Level Up Your Chicken Wings With These Must-Try Recipes

Get ready to satisfy your cravings with the tastiest chicken wings around! Whether you prefer your wings spicy, sweet, or tangy, these recipes are sure to impress. From classic Buffalo to unique twists on the traditional dish, there's something for every wing lover in this collection.

So, gather your ingredients and let's get cooking!

The History Of Chicken Wings

Before we get to the recipes, let's take a look at how exactly chicken wings came to be.

In the 1960s, chicken wings were the leftover scraps of more popular cuts of meat. More often than not, they were either thrown out or sold to people with low income, who used the cheap cut to feed their families and make soup.

While there are many claims about who turned this throw-away food into one of the most popular menu items, one story seems to come up more frequently than others.

According to this origin story, the delicious dish was created back in 1964 at the Anchor Bar in Buffalo, New York by Teressa Bellissimo. The bar normally kept wings on hand for making soups and stocks.

One night, when Teressa's son and his friends were looking for a late-night snack, she decided to toss the wings into a frier. When they came out, she covered them in a "secret sauce" and served them with some blue cheese dressing.

The dish was an instant hit and soon word spread. To this day, people still flock to the Anchor Bar for this Buffalo classic.

Regardless of where they came from, the chicken wing has become a mainstay of restaurants and bars! (And the second most expensive part of the chicken.)

And of course, wings are the go-to food for big sporting events! During Super Bowl LVII, people ate over 1.42 billion chicken wings.

Chicken Wing Recipes

Here are some delicious wing recipes you can try the next time you're looking for a tasty treat ...

1. Buffalo Dry Rub

Honour Teressa Bellissimo, by making your wings with a Buffalo dry rub.

1. Mix together:
   • ¾ tablespoon of light brown sugar
   • ½ tablespoon of kosher salt
   • 1 ½ tablespoons of onion powder
   • ½ teaspoon cayenne powder
   • ½ tablespoon smoked paprika
   • ¾ tablespoon chili powder
   • ¼ teaspoon dried thyme
   • ¼ teaspoon dried oregano
   • ¾ teaspoon cumin
   • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
   • ½ teaspoon dried mustard powder
   • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
     
2. Toss raw wings in the mixture and let sit for two hours before cooking. If prepping them ahead of time, they can be left overnight and cooked the next day. Be sure to give them a good toss before cooking if you need to even out the seasoning.

2. Lemon Pepper Dry Rub

Lemon pepper is a classic wing in Atlanta.

1. Combine:
   • 4 tablespoons of lemon pepper
   • 1 tablespoon garlic powder
   • 1 tablespoon onion powder
   • 2 teaspoons of Bone Dust
     
2. Cook the wings and then toss them with the rub. If you want a little extra holding power, toss the wings in a splash of oil before coating.

3. Turmeric And Black Pepper Marinated Wings

For those who don't mind some spice, try the turmeric and black pepper marinade:

1. Place the wings in a large food bag and add:
   1. 2 ½ tablespoons of freshly grated turmeric root
   2. 3 tablespoons of soy sauce
   3. 2 tablespoons of fish sauce
   4. 3 teaspoons of freshly ground black peppercorns
   5. 3 cloves of crushed garlic
   6. 10 lime leaves finely chopped
      
2. Seal the bag and give it a good squish to evenly coat the raw chicken in the spices. Let it sit in the fridge for a few hours or, ideally, overnight.

4. Honey Sriracha Sauce

Honey sriracha sauce is sticky and delicious.

1. Heat a saucepan with two tablespoons of sesame oil over low heat.
   
2. Heat a ¼-inch cube of ginger and four cloves of garlic until fragrant.
   
3. Remove garlic and ginger and add:
   • 3 tablespoons sriracha
   • 6 tablespoons honey
   • 1 tablespoon lime juice
   • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
     
4. Bring to a gentle simmer.
   
5. Mix 2 tablespoons each of cornstarch and water, adding them to the simmering sauce, stirring until the sauce has thickened.
   
6. Pour the sauce over your cooked wings before serving or use for dipping.

5. Bourbon Barbecue Sauce

If you’re looking for a more classic flavour, bourbon barbecue sauce is a delight.

1. In a medium saucepan, sauté:
   • ½ a finely minced onion
   • 4 cloves of minced garlic
   • ¾ cup of bourbon
     
2. Simmer for 10 minutes or until the onions are translucent.
   
3. Add:
   • 2 cups of ketchup
   • ½ teaspoon of pepper
   • ½ tablespoon salt
   • ¼ cup tomato paste
   • 1/3 cup of cider vinegar
   • 2 tablespoons of liquid smoke flavouring
   • ¼ cup Worcestershire sauce
   • ½ cup packed brown sugar
   • 1/3 teaspoon (or to taste) of hot pepper sauce
     
4. Bring to a simmer for at least 5 minutes.
   
5. Pour the sauce over your cooked wings before serving or use for dipping.

6. Beer Sauce

Another classic option is a pub-style beer sauce.

1. Pour 1 ½ cups of beer into a saucepan, holding a tablespoon of beer in reserve.
   
2. Add a tablespoon of each Cajun seasoning and sugar to the saucepan and bring to a simmer over medium-low heat.
   
3. