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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 your answer. Picture a perfectly sized chicken breast smothered with a homemade buffalo sauce that brings both heat and flavor in equal measure. To elevate it further, a generous sprinkle of mozzarella cheese melts over the top, creating a gooey, delightful topping that perfectly complements the spicy sauce. This dish is not just incredibly satisfying but also aligns beautifully with a busy lifestyle, cooking up in just about 30 minutes. Ideal for a weeknight meal, this comforting yet fiery recipe will have you looking forward to dinner time.
Why This Recipe Works
- Simplicity: With minimal preparation and an easy cooking method, this recipe is the epitome of simplicity.
- Speed: Ready in 30 minutes, it’s perfect for those times you need a quick yet fulfilling meal.
- Versatility: This dish can be a spicy main for one or easily adapted for more servings.
- Homemade Sauce: The homemade buffalo sauce ensures fresh, customizable flavor.
- Healthier Option: Baked, not fried, this chicken provides a lighter take on traditional buffalo chicken recipes.
What Is Buffalo Sauce?
Buffalo sauce is the key ingredient that gives Buffalo Chicken its famous kick and sharp tang. This simple yet bold sauce combines the heat of hot chili sauce with the creaminess of melted butter. Traditional recipes keep it basic, while contemporary variations may include extras like Worcestershire sauce and rice vinegar for added flavor depth.
Selecting your buffalo sauce is easy and flexible. You can pick up a ready-made bottle from the store or make your own at home to get the flavor just right for you. What’s great about buffalo sauce is how you can tweak the spice level to your preference. Want a stronger kick? Just add more hot sauce to turn up the spice. This way, you can customize your buffalo chicken to be as mild or as zesty as you like.
Ingredient Notes And Substitutions
This section provides a quick rundown of the ingredients used in this baked buffalo chicken recipe. For complete measurements and step-by-step instructions, please scroll to the recipe card located at the bottom of this post.
- Chicken Breast: At the heart of this dish is the chicken, providing a lean source of protein. It’s crucial to cook it until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F to ensure it’s safe to eat. For those who prefer darker meat, chicken thighs can be an excellent alternative, offering more juiciness.
- Buffalo Sauce Base: The duo that creates the classic buffalo sauce are butter and hot sauce. In this recipe, we blend rich, salted butter with a robust hot sauce, specifically Louisiana Brand Hot Sauce for its ideal balance of heat and flavor. However, you can select any hot sauce that suits your taste, and for a dairy-free option, a plant-based butter can be used without compromising the sauce’s iconic taste.
- Mozzarella Cheese: This cheese is known for its mild flavor and supreme meltability, which adds a comforting texture to the dish. For a smoky twist, try smoked mozzarella, or if you’re looking for a plant-based option, dairy-free cheese works wonderfully too.
- Blue Cheese: With its strong and tangy profile, blue cheese adds an unmistakable depth to the recipe. If you’re in the mood to experiment, feta or goat cheese are excellent choices that offer a different but equally tantalizing taste.
- Green Onions: Adding both color and a crisp bite, green onions are a fresh topping. Chives make a fine alternative, offering a similar oniony flavor and a delicate texture.
How To Make Buffalo Chicken For One
These step-by-step photos and instructions help you visualize how to make Baked Buffalo Chicken. 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.
Definitely! Buffalo chicken makes a bold, flavorful addition to a salad. Here’s a simple way to enjoy a buffalo chicken salad:
Prepare and 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.
Serving Suggestions
Elevate your meal with these versatile serving options for Baked Buffalo Chicken:
- Green Salad: Enhance a bed of fresh, leafy greens with this spicy chicken as a hearty topping. Add a medley of cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and a drizzle of blue cheese dressing to complement the robust flavors of the buffalo sauce.
- Buffalo Chicken Wrap: Tuck slices of this tangy chicken into a soft tortilla with crisp lettuce, diced tomatoes, and a spoonful of ranch dressing. For added crunch, include julienned carrots or chopped celery. It’s a perfect lunch on the go or a light dinner.
- Rice Bowl: Pair the chicken with a warm bowl of fluffy baked rice. The rice soaks up the buffalo sauce beautifully, creating a comforting and filling meal. Sprinkle some sliced green onions on top for a pop of color and freshness.
- Loaded Baked Potato: For a heartier meal, place your buffalo chicken atop a baked potato. Add a dollop of sour cream, a sprinkle of cheddar cheese, and some chopped chives for a loaded potato that’s a meal in itself.
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
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.
Video
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!