Creamy avocado meets tangy Buffalo, and you get a tiny, handheld flavor explosion.
This snack comes together in minutes and makes a perfect party starter or quick high-protein lunch.
It’s low-carb, gluten-free, and crazy satisfying.
If you love bold, portable bites, this riff on buffalo flavors sits right up there with other crowd-pleasers like Buffalo chicken egg rolls.
Why You’ll Love This Buffalo Chicken Stuffed Avocados
- Ready in under 15 minutes.
- High in protein and healthy fats.
- Low-carb and naturally gluten-free.
- No baking required.
- Versatile for appetizers or a light meal.
- Crowd-pleasing spice with creamy balance.
The sharp heat from Buffalo sauce is tempered by velvety avocado and cream cheese, creating a contrast of cool and spicy textures that’s addictively satisfying. The shredded chicken adds chew and substance while the green onions cut through with brightness.
"Five stars! The first time I made these they disappeared before I could plate them. Perfect balance of heat and creaminess." — a happy reader
Key Ingredients for Buffalo Chicken Stuffed Avocados
Avocados: Choose ripe but firm avocados that yield slightly when pressed. Overripe fruit will turn mushy once stuffed and can become watery; underripe avocados are hard and won’t provide that creamy mouthfeel. If you must substitute, try a halved roasted sweet potato for a warm, sturdier base with a different texture.
Cooked shredded chicken: Use freshly shredded rotisserie or leftover roasted chicken for best texture and flavor. Pre-shredded deli chicken is often drier and less flavorful. A substitution of canned chicken will work in a pinch but expect a softer texture and milder taste.
Buffalo sauce: This is the primary flavor driver—tangy, spicy, and aromatic. Choose a balanced Buffalo sauce (often a cayenne butter base) rather than a too-salty bottled wing sauce. If you swap it for sriracha or hot sauce, the profile becomes more vinegary and less buttery; decreasing quantity helps keep balance.
Cream cheese: Adds creaminess and helps bind the filling so it sits nicely in the avocado cavity. Room-temperature cream cheese mixes easily; cold cream cheese will lump and require more mixing. Greek yogurt can be a lighter substitute, creating a tangier, less rich filling and slightly looser texture.
Full Ingredient List for Buffalo Chicken Stuffed Avocados
- 2 ripe avocados
- 1 cup cooked chicken, shredded
- 1/2 cup Buffalo sauce
- 1/4 cup cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup chopped green onions
- Salt and pepper to taste
Step-by-Step Instructions for Buffalo Chicken Stuffed Avocados
Step 1: Cut the avocados in half and remove the pits.
Slice the avocados lengthwise, twist gently to separate the halves, and lift out the pits with a spoon or carefully tap and twist with a knife. Place the halves in a shallow dish so they won’t tip while you prepare the filling.
Pro Tip: The avocado flesh should be vivid green with no large brown spots and the halves should sit level in the dish.
Step 2: In a bowl, combine the shredded chicken, Buffalo sauce, cream cheese, and green onions. Mix well until combined.
Toss shredded chicken with Buffalo sauce first so the meat absorbs heat and color. Add softened cream cheese and chopped green onions, folding gently until the mixture is cohesive and slightly glossy.
Pro Tip: You should see an even orange hue and no large cream cheese lumps; mixture should clump slightly but still be scoopable.
Step 3: Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Taste a small bit of the mixture and adjust seasoning—Buffalo sauce can vary in salt, so add salt sparingly. Freshly ground black pepper adds a sharp finish that elevates the heat.
Pro Tip: The filling should taste balanced—tangy, spicy, and slightly salty without being overwhelmingly hot.
Step 4: Scoop the chicken mixture into the avocado halves.
Use a small spoon to mound the filling into each avocado cavity, pressing gently so it nests inside but still forms an attractive heap. You can garnish with extra green onions or a drizzle of Buffalo sauce.
Pro Tip: The stuffed avocados should look neat with a compact mound and a small border of exposed avocado around the filling.
Step 5: Serve immediately as a delicious appetizer or healthy snack.
Serve on a platter with napkins; these are best enjoyed right away to preserve avocado color and texture. Offer extra Buffalo sauce and celery sticks on the side for contrast.
Pro Tip: The aroma will be tangy and buttery; the avocado should still be cool against the warm-tinted filling.
Try this stuffed chicken breast collection for inspiration if you want to turn these flavors into a main-course stuffed chicken.
Expert Tips for Buffalo Chicken Stuffed Avocados
- Chill the avocados briefly before serving if your filling is warm; contrasts in temperature improve the eating experience and slow browning.
- If the filling is too wet, fold in a tablespoon of finely crushed crackers or panko to bind moisture while maintaining bite.
- Use a pastry bag or zip-top bag with the corner snipped for neater presentation when piping the filling into the avocado halves.
