Buffalo chicken brings a bold flavor that hits the spot every time. It’s spicy, buttery, and tangy—perfect for a quick dinner, game day, or meal prep. If you love buffalo wings and want an easy way to enjoy that same taste anytime, this recipe is for you.
Why You’ll Love This Buffalo Chicken Recipe
When it comes to buffalo chicken, it’s more than just flavor. It’s about how simple, satisfying, and versatile it is. Here’s why you’ll want to keep this recipe on repeat:
- Quick to make: Ready in under 30 minutes
- Flavor-packed: Bold heat, buttery smoothness, tangy notes
- Customizable: Use it in sandwiches, wraps, bowls, and more
- Great for leftovers: Easy to store and reheat
- Crowd-pleaser: Always a hit at parties, potlucks, and weeknight dinners
Ingredients
Shredded Chicken – Use cooked shredded chicken for the best texture. Rotisserie chicken works great.
Buffalo Sauce – This gives the dish its signature spicy and tangy flavor. Frank’s RedHot is a popular choice.
Unsalted Butter – Adds richness and helps balance the heat from the sauce. If using salted butter, reduce the added salt.
Garlic Powder – Adds a mild, savory flavor to the sauce.
Onion Powder – Enhances the flavor without being overpowering.
How to Make Buffalo Chicken: Step-by-Step
Creating this dish is as easy as it is satisfying. Follow these simple steps and you’ll be dishing out delicious buffalo chicken in no time.
Step 1: Shred the Chicken
Use two forks to shred your cooked chicken into bite-sized pieces. Rotisserie chicken saves time and adds rich flavor.
Step 2: Create the Sauce
In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Once melted, stir in the buffalo sauce, garlic powder, and onion powder. Mix until smooth.
Step 3: Combine
Add the shredded chicken to the sauce. Toss everything together until the chicken is evenly coated and warmed through.
Step 4: Serve It Up
Spoon your buffalo chicken into buns, wraps, over rice, or enjoy it straight from the skillet. Don’t forget your garnishes!
Expert Tips to Elevate Your Buffalo Chicken
Here’s how to take your buffalo chicken to the next level without any guesswork:
Use quality chicken: Fresh, tender chicken makes a noticeable difference
Adjust heat level: Want it spicier? Add a splash of extra hot sauce or cayenne
Don’t skip the butter: It balances the heat and gives the sauce its signature richness
Double the batch: Make more and freeze half for easy meals later
Stir over low heat: Helps flavors blend without burning the sauce
Variations You Can Try
This dish is all about versatility. Once you master the base recipe, here are some creative twists to keep things interesting:
Buffalo Chicken Dip
Mix buffalo chicken with 4 oz cream cheese, 1/2 cup shredded cheddar, and bake at 375°F for 20 minutes
Buffalo Chicken Wrap
Roll in a tortilla with romaine lettuce, shredded carrots, and ranch
Buffalo Chicken Pizza
Use naan or flatbread as your crust, add buffalo chicken, mozzarella, and drizzle ranch on top
Buffalo Chicken Salad
Serve chilled over mixed greens with cucumber, avocado, and a drizzle of dressing
How to Serve Buffalo Chicken
Depending on the occasion or your mood, here are fun and tasty ways to serve it:
On buns: Add pickles and slaw for a classic sandwich
Over rice or quinoa: Build a protein-packed bowl
Lettuce cups: A fresh, low-carb alternative
On nachos: Layer over chips with cheese and bake
In baked potatoes: A cozy, comfort-packed meal
More Chicken recipes you will love!
FAQs about Buffalo Chicken
What is buffalo chicken made of?
Buffalo chicken is made from shredded or chopped cooked chicken tossed in a sauce made from buffalo-style hot sauce and melted butter. The result is a spicy, tangy, and buttery dish that’s incredibly versatile.
Can I make buffalo chicken ahead of time?
Absolutely. Prepare the dish, let it cool, and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days. Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave.
What goes well with buffalo chicken?
Classic pairings include celery sticks, carrot sticks, and ranch or blue cheese dressing. For sides, consider fries, mac and cheese, potato salad, or even cornbread.
How spicy is buffalo chicken?
It ranges from mild to hot depending on the sauce used. You can easily adjust the heat level by modifying the amount or type of hot sauce.
Is buffalo chicken keto-friendly?
Yes, it is—just skip the buns or wraps and serve it over leafy greens, cauliflower rice, or in lettuce cups for a low-carb meal.
buffalo chicken
Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked shredded chicken rotisserie works perfectly
- 1/2 cup buffalo sauce Frank’s RedHot is a classic
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
Instructions
- Shred your cooked chicken using two forks into bite-sized pieces.
- In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Stir in buffalo sauce, garlic powder, and onion powder until smooth.
- Add the shredded chicken to the sauce and toss everything together until the chicken is evenly coated and warmed through.
- Serve your buffalo chicken in buns, wraps, over rice, or enjoy it straight from the skillet. Garnish as desired.