Buffalo-Spiced Smoked Chicken Wings with Blue Cheese Dip
Juicy chicken wings smoked over a hickory-oak blend and tossed in a spicy buffalo sauce, paired with a creamy blue cheese dip. This american-inspired chicken ready in about 150 minutes blends pounds chicken wings, tablespoon kosher salt, teaspoon black pepper into a versatile sauce that lifts everything from grain bowls and roasted vegetables to grilled proteins — a small-batch staple worth keeping in the fridge. Each serving lands at about 380 calories and feeds 6, so a small batch covers several meals across the week without taking over the fridge. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 3 pounds chicken wings
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 cup hickory wood chips
- 1 cup oak wood chips
- 1/4 cup (4 tablespoons) unsalted butter
- 1/3 cup hot sauce (e.g., Frank's RedHot)
- 1/2 cup blue cheese crumbles
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon fresh chives, chopped
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat dry 3 pounds chicken wings and season evenly with 1 tablespoon kosher salt, 1 teaspoon black pepper, 1 tablespoon paprika, and 1 teaspoon garlic powder. Let rest for 20 minutes.
- Step 2: Preheat smoker to 250°F using a blend of 1 cup hickory and 1 cup oak wood chips for balanced smoke flavor. Arrange wings on the smoker grate and smoke for 2 hours until cooked through and skin is firm.
- Step 3: While wings smoke, melt 1/4 cup unsalted butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Remove from heat and whisk in 1/3 cup hot sauce until smooth to create the buffalo sauce.
- Step 4: In a separate bowl, combine 1/2 cup blue cheese crumbles, 1/2 cup sour cream, 1/4 cup mayonnaise, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, and 1 tablespoon chopped fresh chives. Stir gently and refrigerate for dipping.
- Step 5: When wings are done, toss them in the buffalo sauce until well coated and serve immediately with the chilled blue cheese dip on the side.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Buffalo-Spiced Smoked Chicken Wings with Blue Cheese Dip take to make?
Total time is about 150 minutes (30 min prep + 120 min cook). A small batch typically covers several meals in the week — store as the recipe directs.
How do I store leftover Buffalo-Spiced Smoked Chicken Wings with Blue Cheese Dip?
Transfer to an airtight jar and refrigerate for up to 5–7 days. Most sauces freeze well for up to 2 months — portion into small containers or freezer bags so you can thaw only what you need. Stir before serving; cream- or yogurt-based sauces may separate on standing.
Can I substitute ingredients in Buffalo-Spiced Smoked Chicken Wings with Blue Cheese Dip?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Buffalo-Spiced Smoked Chicken Wings with Blue Cheese Dip for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Buffalo-Spiced Smoked Chicken Wings with Blue Cheese Dip?
American chicken like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
