14 Chicken Wings Recipes So Saucy and Crispy They Deserve to Be Dinner
Who says chicken wings are only for game day? With a few smart tricks, you can make crispy, saucy wings at home for a fun weeknight dinner. Bake them, grill them or use your air fryer, and then toss them in a sauce you love. Also, wings are budget friendly and kids go crazy for them. So we gathered our favorite flavors, from classic buffalo to sticky Korean and Jamaican jerk. Add a salad or some fries, and dinner is done. Grab the napkins, because this is going to get messy..
Three Flavor Wing Platter
Why choose one flavor when you can have three? This platter has spicy buffalo, sticky honey garlic and zesty lemon pepper chicken wings, all baked until crispy. The trick is a little baking powder, which helps the skin get crunchy in the oven. Then you split the batch and toss each part in a different sauce. Quick poll: which flavor would you grab first, (A) buffalo, (B) honey garlic, or (C) lemon pepper?
You will need: 4 lbs chicken wings (split), 1 tablespoon baking powder, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/3 cup hot sauce, 3 tablespoons butter, 1/4 cup honey, 2 tablespoons soy sauce, 3 garlic cloves, 2 teaspoons lemon pepper seasoning, celery, carrots, blue cheese dip
How to make it: First, pat the wings very dry and toss them with baking powder and salt. Then bake on a rack at 250F for 30 minutes. Next, raise the oven to 425F and bake for 40 to 45 minutes until crispy. After that, make three sauces: hot sauce with butter, honey with soy and garlic, and melted butter with lemon pepper. Finally, toss a third of the wings in each sauce and serve with veggies and dip.
Classic Buffalo Chicken Wings
Buffalo wings were born in Buffalo, New York, in the 1960s, and they are still the king of wings. The sauce is just hot sauce and butter, but it is magic. It is tangy, spicy and rich all at once. Then celery and blue cheese dip cool things down. Are you team blue cheese or team ranch?
You will need: 2 lbs chicken wings, 2 teaspoons baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/2 cup hot sauce (like Frank’s), 4 tablespoons butter, 1 teaspoon Worcestershire, celery sticks, blue cheese dressing
How to make it: First, dry the wings and toss them with baking powder and salt. Then bake on a rack at 425F for 45 minutes, flipping once. Next, melt the butter with hot sauce and Worcestershire. After that, toss the crispy wings in the sauce. Finally, serve with celery and blue cheese dressing.
Sticky Honey Garlic Wings
If you do not like spicy food, these are for you. Honey, soy sauce and lots of garlic cook down into a sticky glaze. Then sesame seeds and green onions go on top. Kids especially love these sweet and savory chicken wings. In fact, they might disappear before you sit down.
You will need: 2 lbs chicken wings, 1 teaspoon baking powder, salt, 1/3 cup honey, 3 tablespoons soy sauce, 4 garlic cloves (minced), 1 tablespoon butter, 1 teaspoon rice vinegar, sesame seeds, green onions
How to make it: First, bake the wings at 425F for 45 minutes until crispy. Then melt the butter and cook the garlic for 1 minute. Next, add the honey, soy sauce and vinegar and simmer for 3 to 4 minutes until thick. After that, toss the wings in the glaze. Finally, sprinkle with sesame seeds and green onions.
Lemon Pepper Wings
Lemon pepper wings are huge in Atlanta, and it is easy to see why. They are crispy, buttery and full of bright, peppery flavor. Unlike saucy wings, these stay crunchy. Also, they need only a few ingredients. Squeeze fresh lemon on top right before you eat. Have you tried lemon pepper wet style, with extra butter? Also, if you love this, try our juicy pork chop dinners.
You will need: 2 lbs chicken wings, 1 teaspoon baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 4 tablespoons butter, 1 tablespoon lemon pepper seasoning, 1 lemon (zest and juice), 1 teaspoon garlic powder
How to make it: First, toss the dry wings with baking powder and salt. Then bake at 425F for 45 minutes, flipping halfway. Next, melt the butter with lemon pepper, garlic powder and lemon zest. After that, toss the hot wings in the butter. Finally, squeeze lemon juice over them and serve.
