Buffalo Chicken Recipe - Healthy Recipes Blog (2024)

My family loves this buffalo wings recipe, and I make it often. We also adore these buffalo chicken lettuce wraps, made with shredded cooked chicken breast.

But the first time I made this recipe, all I had in the fridge were chicken drumsticks. So I decided to use them. We all loved it so much, that I now make this recipe regularly.

For the chicken:

Drumsticks: I use three pounds of chicken drumsticks in this recipe, which typically equals 10-12 drumsticks.

Olive oil spray: I love using this very flavorful oil. But you can use avocado oil spray if you prefer an oil with a higher smoke point.

To season: I use kosher salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and smoked paprika. I prefer garlic powder to minced fresh garlic because I feel it better coats the chicken.

For the sauce:

Melted unsalted butter: I love using creamy European butter, but any butter will be delicious.

Hot pepper sauce: I use a hot habanero chipotle sauce. You can use your favorite hot sauce and go as hot or as mild as you like.

Variations

The best way to vary this recipe is with the seasonings you use. You can add a pinch of dried thyme to the chicken.

You can also add a pinch of garlic and smoked paprika to the buffalo sauce. I tried these additions and really liked them!

It's a good idea to make the sauce in advance, while the chicken is cooking. This allows the sauce to slightly thicken, which helps it better adhere to the chicken.

If you make the sauce at the last minute it is thinner, and then it tends to just slide off the chicken pieces.

What's in buffalo sauce?

This simple sauce is made from melted butter and hot pepper sauce. Sometimes I add garlic powder and smoked paprika. But the basic ingredients are just butter and hot sauce.

Should I remove the skin before cooking?

I like to leave the skin on since it's so flavorful, but you can remove it if you wish. I tried both options and both were very good, although personally, I do prefer the one with the skin on.

Can I make this recipe with chicken breasts?

Yes. Depending on their size, they'll likely need just 30 minutes in the oven, so check with an instant-read thermometer after 30 minutes and see if they're ready. Their internal temperature should reach 165°F.

You can serve this dish just as you would serve buffalo wings, with celery sticks and a dipping sauce - either ranch or blue cheese.

I usually serve 2 drumsticks per person for dinner, with celery and blue cheese dressing or homemade ranch. There's no need for other sides, although you can add additional raw veggies for dipping.

Buffalo Chicken Recipe

In this delicious buffalo chicken recipe, juicy drumsticks are coated in a tasty sauce of melted butter and hot pepper sauce.

Servings: 5 servings

Calories: 429kcal

Add Your Own Notes

Nutrition per Serving

Serving: 2drumsticks | Calories: 429kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 56g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Sodium: 655mg