Name: Buffalo Chicken Skillet Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 15 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2-3 chicken breasts pounded thin (approx. 1 pound); 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided; 1/4 cup Frank’s hot WINGS Sauce for more heat OR Frank’s ORIGINAL Hot Sauce for less heat; 2 tablespoons honey; 1 tablespoon lime juice; 1 teaspoon garlic powder; 1 teaspoon chili powder; 1 teaspoon salt; 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin; 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika; 1/2 teaspoon onion powder; 1/4 teaspoon pepper; Reserved marinade; 1 tablespoon honey; 1 1/2 teaspoons lime juice

There’s just something about the tangy kick and juicy tenderness that makes my Buffalo Chicken Skillet Recipe a total crowd-pleaser in my kitchen. It’s simple, fast, and packed with bold flavors that get everyone asking for seconds—trust me, this one’s worth the fuss.

The image shows a wooden board with a grilled chicken breast sliced into seven thick pieces arranged in a neat row, with a glossy, dark brown, and slightly charred surface showing a shiny glaze. Behind the sliced chicken, there is a whole grilled chicken breast with the same dark brown, glazed, and charred texture. A large knife with a white handle rests on the board near the chicken. The board has some juices and the background is a white marbled texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Buffalo Chicken Skillet Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Buffalo Chicken Skillet Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Buffalo Chicken Skillet Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

From my first attempt, this Buffalo Chicken Skillet Recipe impressed me with how quickly it comes together without sacrificing flavor. Plus, it hits that perfect balance of spicy, sweet, and smoky you’ll crave again and again.

Quick and Easy: Ready in just about 15 minutes of active cooking, great for weeknight dinners.
Customizable Heat: You control how spicy it gets by adjusting the amount of glaze you add—perfect for all heat tolerances.
Versatile Meal: It’s just as amazing on its own as it is in sandwiches, wraps, or salads.
Built-in Flavor Layers: The marinade and glaze bring a combination of zesty, sweet, and smoky notes that keep things interesting.

The image shows close-up slices of cooked chicken with a shiny, caramelized brown and reddish glaze, showing a well-seasoned surface with small blackened spots from cooking. The chicken slices are layered next to each other, showing a soft, light beige inside with a juicy texture under the crispy exterior. The background is blurred wood, but imagine it on a white marbled surface for this description. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Every ingredient plays a role in making the Buffalo Chicken Skillet Recipe shine. The marinade works its magic to tenderize and infuse the chicken, while the glaze adds that signature punch you expect from buffalo-style dishes. When shopping, I recommend picking fresh, high-quality chicken breasts and grabbing Frank’s hot sauce for that genuine buffalo flavor.

Flat lay of thin raw chicken breasts, a small white bowl of golden olive oil, a small white bowl with bright red hot sauce, a small white bowl of clear lime juice, a small white bowl of golden honey, a small white bowl with mixed spices including paprika, chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, salt, and pepper arranged in neat piles, all placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Chicken breasts: Pounding them thin ensures they cook evenly and stay juicy—no nasty dry spots here.
Olive oil: Helps keep the chicken moist and keeps the skillet cooking smooth.
Frank’s hot wings sauce: This is the star buffalo flavor; you can pick the original if you want milder heat.
Honey: Balances out the heat and adds a lovely glaze shine that’s irresistible.
Lime juice: Gives a fresh, tangy brightness that cuts through the richness beautifully.
Spices (garlic powder, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, onion powder, salt, pepper): These provide a smoky, savory backdrop that turns simple chicken into a flavor-packed dinner.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I’m all about mixing things up depending on my mood or what’s in the fridge. This Buffalo Chicken Skillet Recipe really shines when you add your own twist—maybe more honey if you’re craving sweetness, or extra hot sauce if today calls for a serious kick.

Variation: I once swapped the chicken breasts for thighs just to see how the extra fat would change things. The result? Even juicier, more flavorful bites that everyone loved.
Dietary Modification: You can easily make this low carb by serving it over cauliflower rice or your favorite greens instead of bread or wraps.
Seasonal Change: Try adding sautéed bell peppers or onions to the skillet for a colorful, veggie-packed version that’s just as delicious.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Buffalo Chicken Skillet Recipe

Step 1: Whisk and Marinate

Start by whisking up the buffalo marinade—hot sauce, honey, lime, and those beautiful spices that build layers of flavor. Reserve a little of this marinade for the glaze later! Toss your thinly pounded chicken breasts in the marinade and olive oil, then pop it in the fridge for at least 2 hours. From experience, overnight marination amps up the depth of flavor, but even a couple of hours works wonders.