Korean Gochujang Chicken Wings
Korean wings are sweet, spicy and incredibly sticky. The sauce uses gochujang, a fermented chili paste with deep flavor. Then honey and garlic balance the heat. Serve them with pickled radish for a crunchy, tangy bite. This is one of the most popular chicken wings flavors right now. Would you try it?
You will need: 2 lbs chicken wings, 1/2 cup cornstarch, salt, oil for frying or baking, 3 tablespoons gochujang, 3 tablespoons honey, 2 tablespoons soy sauce, 1 tablespoon rice vinegar, 2 garlic cloves, 1 teaspoon sesame oil, sesame seeds
How to make it: First, toss the wings in cornstarch and salt. Then fry at 350F for 10 minutes, rest, and fry again for 3 minutes, or bake at 425F for 45 minutes. Next, simmer the gochujang, honey, soy, vinegar, garlic and sesame oil. After that, toss the wings in the sauce. Finally, top with sesame seeds.
Teriyaki Wings
Teriyaki wings are glossy, sweet and savory. The homemade sauce is simple: soy sauce, brown sugar, ginger and garlic. Then it bakes onto the wings until it turns sticky. They go great with steamed rice and broccoli for a full dinner. So this is an easy way to turn wings into a real meal.
You will need: 2 lbs chicken wings, 1/2 cup soy sauce, 1/3 cup brown sugar, 2 tablespoons mirin or honey, 1 teaspoon grated ginger, 2 garlic cloves, 1 tablespoon cornstarch, 2 tablespoons water, sesame seeds
How to make it: First, bake the wings at 425F for 35 minutes. Then simmer the soy sauce, brown sugar, mirin, ginger and garlic. Next, stir in the cornstarch mixed with water until thick. After that, brush the sauce on the wings and bake for 10 more minutes. Finally, brush again and add sesame seeds.
Garlic Parmesan Wings
Garlic lovers, these are your wings. They get tossed in garlic butter and then covered in salty parmesan and parsley. They are rich, savory and not spicy at all. Also, they taste amazing with fries, especially if you toss the fries in the same garlic butter. Quick poll: (A) wings with fries, (B) wings with salad, or (C) wings with celery?
You will need: 2 lbs chicken wings, 1 teaspoon baking powder, salt, 4 tablespoons butter, 4 garlic cloves (minced), 1/2 cup grated parmesan, 1 tablespoon chopped parsley, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
How to make it: First, toss the wings with baking powder and salt and bake at 425F for 45 minutes. Then melt the butter and cook the garlic for 1 minute. Next, put the wings in a big bowl. After that, pour the garlic butter over them and toss. Finally, add parmesan, parsley and pepper and toss again.
Jamaican Jerk Wings
Jerk seasoning is the pride of Jamaica. It mixes allspice, thyme, garlic and Scotch bonnet peppers into a bold, smoky marinade. The longer the wings soak, the better they taste. Then they grill or bake until charred at the edges. Warning: they can be spicy, so use less pepper for kids. How spicy do you like your jerk?
You will need: 2 lbs chicken wings, 4 green onions, 3 garlic cloves, 1 Scotch bonnet pepper (or half), 1 tablespoon allspice, 1 teaspoon thyme, 2 tablespoons soy sauce, 2 tablespoons brown sugar, 1 lime, 2 tablespoons oil
How to make it: First, blend the green onions, garlic, pepper, allspice, thyme, soy sauce, sugar, lime juice and oil. Then coat the wings and marinate for at least 4 hours. Next, heat the grill or oven to 425F. After that, cook the wings for 35 to 45 minutes, turning once. Finally, serve with lime wedges and rice and peas.
Air Fryer Chicken Wings
The air fryer was made for chicken wings. It blasts hot air all around them, so the skin gets crispy with no deep frying. They are ready in about 25 minutes, which makes them great for busy nights. Then you can toss them in any sauce from this list. Do you own an air fryer yet?
