This Air Fryer Buffalo Shredded Chicken is juicy, flavorful, and tossed in spicy buffalo sauce for the perfect kick. 🔥🍗 Ready in under 20 minutes, it’s a quick and easy protein for wraps, salads, sandwiches, or meal prep. Bold, versatile, and delicious—perfect for busy weeknights or game day! 🌯🥗

Juicy air fryer buffalo shredded chicken in a bowl, coated in spicy buffalo sauce, ready for sandwiches, wraps, or salads.
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This Air Fryer Buffalo Shredded Chicken is juicy, flavorful, and incredibly easy to make! 🔥🍗

Perfectly cooked chicken breasts are shredded and tossed in spicy buffalo sauce, giving you a versatile protein that’s great for wraps, sandwiches, salads, or grain bowls.

It’s a quick, high-protein meal prep option with bold flavor and just the right amount of heat. Whether you’re making a quick lunch or prepping dinners for the week, this buffalo shredded chicken is always a win! 🌶️🥗

Why You Will Love This Recipe!

Quick & Easy – Ready in under 20 minutes with simple steps. ⏱️
Juicy & Flavorful – Perfectly cooked, tender chicken with bold buffalo flavor. 🌶️
Versatile for Meals – Great for wraps, salads, sandwiches, or bowls. 🥗🌯
Perfect for Meal Prep – Stores well and reheats easily all week. 🧊🔥
Healthier Option – No deep frying, just lean protein with big flavor. 💪

Ingredients Needed

Ingredients needed for Air Fryer Buffalo Shredded Chicken on kitchen table.
  • Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts – Tender, lean chicken perfect for shredding after cooking 🍗
  • Buffalo Sauce – Spicy, tangy sauce that adds bold flavor 🌶️
  • Olive Oil or Melted Butter – Adds moisture and helps seasoning stick 🧈🫒
  • Garlic Powder – Adds savory, aromatic flavor to the chicken 🧄
  • Onion Powder – Provides subtle sweetness and depth of flavor 🧅
  • Salt (or to taste) – Enhances all flavors in the seasoning 🧂
  • Black Pepper – Adds a little warmth and mild spice 🌶️

    Recipe Variations

    • Blue Cheese or Feta Crumbles: Introduces a tangy counterpoint to the spicy Buffalo sauce.
    • Chopped Fresh Cilantro or Parsley: For a fresh, herby touch.
    • Chopped Celery: Adds a refreshing crunch and is a traditional accompaniment to Buffalo flavors.

    How To Make Air Fryer Buffalo Shredded Chicken

    Raw chicken breasts brushed with olive oil and sprinkled with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper, ready for the air fryer.

    1️⃣ Preheat the Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 370°F for about 3–5 minutes to ensure even cooking.

    2️⃣ Season the Chicken: Brush chicken breasts with olive oil or melted butter. Sprinkle both sides with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper.

    Seasoned chicken breasts cooking in an air fryer basket at 370°F, arranged in a single layer, flipped halfway through for even cooking.

    3️⃣ Air Fry the Chicken: Place chicken breasts in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Cook at 370 degrees F set cook time for 16–18 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.

    4️⃣ Shred the Chicken: Remove the chicken from the air fryer and let it rest for a few minutes. Then shred using two forks or a hand mixer.

    Juicy air fryer buffalo shredded chicken in a bowl, coated in spicy buffalo sauce, ready for wraps, salads, or sandwiches.

    5️⃣ Toss with Buffalo Sauce: Add shredded chicken to a bowl, pour in the buffalo sauce, and toss until fully coated.

    6️⃣ Serve: Use the buffalo shredded chicken in wraps, sandwiches, salads, bowls, or as a protein-packed snack! 🌯🥗🔥

    Bowl of shredded buffalo chicken cooked in the air fryer, coated in spicy buffalo sauce, ready for serving in wraps, salads, or bowls.

