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Home » Air Fryer

Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Thighs

Published: Oct 19, 2021 · Last Updated: Oct 26, 2021 by Aimee - This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

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Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Thighs are a great way to get in that addictive buffalo wing flavor, but with chicken thighs instead. These air fryer chicken thighs crisp up perfectly in the air fryer while the inside stays tender and juicy.

These air fryer chicken thighs are made with a homemade buffalo sauce that coats the chicken for a delicious and perfectly spicy chicken dish.

buffalo chicken thighs topped with blue cheese and green onions

I'm such a fan of buffalo wings. But I never buy wings at the store. However, I do buy chicken thighs all the time. And lately, my favorite way to cook chicken thighs is in my air fryer.

I've used my air fryer to make my popular Air Fryer Greek Chicken Thighs, so I figured I needed a buffalo sauce version to cure my cravings, especially during football season. And these did not disappoint. A nice, spicy and vinegary buffalo sauce that literally had me licking my fingers paired with crispy, juicy chicken thighs. SO good.

What is buffalo sauce?

Buffalo sauce is a vinegary hot sauce that paired a lot with chicken, especially chicken wings. It's slightly spicy, but has a acid punch from the vinegar and a slight creaminess from the butter.

I also love drizzling buffalo sauce over potatoes, like with these buffalo crispy smashed potatoes.

What type of air fryer to use?

If doing four large chicken thighs, I recommend a large air fryer, otherwise you may need to do them in batches of two. I have a Cosori Max air fryer and love it.

Why cook chicken thighs in an air fryer:

  • So much quicker than in an oven!
  • Skin gets so crispy with a small amount of oil.
  • Can put them in the air fryer and forget them until they are done.
chicken thighs with buffalo sauce and blue cheese

Cooking tips:

  • All air fryers cook differently. I recommend using a meat thermometer to check for doneness. I like to cook my chicken thighs to a temperature of 175-180 degrees F.
  • Cooking times may vary based on the size of your chicken thighs. For smaller thighs, it may only take 16-18 minutes, while large ones may take 20-25 minutes.
  • These chicken thighs don't require any flipping.
  • Let the chicken thighs rest for 5 minutes before placing in the buffalo sauce.
  • To simplify the recipe, you can use store-bought buffalo sauce and heat it up before using.
  • You can serve as is, or with a side of blue cheese or ranch dressing, or topped with blue cheese and some green onions.

What to serve with the chicken:

  • Crispy Air Fryer Squash
  • Battered French Fries
  • Oven-roasted Green Beans
  • Peach Panzanella

How to make:

Preheat your air fryer for 5 minutes at 400 degrees F.

Take your chicken thighs and pat dry with paper towels. Salt the chicken thighs, then rub the olive oil onto both sides of all the chicken thighs. Place in the air fryer, skin side up, and cook until internal temp reaches 175-180 degrees F.

raw chicken thighs

Let the chicken thighs rest while making the buffalo sauce.

In a skillet, heat the pepper sauce, butter, white vinegar, garlic powder, and Worcestershire sauce over medium heat.

making buffalo sauce

Once butter melts, heat over low heat for an additional 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently. Don't let the sauce split, make sure to turn off heat once sauce is hot.

making buffalo sauce

Add the chicken thighs to the sauce, dipping both the top and bottom in the sauce.

Plate, then serve with blue cheese and sliced green onions if desired.

buffalo chicken thighs up close
buffalo chicken thighs up close

Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Thighs

Recipe by Aimee
Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Thighs are a great way to get in that addictive buffalo wing flavor, but with chicken thighs instead. These air fryer chicken thighs crisp up perfectly in the air fryer while the inside stays tender and juicy.
5 from 19 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 mins
Cook Time 20 mins
Resting time 5 mins
Total Time 30 mins
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 4
Calories 372 kcal

Equipment

  • Air Fryer
  • Meat Thermometer

Ingredients
  

  • 4 chicken thighs
  • 2 teaspoons olive oil
  • ¼ teaspoon salt

Buffalo Sauce

  • ½ cup hot pepper sauce
  • ¼ cup unsalted butter
  • 1 Tablespoon white vinegar
  • ¼ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • ¼ teaspoon garlic powder

