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Grilled Chicken Wings with Seasoned Buffalo Sauce

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I love the flavor and ease of cooking chicken wings on the grill. They are truly no fuss, no muss and finger lickin’ good!

grilled buffalo wings

Classic Buffalo chicken wings are fried but I love the flavor and ease of cooking them on the grill. They are truly no fuss, no muss and finger-lickin’ good! The key is to cook them over a moderate flame so that the fat renders out and the skin gets nice and crispy. You can serve them plain — they are perfectly delicious as is — but the seasoned Buffalo sauce takes them over the top. The sauce is mild enough for most kids. As you can see, my son and his friends polished off an entire 3-pound test batch in about ten minutes!

Collage of boys eating chicken wings.

What you’ll need to make Grilled Chicken Wings with Buffalo Sauce

You can buy chicken wings already cut up or whole. If you buy them whole, the wings will consist of three parts: the drum, the flat/double-boned “wing” part, and the tip. To cut up a whole wing, start by cutting off the tip (which you can either discard or save for stock), then cut between the drum and the wing part. Try to cut the sections apart at the joints, where the cartilage is softer than solid bone. It’s easy once you get the hang of it.

Wing ingredients including Frank\'s Red Hot, chili powder, and onion powder.

Step-by-step instructions

Begin by seasoning the wings with salt and pepper.

Seasoned wings on a plate.

Grill the wings over moderate heat, turning frequently, until golden. You don’t want the wings to char at all, so keep a close eye on the flame.

Seasoned wings on the grill.

Meanwhile, make the sauce by melting the butter with the garlic in the microwave. Stir in the hot sauce and spices and set aside.

Collage of creating buffalo sauce.

When the wings are done, dip them in the sauce. (Alternatively, you can serve the wings plain with the sauce on the side).

Wings in a bowl of buffalo sauce.

Serve immediately and enjoy!

Plate of grilled chicken wings with seasoned buffalo sauce.

Note: I like Frank’s Hot Sauce for this recipe because it’s pretty mild. For spicier wings, use a hotter sauce.

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Grilled Chicken Wings with Seasoned Buffalo Sauce

I love the flavor and ease of cooking chicken wings on the grill. They are truly no fuss, no muss and finger lickin’ good!

Servings: 4-6 as an appetizer
Prep Time: 5 Minutes
Total Time: 25 Minutes

Ingredients

For the Wings

  • 3 pounds chicken wings (if whole, cut into sections; discard the wing tips or save for stock)
  • 1½ teaspoons kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • Vegetable oil, for grill

For the Seasoned Buffalo Sauce

  • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • ¼ cup plus 2 tablespoons Frank's Red Hot Original Cayenne Pepper Sauce (or similar brand)
  • ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • ½ teaspoon chili powder
  • ¾ teaspoon sugar

Instructions

  1. Heat the grill to medium-high. Season the wings with salt and pepper.
  2. Using grill tongs, dip a wad of paper towels in oil, then carefully rub the grill grate until glossy and coated. Grill the wings, covered, flipping occasionally, until they are golden brown, crispy and completely cooked through, about 20 minutes. Keep a close eye on the grill: if there are flare-ups or the wings begin to burn, move the wings to a cooler part of the grill or reduce the heat. You don't want grill marks on the wings; just a nice and even golden-brown color.
  3. While the wings are cooking, make the sauce. Combine the butter and garlic in a microwave-safe bowl. Cook for about one minute in the microwave until the butter is melted. Stir in the hot sauce, salt, onion powder, chili powder and sugar. Set aside.
  4. Dip the cooked wings in the sauce and serve immediately. Alternatively, serve the wings plain with the sauce on the side.

