Do you love spicy chicken dishes? If so, buffalo chicken might be one of your favorites. This dish is savory, spicy, and full of flavors. At just 90 calories per serving (2.5 oz), buffalo chicken is a great option for anyone who wants to enjoy a tasty and healthy meal.
Made with chicken breasts and a spicy buffalo sauce, this dish is high in protein and low in calories. It's also easy to make and perfect for lunch or dinner. In this article, we will share different buffalo chicken recipes that you can make at home, including low-carb and keto-friendly options.
Whether you're a chicken lover or just looking for a healthy alternative to fast food, buffalo chicken is a great option. Read on to learn how to make this mouth-watering dish at home!
A Spicy Treat for Chicken Lovers
If you're using chicken breasts, make sure to marinate them in the buffalo sauce for at least 30 minutes before cooking. This will allow the chicken to soak up the flavors and become tender and juicy. To make the buffalo sauce, combine hot sauce, melted butter, garlic powder, and a pinch of salt in a bowl. Mix well and adjust seasonings to taste. You can also add a little bit of honey or brown sugar to balance out the spiciness of the dish. Once your chicken is marinated, you can cook it in a skillet or on a grill. Serve with celery sticks and blue cheese dressing for a classic buffalo chicken experience.
Perfect for Game Night Snacks
Buffalo chicken dip is a classic game night snack that everyone loves. Just mix together cream cheese, cooked chicken, buffalo sauce, and shredded cheese in a baking dish. Bake until golden brown and bubbly, then serve with tortilla chips or celery sticks. Another option is buffalo chicken sliders. Just cook shredded chicken in buffalo sauce and serve on slider buns with blue cheese dressing and coleslaw. These sliders are perfect for a crowd and can be easily customized to your liking. Finally, buffalo chicken nachos are an easy and satisfying snack that everyone will enjoy. Just layer tortilla chips, shredded cheese, buffalo chicken, and any other toppings you like (such as diced tomatoes, jalapenos, or black beans) in a baking dish. Bake until cheese is melted and bubbly, then serve with guacamole and salsa.
Buffalo Wings Without the Guilt
To make baked buffalo wings, first preheat your oven to 425F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and place your chicken wings on the sheet. Season with salt and pepper, then bake for 20 minutes. While your wings are baking, make the buffalo sauce by mixing hot sauce, melted butter, and a pinch of garlic powder in a bowl. Once the wings are done baking, toss them in the buffalo sauce to coat. Serve your baked buffalo wings with celery sticks and blue cheese dressing for a classic buffalo wings experience without the guilt!
Easy to Make for Lunch or Dinner
Buffalo chicken wraps are a quick and healthy option for lunch or dinner. Just grill or bake chicken breasts and toss in buffalo sauce. Then wrap the chicken in a whole wheat tortilla with lettuce, tomato, and blue cheese dressing. These wraps are easy to make and perfect for meal prep. Another option is buffalo chicken salad. Just grill or bake chicken breasts and toss in buffalo sauce. Then serve the chicken on top of a bed of greens with cucumber, tomato, and blue cheese dressing. This salad is healthy, filling, and packed with flavor. Finally, buffalo chicken pizza is a tasty and easy option for a quick dinner. Just top a premade whole wheat pizza crust with buffalo sauce, cooked chicken, and shredded cheese. Bake at 450F for 10-12 minutes, then serve with celery sticks and blue cheese dressing.
Healthy Protein Packed Meal
To make your buffalo chicken healthier, choose boneless, skinless chicken breasts instead of thighs or drumsticks. This will reduce the fat and calorie content of your dish. You can also add extra protein to your buffalo chicken by serving it with a side of quinoa or roasted vegetables. These healthy sides will help balance out the spicy flavors of the dish. Finally, don't forget to control your portion sizes. A serving size of buffalo chicken is just 2.5 oz, so make sure to measure your portions to avoid overeating.
