Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken

What could be better than crispy buffalo chicken cutlets? How about crispy buffalo chicken that has only 5 ingredients, are made in the air fryer. They come out juicy and tender inside and crispy outside. It’s no secret I am a huge buffalo fan. I love Noble Made’s medium buffalo sauce. They also have a mild and hot, so you get to choose your heat level. I sautéed carrots and celery as a delicious side for the chicken. Love a quick air fried chicken? You might also like this Jalapeño Lime Chicken.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Minimal ingredients: With only five main ingredients plus oil spray, this couldn’t be any easier. You probably have most of the ingredients already.

Easy and delicious: With only 15 minutes of prep time and 15 minutes cook time, they are on the table quickly. This makes them the perfect busy weeknight dinner for your family, which they will all devour.

Whole30 compatible: These crispy, flavorful cutlets are perfect for your Whole30 or Paleo lifestyle. They will be on regular rotation.

Ingredients You Will Need

Chicken breasts: are a lean cut of meat from the chicken that can be baked, grilled or poached.

Pork panko: is a popular choice as a breading substitute in Whole30 or paleo recipes due to its grain-free nature. It provides a crispy texture, mimicking traditional breadcrumbs without compromising dietary preferences. I often find myself reaching for Baconsheir brand when making air fryer buffalo chicken.

Buffalo Sauce: Noble Made is hands down my favorite buffalo sauce and it’s also dairy-free. I love that it is sugar free, whole30 approved and you get to choose your own heat level.

Egg: Eggs are a good source of protein and vitamins. They are one of the few foods that should be classified as “superfoods”.

Avocado Oil Spray: has a neutral flavor that can be used for baking, high-heat cooking, sautéing and frying.

Salt

Recipe Tips and Tricks

Dry the cutlets: Patting the cutlets dry with paper towels helps the egg and panko coating stick better. This provides a crispier outcome.

Chicken should be room temperature: While not completely necessary, having the chicken room temperature allows for quicker cooking in the air fryer. This is especially useful when making air fryer buffalo chicken.

Spraying the air fryer basket: Spraying the basket with the oil helps to prevent the crust from pulling away from your cutlets.

Recipe Variations

Don’t have Pork Panko on hand: You can easily substitute almond flour, cassava flour or any flour of choice.

Buffalo sauce: Not a fan of the heat from buffalo sauce? Try using barbecue sauce instead, even when making air fryer buffalo chicken.

Don’t like chicken breast: You can use boneless, skinless chicken thighs for this recipe as well. Just be sure the chicken is 165˚ at the thickest part when done.

Storage Tips

Air fryer buffalo chicken can be stored in the refrigerator for 4-5 days when placed in a sealed airtight glass container. It’s freezer-safe for up to 6 months.

FAQs About Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken

What do I serve with buffalo chicken?

I like to stir fry carrots and celery slices to serve with the air fryer buffalo chicken.

What is the difference between chicken cutlets and chicken breast?

A chicken cutlet is a chicken breast that has been cut in half horizontally to make two thinner pieces.

Should chicken cutlets be pounded?

While I do not pound them for this recipe, if your breasts are particularly thick on one end you may wish to pound it. This creates a more even piece of meat and prevents uneven cooking.