Name: Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Thighs
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 1.25 pounds Chicken Thighs (raw boneless and skinless); 1/4 teaspoon Natural Ancient Sea Salt (optional); 1/2 teaspoon Black Pepper; 1/2 teaspoon Smoked Paprika; 1/2 teaspoon Garlic Powder; 1/2 teaspoon Onion Powder; 2 tablespoons Avocado oil; 1/3 cup Franks Red Hot Wing Sauce; 1 tablespoon Butter (unsalted)

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I love how these air fryer Buffalo chicken thighs make weeknight dinners effortless and delicious, and I know you will, too! Boneless, skinless chicken thighs are coated in a spicy, tangy homemade buffalo sauce and ready to eat in under 30 minutes.

Five air fryer buffalo chicken thighs with creamy dipping sauce and celery sticks stacked on a plate

This is a chicken thigh-specific version of my popular air fryer buffalo chicken recipe. Buffalo chicken thighs are juicy and flavorful, delicious served as a meal or appetizer, and cooking them in the air fryer takes less than 30 minutes. This method is so quick and easy that anyone can do it.

These spicy air fryer chicken thighs are great for weeknight dinners, and I love meal prepping Buffalo chicken to add to meal bowls, sandwiches, and salads throughout the week. I’ll even shred the leftovers to make my Buffalo chicken dip!

Why Make Buffalo Chicken Thighs in the Air Fryer

Extra juicy. Boneless air fryer Buffalo chicken thighs are juicier and more flavorful than chicken breasts, and just as easy to cook.
Simple ingredients. Just chicken, everyday spices, and a quick homemade Buffalo sauce.
Perfectly cooked every time. The air fryer gives the chicken a great texture while keeping it tender inside.

Ingredients Needed

These are the ingredients you’ll need to make tender, flavorful air fryer boneless chicken thighs tossed in tangy Buffalo sauce. Grab the exact amounts from the recipe card at the bottom of the post.

Chicken Thighs – Boneless and skinless. Choose fresh or thawed chicken; they cook quickly and stay juicy in the air fryer.
Spices – Smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper.
Avocado Oil – A high-heat oil that helps the chicken brown and keeps it tender. Olive oil also works.
Buffalo Sauce – I make homemade Buffalo sauce with Frank’s Red Hot Wing Sauce and melted butter. So easy! If you’d prefer, use your favorite bottled sauce instead.

ingredients to make air fryer buffalo chicken thighs

How to Make Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Thighs

Follow the step-by-step guide below to prepare these homemade Buffalo chicken thighs.

Season the Chicken

Coat the chicken. Mix your spices, and preheat the air fryer to 400ºF while you coat the chicken with the seasoning blend.

seasoned chicken thighs mixed with oil and spices

Cook and Prepare the Buffalo Sauce

Cook the chicken thighs. Arrange the chicken thighs in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Cook for 20 minutes. It’s your choice to flip the chicken halfway through. I usually skip it!
Mix the sauce. While the chicken cooks, whisk together the Buffalo sauce ingredients.

seasoned boneless and skinless chicken thighs in the air fryer; buffalo sauce in a bowl

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Toss and Serve

Toss with the sauce. Pour the sauce over the cooked chicken.
Enjoy! Toss the chicken thighs to coat and serve immediately, with any extra sauce on the side for dipping.

boneless skinless chicken thighs tossed with buffalo sauce in a bowl

Recipe Tips

Preheat the air fryer. This helps the chicken cook evenly and develop a nice sear without overcooking. If you’re using a Ninja Foodi, you won’t need to preheat it.
Adjust the cooking time. Chicken thighs are more forgiving and harder to overcook than chicken breasts, so an extra 2–3 minutes can give a slightly crispier finish if you like.
Customize the heat. Add ghost pepper seasoning or extra hot sauce for a spicier kick. Any hot sauce will work, so feel free to experiment.
Season thoughtfully. A little extra smoked paprika or garlic powder can give you more flavor without adding extra steps to the recipe.

Try These Variations

Here are easy swaps and ideas to customize this Buffalo chicken recipe.

Different cuts of chicken: Boneless chicken thighs work best, but you can use chicken tenders, drumsticks, or make air fryer Buffalo wings.
Budget-friendly tip: Frozen chicken thighs can work, but flip them more often in the air fryer and add a few extra minutes to ensure they cook evenly and stay juicy.
More flavor: Stir in a bit of ranch seasoning or smoked onion powder for extra depth, or add a pinch of cayenne for a subtle kick.

tender air fryer buffalo chicken boneless and skinless thighs served with celery and dipping sauce

What to Serve With Buffalo Chicken Thighs

Thinly sliced or diced chicken works great in Buffalo chicken tacos, Buffalo chicken bowls or salads, and wraps. I love these and more recipes that are just as quick, flavorful, and perfect for weeknight dinners.

Veggie sides: Serve with air fryer broccoli, green beans, bell peppers, or zucchini on the side.
Cauliflower rice: I love pairing Buffalo chicken thighs with creamy low-carb cauliflower rice risotto or cheesy cauliflower grits.
Salads: Make a Buffalo chicken Caesar salad with quick homemade Caesar dressing.

How to Store

Store. Keep leftover cooked Buffalo chicken thighs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheat. The air fryer is best at 375°F for 3-5 minutes to keep the chicken tender and the sauce flavorful. If using a microwave, heat in short 30-second bursts until warm to prevent the chicken from drying out.