      Air Fryer Buffalo Shredded Chicken Recipe Tips

      Don’t Overcrowd the Basket – Cook chicken in a single layer for even air circulation and perfect cooking. 🍗
      Use a Meat Thermometer – Make sure the internal temperature reaches 165°F for juicy, safe-to-eat chicken. 🌡️
      Let It Rest Before Shredding – Rest chicken for a few minutes to keep it juicy and easier to shred. ⏳
      Adjust the Heat Level – Use mild buffalo sauce or mix in extra butter for less spice. 🌶️🧈
      Double the Batch for Meal Prep – This chicken stores and reheats perfectly for multiple meals. 🍱

      Storing, Freezing & Reheating

      • Storing 🧊: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Keep it sealed tightly to maintain moisture and flavor.
      • Freezing ❄️: Place cooled shredded chicken in freezer-safe bags or containers and freeze for up to 2 months. Perfect for quick future meals.
      • Reheating 🔥: Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F for 3–4 minutes or microwave in 30-second intervals until warm. Add extra buffalo sauce if needed to refresh flavor and moisture.
      Bowl of juicy air fryer buffalo shredded chicken coated in spicy buffalo sauce, ready for wraps, sandwiches, or salads.

      Air Fryer Buffalo Shredded Chicken Recipe Faqs

      ❓Can I use frozen chicken? Yes! ❄️ Just add 3–5 extra minutes to the cook time, but always check for an internal temp of 165°F.

      ❓Is this recipe spicy? It has a medium buffalo kick 🌶️ but you can adjust the heat by adding more butter for milder or extra hot sauce for spicier.

      ❓Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts? Absolutely! 🍗 Thighs stay juicy and work perfectly—just adjust the cooking time by 2–3 minutes if needed.

      ❓How do I shred the chicken quickly? Use two forks 🍴 or a hand mixer on low speed for fast, easy shredding.

      ❓What’s the best way to use it? It’s perfect for wraps, salads, sandwiches, grain bowls, or stuffed in baked potatoes! 🥗🌯🥪

      How To Use Air Fryer Buffalo Pulled Chicken

      Air Fryer Buffalo Shredded Chicken is super versatile and can be used in so many delicious ways! Pile it into wraps with lettuce and ranch for a quick lunch, stuff it into sandwiches or sliders for an easy dinner, or toss it over salads for a protein-packed meal with a spicy kick.

      It’s also amazing in grain bowls, stuffed into baked potatoes, layered on nachos, or rolled into quesadillas.

      Whether you’re meal prepping for the week or whipping up something quick, this shredded chicken adds bold flavor to almost anything! 🔥🌯🥗

      More Air Fryer Recipe

      Air Fryer Buffalo Shredded Chicken

      Air Fryer Buffalo Shredded Chicken

      5 from 3 votes
      Prep Time: 5 minutes
      Cook Time: 18 minutes
      Total Time: 23 minutes
      Servings: 4 Servings

      Description

      Juicy, tender shredded chicken tossed in spicy buffalo sauce, made quickly and easily in the air fryer. Perfect for wraps, salads, sandwiches, or meal prep!

      Ingredients 

      • 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts,
      • 1/2 cup Buffalo sauce, to taste
      • 1 tablespoon olive oil , or melted butter
      • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, to taste
      • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder, to taste
      • 1/4 teaspoon salt, to taste
      • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, to taste

      Optional toppings: blue cheese crumbles, fresh cilantro or parsley, chopped celery

      Instructions

      • Preheat air fryer temperature to 370 degrees F for 3–5 minutes.
      • Brush chicken breasts with olive oil or butter. Season both sides with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
      • Place chicken in a single layer in the basket. Set cook time for 16–18 minutes, flipping halfway, until internal temperature reaches 165°F.
      • Let the chicken rest for a few minutes, then shred using two forks or a hand mixer.
      • Add shredded chicken to a bowl and mix in buffalo sauce until fully coated.
      • Use in wraps, sandwiches, salads, bowls, or meal prep!

      Equipment

      • Cooking Spray
      • Parchment Paper, optional

      Nutrition

      Serving: 1ServingCalories: 292kcalCarbohydrates: 1gProtein: 48gFat: 9gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0.03gCholesterol: 145mgSodium: 1329mgPotassium: 848mgFiber: 0.1gSugar: 0.03gVitamin A: 69IUVitamin C: 3mgCalcium: 13mgIron: 1mg

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