Pair with

Nutrition Information

Powered by Edamam

  • Per serving (6 servings)
  • Calories: 627
  • Fat: 49g
  • Saturated fat: 18g
  • Carbohydrates: 4g
  • Sugar: 1g
  • Fiber: 2g
  • Protein: 42g
  • Sodium: 851mg
  • Cholesterol: 205mg

This website is written and produced for informational purposes only. I am not a certified nutritionist and the nutritional data on this site has not been evaluated or approved by a nutritionist or the Food and Drug Administration. Nutritional information is offered as a courtesy and should not be construed as a guarantee. The data is calculated through an online nutritional calculator, Edamam.com. Although I do my best to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures should be considered estimates only. Varying factors such as product types or brands purchased, natural fluctuations in fresh produce, and the way ingredients are processed change the effective nutritional information in any given recipe. Furthermore, different online calculators provide different results depending on their own nutrition fact sources and algorithms. To obtain the most accurate nutritional information in a given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe, using your preferred nutrition calculator.

Gluten-Free Adaptable Note

To the best of my knowledge, all of the ingredients used in this recipe are gluten-free or widely available in gluten-free versions. There is hidden gluten in many foods; if you're following a gluten-free diet or cooking for someone with gluten allergies, always read the labels of your ingredients to verify that they are gluten-free.

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Comments

  • Loved it I want to save it for future use

    • — Minnie on August 6, 2023
    • Reply
  • I always cut the wings then deep fry but cutting the wings from the drumstick was always a hassle. I never thought about buffalo wings on the grill. So I tried your recipe. I will never deep fry again. Fall off the bone wings… and I did not mind the char at all. The best part was I took my Tongs and knife and separated the drumstick from the wing after 10 minutes on the grill. they almost came apart on their own. I left the tips on. The wife loved them. She said best wings ever.

    • — Pablo Bellanista on August 1, 2023
    • Reply
  • The best wings! My family and friends love this wing recipe! I make it exactly according to Jens recipe. Perfectly seasoned and spicy. This is always requested at our summer barbecues. Thank you Jen!

    • — Cindy on July 5, 2023
    • Reply
  • I wish I had taken a picture, as they were amazing!!! Will definitely make again, and take a picture next time. FYI – I cooked them in a cast iron skillet instead of directly on the grill. Much less risk of losing a wing for me! :). Thanks for the recipe.

    • — Holly on June 4, 2023
    • Reply
  • 1 recommended adjustment: substitute a *small* glug of molasses for the sugar. It will help the sauce stick to the wings a little better and add another layer of flavor to the sauce. Two cents….

    • — Doug on May 30, 2023
    • Reply
  • This is our favorite wing sauce. I like to add Frank’s wing sauce IN ADDITION TO the Franks’s hot sauce (same amount). It takes some of the oiliness from the butter and has a great flavor. Yummm!

    • — Amos T. Famous on May 17, 2023
    • Reply
  • These were delicious! We ate every single one of them! Easy, tasty and just spicy enough.

    • — Mari on March 29, 2023
    • Reply
  • I made these for the superbowl side by side with wings cooked on the grill in a pouch of foil. These wings hands down were the favorite. I used Frank’s buffalo sauce and did use half a cup rather than a quarter. They were a hit!

    • — Smp on February 12, 2023
    • Reply
  • My apologies, Jenn. Once scrolled down far enough I found the answer to my question!
    Just love all your recipes!

    • — Barbara Greenwood on February 11, 2023
    • Reply
  • Hi Jenn, I’m attempting to prep as much as possible the day before the Super Bowl. Can I make theBuffalo Sauce the day before?
    Thx you.

    • — Barbara Greenwood on February 11, 2023
    • Reply
  • Could I bake the wings in the oven with the sauce on the chicken to get it gooey and baked on the wings?

    • — Vanesa Soukup on December 21, 2022
    • Reply
    • Hi Vanesa, were you planning to grill them first or just bake them? If you’re only baking them, you can do this, but they won’t get crispy at all.

      • — Jenn on December 22, 2022
      • Reply
  • Made these for the Super Bowl and my guests were raving!

