The best chicken wing sauce recipe is so easy and full of flavor that you’ll always want chicken wings for dinner. With just enough spice, this versatile sauce is delicious on more than just chicken wings. It also makes a great dip with chips!
Serve up your chicken wings with Southern coleslaw and some easy french fries.
There’s nothing like watching the game while you chow down on chicken wings. Wing sauce comes in all different varieties- spicy, sweet, savory, you name it.
This recipe is my absolute favorite wing sauce out of all of them. It’s so easy to make and has just the right amount of kick to make everyone happy.
Not only that, but this sauce is also great for snacking in other ways. I love using it to dip my veggies or drizzle it on a sandwich. It’s even delicious on pizza!
🥘 Ingredients
There are no outrageous ingredients here. It’s all pretty basic stuff that you likely already have at home.
- Frank’s Red Hot Sauce - This is my preferred hot sauce, but If you have a favorite, feel free to use it instead.
- Butter – It will melt faster if you let it soften at room temperature before cooking, but it isn’t essential.
- Apple Cider Vinegar – If you don’t have any, you can try one of these apple cider vinegar substitutes.
- Worcestershire Sauce – There are a few Worcestershire sauce substitutes options if you need to substitute, but it will slightly affect the flavor.
- Seasonings – Cayenne pepper, garlic powder, and optional crushed red pepper flakes.
- Sugar or Honey (optional) – I always add this, but it is a personal preference for those who like their wing sauce with a little sweetness.
Be sure to see the free printable recipe card below for ingredients, exact amounts & instructions with tips!
🔪 How To Make Chicken Wing Sauce
You can whip up this sauce in 10 minutes flat. You just need a whisk, measuring utensils, and a saucepan.
If you only make a small portion of wings, you can use half the sauce and store half for later.
Step 1: Combine. In a medium saucepan, combine all the ingredients (⅔ cup hot sauce, ½ cup butter, 1 ½ tablespoons apple cider vinegar, ¼ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce, seasonings, and honey if using). Heat the mixture over medium heat.
Step 2: Simmer. Bring the sauce to a simmer, stirring or whisking occasionally, then remove it from heat and whisk once more.
Step 3: Serve. Once finished, you can set the sauce aside to cool to store it or toss it with wings and serve immediately.
💭 Angela's Pro Tips & Recipe Notes
- For a smooth sauce, begin by melting the butter in the saucepan, then whisk in 1 tablespoon of flour to make a roux. After that, continue with the recipe as instructed, and the sauce will thicken as it cools.
- If starting with unsalted butter, add a pinch of salt to taste.
- For the most flavor, marinate your wings in the sauce for 30 minutes up to 8 hours or overnight *Remember, always discard any sauce used as a marinade for raw chicken.
>>>See All Of My Tasty Recipes Here!<<<
🥡 Storing & Reheating
Store cooled wing sauce in an airtight container and keep refrigerated for up to 10 days.
Wing sauce can be frozen in the same airtight container for up to 2 months.
Reheating
I do not recommend reheating this wing sauce in the microwave because butter-based sauces tend to explode easily. Instead, reheat it in a saucepan on the stove over medium-low heat and whisk to combine.
❓ Recipe FAQs
To make this sauce vegan for dipping veggies or plant-based chicken, simply substitute the butter for a vegan butter alternative and make sure to get a Worcestershire sauce that does not include anchovies. (This applies when using Frank’s Red Hot; if using another hot sauce, be sure to check the ingredients.)
Sure, feel free to use your preferred sugar substitute to taste. Remember that those with a distinct taste (like Splenda) may come through in the sauce. Not all substitutes are used as a 1:1 replacement for sugar, so follow the suggested ratio on the packaging and taste as you go.
The key is to toss the wings in the sauce immediately after frying or baking while they are hot. This helps it adhere better.
🫕 More of My Favorite Sauce Recipes
- Hawaiian BBQ Sauce
- Teriyaki Sauce
- Bloves Seafood Sauce
- Sweet & Sour Sauce
- Creamy Alfredo Sauce
- Honey Mustard Sauce
Do you love a recipe you tried? Please leave a 5-star 🌟rating in the recipe card below and/or a review in the comments section further down the page.
Stay in touch with me through social media @ Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter! Subscribe to the newsletter today (no spam, I promise)! Don't forget to tag me when you try one of my recipes!
📖 Recipe Card
The Best Chicken Wing Sauce
Ingredients
- ⅔ cup Frank's red hot original sauce (or your favorite hot sauce)
- ½ cup butter
- 1 ½ tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- ¼ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ⅛ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional - up to 2 teaspoons for more 'heat')
- ½ cup sugar or honey (optional - to sweeten and reduce 'heat')
(Note: 2x or 3x only changes the ingredient list)
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan add all of the ingredients (⅔ cup Frank's red hot original sauce, ½ cup butter, 1 ½ tablespoon apple cider vinegar, ¼ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce, ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper, and ⅛ teaspoon garlic powder) and heat over medium heat. *Add the optional 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes or ½ cup sugar or honey if desired.
- Bring the sauce just to the point of simmering, stirring or whisking occasionally, then remove from heat and whisk again.
- Set aside to cool and store, or toss with wings and serve.
Notes
- Add a pinch of salt to taste if starting with unsalted butter.
- Make a roux with a tablespoon of flour and melted butter before adding the remaining ingredients for a smooth sauce.
- Marinate your chicken wings at least 30 minutes and up to overnight for more flavor. *Note that you should always discard any sauce that was used as marinade with the raw chicken.
Josh says
This is a simple recipe but very good. I made smoked wings and they turned out amazing. This one is a keeper.
Abby says
I’ve been looking for a wing sauce like this for years! We had this “hole in the wall” bar and they had the best wing sauce, it’s just like this (without the sweetness) thank you thank you! I’ve had it both way with honey and without and depending on what I’m craving that day. I use to mix just franks and butter, but I don’t think I ever used enough butter. Soooo good I don’t kno if I’ll buy hoteings again! And with the prices today this is a great way to cut costs for wing night! Can’t wait to try with breaded cauliflower!
Toby says
This wing sauce hit the spot! I used this but added a bit more cayenne pepper to "kick it up"!!! Thank you