Easy Buffalo Chicken Bites (no breading)

My partner loves buffalo chicken, but let’s be honest—wings are messy, not very filling, and not the healthiest option for a weeknight meal. I used my foolproof skillet chicken method to create this buffalo chicken bite recipe, and I was shocked at how popular it became in my house. I love when it gets requested because it’s simple, easy, and made with ingredients I almost always have on hand. Plus, it all comes together in one skillet in under 15 minutes.

As a former personal trainer and nutrition coach, I worked with hundreds of busy women trying to get high-protein meals on the table fast. One of the biggest challenges? Finding meals that are quick, delicious, and family-friendly. These gluten free buffalo chicken bites check all those boxes! They’re easy to make, packed with protein, and perfect for a no-fuss weeknight dinner or meal prep.

Skillet full of buffalo chicken cubes, white napkin on the side.

If you’re looking for an easy buffalo chicken recipe that delivers on flavor and simplicity, you’re in the right place! And if you are anything like me, you can’t get enough buffalo spiced foods and will any to try this buffalo grilled shrimp recipe (so perfect in tortillas) and my go-to buffalo chickpea salad (that is perfect for meatless meals).

Ingredients to make buffalo chicken in white ramekins on marble countertop.
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Ingredients

  • Boneless, skinless chicken – you can use chicken breast, chicken thighs, chicken tenders or even turkey breast for this recipe.
  • Hot sauce – use any hot sauce you have on hand. If you want a slightly less spicy hot sauce, I recommend Texas Pete.
  • Avocado oil –this is my go-to to keep the recipe dairy free. However, if you want a more authentic flavor, you can use melted ghee or butter.
  • Spices: Dried chives, dried parsley, garlic powder, salt, dried dill – This is my homemade ranch seasoning mixture. You can also use your favorite ranch seasoning (you will need about 1.5 tablespoons).

How to make buffalo chicken bites

Sam’s Tips for Success

  • Use kitchen shears or a sharp knife to cut the chicken into 1 to 1.5-inch pieces for even cooking. A plastic cutting board is best since it can be sanitized in the dishwasher.
  • Check for doneness: My go-to way to check for doneness it to cut a piece in half and make sure there is no more pink on the inside. For accuracy, test the largest piece with an instant-read thermometer—it should reach 165°F.
  • Doubling the recipe? Cook in two batches or use two skillets to avoid crowding the pan, which can cause the chicken to steam instead of sear.
Buffalo chicken bites in bowl with carrots, celery and rice.

Ways to serve

These buffalo chicken bites are incredibly versatile! Here are some of my favorite ways to enjoy them:

  • Buffalo Chicken Tacos – Stuff them into warm tortillas with lettuce, tomato, and a drizzle of ranch dressing for an easy, flavor-packed meal.
  • Buffalo Chicken Rice Bowls – Serve over fluffy jasmine rice with crunchy carrots and celery for a balanced, satisfying meal. Get the full recipe for my Buffalo Chicken Rice Bowls.
  • Salads – Toss them on top of mixed greens, cucumbers, and cherry tomatoes, then finish with dairy free ranch or blue cheese dressing.
  • Wraps – Roll them up in a gluten free wrap with lettuce, avocado, and your favorite sauce.
  • Loaded Sweet Potatoes – Pile them onto baked sweet potatoes and top with ranch or a dollop of dairy free yogurt for a creamy finish.
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Buffalo chicken cubes in skillet with hot sauce in background.