Great option for Low-Carb Diets
One easy option is buffalo chicken lettuce wraps. Just cook chicken breasts in a skillet with buffalo sauce, then serve the chicken in large lettuce leaves with cucumber, tomato, and blue cheese dressing. These wraps are low in carbs and high in protein. Another option is buffalo chicken stuffed peppers. Just cut the tops off of bell peppers and remove the seeds. Stuff the peppers with cooked chicken, buffalo sauce, and shredded cheese. Bake at 375F for 20-25 minutes, then serve. Finally, buffalo chicken cauliflower rice is a tasty and low-carb option for a quick dinner. Just cook cauliflower rice in a skillet with garlic and onion, then add cooked chicken and buffalo sauce. Top with green onions and serve hot.
A Mouth-Watering Flavor Explosion
When making your buffalo sauce, be sure to use high-quality hot sauce for the best flavor. You can also add other seasonings like cayenne pepper, paprika, or onion powder to customize your sauce. Another tip is to use bone-in chicken wings or drumsticks instead of boneless chicken breasts. This will add more flavor and juiciness to your dish. Finally, don't forget to balance out the spiciness of your buffalo chicken with creamy blue cheese dressing, celery sticks, or a side of avocado.
Suitable for Keto Diet
One easy option is buffalo chicken meatballs. Just mix ground chicken, almond flour, egg, garlic powder, and buffalo sauce in a bowl. Then form the mixture into meatballs and bake at 375F for 15-20 minutes. Another option is buffalo chicken zucchini boats. Just cut zucchinis in half lengthwise and scoop out the seeds. Fill the zucchini halves with shredded chicken that has been cooked in buffalo sauce. Top with shredded cheddar cheese and bake at 375F for 20-25 minutes. Finally, buffalo chicken cauliflower mac and cheese is a comforting and keto-friendly option. Just cook cauliflower mac and cheese according to package instructions, then add cooked chicken and buffalo sauce. Top with grated parmesan cheese and bake at 375F for 20-25 minutes.
Ready in Minutes
Buffalo chicken quesadillas are a fast and flavorful option for lunch or dinner. Just fill a whole wheat tortilla with cooked chicken, buffalo sauce, and shredded cheese. Fold the tortilla in half and cook in a skillet until the cheese is melted. Another option is buffalo chicken stuffed sweet potatoes. Just bake sweet potatoes in the microwave or oven, then stuff with cooked chicken and buffalo sauce. Top with blue cheese dressing and green onions. Finally, buffalo chicken omelets are a protein-rich and filling breakfast option. Just beat eggs in a bowl, add cooked chicken and buffalo sauce, then cook in a skillet until done. Top with blue cheese crumbles and green onions.
Healthy Alternative to Fast Food
When choosing your buffalo sauce, look for one that is low in sodium and free from preservatives and additives. You can also make your own sauce using high-quality hot sauce, melted butter, and garlic powder. Another tip is to use whole wheat wraps or pita bread instead of white bread. This will add more fiber and nutrients to your meal. Finally, don't forget to include healthy sides like roasted vegetables or a salad to round out your meal.
Buffalo chicken is a spicy and satisfying dish that is packed with flavor and protein.
5 FAQ About Buffalo Chicken
1. What is Buffalo Chicken?
Buffalo chicken is a dish made by coating chicken in a spicy chili pepper-based sauce and serving it with a side of blue cheese dressing. The dish originated in Buffalo, New York in the 1960s.
2. How many calories are in a serving of Buffalo Chicken?
A serving of Buffalo Chicken, which is 2.5 oz, contains 90 calories.
3. Is Buffalo Chicken healthy?
While Buffalo Chicken is a tasty dish, it is not the healthiest option. The chicken is usually deep-fried and the buffalo sauce can be high in sodium and calories. However, it can be made healthier by grilling or baking the chicken and using a lighter sauce.
4. Is Buffalo Chicken gluten-free?
Buffalo Chicken can be gluten-free if the sauce is made with gluten-free ingredients. However, if the chicken is breaded or the sauce contains gluten, it is not gluten-free.
5. What are some ways to serve Buffalo Chicken?
Buffalo Chicken can be served in many ways, including as a sandwich, on a salad, or as an appetizer with celery and carrot sticks. It can also be incorporated into other dishes, such as mac and cheese or tacos.