Grilled Buffalo Chicken Bites
On August 26, 2024
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
Smothered in rich, buttery buffalo sauce and bursting with juicy, tender, chicken flavor, these Grilled Buffalo Chicken Bites make a simple snack or meal in half an hour.
Grilled Buffalo Chicken Bites
If you love the idea of boneless buffalo wings, but they never live up to your expectations, then my Grilled Buffalo Chicken Bites are exactly what you want. These things are a little spicy, a little tangy, and a whole lot of delicious. These flavor-bursting bites are like the cool cousin of chicken wings. You get all the flavor, and none of the fuss. Seasoned with my Beef Rub, the smoke from grilling the bites adds an extra layer of deep flavor to the tender thighs. As if that isn’t enough, these meaty bites get finished off with a toss in some rich, glossy buffalo sauce.
If you’re ready to kiss the forgettable idea of boneless wings goodbye forever, then let’s make some Grilled Buffalo Chicken Bites.
The Best Chicken for Buffalo Bites
First up, let’s talk about picking the right chicken for your bites. For this recipe, I love using chicken thighs for their perfect balance of flavor and juiciness. The flavor and rich meat really works in these boneless bites. The dark meat holds up beautifully on the grill and stays tender even with the high heat we’re using. If you’re looking to lighten things up a bit, then chicken breasts will also taste great. They’ll be a touch leaner, but still delicious when smothered in that buffalo sauce.
Prepping Chicken Thighs for Grilling
I like to slice my chicken into 1.5 inch cubes with a good knife, this way it grills up quickly for an easy weeknight meal or last minute appetizer. Once I’ve got cubes, I drizzle them all with some avocado oil, and then season them on all sides with some of my Signature Beef Rub. At that point, your chicken is ready to go on the grill while you make your buffalo sauce. If you want to give your bites some extra zest, then you can substitute the Beef Rub for some of my Fish & Veggie Rub.
Homemade Buffalo Sauce for Chicken
The “secret sauce” of these chicken bites is, you guessed it, the buffalo sauce. It’s super simple, but wow is it good. Just grab these common pantry ingredients, and get ready to take your buffalo sauce up a notch:
- 1 cup Frank’s RedHot Sauce (or your favorite hot sauce)
- ¼ cup butter
- 2 teaspoons brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
You can also make your buffalo sauce with just a simple combination of hot sauce and butter. Or, if you want to get saucy, you can experiment with different hot sauces (like I did in this post). This stuff is so good you’ll want to smother everything in it. Well, you’re in luck, because I’ve got a ton of buffalo sauce recipes to try:
How Long to Grill Chicken
Using the method for this recipe, your cubed chicken thighs will cook up quick. You’ll set your grill to around 425 degrees F for high heat. Because these bites are thin, they’ll grill to temperature quickly while all that juicy chicken flavor slowly breaks down into the meat. 10-12 minutes is all it should take. Once your thighs reach an internal temperature of 175 degrees F, then they’re ready to pull and toss in some sauce.
Note of food safety. It’s important to remember cooking times are only a guideline. Every piece of chicken and grill is a little different, and internal temperature is the most important factor when cooking any meat.
How to Make Buffalo Chicken Bites on the Grill
If you’re ready to start popping these tasty bites like chicken candy, then just follow these easy steps:
- Preheat grill. Crank your grill up to 425 degrees F. You want high heat to get a nice char on the outside while keeping the inside juicy. I love doing these on my Weber Charcoal Grill because of the smokiness the briquettes add to the chicken. If you don’t have a charcoal grill, then you can also do these bites on a gas or electric grill.
- Prepare chicken. Grab yourself a sharp knife, then cut your chicken thighs into roughly 1 ½-inch cubes. Give the cubes a drizzle of avocado oil, then season liberally with some of my Signature Beef Rub. Don’t be shy with the seasoning, either. You want every bite packed with flavor.
- Make buffalo sauce. Throw all your sauce ingredients into a 12-inch cast iron skillet or pan. Warm them up on your grill or stovetop until the butter melts, then give it a good whisk. Whatever you do, DO NOT let your sauce come to a boil. If you do, then you’ll have a separated mess.
