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A plate of buffalo chicken thighs coated in tangy sauce, served with creamy ranch slaw made of green and purple cabbage, garnished with green onions and crumbled blue cheese on a rustic wooden table.
TJ

Buffalo Chicken Thighs with Creamy Ranch Slaw

This Buffalo Chicken Thighs with Creamy Ranch Slaw recipe is a bold, tangy, and keto-friendly dinner that combines spicy chicken thighs with a crunchy, refreshing cabbage slaw. The creamy homemade ranch dressing perfectly balances the heat from the buffalo sauce, creating a harmonious and satisfying flavor profile. Ideal for closing out a long week, this dish delivers on flavor, texture, and nutrition while keeping it simple with whole food ingredients.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Resting Time 5 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 4 Servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Keto-Friendly
Calories: 400
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

Proteins
  • 1.5 lb Chicken Thighs Organic, free-range, skin-on
Vegetables
  • 1 small Head Cabbage Green or purple, thinly sliced
Buffalo Sauce
  • 1/4 cup Hot Sauce Your favorite brand
  • 2 tbsp Butter Unsalted, melted
Ranch Dressing
  • 1/3 cup Mayonnaise Full-fat
  • 1/3 cup Sour Cream Full-fat
  • 1 tbsp Fresh Dill Chopped, or 1tsp dried
  • 1 tbsp Fresh Parsley Chopped, or 1tsp dried
  • 1/2 tsp Garlic Powder For flavor
  • 1/4 tsp Onion Powder For depth
  • 1/2 tsp Salt Adjust to taste
  • 1/4 tsp Black Pepper Freshly ground
  • 1 tbsp Lemon Juice Freshly squeezed
Optional Garnishes
  • 1 tbsp Green Onions Chopped, for a fresh finish
  • 1 tbsp Crumbled Blue Cheese For extra creaminess

Equipment

  • Baking Sheet For roasting the chicken thighs evenly
  • Parchment Paper or Aluminum Foil To line the baking sheet for easy cleanup
  • Mixing Bowl (Large) For tossing the cabbage with ranch dressing
  • Mixing Bowl (Small) For preparing the buffalo sauce
  • Tongs For handling the chicken thighs and tossing the cabbage
  • Whisk For mixing the ranch dressing and buffalo sauce
  • Knife For slicing cabbage and trimming chicken thighs, if necessary
  • Cutting Board For preparing the cabbage and chicken
  • Measuring Spoons For accurate measurement of seasonings and sauce ingredients

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil for easy cleanup.
  2. Pat 1.5lb chicken thighs dry with a paper towel, and season both sides with 1/2tsp salt and 1/4tsp black pepper.
Cooking the Chicken
  1. Place the chicken thighs skin-side up on the prepared baking sheet.
  2. Bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
  3. While the chicken is cooking, prepare the buffalo sauce by whisking together 1/4cup hot sauce and 2tbsp melted butter in a small mixing bowl.
  4. After the chicken is fully cooked, brush the buffalo sauce generously over each thigh. Allow the chicken to rest for 5 minutes to lock in juices.
Preparing the Ranch Slaw
  1. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together 1/3cup mayonnaise, 1/3cup sour cream, 1tbsp fresh dill, 1tbsp fresh parsley, 1/2tsp garlic powder, 1/4tsp onion powder, 1/2tsp salt, 1/4tsp black pepper, and 1tbsp fresh lemon juice to make the ranch dressing.
  2. Add the thinly sliced cabbage to the bowl and toss until evenly coated with the ranch dressing.
Serving
  1. Plate the buffalo chicken thighs alongside the creamy ranch slaw.
  2. Garnish the dish with 1tbsp chopped green onions and 1tbsp crumbled blue cheese, if desired. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Nutrition

Serving: 300gCalories: 400kcalCarbohydrates: 6gProtein: 32gFat: 28gSaturated Fat: 8gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 14gCholesterol: 160mgSodium: 780mgPotassium: 560mgFiber: 2gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 1200IUVitamin C: 40mgCalcium: 60mgIron: 2mg

Notes

Buffalo Chicken Thighs with Creamy Ranch Slaw is a flavorful combination of spicy heat and creamy, refreshing crunch. The tender, juicy chicken thighs are coated in tangy buffalo sauce, while the ranch slaw adds a cooling balance, making this a perfectly satisfying keto dinner option. Packed with whole foods and rich in flavor, it’s a dish you’ll want to make again and again.
Pro Tip: To achieve extra crispy skin on the chicken thighs, broil them for 2-3 minutes after brushing on the buffalo sauce. Keep a close eye to avoid burning! For added convenience, use pre-shredded cabbage to cut down on prep time.
Fun Fact: Buffalo sauce gets its name from its birthplace: the Anchor Bar in Buffalo, New York, where it was first served in 1964. Originally paired with chicken wings, its popularity quickly spread, becoming a staple in American cuisine.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!