These Buffalo Chicken Hot Dogs will be your new go-to when you need something fast, flavorful, and just a little bit fun. With bold Buffalo sauce, cool blue cheese, and a crisp celery crunch, they bring loads of flavor to your summer table without breaking a sweat.
“Summer time and the living is easy…” Ahhh, summer. School’s out, pools are open, and everyone is relaxed.
When the weather is warm and relaxation is your focus, you want meals that come together quickly but still deliver on flavor. These Buffalo Chicken Hot Dogs are great for those nights when cooking from scratch just isn’t in the cards. With a few smart shortcuts and less than 30 minutes, you’ll have dinner ready with a minimum of fuss.
If you enjoy a classic Buffalo-style kick, this recipe is perfect for you! You’ll use brats, hot dogs, or chicken sausage along with purchased (or leftover!) Buffalo chicken, crunchy celery, and creamy blue cheese dressing to create a sandwich that’s spicy, cool, and satisfying.
This is an easy option that works just as well for a weeknight meal as it does for a laid-back summer cookout. Keep it in your rotation for the days when you want something bold and tasty that won’t keep you in front of the stove for long.
Recipe Snapshot
Cuisine: American
Cooking Method: Stovetop
Total Time: 25 Minutes
Servings: 4
Primary Ingredient(s): Brats (or hot dogs or sausage), Buffalo chicken, celery, buns, blue cheese dressing
Skill Level: Easy
What You’ll Like About This Recipe
- You can use any of your favorite types of sausage or hot dogs.
- They’re ready in just 25 minutes!
- The classic combination of Buffalo chicken, celery, and blue cheese takes a plain “hot dog” to another level.
Ingredient Notes
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- Brats or Hot Dogs – For these sandwiches, you can use beer brats, classic hot dogs, or even a good chicken sausage. Choose whatever fits your taste or what you already have in the fridge.
- Buffalo Style Chicken – Star-Kist has shredded Buffalo chicken available in foil pouches. You’ll find it in your grocery store with the canned meats (i.e., tuna, chicken, ham). You can also use leftover grilled chicken or baked chicken tossed in your favorite Buffalo wing sauce.
- Celery – A couple of stalks of celery, diced small, add a crunch that balances out the heat.
- Blue Cheese Dressing – Go with a thick, creamy blue cheese dressing for the best texture and that signature tangy flavor.
- Buffalo Wing Sauce – I always use Frank’s Red Hot Wing Sauce. It’s just what wing sauce is supposed to taste like to me. A light drizzle on top is really all you need, but use more or less depending on how spicy you like it.
- Blue Cheese Crumbles – These are optional, but they really add to the boldness.
- Buns – Hot dog buns will work, but sub rolls are even better. They’re sturdier and hold up well to all the toppings.
The complete ingredient list with detailed measurements is included in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
How to Make Buffalo Chicken Dogs
- Cook your choice of brats, hot dogs, or chicken sausage according to the directions on the package. Use whatever cooking method you prefer, such as boiling, grilling, or pan-cooking.
- While the sausage cooks, place the Buffalo-style chicken in a non-stick skillet and warm it over medium heat until it is heated through.
- While the chicken is heating, dice the celery into small pieces so it is ready when you start assembling the sandwiches.
- Assemble the sandwiches: if the buns aren’t pre-sliced, slice them about two-thirds of the way through from the top. Spoon two tablespoons of blue cheese dressing into each bun. Add a cooked brat, then top it with a generous scoop of the warmed Buffalo chicken. Finish with another two tablespoons of dressing, a portion of the diced celery, a drizzle of Buffalo wing sauce, and a few blue cheese crumbles if you enjoy the extra flavor.
- Serve the sandwiches with carrot and celery sticks on the side. You can also include extra blue cheese dressing for dipping.
Recipe Tips
- Use buns that are sturdy enough to hold all the toppings without falling apart. Sub rolls or bakery-style hot dog buns work well.
- Prep the celery and any other toppings ahead of time so that everything is ready when you start assembling.