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the air fryer for 5 minutes at 400 degrees F.
  • Dry the chicken thighs with paper towels, then salt both sides of each of the chicken thighs. Rub the olive oil onto both sides of the chicken thighs.
  • After air fryer is preheated, add the chicken thighs, skin side up. Cook in the air fryer for 20-25 minutes (16-18 minutes for smaller thighs). Use a meat thermometer to check for doneness.
  • Once chicken thighs are cooked, let rest for 5 minutes and cook buffalo sauce.
  • Take the pepper sauce, butter, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, and garlic powder and add to a medium skillet over medium heat, cooking until butter is melted, stirring occasionally.
  • Once butter is melted, turn heat to low and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until sauce is hot, but not split/broken (where the butter separates from the sauce).
  • Dip each chicken thigh in the sauce, coating the top and bottom, and then plate.
  • Top as desired and enjoy immediately.

Notes

Cooking tips:
  • All air fryers cook differently. I recommend using a meat thermometer to check for doneness. I like to cook my chicken thighs to a temperature of 175-180 degrees F.
  • Cooking times may vary based on the size of your chicken thighs. For smaller thighs, it may only take 16-18 minutes, while large ones may take 20-25 minutes.
  • These chicken thighs don't require any flipping.
  • Let the chicken thighs rest for 5 minutes before placing in the buffalo sauce.
  • To simplify the recipe, you can use store-bought buffalo sauce and heat it up before using.
  • You can serve as is, or with a side of blue cheese or ranch dressing, or topped with blue cheese and some green onions.

Nutrition

Calories: 372kcalCarbohydrates: 1gProtein: 19gFat: 32gSaturated Fat: 13gPolyunsaturated Fat: 5gMonounsaturated Fat: 12gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 141mgSodium: 1031mgPotassium: 284mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 492IUVitamin C: 22mgCalcium: 16mgIron: 1mg

If nutrition info is shown, values are based on an online calculator and are estimates. Please verify using your own data.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Helen Best-Shaw

    October 26, 2021 at 6:28 am

    5 stars
    i completely agree that thighs are so much better, and less fiddly than wings. Love these!

    Reply
  2. Sherry Ronning

    October 23, 2021 at 9:53 pm

    5 stars
    This was such an easy and tasty recipe!!

    Reply
  3. Sachi

    October 20, 2021 at 8:53 pm

    5 stars
    So easy to make and perfect for my low-carb diet!

    Reply
  4. Kathy Hester

    October 20, 2021 at 8:34 pm

    5 stars
    The sauce flavors are amazing and I love using my air fryer!

    Reply
  5. Jennifer

    October 20, 2021 at 8:07 am

    5 stars
    Love this - the flavors are bright, bold and terrific!

    Reply
  6. Megan

    October 20, 2021 at 8:05 am

    5 stars
    Would have never thought to put the sauce on thighs - so good!

    Reply
  7. Mandy Applegate

    October 20, 2021 at 6:29 am

    5 stars
    This is going to be on the menu at the weekend, my friends love buffalo chicken!

    Reply
  8. Donna

    October 20, 2021 at 12:55 am

    5 stars
    Yummo! These were amazing, and love how easy they are in the air fryer!

    Reply
  9. Linda

    October 20, 2021 at 12:44 am

    5 stars
    My kind of recipe! Easy prep, delicious in every bite, and can be done in an air fryer

    Reply
  10. Robin Donovan

    October 19, 2021 at 7:41 pm

    5 stars
    This was so good!

    Reply
  11. Anne

    October 19, 2021 at 7:31 pm

    5 stars
    Sounds delicious and a nice switch from wings!

    Reply
  12. Lynn Polito

    October 19, 2021 at 4:12 pm

    5 stars
    Fantastic! I love all things buffalo and this was delicious!

    Reply
  13. Cindy

    October 19, 2021 at 1:35 pm

    5 stars
    Great texture and flavor!

    Reply
  14. Aimee B.

    October 19, 2021 at 9:38 am

    5 stars
    Such a great, easy recipe!

    Reply

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