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If you’re craving something savory with a spicy kick that’s quick and easy to make, this single serving Baked Buffalo Chicken is perfect. Imagine a perfectly sized chicken breast smothered in homemade buffalo sauce, bringing just the right amount of heat and flavor. Topped with a generous sprinkle of melted mozzarella cheese, this dish is both satisfying and simple to prepare. Ready in about 30 minutes, it’s ideal for a busy weeknight meal and will have you looking forward to dinner time.
Enjoy your buffalo chicken with a fresh green salad topped with a light vinaigrette, flavorful rice pilaf, or buttered noodles. For a fun twist, make a small batch of homemade tortillas and turn this dish into a delicious buffalo chicken wrap!
Why You’ll Love This Buffalo Chicken Recipe
- Simple: This recipe is easy to prepare with minimal steps.
- Quick: Ready in just 30 minutes, perfect for a fast meal.
- Versatile: Enjoy as a spicy main dish for one or adjust for more servings.
- Homemade Sauce: Fresh and customizable buffalo sauce.
- Healthier: Baked instead of fried for a lighter option.
What Is Buffalo Sauce?
Buffalo sauce gives Buffalo Chicken its spicy kick and tangy flavor. This bold sauce is a simple mix of hot chili sauce and melted butter. Traditional recipes are basic, but some variations add ingredients like Worcestershire sauce and rice vinegar for extra flavor.
Choosing your buffalo sauce is easy. You can buy a ready-made bottle or make your own at home. The best part is you can adjust the spice level to your taste. If you want more heat, just add extra hot sauce. This way, you can make your buffalo chicken as mild or spicy as you like.
Ingredients
If you have any ingredients leftover from this baked buffalo chicken recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder.
- Chicken Breast: This lean protein is the main ingredient. Make sure to cook it until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. If you prefer darker meat, chicken thighs are a juicier option. If you’ve got an extra chicken breast, consider using it in Chicken Paprika, Greek Chicken, or Chicken Parmesan.
- Buffalo Sauce Base: The classic buffalo sauce is made with butter and hot sauce. We use rich, salted butter and Louisiana Brand Hot Sauce for its perfect balance of heat and flavor. You can choose any hot sauce you like. For a dairy-free option, use plant-based butter.
- Mozzarella Cheese: This mild cheese melts beautifully, adding a comforting texture. For a smoky flavor, try smoked mozzarella. Dairy-free cheese also works well.
- Blue Cheese: This cheese adds a strong, tangy flavor to the dish. For a different taste, you can use feta or goat cheese. Extra blue cheese crumbles can be used to make a small batch of Blue Cheese Dressing.
- Green Onions: These add color and a fresh, crisp bite. Chives are a good alternative, offering a similar flavor and delicate texture.
How To Make Buffalo Chicken For One
These step-by-step photos and instructions help you visualize how to make this Baked Buffalo Chicken recipe. See the recipe box below for ingredient amounts and full recipe instructions.
- Place the chicken breast in a baking dish. Whisk together melted butter and hot sauce in a small bowl and pour over the chicken.
- Place mozzarella cheese on top of the chicken.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes.
- Remove from the oven and top with blue cheese and green onions.
Expert Tips
- Buffalo Sauce Enthusiasts: For those who can’t get enough of the spicy, tangy kick, consider making a double portion of buffalo sauce. It’s perfect for drizzling extra on your chicken or having some on hand for other dishes.
- Oven Readiness: Ensure your oven is preheated before you begin baking. This step is key to achieving even cooking and the perfect golden-brown finish on your chicken.
- Blue Cheese Burst: The recipe suggests sprinkling blue cheese crumbles on the chicken post-baking, but if you’re a cheese lover, don’t hesitate to add an extra handful before you put the chicken in the oven for a gooier, cheesier experience.
