere evenly.
• Butter: The foundation of any good buffalo sauce! Unsalted butter is preferred to control the overall saltiness of the sauce. It adds richness and mellows the heat of the hot sauce.
• Hot Sauce: For an authentic buffalo flavor, Frank’s RedHot Original hot sauce is the go-to choice. Its distinctive cayenne pepper flavor is a hallmark of classic buffalo recipes. (See Substitution notes below for alternatives).
• Worcestershire Sauce: This ingredient adds a subtle yet complex tanginess and umami depth to the buffalo sauce, making it more rounded and savory.
• Garlic Powder: A staple in any classic wing sauce, garlic powder provides a warm, aromatic flavor that perfectly complements the spice and butter.

For exact measurements and specific quantities, please refer to the detailed recipe card further down.

Smart Substitutions for Your Buffalo Chicken Thighs Recipe

This buffalo chicken thighs recipe is designed to be straightforward, but I understand that sometimes substitutions are necessary. Here are answers to some common questions about ingredient swaps:

• Baking Powder (Important Note): It’s critical to use baking powder, NOT baking soda, for this recipe. Baking powder contains an acid that reacts with the chicken’s surface, creating tiny air bubbles that lead to an incredibly crispy skin when baked. If you don’t have baking powder, it’s best to simply omit this ingredient rather than attempting a replacement; baking soda will not yield the same crisping effect and can impart an unpleasant metallic taste.
• Hot Pepper Sauce: This recipe traditionally calls for Frank’s RedHot Original because its cayenne pepper base is the foundation of classic buffalo flavor. Frank’s measures around 450 SHUs (Scoville Heat Units). While Frank’s also offers a pre-made “buffalo wing sauce,” be aware that it often contains “natural butter-type flavor” and garlic powder. If you opt for their dedicated wing sauce, you should omit additional butter and garlic powder from our recipe to prevent overpowering flavors. Other suitable cayenne-based hot sauces include Original Louisiana Hot Sauce (also around 450 SHUs) or Texas Pete’s Original Hot Sauce (a bit spicier at 740 SHUs). Choose according to your preferred heat level.
• Chicken Type: This recipe is specifically developed for bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs to maximize crispiness and juiciness. If you opt for boneless, skinless chicken thighs, you can skip the baking powder entirely as there’s no skin to crisp. Additionally, significantly reduce the cooking time to about 20 minutes, always checking for an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) with a meat thermometer to ensure they are safely cooked. For chicken breasts, the cooking method will differ; consider a dedicated buffalo chicken breast recipe for best results, as breasts tend to dry out more easily.
• Butter: Any type of unsalted butter or a butter-style spread can be used for the sauce. However, real butter provides the richest flavor and best emulsification with the hot sauce.
• Garlic Powder: While garlic powder is preferred for its classic buffalo flavor, onion powder can be used in a pinch as a substitute to provide an aromatic base, though the flavor profile will be slightly different.

How to Adjust Your Buffalo Sauce to a Milder Heat Level

Frank’s RedHot, the recommended hot sauce, is relatively mild on the Scoville scale at 450 SHUs, providing the classic medium heat of buffalo chicken. However, if you or your guests prefer your buffalo chicken thighs on the milder side, you can easily adjust the sauce’s intensity:

• Reduce Hot Pepper Sauce: The simplest method is to reduce the amount of hot pepper sauce by half (or even more, depending on your preference) and compensate with extra butter or a neutral liquid like water or chicken broth to maintain volume.
• Add Tomato Sauce: Stir in 1-2 tablespoons of plain tomato sauce (not pasta sauce, which contains herbs and spices). Tomato sauce adds a touch of sweetness and body, effectively diluting the heat without compromising the classic flavor too much. You can find canned tomato sauce in the same aisle as diced and crushed tomatoes.
• Incorporate Sugar: A small amount, about ½ to 1 teaspoon of granulated sugar or brown sugar, can help balance the heat and acidity, adding a pleasant sweetness that cuts through the spice.

You could also look for a premade mild wing sauce, but always check the label, as heat level ratings can sometimes be inconsistent or unclear among brands.

Recommended Equipment for This Recipe

Having the right tools can make preparing these buffalo chicken thighs even easier and more enjoyable. Here’s what you’ll need:

• Baking Sheet/Sheet Pan: A sturdy baking sheet is essential for even cooking and crisping. While I use a quarter sheet due to my smaller oven, most standard ovens can accommodate a half sheet, which is great if you’re cooking for a larger group or want extra space between the thighs for maximum crispiness.
• Parchment Paper: Using pre-cut parchment paper is a game-changer for easy cleanup. It prevents the chicken from sticking to the pan and makes transfer effortless.
• Basting Brush: While optional, a silicone basting brush allows for precise and even coating of the buffalo sauce. Alternatively, you can simply pour the sauce directly over the thighs or toss them in a large bowl.
• Small Saucepan: Necessary for melting the butter and whisking together the homemade buffalo sauce ingredients.
• Meat Thermometer: Crucial for ensuring the chicken reaches a safe internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) without overcooking.

Storage and Reheating Tips for Leftover Buffalo Chicken Thighs

Proper storage is key to enjoying your delicious buffalo chicken thighs for longer. Store any leftover chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days. For longer preservation, you can freeze them for up to 4 months.

Reheating Instructions:
To reheat, we recommend using an oven or air fryer to help maintain the crispy skin. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) or air fryer to 325°F (160°C). Place the thighs on a baking sheet (or in the air fryer basket) and heat for 10-15 minutes, or until thoroughly warmed through and the skin has re-crisped. Microwaving is an option for speed, but it will result in softer skin.

Achieving crispy skin is a common goal! Ensure you are using skin-on chicken thighs and that you thoroughly pat them dry with paper towels before seasoning. Moisture on the skin prevents crisping. The baking powder in the recipe is also essential, so do not omit it. Finally, when the chicken rests after baking, avoid covering it tightly, as the trapped steam will soften the beautifully crisped skin. Allow them to rest uncovered for a few minutes before saucing.

Yes, you can, but the method will vary slightly. With boneless, skinless thighs, you can skip the baking powder as there’s no skin to crisp. Reduce the baking time to approximately 20-25 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Keep in mind that boneless thighs may not be as juicy as their bone-in counterparts, and the texture will be different without the crispy skin.

If your sauce is too thin, it might be due to using too much hot sauce relative to butter, or the butter didn’t fully emulsify. You can gently heat it again and whisk vigorously, or add a tiny pinch of cornstarch slurry (1/2 tsp cornstarch mixed with 1 tsp cold water) and simmer briefly to thicken. If it’s too thick, simply add a tablespoon of hot sauce, melted butter, or even a splash of chicken broth to thin it to your desired consistency.

While this recipe is optimized for baking, you can adapt it for grilling or air frying. For air frying, follow similar seasoning steps, then air fry at 375°F (190°C) for about 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway, until crispy and cooked through. For grilling, the crispy skin might be harder to achieve. You could grill them until cooked, then toss in the buffalo sauce. Always ensure chicken reaches 165°F (74°C).

More Delicious Buffalo-Inspired Recipes

If you’ve fallen in love with this buffalo chicken thigh recipe and can’t get enough of that classic tangy heat, be sure to explore more of my buffalo-inspired creations!

• Buffalo Turkey Meatballs: A lighter, flavorful twist on buffalo, perfect as an appetizer or a main.
• Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken Dip: Creamy, cheesy, and spicy, made incredibly easy with the Instant Pot.
• Healthy Buffalo Chicken Dip: All the flavor you love, with a lighter touch.

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Buffalo Chicken Thighs