4 Buffalo Chicken Sandwich Recipes for Carnivore and Keto

Keto

This sandwich is high in protein and fat and moderate in calories, which is good for those trying to induce ketosis and lose weight.

You can also easily make it low-carb by removing the bun and breading or changing them with low-carb alternatives.

Buffalo sauce itself is generally Keto-friendly because it contains hot sauce and butter. Cheese, ranch, and blue cheese dressing are all allowed on the Keto Diet.

Carnivore

By eliminating plant-based ingredients, such as breading, buns, and slaw, and using only animal products, a buffalo chicken sandwich can be made fully Carnivore.

If you are on a relaxed Carnivore, you can still enjoy the heat of buffalo sauce, though if you are on a zero-carb Carnivore Diet, you should avoid even the small amounts of vinegar or chili.

Learn More: Carbs in Mushrooms: Are They Too High for a Carnivore Diet?

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Ingredients You Need to Make a Buffalo Chicken Sandwich

To make the Chicken, which is the base for all methods, you need:

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 6 oz. each)
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp smoked paprika

To make the homemade Buffalo Sauce, you will need:

• ½ cup Frank’s RedHot or similar cayenne hot sauce
• ¼ cup melted unsalted butter
• 1 tbsp white vinegar
• 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp cayenne (optional)

For sandwich assembly, you need:

• 4 toasted brioche buns
• 4 slices of cheese (blue cheese, provolone, or pepper jack)
• ½ cup ranch or blue cheese dressing
• 1 cup shredded lettuce or coleslaw mix
• Pickles or sliced jalapeños (optional)

Learn More: The Best Bacon Dip Recipes for Carnivore and Keto

Recipe 1: Crispy Fried Buffalo Chicken Sandwich

This version is low-carb and Keto-friendly, but the tweaks to make it zero-carb and Carnivore-friendly are given below the recipe.

Ingredients (4 servings):

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (2 lb/ 900 g) + seasoning (from above)
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 1 cup buttermilk
• ½ tsp baking powder
• 3 tbsp oil

Instructions:

1. Pound chicken breasts to ½-inch thickness. Season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika.
2. Bring three bowls. Whisk eggs and buttermilk in one bowl, flour and baking powder in the other, and panko in the third bowl.
3. Place the chicken in flour, then egg mix, and then panko. Press firmly to be fully coated.
4. Heat oil in a skillet to 350°F (175°C). Fry the chicken for 3-4 minutes per side until golden ( internal temperature should be 165°F).
5. Drain the chicken on paper towels and toss it in buffalo sauce.
6. Make the sandwich with the bun, cheese, chicken, dressing, lettuce/slaw, and pickles.
7. Bon Appetit!

Macros (per sandwich):

Calories: 720 kcal | Protein: 42 g | Fat: 32 g | Carbohydrates: 62 g

Learn More: Speed Keto Diet: What Is It and How Does It Work?

To Make It Carnivore-Friendly:

• Instead of flour and panko, use pork rind crumbs or zero-carb whey protein powder as a coating.
• Instead of the regular bun, use a Carnivore bread, or a Carnivore Diet Cloud Bread, or serve it bunless with melted cheese on top.
• For dressing, use full-fat blue cheese or homemade Carnivore ranch.

Tweaking the above recipe this way gives you the same crunch and flavor, but without carbohydrates, making the recipe fully Carnivore.

Macros (per serving, with pork rind coating, no bun):

• Calories: 540 kcal
• Protein: 52 g
• Fat: 34 g
• Carbohydrates: <2g

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Recipe 2: Baked Buffalo Chicken Sandwich

Ingredients (4 servings):

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (2 lb/ 900 g) + seasoning
• 1 cup breadcrumbs (panko or whole wheat)
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 egg + 2 tbsp milk

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C).
2. Line a baking sheet with parchment.
3. Mix breadcrumbs and olive oil.
4. Dip seasoned chicken into egg wash, then into the breadcrumbs.
5. Place on a baking sheet, and spray lightly with cooking spray.
6. Bake for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway, until crispy or reach 165°F internally.
7. Brush or toss with buffalo sauce.
8. Make the sandwich and enjoy!

Macros (per sandwich):

Calories: 590 kcal | Protein: 45 g | Fat: 20 g | Carbohydrates: 55 g

Learn More: Carbs in Sunflower Seeds: Are They Low Enough for Carnivore?

To Make It Carnivore-Friendly:

• Replace breadcrumbs with grated Parmesan and pork rind crumbs.
• Skip olive oil and use melted butter or beef tallow instead.
• Instead of the regular bun, use Carnivore Diet Cloud Bread or Carnivore Waffle. You can also serve it bunless with melted cheese on top.

Why it works: Parmesan crust crisps up beautifully in the oven, adding fat and flavor without carbs.

