OVEN-FRIED CRISPY BUFFALO CHICKEN THIGHS

These chicken thighs are made exactly the same way I make Buffalo Wings in the oven. I will also include how to cook them in a Power XL Airfryer. They don’t work well in a 1st generation air fryer with a small basket, they require being cooked on wire racks. So, in the oven or in the air fryer, they come out crispy and buffalo-wing-spicy.

Ingredients:

• 2 pounds (about 6) bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs

• 1 tbsp Kosher salt

• 2 tbsp conrstarch

• 2 tbsp baking powder

• 2 tsp granulated garlic, 1 tsp onion powder, 1 tsp black pepper, 1 tsp paprika, 1/2 tsp cayenne, and 1/2 tsp onion powder

• Cooking spray

• 1/4 cup unsalted butter (1/2 stick)

• 1/4 cup Frank’s Louisiana Hot Sauce

• 1 tbsp granulated garlic

Directions:

• Place the salt, cornstarch, baking powder, and seasonings in a large bowl and mix thoroughly.

• Pat dry the thighs with paper towels. Place them in the bowl with the salt, cornstarch, baking powder, and seasoning mix and coat the thighs thoroughly on both sides.

• Line a sheet pan with foil then place a wire rack on it. Spray the rack with cooking spray. Lay the chicken thighs on the rack and place in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours or up to overnight.

• When ready to cook, remove the chicken from the refrigerator about 1 hour before cooking. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. For air frying, preheat the air fryer to 380 degrees.

• Place the sheet pan and thighs in the preheated oven for 30 minutes. Or, in the air fryer for 40 minutes. There should be no need to turn the thighs in the Power XL as they will cook evenly on both sides. For the oven method, turn the thighs and return to the oven for another 20 minutes or until the internal temperature is 165 degrees and the chicken is golden brown and crispy.

• Heat a small saucepan over medium low heat and add the butter, hot sauce, and granulated garlic until the butter has melted.

• When the chicken is done, place the pieces in a large mixing bowl and toss with the hot sauce and butter mixture until coated. Serve immediately like hot wings with blue cheese dressing and a chopped salad.