Description
This Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken recipe offers tender, crispy chicken bites coated in a spicy buffalo sauce, perfect for a quick and flavorful appetizer or dinner. Using an air fryer ensures a healthier version of the classic buffalo chicken with less oil but all the crunch and zest.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Coating
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1½-inch pieces (approximately 2 chicken breasts)
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 2 cups panko breading
Sauce
- 1 cup buffalo sauce
Instructions
- Preheat Air Fryer: Preheat the air fryer to 400°F and spray the basket with nonstick cooking spray to prepare it for cooking the chicken.
- Prepare Coating Bowls: Set out three separate bowls—combine the flour, cornstarch, and salt in the first bowl; add the beaten eggs to the second bowl; and place the panko breading in the third bowl.
- Dredge Chicken: Dip each chicken piece first into the flour mixture, then into the beaten eggs, and finally coat thoroughly with the panko breading to ensure a crispy crust.
- Arrange Chicken: Place the coated chicken pieces in a single even layer inside the air fryer basket. Work in batches if your basket is not large enough to avoid overcrowding.
- Air Fry Chicken: Cook the chicken for 8 minutes, flipping halfway through to ensure even cooking and browning. Chicken is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Coat with Buffalo Sauce: Transfer the cooked chicken to a large bowl and pour the buffalo sauce over it. Gently toss the chicken pieces until they are evenly coated.
- Optional Crisping: For extra crispiness, place the buffalo-coated chicken back into the air fryer for an additional 3 to 4 minutes.
- Serve: Serve the buffalo chicken immediately with ranch or blue cheese dressing on the side for dipping.
Notes
- Cut chicken into uniform pieces for even cooking.
- Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket to ensure proper crisping.
- Flip chicken halfway through cooking for best results.
- Adjust the crisping time after saucing based on your preference.
- Serve with cool ranch or blue cheese dressing to balance the heat.
