If you enjoy hot sauce, this recipe is for you. It delivers bold buffalo flavor without overwhelming the chicken, resulting in tender, crispy, flavorful thighs. These Crispy Buttery Buffalo Baked Chicken Thighs make a satisfying low-carb dinner.
How to Make Crispy Buttery Buffalo Baked Chicken Thighs
What You’ll Need
- Chicken thighs (skin on)
- Buffalo-style hot sauce
- Canola oil (or another neutral oil)
- Salted butter
- Salt and pepper
Getting Started
Preheat the oven to 400°F (204°C). Use an oven-safe skillet—cast iron works well—and heat the oil over medium-high heat on the stovetop. Pat the thighs dry, trim excess fat if needed, and season both sides with salt and pepper.
When the oil is hot, place the thighs skin-side down and sear until the skin is deeply browned and crisp. Flip the thighs and cook the second side for about 5 minutes to develop color.
Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and roast for 25–30 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
While the chicken roasts, combine the melted salted butter and hot sauce in a bowl to make the buttery hot sauce. When the thighs hit 165°F, remove the skillet from the oven and pour the sauce over the chicken.
Return the skillet to the oven and continue cooking, basting occasionally with the sauce, until the thighs reach about 185°F (85°C). This higher finish temperature helps break down connective tissue and gives the thighs a tender, pull-apart texture. Remove from the oven and serve with extra sauce spooned over the top.
Mike’s Tips & Tricks for the Best Buffalo Baked Chicken Thighs
- Chicken thighs are ideal for oven baking. They’re forgiving and remain juicy even when cooked past typical “safe” temperatures, which helps develop a rich texture. Finishing around 185°F yields very tender meat.
- Thighs are less prone to drying out than breasts. If you prefer white meat, watch the timing closely; thighs tolerate higher temperatures without becoming dry.
- Buy thighs in bulk and portion them into freezer bags for easy meals later. Freeze in the number of thighs your family usually eats to make weeknight cooking simpler.
I hope you enjoy this simple, flavorful recipe as much as we do. It’s quick to prepare, low carb, and perfect for anyone who loves a buttery buffalo kick.
Happy low carbing,
Pin This Recipe to Your Low Carb Boards
Crispy Buttery Buffalo Baked Chicken Thighs
- Prep Time
- 5 minutes
- Cook Time
- 50 minutes
- Total Time
- 55 minutes
- Course
- Main Course
- Cuisine
- American
- Servings
- 4
- Calories
- 609
Ingredients
Baked Chicken Thighs
- 8 chicken thighs, skin on
- 2 tbsp canola oil
- salt and pepper
Buttery Hot Sauce
- 1/4 cup hot sauce
- 1/2 cup salted butter, melted
Instructions
-
Preheat your oven to 400°F.
-
In a large oven-safe skillet, heat the canola oil. Prep the thighs by trimming excess fat and seasoning with salt and pepper.
-
When the oil is hot, place the thighs SKIN SIDE DOWN and sear until the skin is brown and crispy. Flip and cook the other side for about 5 minutes.
-
Transfer the skillet to the oven and roast for 25–30 minutes, until the thighs reach 165°F.
-
Mix the hot sauce and melted butter, pour over the chicken, then return to the oven. Cook for another 10 minutes and baste as needed until the internal temperature reaches about 185°F.
-
Remove from the oven and serve with extra sauce spooned over the thighs.
Recipe Video
Recipe Notes
Nutrition Information
All calories and information are estimates calculated by a third-party tool. Actual values will vary with ingredient brands, measurements and portion sizes.
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