- Grill chicken. Now, spread those seasoned chicken bites directly on the grill grates and close the lid. Give them about 4-5 minutes per side, flipping occasionally with some tongs. Remember, you’re looking for that 175 degrees F internal temp using a reliable meat thermometer.
- Toss and enjoy. Once your chicken hits that perfect temp, transfer them to a large bowl, then it’s sauce time. Toss those hot-off-the-grill bites into your warm buffalo sauce and give them a good coating. The smell alone will have everyone gathering around the grill.
Serving Suggestions
These buffalo bites are versatile flavor bombs that work great as an appetizer or as a main dish. If you want to serve them as a starter, set them out with some toothpicks and watch as they quickly disappear. You can also totally make these work as an easy entree by serving them with traditional wing sides. These delightful bites are more than up to the task.
Whichever way you decide to serve your bites, be sure you remember the dipping sauces! A cool, creamy Homemade Ranch Dressing or tangy Blue Cheese Crumble Dressing make the perfect balance for the spicy buffalo sauce. Throw in some carrot and celery sticks, and you’ve got the best version of a boneless wing night imaginable.
More Easy Chicken Thigh Recipes
I’m a big fan of chicken thighs. They’re juicy, full of rich flavor, and hard to mess up. What’s not to love? If you dig these buffalo bites, I’ve got a whole arsenal of chicken thigh recipes waiting for you. Head over to the Chicken category on the site and look for the Thighs section. You can also find all these recipes in the Hey Grill Hey app. If you’re looking for some immediate inspiration, here are a few of my favorites:
Chicken
BBQ Chicken Thighs
Chicken
Smoked Chicken Thighs
Chicken
Grilled Chicken Thighs
Chicken
0-400 Chicken Thighs
Grilled Buffalo Chicken Bites Recipe
Lick every last drop of that buttery, spicy sauce off your fingers, then leave this recipe a 5-star review if you had fun making it. If this got your brain cooking on more ways to enjoy chicken, then head over to The Grill Squad, where I’ve got a whole class on smoking a whole chicken. It’s loaded with tons on expert tips, recipes for every cut, and instructional videos every step of the way.
For detailed walkthroughs on all your favorite recipes, check out my YouTube channel. And if you’re just looking for some quick tips or grilling inspiration, then make sure you’re subscribed to my Shorts channel. With a little guidance, you’re sure to find something to awaken the backyard BBQ hero inside you.
When you settle on what delicious dish to grill, make sure to share with the group. Tag @heygrillhey on Instagram and Facebook with some pics of your bite-able buffalo chicken.
Grilled Buffalo Chicken Bites
Ingredients
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 Tablespoon avocado oil or your preferred cooking oil
- 1 Tablespoon Hey Grill Hey Beef Rub or equal parts salt and pepper
Homemade Buffalo Sauce
- 1 cup Frank's RedHot Sauce or your preferred hot sauce
- ¼ cup butter
- 2 teaspoons brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
Instructions
- Preheat grill. Set your grill or oven to 425 degrees F for high heat.
- Prepare chicken. Cut your chicken thighs into 1 ½-inch cubes, then drizzle with avocado oil and season on all sides with the Beef Rub.2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, 1 Tablespoon avocado oil, 1 Tablespoon Hey Grill Hey Beef Rub
- Make buffalo sauce. Combine all ingredients for the buffalo sauce in a cast iron skillet or pan. Warm on the grill or the stove until the butter is melted. Whisk to incorporate the ingredients and remove the pan from heat. Do NOT bring to a boil or the sauce will separate.1 cup Frank's RedHot Sauce, ¼ cup butter, 2 teaspoons brown sugar, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- Grill chicken. Place the chicken bites directly on the grill grates and close the lid. Cook for 4-5 minutes per side, or until the chicken reaches 175 degrees F, using a reliable meat thermometer.
- Toss and enjoy. Once your grilled chicken bites reach temperature, transfer them to the pan of warm sauce and toss to thoroughly coat. Serve with your favorite ranch or blue cheese dressing to dip.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
