Buffalo Chicken Wings & Blue Cheese Sauce

Follow this recipe and discover just how simple it is to make this crowd-pleasing appetizer right at home. There is something very comforting about Buffalo chicken wings. It is the perfect casual food to enjoy with friends and family.

This baked version of the classic deep-fried wing is just as delicious and will leave you wanting more. Serve these crispy, juicy wings with traditional blue cheese sauce for a rich, cooling contrast to the heat. And of course, a cold beer makes the perfect companion.

PS: The “hand model” in these pictures is my husband Tom who, by the way wasn’t really helping me, he was legitimately stealing all of my wings.

Ingredients:


Classic Buffalo Chicken Wings
Makes 24 wings

3 pounds of chicken wings (separated into 2 pieces) or a mix
of separated wings and drumsticks
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon paprika
¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (more or less depending on your taste)
⅛ cup vegetable oil

Preheat the oven to 425˚F.

Mix all the ingredients in a large bowl until the chicken is evenly coated. Place the chicken onto a baking sheet skin-side-up. Don’t overcrowd the pan. If necessary, divide into two batches. I used a half sheet pan. Bake for 45 minutes or until crispy.

Red Sauce

3 tablespoons of unsalted butter
⅔ cup of red sauce (such as Frank’s red sauce)
¼ teaspoon garlic powder
¼ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (use more if you really like it spicy)

Melt the butter in a saucepan. Add the rest of the ingredients. Whisk well and set aside. When the wings are done and still hot, place them in a large mixing bowl, pour over the buffalo sauce and mix well. Serve with blue cheese sauce and celery sticks on the side.

Blue Cheese Sauce

3oz good-quality blue cheese, divided

• ¼ cup mayonnaise

• ⅓ cup sour cream

• 2 to 4 tablespoons buttermilk, as needed

• ½ teaspoon apple cider vinegar

• Small squeeze of lemon juice (optional but recommended)

• Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste




Instructions:




Place half of the blue cheese in a bowl and mash with a fork until mostly smooth. Stir in the mayonnaise, sour cream, buttermilk, vinegar, and lemon juice. Mix until creamy. Fold in the remaining blue cheese crumbles and season with salt and pepper.




Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to develop.