Step 2: Prepare the Buffalo Glaze

Mix the reserved marinade with a touch more honey and lime juice to create your glaze. This glaze is the secret weapon that brings everything together at the end with that perfect sticky, spicy finish.

Step 3: Cook the Chicken on the Stovetop

Let the chicken sit out to lose the chill for about 15-30 minutes to help it cook evenly. Heat a non-stick skillet on medium-high until very hot, then add the chicken. Don’t poke or prod—just let it sear undisturbed for 3 to 5 minutes until it’s got that gorgeous golden crust. Flip the chicken, cover, and turn down the heat to medium. Cook for 5 to 7 more minutes until it’s cooked through. Let it rest before slicing—this keeps all those juicy flavors locked in.

Step 4: Glaze and Serve

Brush your chicken with the buffalo glaze to coat it generously or lightly, depending on your heat preference. This final touch gives your dish that show-stopping buffalo zing.

Top Tip

Over the years, I’ve learned the magic really is in how you let the chicken rest after cooking and before slicing. This little pause locks in juiciness and makes the buffalo glaze stick even better.

Marinate Longer: The deeper the marinade absorption, the bolder the chicken’s flavor—overnight if you can swing it.
Don’t Rush Searing: Give the chicken time to develop a golden crust before flipping for that irresistible texture.
Resting is Key: Let the chicken relax 5 minutes after cooking so juices redistribute and the glaze adheres beautifully.
Adjust Glaze to Taste: Start with less glaze and add more if you want more heat—it's easy to customize.

How to Serve Buffalo Chicken Skillet Recipe

Garnishes

I’m a sucker for fresh garnishes to brighten every bite. A sprinkle of chopped celery or green onions adds a fresh crunch, and a handful of crumbled blue cheese? That’s the buffalo chicken soulmate right there. Sometimes I throw on a little cilantro for a vibrant herbal kick too.

Side Dishes

I love pairing thisBuffalo Chicken Skillet Recipe with creamy mashed potatoes or buttery corn on the cob to balance the heat. For something lighter, a crisp kale salad dressed with lemon vinaigrette works wonderfully and adds a nice texture contrast.

Creative Ways to Present

For a fun dinner party twist, I’ve layered sliced buffalo chicken on toasted naan bread with a dollop of ranch, shredded lettuce, and thinly sliced radishes. It’s colorful, impressive, and super tasty—big hit every time!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover buffalo chicken stores beautifully in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days. I usually slice it before storing to save time when reheating or packing lunches.

Freezing

I’ve frozen this recipe a few times, usually after cooking and glazing. Wrap the chicken tightly in foil and then a freezer bag to protect it. It keeps well up to 2 months and thaws quickly in the fridge overnight.

Reheating

To keep the chicken juicy when reheating, I pop it in a covered skillet over low heat just until warmed through. You can brush on a little extra glaze to rejuvenate that spicy-sweet kick before serving.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use frozen chicken breasts for this recipe?

You can use frozen chicken breasts if you thaw them completely before marinating and cooking. Thawing ensures even cooking and helps the marinade penetrate properly.

How spicy is the Buffalo Chicken Skillet Recipe?

The recipe starts with a flavorful but mild marinade; the heat level is easily adjusted by how much buffalo glaze you brush on at the end. So, you can make it as mild or spicy as you prefer.

Can I grill the chicken instead of cooking it on the stovetop?

Absolutely! Grilling adds a fantastic smoky flavor. Just preheat your grill to medium heat and cook the chicken 5-7 minutes per side until cooked through. Don’t forget to rest and glaze after grilling.

What should I serve with Buffalo Chicken Skillet Recipe?

Classic sides like celery sticks, blue cheese dressing, and crispy potatoes are crowd favorites. You can also get creative with a fresh salad, roasted veggies, or tortillas for wraps—all complement the buffalo flavor wonderfully.

Final Thoughts

I really can’t recommend this Buffalo Chicken Skillet Recipe enough—it’s my go-to when I want big flavor without a big fuss. The balance of spice, sweetness, and smoky depth really lifts ordinary chicken into something special. Give it a try and I bet you’ll find it quickly becoming a weeknight staple or your secret weapon for casual get-togethers.