- Smart Freezing: Stock up on chicken breasts or thighs when they’re on sale. Wrap them individually and freeze them to have a convenient, quick-to-defrost option for meals. Remember, for the best flavor and texture, use frozen chicken breasts within nine months, as per USDA guidelines.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, this buffalo chicken recipe is an excellent option for those following a low-carb lifestyle.
The chicken is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F, as confirmed by a meat thermometer. Remember, cooking times may vary based on the chicken’s size and thickness.
Absolutely! Buffalo chicken adds a bold, flavorful kick to a salad. Here’s how to make a buffalo chicken salad:
Cook the chicken according to the recipe instructions.
Dice the cooked chicken into 1/2-inch pieces and place them in a bowl.
Mix in 2 tablespoons of chopped celery and 2 tablespoons of ranch dressing.
Serve over 2 cups of chopped romaine lettuce for a delicious salad twist.
Absolutely! Simply double all the ingredients and use a larger baking dish. The cooking temperature and time should remain the same as the original recipe specifies.
A 5×7-inch baking dish works best for this single serving buffalo chicken recipe, providing the perfect space for the chicken to cook evenly.
Ways To Use Leftover Ingredients
If you have any ingredients leftover from this recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder or you might like to consider using them in any of these single serving and small batch recipes:
If you’ve tried this buffalo chicken or any recipe on One Dish Kitchen please let me know how you liked it by rating the recipe and telling me about it in the comment section below.
Also, if you take a picture please tag us on Instagram (@onedishkitchen) we’d love to see it!
Baked Buffalo Chicken For One
Watch How To Make This
Ingredients
- 1 (4 to 6-ounce) boneless skinless chicken breast
- 1 tablespoon salted butter -melted
- ½ teaspoon hot sauce
- ⅓ cup shredded mozzarella cheese (or 1 to 2 slices of mozzarella cheese)
- 2 tablespoons blue cheese crumbles
- 1 tablespoon sliced green onions
Instructions
- Heat oven to 400° F (200° C).
- Place chicken breast in a medium-sized baking dish.
- Stir together the melted butter and hot sauce and pour over the chicken.
- Top evenly with mozzarella cheese.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes or until chicken is cooked through and registers 165° on a meat thermometer.
- Remove from the oven and cover to let the chicken rest for 5 minutes. Top with blue cheese and sliced green onions.
Notes
- Buffalo Sauce Enthusiasts: For those who can’t get enough of the spicy, tangy kick, consider making a double portion of buffalo sauce. It’s perfect for drizzling extra on your chicken or having some on hand for other dishes.
- Oven Readiness: Ensure your oven is preheated before you begin baking. This step is key to achieving even cooking and the perfect golden-brown finish on your chicken.
- Blue Cheese Burst: The recipe suggests sprinkling blue cheese crumbles on the chicken post-baking, but if you’re a cheese lover, don’t hesitate to add an extra handful before you put the chicken in the oven for a gooier, cheesier experience.
- Smart Freezing: Stock up on chicken breasts or thighs when they’re on sale. Wrap them individually and freeze them to have a convenient, quick-to-defrost option for meals. Remember, for the best flavor and texture, use frozen chicken breasts within nine months, as per USDA guidelines.
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
Made this tonight and it was awesome! I added more hot sauce though. So good! Chicken was tender and flavorful! I made double so looking forward to leftovers tomorrow!
This is my first ever comment on a recipe. Fantastic! Delicious and easy dish.
Thank you so much!
I doubled the chicken for the buffalo chicken and I used 2T Sweet Baby Ray’s Buffalo Wing Sauce (cause I had some!) ! I’ll have the chicken with rice pilaf and veggies one night and buffalo nachos another night with a salad!! Thanks!!
I’m so happy you enjoyed the recipe. Thank you so much for your feedback.
The chicken was wonderful. But my favorite part was eating the melted cheese off the baking dish. 🙂
When will you come out with another recipe book? I keep seeing more good ones that are not in this one. Waiting patiently…
Love your recipes!