15 Minute Boneless Buffalo Chicken Bites

These buffalo chicken bites are an easy, protein-packed meal made in just one skillet! Juicy, bite-sized pieces of chicken are cooked to perfection and coated in a bold, tangy buffalo sauce. This simple recipe is gluten free, dairy free, and made without breading—perfect for a quick and healthy weeknight dinner. Serve in tacos, rice bowls, or on a salad for a delicious and satisfying meal! Ready in just 15 minutes with minimal ingredients.
5 from 1 vote
Print Pin Save Rate
Course: dinner
Cuisine: American
Keyword: buffalo chicken bites, buffalo chicken cubes, gluten free buffalo chicken bites, skillet buffalo chicken
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Servings: 4

Guided Recipe Video

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Preheat a large skillet over medium heat.
  • Cut the chicken into cubes (about 1-1.5 inch chunks). Add the chicken to a bowl.
    1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken
  • Combine hot sauce, avocado oil and spices in a bowl. Stir well then pour the buffalo sauce over the chicken cubes.
    ½ cup hot sauce, 1 tablespoon avocado oil, 1 tablespoon dried chives, 1 teaspoon dried parsley, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon sea salt, ½ teaspoon dried dill
  • When the skillet is hot, add the chicken and buffalo sauce and move the chicken to to one layer in the skillet then don't touch the chicken for 5 minutes.
  • After 5 minutes, stir the chicken and cook 4-5 more minutes, stirring occasionally.
  • If there is a lot of liquid left in the skillet, take the chicken out and cook the chicken 1-3 more minutes until thickened. Return the chicken to the skillet and stir well.

Notes

Top tips
  • Use sharp kitchen shears or a knife to cut up the chicken.
  • Cut the chicken into 1-1.5 inch chunks so they cook evenly
  • You can easily double the recipe (just be sure to cook it in two batches or use two skillets so that the chicken doesn’t crowd the pan).
Storing leftovers
  • Fridge: Store leftovers in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
  • Freezer: freeze leftover chicken for up to 3 months. Be sure to let the chicken cool completely before freezing. Freeze in a freezer safe bag or container and label it with the name, date and use by date.
    • Be sure to defrost the chicken in the fridge overnight before reheating.
Reheating instructions
  • Stove – reheat in a skillet over medium low heat, covered. Add an additional 1 tablespoon of water or hot sauce to the skillet to ensure the chicken doesn’t dry out.
  • Microwave – microwave on high for 1:30-2 minutes.

Nutrition Information

Nutrition Facts
Amount per Serving
Calories
240
Fat
 
11
g
Carbohydrates
 
1
g
Fiber
 
0.2
g
Sugar
 
0.4
g
Protein
 
33
g
Where does nutrition info come from? Nutrition facts are provided as a courtesy, sourced from the USDA Food Database.
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Common questions

What is the best hot sauce for homemade buffalo sauce?

The best hot sauce depends on your taste! I prefer Frank’s Red Hot Original (or the Aldi dupe), but Crystal Hot Sauce is another great option. Texas Pete has a tangier, less spicy flavor if you prefer something milder.

Cast iron skillet filled with buffalo chicken, wooden spoon in pan.

Can you use store bought buffalo sauce?

Yes! If you want to skip making your own, I recommend Primal Kitchen Buffalo Sauce or New Primal Buffalo Sauce—both are dairy free and delicious

Are these gluten free buffalo bites crispy?

No, these bites don’t have breading, so they won’t get crispy like fried chicken. They’re more like tender, saucy, skillet-cooked chicken.

Fork holding a buffalo chicken cube over a bowl.

Are these spicy?

Yes! Since the sauce is hot sauce-based, it has a kick. To make it milder, add extra oil, maple syrup, or honey to tone down the heat.

How to make them spicier?

If you love extra heat, stir ¼ to ½ teaspoon of cayenne pepper or crushed red pepper flakes into the sauce—start small and adjust to taste.

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2 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    These buffalo chicken bites sounded absolutely delicious! I appreciate the simplicity and efficiency of the recipe, allowing for a quick and satisfying meal. The homemade buffalo sauce adds a delightful kick of flavor, and the combination of herbs and spices promises a tantalizing taste experience. Your attention to detail in the notes section, such as ensuring even-sized chicken chunks and thickening the sauce, demonstrates your dedication to achieving the perfect outcome. It’s great to know that the recipe can be easily doubled for larger gatherings. Thank you for sharing this fantastic recipe—it’s sure to be a crowd-pleaser!

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