  • My family loves these wings! They are in our regular rotation. Some of my kiddos eat it with the sauce, and some eat the wings without, so I serve it on the side. For my son with a dairy allergy, I make a batch of sauce substituting Earth balance soy free margarine for the butter, and it works like a charm. Another easy, flavorful, fantastic recipe, Jenn!

  • Would those bulk frozen 10lb. bag of wingettes from Costco/BJs/Sam’s Club work once defrosted? Some supermarkets have not had chicken wings lately, so looking into options. And if so, any changes in prep or cooking being that they may be frozen with salt? Thanks.

    • Hi Erika, I think they would work with no adjustments. Enjoy!

  • Seasoned my chicken differently but loved the sauce!

  • The sauce on this is so thin and buttery that it doesn’t stick to the wings like the picture shows. When I shopping for the Franks, they have a buffalo sauce. Would that be thicker than the cayenne sauce and then you can skip all the other spices and butter?

    • Hi JR, the buffalo sauce isn’t any thicker. Next time you make this, I’d let the sauce sit for a few minutes; it will thicken up a bit. Hope that helps!

      • This did the trick!! Made it for family and let everything cool first. Can’t eat any of it piping hot anyway so why not?
        I did them in the oven both times for 40 min on 425 then 5 min broil on each.
        Put it in a container and shook to coat. They raved it was restaurant good. 🙂 and baked at that! 👏🏼

        • Glad that resolved it and that you enjoyed them — thanks for the follow up! 🙂

          • These were the best wings – grilling over frying any day! The flavor was great for kids and adults. Next time we will try a hotter sauce, and also make the sauce ahead so it thickens up more. YUM!!!

            • — Deb on September 12, 2022
  • Olive oil ok to use? Needs to be dairy free

    • Hi Sue, I don’t think the sauce would work well with olive oil. Instead, I’d suggest using this recipe. Because the wings are highly seasoned, you really don’t need a sauce. Hope you enjoy if you make them!

      • Jenn, when I click on the link for the alternative sauce it takes me to Chocolate Cupcakes!

        • Oh my gosh – that’s clearly a mistake! 🥴 I just fixed it.
          This is the recipe I intended to link to. Hope you enjoy if you make them!

    • Country Crock has a plant butter that’s dairy free.

  • I made the recipe exactly as written and the wings came out perfectly with just the right amount of heat and flavor. I also made the wings again in the oven at 425 degrees for 45 minutes on a rack. These wings were crispier and just as delicious. This is now my go to wing recipe!

  • I made these with my Foods 10 students. It was a ’10/10 would make again’. Thanks for the great recipe!

  • Love these wings!! How would you cook them on the grill from frozen?

    • — Jennifer Jenkins
    • Reply
    • Hi Jennifer, I wouldn’t recommend cooking them from frozen – sorry!

  • This is without a doubt the best grilled buffalo chicken wing recipe ever. Friends and family request these every time they’re invited to dinner. Absolutely spectacular. They have just enough heat the whole family can enjoy. Thank you!!

  • Hi Jenn,
    Can I use Sriracha sauce instead of Frank’s Hot Sauce and if so should I use the same amount? Thank you,
    Olivera

    • Hi Olivera, I haven’t made these with sriracha, but another reader commented that she did and was happy with the results, so I think it’s worth a try. I would assume you’d need the same amount. Please LMK how they turn out with sriracha!

  • Yet another winning recipe from you! My family loves these!

  • Wings were great! Not to hot, not to mild – just right. Thanks for the great recipe!

    Bob

  • I make these wings all the time & they are our favorite. Easy to make & delicious. We have them with blue cheese dressing for dipping along with carrot & celery sticks. Great Friday night pub food.

  • Another great recipe! The wings were great with just the salt and pepper, no sauce/dip required. Please post more chicken wings recipes! Thanks.

  • Another winner, Jenn! This is my first time making bone-in chicken on the grill, and it turned out perfectly! Thank you!!

