Healthy Buffalo Chicken Recipes

These healthy Buffalo chicken recipes will have you itching to fire up your oven. While not all of these are outright healthy, all of them are at least healthier than most of the Buffalo chicken recipes you'll find. That's something!

Collage of four delicious recipes. The title "Buffalo Chicken Recipes Healthy" is in the center of the collage.

What is Buffalo chicken?

Buffalo chicken is a hot and spicy chicken recipe that is usually made with chicken wings and a rich hot sauce. It's been around since the mid-1960s.

This hot chicken dish was created in 1964 at the Anchor Bar in Buffalo, New York. The co-owner of the bar, Teressa Bellissimo cooked leftover wings in hot sauce as a late-night snack for her son and his friends.

Her son and their friends loved it so much, that she decided to try it out on their menu, and the rest is zesty, spicy Buffalo chicken history.

How can Buffalo chicken be healthy?

First and foremost, the main thing to remember is that all things should be enjoyed in moderation. When overdone, no food is totally healthy. You could eat greens for every meal, and eventually, you'd start to run out of steam.

Second, although this recipe list is for healthy buffalo chicken recipes, there's really no recipe for Buffalo chicken that will ever be called health food. That being said, Buffalo chicken does have some things going for it.

All Buffalo chicken recipes are made with chicken, which is full of protein and amino acids. Of course, most Buffalo chicken is also served with cheese either in the dish or on the side, so you've got yourself some more protein and calcium.

Buffalo chicken recipes may also include pasta, bread, or some other form of carb, so you have fuel for your body.

If you're going to enjoy Buffalo chicken of any kind, do it in moderation. While it's not something you should eat all the time, it definitely can add great flavor, protein, and some vitamins.

What Drinks go with Buffalo chicken?

Any kind of Buffalo chicken recipe is delicious when paired with beers like pale ales or IPAs. In addition, wines like Riesling, Moscator, or Sautereau are also served with different kinds of Buffalo chicken variations.

For those under 21 or those who simply don't drink alcohol, the zesty flavors of Buffalo chicken are also great with pop or sweet tea.

What can you serve with Buffalo chicken recipes?

The flavors of Buffalo chicken are excellent with a variety of side dishes. This classic flavor profile is delicious with things like:

Baked beans
Macaroni and cheese
Onion rings
Bread rolls
French fries
Sweet potato fries
Roasted vegetables
Potato chips
Tortilla chips
Celery
Bleu cheese

For a complete list have a look at our favorites to serve with buffalo chicken. You just might be glad you did.

What makes these Buffalo chicken recipes so great?

These delicious recipes have two things going for them. They're easy, and they're delicious!

All of these recipes use simple ingredients that you can easily find at any grocery store, and they have equally simple steps. Really, anyone can make these recipes.

In addition to being so easy to make, they're all absolutely exploding with Buffalo chicken flavor, making them perfect for snacking, meals, or as appetizers at parties or potlucks.

How can you make Buffalo chicken recipes healthier?

A little substitution can make many Buffalo chicken wings healthier. Some ideas include:

Using full-fat Greek yogurt in place of sour cream.
Using low-fat cheese.
Using whole-grain pasta to replace regular pasta.
Use whole-grain breads for Buffalo chicken recipes with bread.