You will need: 2 lbs chicken wings, 1 teaspoon baking powder, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon paprika, 1/2 teaspoon salt, your favorite sauce
How to make it: First, pat the wings dry. Then toss them with baking powder, garlic powder, paprika and salt. Next, place them in the air fryer basket in one layer. After that, cook at 380F for 12 minutes, flip, and cook for 10 to 12 minutes more. Finally, raise to 400F for 3 minutes for extra crunch and toss in sauce.
BBQ Wings Dinner Plate
Turn wings into a full dinner with sticky BBQ sauce and some easy sides. These wings bake until crispy, then get brushed with sauce and baked again so it caramelizes. Add green beans, corn or mac and cheese, and everyone is happy. It is a simple, budget friendly family meal. So, which side would you choose?
You will need: 2 lbs chicken wings, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon brown sugar, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 3/4 cup BBQ sauce, green beans or other sides
How to make it: First, rub the wings with paprika, garlic powder, brown sugar and salt. Then bake at 425F for 40 minutes. Next, brush them with BBQ sauce. After that, bake for 5 to 8 minutes more until sticky. Finally, serve with green beans or your favorite sides.
Sheet Pan Chicken Wings and Potatoes
This is a true one pan dinner. Chicken wings and potato wedges roast together, so the potatoes soak up all the tasty juices. There is only one pan to wash, which is a big win. Plus, the whole family can help themselves. Add a green salad and dinner is ready.
You will need: 2 lbs chicken wings, 1 1/2 lbs baby potatoes (halved), 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon paprika, 1 teaspoon dried rosemary, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon pepper, 2 tablespoons honey (optional)
How to make it: First, heat the oven to 425F. Then toss the potatoes with half the oil and spices. Next, toss the wings with the rest. After that, spread everything on a large sheet pan in one layer. Finally, roast for 45 minutes, flipping halfway, and drizzle with honey if you like.
Salt and Pepper Wings
These wings are inspired by Chinese takeout. They are fried until crispy and then tossed with garlic, chili and green onion. There is no sticky sauce, just loads of crunchy flavor. Also, they are ready fast. If you love salt and pepper shrimp, you will love these chicken wings too.
You will need: 2 lbs chicken wings, 1/2 cup cornstarch, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon white pepper, oil for frying, 4 garlic cloves (chopped), 1 red chili (sliced), 2 green onions, 1/2 teaspoon five spice
How to make it: First, toss the wings with cornstarch, salt and pepper. Then fry at 350F for 10 to 12 minutes until golden. Next, heat a little oil in a wok and fry the garlic, chili and green onions for 1 minute. After that, add the wings and five spice. Finally, toss well and serve hot.
Grilled Chicken Wings
Grilled wings have a smoky flavor that you just cannot get in the oven. A simple dry rub keeps them savory, then a quick finish over high heat crisps the skin. They are perfect for a backyard dinner. Also, you can brush them with any sauce in the last few minutes. Charcoal or gas grill?
You will need: 2 lbs chicken wings, 1 tablespoon olive oil, 2 teaspoons smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon brown sugar, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon pepper
How to make it: First, mix the spices together. Then toss the wings with oil and the rub. Next, grill over medium indirect heat for 20 to 25 minutes, turning often. After that, move them over direct heat for 3 to 5 minutes to crisp the skin. Finally, check that they reach 175F and serve.
Cilantro Lime Wings
These wings taste bright and fresh. A marinade of lime, cilantro, garlic and a little jalapeno gives them a zesty kick. They are lighter than saucy wings, so they work well for a summer dinner. Then a sprinkle of fresh cilantro makes them pop. Would you serve them with rice, tacos or a salad?
You will need: 2 lbs chicken wings, 2 limes (zest and juice), 1/2 cup chopped cilantro, 3 garlic cloves, 1 jalapeno (seeded), 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1 teaspoon cumin, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 tablespoon honey
How to make it: First, blend the lime zest and juice, cilantro, garlic, jalapeno, oil, cumin, salt and honey. Then pour half over the wings and marinate for 2 hours. Next, bake at 425F for 40 to 45 minutes until crispy. After that, toss them in the remaining sauce. Finally, garnish with more cilantro and lime wedges.
