Buffalo Chicken Thighs

Baked boneless buffalo chicken thighs in oven with Franks Red Hot Sauce are a delicious high protein meal like our Baked Teriyaki Chicken Thighs, but with a spicy sauce topped with blue cheese.

If heat is where it is at in your household get ready and hold on to your drawers. You can tone this down but why? Instead, challenge your husband to see how brave he is. 😉 Made with boneless skinless thighs it is a quick meal we love.

This time we are baking on a sheet pan. You could make Crockpot Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs with this sauce instead but you won’t get the crisp on the outside like you will here. Another difference is that cooked with the sauce will give you a lot of heat. This time we baked, then tossed in it so it could be easily adjusted.

If you have tried my Super Bowl Taco Crescent Ring, yes many times I will make that if I have leftovers from this the night before. If you are feeding a crowd I would make both!! Those cutting down on carbs can have this while those of us that like YOLO, will just go for it. 😉

Ingredient Notes

For the coating measurements it will typically work with about 8 chicken thighs (boneless skinless is best).

We start with some all purpose flour to coat and create a crispier texture seasoned with garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, pepper and cayenne pepper or jalapeno powder for extra spice.

This breading is lighter than our Bisquick oven fried chicken but you could use that instead if you wanted more like a KFC coating.

Chicken Thighs Buffalo Sauce

You can tweak the sauce like I said. There are several brands out there but Frank’s is typically the most popular. Even they have expanded from mild to get out of here your mouth is going to literally be on fire style. Ummmmm no thank you….. You’ll need;

You will make this with butter melted, Franks RedHot Sauce, honey and a bit of worchestershire sauce

When serving you will want something to cut the heat. Just like with our Crockpot Buffalo Chicken Sliders I will add some Ranch dressing and something else with a tang. In that case I will add coleslaw, in this one blue cheese dressing or crumbles on top are by far the best.

Do chicken thighs get more tender the longer they are cooked?

Chicken thighs can become more tender the longer they are cooked, but there is a point at which they can become overcooked and dry if cooked for too long. The key to achieving tender and flavorful poultry is finding the right balance between cooking time and temperature. Oven roasting typically takes 30-40 minutes, depending on the size and thickness.

Can you make these with frozen thighs?

For buffalo chicken thighs here we used fresh meat. You could use thawed this way too or if you only have Frozen Chicken Thighs we have instructions on how to bake in the oven this way too. Then toss with sauce at the end. Here are some tips to baking tender chicken breasts or thighs below;

How do you keep chicken thighs moist and juicy?

1. Preheat the Oven always to the appropriate temperature first. Typically around 375 – 400°F is best. A hot oven ensures even cooking and helps to seal in juices.
2. Use a Baking Dish or Cast Iron Skillet which can help create a flavorful pan sauce as the chicken cooks.
3. Cover with Foil if you prefer very tender and moist chicken thighs. Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil during the first part of cooking, then remove to crisp. This helps trap steam and moisture.
4. Check Internal Temperature using a meat thermometer. They are safe to eat when the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees °F or 74° C. This usually takes about 30 minutes, but cooking times can vary based on the size of the thighs and the oven temperature.
5. Broil for Crispy Skin if you desire crispy Fried Chicken Thighs texture on the outside (ours in this case are skinless). You can remove the foil during the last few minutes of cooking and broil for a couple of minutes. Keep a close eye on them to prevent burning.
6. Rest Before Serving for a few minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute and ensures a juicier and more tender result.
7. Sauce with pan juices or a sauce of your choice for added flavor and moisture.

Tips for Success

You will want to start by preheating your oven to 400° F. This is How Long to Bake Bone-in Chicken Thighs at 350 if that is all you have.

If you are making our Buffalo Chicken Rolls with it, shred meat and make that. If served as is, garnish with ranch dressing (if desired,) blue cheese crumbles, and sliced green onions.

If you want to know How Long to Cook Chicken Thighs on Stove I have information on that too. Follow the same steps here but brown over medium high heat, then reduce until cooked thru. Toss with sauce and voila! Printable recipe card is below for you to make quick weeknight dinners like this.