Baked Chicken with Buffalo Sauce – 6 Steps to Bold Flavor

Q: How long should buffalo chicken be in the oven?

At 400°F, boneless chicken breasts take about 22–25 minutes , while bone-in thighs need 30–35 minutes . Use a meat thermometer to confirm doneness— 165°F is the magic number.

Q: When to put sauce on baked chicken?

Add it toward the end of baking , around the final 5 minutes. This helps the sauce stick without burning. Once it’s out of the oven, brush it again for even more flavor and a glossy finish.

Question 1

Can you put hot sauce on chicken before baking?

Accepted Answer

Yes, but it’s not ideal. Hot sauce can dry out or separate at high heat. If you want to marinate in hot sauce beforehand, add a little olive oil to balance it out, then still brush on more sauce after baking for real flavor.

Question 2

How long should buffalo chicken be in the oven?

Accepted Answer

At 400°F, boneless chicken breasts take about 22–25 minutes, while bone-in thighs need 30–35 minutes. Use a meat thermometer to confirm doneness—165°F is the magic number.

Question 3

When to put sauce on baked chicken?

Accepted Answer

Add it toward the end of baking, around the final 5 minutes. This helps the sauce stick without burning. Once it’s out of the oven, brush it again for even more flavor and a glossy finish.

Question 4

What’s the best buffalo sauce to use for baking?

Accepted Answer

Use a buffalo sauce that has some fat content (like butter or oil) so it doesn't dry out in the oven. Store-bought sauces like Frank’s RedHot or Sweet Baby Ray’s Buffalo Wing Sauce work great, or you can make your own with hot sauce, melted butter, garlic powder, and a splash of vinegar.

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