Buffalo-Style Smoked Chicken Wings with Spicy Butter Glaze

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Juicy chicken wings smoked slowly to infuse deep flavor, then tossed in a spicy buttery buffalo sauce for a perfect game day treat. This american-inspired chicken ready in about 130 minutes pairs chicken wings, hickory wood chips, kosher salt for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 380 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. 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.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 120 min Serves 6 American cuisine 380 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat your smoker to 225°F and add 2 cups of hickory wood chips for a balanced smoky flavor.
  2. Step 2: Pat dry 3 lbs chicken wings and season with 1.5 tsp kosher salt, 1 tsp black pepper, and 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper, rubbing evenly.
  3. Step 3: Arrange the wings on the smoker rack and smoke for 2 hours, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F and skin begins to firm.
  4. Step 4: While wings smoke, melt 6 tbsp unsalted butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir in 1/3 cup hot sauce, 1 tsp garlic powder, and 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar. Simmer for 3 minutes until sauce is smooth and fragrant.
  5. Step 5: Remove wings from smoker and immediately toss them in the spicy butter glaze until fully coated.
  6. Step 6: Serve hot with celery sticks and blue cheese dressing, if desired.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Buffalo-Style Smoked Chicken Wings with Spicy Butter Glaze take to make?

Total time is about 130 minutes (10 min prep + 120 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Buffalo-Style Smoked Chicken Wings with Spicy Butter Glaze?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep chicken wings from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Buffalo-Style Smoked Chicken Wings with Spicy Butter Glaze?

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-Style Smoked Chicken Wings with Spicy Butter Glaze 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-Style Smoked Chicken Wings with Spicy Butter Glaze?

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.

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