  • This is a great recipe but has too much butter for our taste. Whenever we grill wings we use Frank’s Hot Sauce but leave the butter out.

  • Best chicken wings ever, I cook them on bbq on lower temp and for a good 20 minutes to get them browned , my friends can never get enough

    • — Craig Ferguson
    • Reply
  • Can I make the sauce ahead of time when I go camping? Best wings ever!!!!!

    • Hi Diane, Sure, it may solidify or separate depending on how you store it, but you should be able to warm it up/whisk it back to together before serving.

  • Excited to make these! Do you have a suggestion for a blue cheese dipping sauce to go with these?

    • Hi Selina, I’m not a big fan of blue cheese so I don’t have a recipe of my own — sorry! This one looks good and gets good ratings (please keep in mind I haven’t tried it myself).

    • Quick and easy and so yummy. Had no onion powder or chili powder but it was still amazing. Wings were perfectly crispy and caramelized with the sauce. What a great way to celebrate national wing day

  • My husband said these were the best wings he ever had. He did Intentionally get a slight bit of grill mark in certain places and for our taste that adds to the flavor but the wings remained tender and moist inside. Definitely will make them again. We served them with blue cheese dressing as a dip. Thanks for your recipe!

  • Hi ! Can you use this for your buffalo chicken dip ? or would you just stick to the Frank’s for the buffalo dip ? Thank you !

    • Hi Kelly, I’d stick with Franks as this has a lot of butter in it (and that dip already has quite a bit of fat in it).

  • These are awesome! I loved everything about them. Hubby couldn’t stop eating them. This totally elevates the old butter & Frank’s sauce. Will be making these often. Thanks Jenn!

    • I followed the instructions exactly as described. The wings were excellent. For the wing sauce, I used Frank’s Xtra Hot sauce, and perhaps because of this, the water-soluble parts of the sauce didn’t mix well with the butter. After fussing unsuccessful to get them to blend, I added 3/4 tsp of cornstarch, stirred it in well, then added 2 tbsp hot water. This immediately homogenized it, but retained a light consistency. The flavor is great!

  • This is my new go-to recipe for wings! They are delicious. I cannot say enough fabulous things about them.

  • Absolutely love love love!

    First time using a recipe and I actually used a smoker for the first time today as well.

    So following the directions outlined the sauce was just amazing, I happened to use a little more Franks Red Hot Sauce, but to each their own. OMG!! Delish!!

    So I used a smoker and at about 275 heat for about 15 -20 min.
    Then threw those babies on the propane grill over medium-high heat for about 8 – 10 min, just to give the grill taste! about 4-5 min each side.

    Took off the grill, mixed with sauce! Holy moly! Thank you Jenn Segal!!!!!

    Will recommend this recipe for anyone who loves chicken wings and thats that!

  • I don’t often write reviews but this was a HUGE hit with my family. My husband said it was better than he had in restaurants and my boys could not stop eating them. Thank you!!!

  • Making this recipe for the 2nd time today. A few, standout things I really like about this wing recipe: 1) the wings are grilled, and the flavor of grilled wings can not be beat; and, 2) the sauce is not simply Franks and butter. The added seasoning take this sauce to the next level!

    The only tweak to this recipe I made both times is to serve the sauce on the side, so people can spoon it over their wings, giving them the option of how much (or little) to add.

    Thanks Jenn!!!

  • I have never made wings with buffalo sauce and am trying for the first time tonight. However, I only have Frank’s Buffalo Sauce rather than original. Would you recommend I still season it as instructed for the Original hot sauce or just use as is and only use your recipe to grill the chicken?

    • Hi Janet, I’ve never tried that version so it’s hard to say. I’d make it without the spices and add them to taste, if necessary. Hope you enjoy!

      • Thank you Jenn! The grilled chicken wings were a hit but they would be more delicious with your sauce! love your recipes as always.

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