Macros (per serving, no bun):

• Calories: 480 kcal
• Protein: 50 g
• Fat: 28 g
• Carbohydrates: <2g

Recipe 3: Grilled Buffalo Chicken Sandwich

Ingredients (4 servings):

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (2 lb/ 900 g) + seasoning
• 2 tbsp olive oil

Instructions:

1. Preheat the grill to medium-high. Brush chicken with olive oil, season as in the above recipe.
2. Grill for 5-6 minutes per side until charred. The internal temperature should reach 165°F.
3. Remove the chicken from the heat and toss it in buffalo sauce.
4. Assemble sandwiches with cheese, toppings, and dressing.
5. Enjoy!

Macros (per sandwich):

Calories: 480 kcal | Protein: 48 g | Fat: 15 g | Carbohydrates: 38 g

To Make It Carnivore Friendly:

• Keep seasoning simple; only salt for zero-Carnivore. You may add some pepper if you are not on a fully zero-carb diet.
• Brush with beef tallow or ghee instead of olive oil.
• Serve with melted cheese on top instead of bread. You can also use a Carnivore Diet PSMF Protein Bread instead of a regular bun.

Macros (per serving, no bun):

• Calories: 420 kcal
• Protein: 48 g
• Fat: 24 g
• Carbohydrates: 0 g

Learn More: Is Olive Oil a Seed Oil? Can I Use Olive Oil on Carnivore?

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Recipe 4: Crockpot Buffalo Chicken Sandwich

Ingredients (6-8 servings):

• 2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts
• 1 cup buffalo sauce
• 2 tbsp butter
• ½ cup chicken broth
• 1 tsp garlic powder

Instructions:

1. Place chicken, broth, butter, and garlic powder in crockpot.
2. Cook on LOW for 6-7 hours or HIGH for 3-4 hours, until chicken shreds easily.
3. Shred chicken with forks and mix with buffalo sauce.
4. Place the chicken onto buns, top with cheese and slaw.
5. Bon Appetit!

Macros (per sandwich with bun):

• Calories: 430 kcal
• Protein: 40 g
• Fat: 12 g
• Carbohydrates: 38 g

To Make It Carnivore-Friendly:

• Keep the chicken and butter base.
• Serve shredded buffalo chicken with melted cheese on top, or as a buffalo chicken bowl with extra butter.

Macros (per serving, no bun):

• Calories: 400 kcal
• Protein: 42 g
• Fat: 22 g
• Carbohydrates: <1g

Learn More: 10 Low Calorie Lunch Ideas to Lose Weight on Carnivore Diet

Toppings and Variations

• Cheese options: Blue cheese (classic), provolone (mild), pepper jack (spicy), mozzarella (gooey)
• Toppings: Coleslaw gives crunch, pickles add tang, and jalapeños add extra spice.
• Dressings: ranch vs. blue cheese, dairy-free cashew ranch

Tips to Make the Best Buffalo Chicken Sandwich

• Juiciness tip: Pound chicken evenly so it cooks consistently.
• Heat control: Adjust the butter-to-hot sauce ratio in the buffalo sauce.
• Crispiness trick: Double-dip breading. Dip the chicken in flour → egg → flour → egg → breadcrumbs.
• Prevent soggy buns: Toast buns and spread dressing on both sides to avoid extra moisture.
• Standard buffalo sauce is Keto-friendly. Zero-carb carnivores can make a sauce by mixing butter, cayenne, and salt.
• Add more butter, cream cheese, or melted cheese for energy on macros on the Keto or Carnivore Diet.

Learn More: 15 High Protein Low Carb Meals You Must Try to Lose Weight

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Tips for Storage, Freezing, and Reheating

• Fried or baked chicken: Cool, store in an airtight container, refrigerate up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven or air fryer.
• Crockpot version: Store shredded chicken separately. It lasts 4 days in the fridge or 2 months in the freezer. Reheat gently with a splash of broth.

Conclusion

You make the buffalo chicken sandwich in different ways, such as crispy fried, healthier baked, smoky grilled, or crockpot-style.

This sandwich is loved by those on a Keto or Carnivore Diet because you can easily customize toppings, tweak the buffalo sauce, or balance macros.

If you are not sure whether your daily macros are balanced or not, use this free Carnivore Macro Calculator to find the right ratio based on your activity level, gender, and age.

FAQs

Here are answers to the most frequently asked questions about the buffalo chicken sandwich.

Can I Make Buffalo Chicken Sandwiches Ahead of Time?

Yes, prep chicken and toppings separately. Assemble right before serving to get the best texture.

What Is the Best Sauce Brand for Buffalo Chicken?

Frank’s RedHot is classic. For more tang, use Crystal. For smoky heat, try Cholula.

How Do I Make the Buffalo Chicken Sandwich Less Spicy?

Add more butter or a tablespoon of honey to the buffalo sauce (for the Keto version).

Can I Make the Buffalo Chicken Sandwich Keto or Gluten-Free?

Yes, you can use almond flour breading with a lettuce wrap or a gluten-free bun.