17 Buffalo Chicken Recipes That Go Beyond Wings

The classic bar snack gets a makeover

Grilled Cheese Social

 

If you love the zesty, spicy flavor of Buffalo chicken, you don't have to limit your enjoyment to wings. The zippy, hot sauce-smothered chicken actually lends itself to a wide variety of dishes, from appetizers to snacks and dinners. Add a few of these to your repertoire to satisfy your cravings any time.

  • 01 of 17

    Buffalo Chicken Wraps

     Elaine Lemm

    If you've ever wanted to enjoy Buffalo chicken flavor at your desk without attracting unwanted attention from your coworkers, this chicken wrap ought to do the trick. The recipe calls for cubed breast, but if you've got leftover roast or rotisserie chicken, that will do just fine, too.

  • 02 of 17

    Buffalo Chicken Meatloaf

    Buffalo chicken meatloaf recipe

    The Spruce Eats / Julia Hartbeck

    Love wings, but hate the mess? Try this delicious twist on meatloaf with a similar flavor. The trick to a moist loaf is to augment the meat with lots of filler ingredients and not to pack it too tight. This one comes chock full of the usual wing side veggies, plus some soft breadcrumbs. Shape it gently by hand for the best texture. 

  • 03 of 17

    Buffalo Chicken Casserole

    buffalo chicken casserole

     Leah Maroney

    Buffalo wing flavor in a baked casserole without the mess? No, you're not dreaming. This is a great way to serve up your favorite appetizer for dinner and it's versatile, too. Sub out riced cauliflower for the tater tots to make it Paleo, swap the white potatoes for sweet potatoes, or sneak in some chopped spinach, too. It even works as a dip if you need a last-minute party appetizer. 

  • 04 of 17

    Easy Buffalo Chicken Roll-Ups

    Leah Maroney 

    Both kids and kids-at-heart will love these simple and tasty roll-ups. The recipe lends itself to variation; you can use shredded rotisserie chicken, leftover chicken breast, or even canned chicken (although it won't have quite the same texture). Make your own Buffalo sauce or buy your preferred jarred variety, and enjoy it with whole-wheat or white flour tortillas. 

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  • 05 of 17

    Buffalo Wing Dip

    1MoreCreative/Getty Images 

    Grab your favorite pita or tortilla chips and get ready for your new favorite dip. This spicy Buffalo chicken version tastes just like the wings, but with a delightful creamy texture. Canned, rotisserie, or shredded leftover chicken all work well. Adjust the amount of hot sauce to your preferred heat level and don't turn your back—it'll be gone before you know it. 

  • 06 of 17

    Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese

    buffalo chicken macaroni and cheese in a baking dish

    The Spruce Eats / Diana Rattray

    Bring the flavor of those spicy wings into mac and cheese with this fun recipe. It has all the flavor of Buffalo chicken backed by the cheesiness of the famous pasta bake. Pick up your favorite hot sauce and bake it up for a game day party or potluck. It will be gone before you know it!

  • 07 of 17

    Buffalo Chicken Wing Pull-Apart Bread

    Milena Perrine

     

    Store-bought pizza dough makes this addictive pull-apart bread as easy to whip up as it is delicious. You can also make your own dough if you have the time. It's the perfect way to use up last night's leftover chicken, but also works with ground beef or other meats. Your party guests won't be able to get enough.

  • 08 of 17

    Buffalo Chicken Meatballs

    Buffalo Chicken Meatballs

    The Spruce / Jennifer Perillo 

    Buffalo chicken meatballs combine two favorite appetizers: chicken wings and meatballs. Since the Buffalo sauce is mixed directly into the meatballs, they're less messy to eat than wings. A quick and easy ranch is a delicious dipping sauce.

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  • 09 of 17

    Buffalo Chicken Tacos

    Foodcollection/Getty Images

     

    The only thing better than tacos or Buffalo wings are Buffalo chicken tacos that marry the best of both worlds. Try this recipe with shredded chicken or turkey if you have it on hand. You can also adjust the amount of Buffalo sauce to control the spiciness. For fun, set up a "toppings bar" with all the classic fixins and let everyone dress their own tacos.

  • 10 of 17

    Slow-Cooker Buffalo Chicken and Rice

    JGI/Jamie Grill / Getty Images

     

    Grab your slow cooker and get ready to enjoy some free time with this hands-off recipe. If you'd rather make this using boneless, skinless chicken thighs instead of breasts, just increase the cook time to 6 to 7 hours and make sure to check your meat for doneness. It should always reach 160 F. Adjust the spiciness by using less Buffalo sauce for a milder flavor or adding chopped chiles for a hotter dish. 

  • 11 of 17

    Crispy Buffalo Chicken Sandwich

    Grilled Cheese Social 

    These crunchy, spicy fried chicken sandwiches are perfect for watching the game, but also make a great casual dinner or weekend lunch. Carrot chips, slivered celery, and either arugula or romaine lettuce make great accoutrements, and—of course—don't forget the blue cheese. Use a sturdy, fluffy potato bun to soak up that signature sauce. 

  • 12 of 17

    Buffalo Chicken-stuffed Zucchini Boats

    Leah Maroney

     

    If you find yourself with an abundance of zucchini, this recipe is a tasty and easy way to use them up. The zesty, cheesy boats are low in carbs and also work for a Keto diet. Even better, you can also prepare them a day ahead of time and store covered in the fridge until you're ready to eat.

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  • 13 of 17

    Grilled Cheese with Buffalo Chicken

    Grilled Cheese Social

     

    Think grilled cheese is the greatest? Try tossing fried chicken fingers in Buffalo sauce and adding them to the mix and your world will be forever changed. Use thick-sliced French bread for a sturdy sandwich, and don't you dare skimp on the cheese. Use multiple varieties to really level it up.

  • 14 of 17

    Slow-Cooker Buffalo Chicken Dip

    bhofack2 / Getty Images

     

    If you've got a tailgate or a party coming up, bookmark this easy hot Buffalo chicken dip. Make it in the slow cooker to let the flavors blend beautifully and serve it with crackers, pita chips, tortilla strips, or even sliced veggies. It won't come out too spicy, so serve a little extra Frank's sauce on the side for hotter palates.

  • 15 of 17

    Oven-Fried Bufalo Chicken Strips

    Diana Rattray

     

    Make your own Buffalo chicken fingers at home, no frying required! These panko-breaded strips are perfect for the big game or any casual get-together. Serve them with a Buffalo aioli for maximum flavor, or regular ranch or blue cheese. This recipe makes enough for a meal for four, or snacks for more, but it also doubles and even triples easily.

  • 16 of 17

    Buffalo Chicken-Stuffed Avocados

    Brenda Bennett

     

    Avocados are all the rage right now and stuffing them with a zesty Buffalo chicken salad filling makes a fun and different lunch. By using pre-cooked rotisserie chicken, you can whip up this simple recipe in under 10 minutes. Don't go too heavy on the mayonnaise; avocado is creamy enough to make up for a lighter touch. 

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  • 17 of 17

    Vegan Buffalo Tofu Wings

    J. Hackett

     

    Even though you don't eat meat, you don't have to miss out on the Buffalo sauce flavor. Just use tofu instead! These meatless "wings" will satisfy your taste buds with less fat and cholesterol, whether you follow a vegetarian diet or just want a lighter twist on an old favorite.