- If you’re serving a crowd, set up a toppings bar and let everyone build their own sandwich just the way they like it.
More Easy Dinner Recipes You’ll Like
Questions About Buffalo Chicken Hot Dogs
The heat level depends on your Buffalo chicken and hot sauce. Use a mild or medium sauce if you prefer less spice. If you like things hotter, choose a spicy variety or drizzle extra wing sauce for more kick.
Yes, you can. Many buffalo‑style dogs are baked or grilled to meld flavors and crisp the bun. Just assemble the sandwiches and warm them at 350°F for about 10 minutes or grill until heated through.
Store any leftover Buffalo Chicken Hot Dogs—or just the chicken component—in airtight containers and refrigerate within two hours of serving. Hot dogs in unopened packages can last up to two weeks in the fridge, but once opened, stick to around one week. Cooked chicken should be used within three to four days
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Recipe
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Buffalo Chicken Hot Dogs
Ingredients
- 4 brats or hot dogs, chicken sausage, etc.
- 2 cups shredded, cooked Buffalo chicken (purchased or leftover)
- 2 stalks celery diced
- 4 buns sub rolls or hot dog rolls
- 1 cup blue cheese dressing
- Buffalo wing sauce
- Blue cheese crumbles
- Celery and carrot sticks optional
Instructions
- Prepare the brats, hot dogs, or sausage according to package directions.4 brats
- In a non-stick skillet, heat the shredded Buffalo chicken.2 cups shredded, cooked Buffalo chicken
- While the chicken is heating, dice the celery.2 stalks celery
- Assemble the sandwiches: if the buns aren't pre-sliced, slice them about two-thirds of the way through. Spoon in two tablespoons of blue cheese dressing. Place one brat in the bun. Top with a generous amount of Hormel Buffalo Style Chicken. Top the chicken with an additional two tablespoons of blue cheese dressing, 1/4 of the diced celery, a sprinkle of Buffalo wing sauce, and additional blue cheese crumbles.4 buns, 1 cup blue cheese dressing, Buffalo wing sauce, Blue cheese crumbles
- Serve with celery, carrot sticks, and additional blue dressing if desired.Celery and carrot sticks
Notes
- Choose sturdy buns like sub rolls to hold all the toppings without falling apart.
- For the best texture, warm the Buffalo chicken in a skillet rather than the microwave.
- Dice the celery small so it adds crunch without overwhelming each bite.
- To reduce the heat, choose a mild Buffalo sauce and skip the drizzle on top.
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information is calculated by software based on the ingredients in each recipe. It is an estimate only and is provided for informational purposes. You should consult your healthcare provider or a registered dietitian if precise nutrition calculations are needed for health reasons.
— This post was originally sponsored by Hormel and published on July 22, 2015. It has been updated with additional information.
I’m Lana Stuart, an award-winning cookbook author, food blogger, and lifelong cook raised deep in Southwest Georgia. I started Lana’s Cooking in 2009 to share the tried-and-true recipes I grew up with. Around here, the food is full of flavor, the traditions run deep, and there’s always room at the table.
Doesn’t that look just great? With that side of celery and blue cheese dressing, the Hormel Buffalo Chicken will be a welcome hot/cool treat!
Miss P
These would go over big with my hubby! I’m more of chicken fan than a hot dog fan…so these are right up my alley!
What a fun way to dress up a hot dog! I always love “buffalo” anything, so these are calling to me.
This combination is so inspired – I really feel like I need one of those dogs in my hand (belly) pronto! I’ll keep my eyes peeled for this product, it sounds tasty.
I hope that I can find some of those Hormel Buffalo Style Chicken in my store! i bet I can! I’m so excited to give this a try !
We love chicken sausages and the toppings you used are perfect!
OK, I would like one of these RIGHT now please? Sounds great to me!
I make easy and quick meals all summer long! I hate to waste any time in a hot kitchen missing out on sunshine. This is the best idea!
WHOA! My family would go crazy for these chicken dogs!