Grilled Buffalo Chicken is the perfect quick and flavorful weeknight solution. This easy grilled chicken recipe takes less than 30 minutes from start to finish and delivers juicy, spicy results without any marinating time.
No marinating required—simply season the chicken, brush it with buffalo sauce, and grill. It’s fast, simple, and packed with flavor.
Serve these buffalo grilled chicken breasts with your favorite sides like roasted or air-fried potatoes and vegetables. They’re also excellent chopped into salads, tucked into a sandwich, or wrapped for an easy lunch.
Ingredients You’ll Need:
All you need are a few pantry spices and a bottle of buffalo sauce. Here’s what to have on hand:
- Chicken Breasts — Use boneless, skinless breasts. You can use thicker breasts or thin-sliced cutlets depending on your preference.
- Buffalo Sauce — Not the same as hot sauce. Use store-bought or homemade. Leftovers work great in bowls, sandwiches, or other chicken dishes.
- Spices — Garlic powder, onion powder, kosher salt, and black pepper.
- Ranch or Blue Cheese Dressing — For serving.
- Sliced Green Onions — For garnish.
How to Grill Chicken Breasts
Prepare your grill for direct heat and preheat to medium-high, about 450–500°F. Season or brush the chicken with buffalo sauce, then place it over the flames and close the lid.
Cook the breasts 4–8 minutes per side depending on thickness. The chicken is ready to flip when it releases easily from the grates; if it sticks, give it another minute or two. Flip only once for the best sear and grill marks.
Use an instant-read thermometer to ensure the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Let the chicken rest for about 5 minutes before slicing so the juices redistribute for moist, tender results.
Direct vs Indirect Heat
Understanding direct and indirect heat helps you manage thicker cuts or prevent burning while finishing the chicken:
- Direct Heat — Cooking directly over the flame for searing and char marks. Use this for initial searing or thinner cuts.
- Indirect Heat — Cooking next to the flame for gentler, slower cooking. Move seared, thicker breasts to the cooler side to finish without charring.
Recipe Tips
These practical tips will help you get the best results when grilling buffalo chicken:
- Pat Chicken Dry — Dry the breasts before seasoning to get a good sear instead of steaming.
- Pound for Even Thickness — Pound thicker breasts to an even thickness using a meat mallet or rolling pin to ensure uniform cooking.
- Swap Thighs if Desired — Boneless, skinless thighs work well too. Adjust cook time and confirm doneness with a 165°F internal temperature.
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Recipe
Grilled Buffalo Chicken
Quick, spicy, and easy—these grilled buffalo chicken breasts come together in under 30 minutes with simple ingredients and bold flavor.
- Author: Kathleen
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Grilling, Main
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½ cup buffalo sauce, plus more for serving
- Sliced green onions, for serving
- Ranch or blue cheese dressing, for serving
Instructions
- Preheat Grill — Preheat the grill to medium-high (450–500°F).
- Season Chicken — Pat the breasts dry. Mix the spices and sprinkle both sides of each breast. Brush both sides with buffalo sauce.
- Grill Chicken — Grill over direct heat with the lid closed for about 5–8 minutes per side, depending on thickness. Flip when the chicken releases easily. Use a thermometer to check for 165°F internal temperature.
- Serve — Let rest 5 minutes before slicing. Serve with extra buffalo sauce, ranch or blue cheese, and sliced green onions if desired.
Notes
Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast
- Calories: 297
- Sugar: 0.1 g
- Sodium: 922.2 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Carbohydrates: 0.7 g
- Fiber: 0.1 g
- Protein: 38.4 g
- Cholesterol: 124.1 mg