Baked Buffalo Chicken Thighs Recipe
These Baked Buffalo Chicken Thighs offer a deliciously spicy and tangy flavor with a crispy exterior and tender, juicy interior. Coated in a homemade buffalo sauce that balances heat with buttery richness, this easy oven-baked recipe is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or game day snack.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 22 minutes
- Total Time: 32 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Coating
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs (about 8 thighs)
- ⅓ cup flour
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon cooking oil
Buffalo Sauce
- ½ cup hot sauce
- ¼ cup butter
- ½ tablespoon white vinegar
- ½ teaspoon cornstarch
- ¼ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400˚F (204˚C) to ensure it’s hot and ready for baking the chicken thighs.
- Prepare Coating Mixture: In a shallow bowl, combine the flour, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. This mix will create a flavorful coating for the chicken.
- Coat Chicken: Dredge each boneless, skinless chicken thigh in the flour mixture, ensuring each piece is lightly but evenly coated on all sides.
- Prepare Baking Pan: Brush a 9×13 inch baking pan with the cooking oil to prevent sticking and to help the chicken crisp up during baking.
- Bake Chicken Initially: Place the coated chicken thighs in a single layer in the prepared pan and bake them for 12 minutes. This starts the cooking and crisping process.
- Make Buffalo Sauce Base: While the chicken bakes, mix the white vinegar with the cornstarch until it forms a smooth paste. This will help thicken the sauce.
- Combine Sauce Ingredients: In a small saucepan, whisk together the hot sauce, butter, cornstarch paste, Worcestershire sauce, and garlic powder.
- Cook Buffalo Sauce: Heat the sauce over medium-high heat until it boils. Once boiling, remove it from heat and whisk vigorously. Alternatively, use a hand blender to emulsify the sauce for a smooth consistency.
- Coat Chicken in Sauce: When the initial baking time completes, remove the chicken and pour about three-quarters of the buffalo sauce over the thighs. Use tongs to turn and coat each piece thoroughly with sauce.
- Finish Baking: Return the coated chicken thighs to the oven and bake for an additional 6 to 10 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165˚F (74˚C), ensuring they are fully cooked and tender.
- Serve: Serve the chicken warm. Toss with remaining buffalo sauce or serve it on the side as a dipping sauce to enhance flavor.
Notes
- Ensure chicken thighs are cooked to an internal temperature of 165˚F for food safety.
- For a spicier kick, increase the amount of hot sauce in the buffalo sauce.
- Use a meat thermometer for accuracy when checking chicken doneness.
- Butter can be substituted with a dairy-free alternative to make the sauce lactose-free.
- Leftover buffalo sauce can be refrigerated and reheated gently for future use.
Keywords: Buffalo chicken thighs, baked buffalo chicken, spicy chicken recipe, easy dinner, chicken thighs buffalo sauce
