Chicken Wings Recipe
Your choice of homemade hot and spicy, BBQ, or plain style wings served with a side of blue cheese or ranch dressing for dipping.
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Ingredients
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Wings
Hot & Spicy Sauce
BBQ Sauce
Plain / Dry Seasoning (optional)
Dipping Dressings
Garnish
Method
Wings
Prep
Pat the wings dry with paper towels. If whole, separate into drumettes and flats and discard tips or save for stock. Place wings in a large bowl.
Season & Crisping
Toss wings with kosher salt, black pepper and baking powder until evenly coated. Baking powder helps crisp skin when cooked. If baking, preheat oven to 425°F (220°C) and line a baking sheet with a wire rack. If frying, heat neutral oil in a deep pot to 350°F (175°C).
For oven method: Arrange wings in a single layer on the rack and bake 25–30 minutes, flip once at 20 minutes, until skin is deep golden and crisp and internal temperature registers 165°F (74°C). For frying: Fry wings in batches 8–10 minutes until golden and cooked through, drain on paper towels. For grilling: grill over medium-high heat 12–15 minutes, turning, until crisp and cooked through.
Hot & Spicy Sauce
While wings cook, combine hot sauce, butter, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder and cayenne in a small saucepan over low heat. Stir until butter melts and sugar dissolves, simmer 2–3 minutes to meld flavors, then remove from heat.
Place cooked wings in a large clean bowl, pour sauce over the wings, and toss gently until every wing is evenly coated. Serve immediately.
BBQ Sauce
Combine BBQ sauce, honey and smoked paprika in a small saucepan and warm over low heat until combined and slightly thickened, about 2–3 minutes. Toss hot cooked wings in the warmed sauce until evenly coated. For a sticky glaze, return sauced wings to a hot oven (425°F / 220°C) for 3–5 minutes on the rack to set the glaze.
Plain / Dry Seasoning (optional)
If choosing plain style, toss freshly cooked wings with the dry seasoning mix (garlic powder, onion powder, paprika) while still hot so the spices adhere. Alternatively serve completely plain and let diners season to taste.
Dipping Dressings
Place blue cheese and ranch dressings in small serving bowls. Chill until ready to serve. Offer both so guests can choose.