- Avoid overmixing the filling; excessive agitation can break down shredded chicken and lead to a pasty texture.
- If avocados brown quickly, squeeze a little lemon juice on the exposed flesh and serve immediately to slow oxidation.
- Use a small cookie scoop for uniform portions so each half receives the same amount of filling and looks polished on a platter.
- Common mistake: using cold cream cheese—let it soften at room temperature for 15–20 minutes so it blends smoothly.
- For serving larger crowds, keep the filling chilled and hollow out additional avocados just before serving to maintain freshness; this prevents soggy bases.
For a creative party menu pairing, consider a zesty side or a creamy dip—similar flavor combos work well with white chicken chili stuffed peppers for a comforting buffet spread.
Storage & Freezing for Buffalo Chicken Stuffed Avocados
Refrigerator storage: Store the chicken filling separately in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Keep prepared, stuffed avocados in a tightly sealed container for up to 24 hours; they brown and soften after that.
Freezer storage: Avocados do not freeze well for texture; do not freeze stuffed avocado halves. You can freeze the chicken filling in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. Defrost overnight in the refrigerator.
Thawing and reheating: Thaw frozen filling in the fridge and gently reheat in a skillet over low heat until warm, or microwave in 20-second bursts stirring in between. Scoop warm filling into fresh avocado halves just before serving.
Best containers: Use airtight glass containers for the filling and single-layer food-safe trays or shallow containers for assembled halves to prevent crushing. If you must transport, secure halves in a snug container padded with paper towels.
Variations & Substitutions for Buffalo Chicken Stuffed Avocados
Creamy Ranch Buffalo: Swap half the cream cheese for ranch dressing and add shredded cheddar. Result: a tangier, more herb-forward filling that mimics buffalo-ranch wings.
Blue Cheese Boost: Stir in 2 tablespoons of crumbled blue cheese instead of green onions. Result: a sharper, more pungent profile with added texture and depth.
Tex-Mex Twist: Replace Buffalo sauce with a chipotle-lime sauce, add corn and cilantro, and top with cotija. Result: smoky heat and a bright, citrus finish that pairs beautifully with avocado.
Turkey or Tuna Swap: Use canned tuna or shredded turkey instead of chicken and adjust Buffalo sauce down to taste. Result: lighter protein options with different textures—tuna gives a flakier bite, turkey is milder and works well with more sauce.
Frequently Asked Questions About Buffalo Chicken Stuffed Avocados
Q: Can I make Buffalo Chicken Stuffed Avocados ahead of time?
A: You can prepare the chicken filling up to 48–72 hours in advance and keep it refrigerated in an airtight container. Hollow out avocados and assemble only 15–30 minutes before serving to preserve color and texture.
Q: What is the best way to shred chicken for Buffalo Chicken Stuffed Avocados?
A: Use two forks to pull warm cooked chicken apart for fluffy shreds, or pulse briefly in a food processor for more uniform shreds—avoid overprocessing, which makes a paste-like texture.
Q: How can I reduce the spiciness without losing flavor?
A: Cut the Buffalo sauce by half and add an equal part melted butter or extra cream cheese to mellow heat while maintaining richness. Adding a little honey also balances heat with sweetness.
Q: Are these Buffalo Chicken Stuffed Avocados keto-friendly?
A: Yes, this recipe is naturally low in carbs and fits well within a ketogenic framework, especially when using full-fat cream cheese and moderate Buffalo sauce.
Q: Can I serve this at a party and keep them looking fresh?
A: For events, keep the filling chilled and hollow out avocados shortly before guests arrive. Assemble just before serving and offer lemon wedges to touch up any slight browning; use shallow platters to present them without crowding.
Final Thoughts on Buffalo Chicken Stuffed Avocados
This is a fast, flavorful snack that balances creamy avocado with bright, spicy Buffalo heat. Leave a star rating in the recipe card below and pin this to Pinterest so others can find this quick, crowd-pleasing idea.
Buffalo Chicken Stuffed Avocados
Ingredients
For the stuffed avocados
- 2 pieces ripe avocados Choose ripe but firm avocados.
- 1 cup cooked chicken, shredded Use freshly shredded rotisserie or leftover roasted chicken.
- 1/2 cup Buffalo sauce Choose a balanced Buffalo sauce for best flavor.
- 1/4 cup cream cheese, softened Room-temperature cream cheese mixes easily.
- 1/4 cup chopped green onions Adds brightness to the dish.
- to taste Salt and pepper Season according to your taste.
Instructions
Preparation
- Step 1: Cut the avocados in half and remove the pits.
- Step 2: In a bowl, combine the shredded chicken, Buffalo sauce, cream cheese, and green onions. Mix well until combined.
- Step 3: Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Step 4: Scoop the chicken mixture into the avocado halves.
- Step 5: Serve immediately as a delicious appetizer or healthy snack.
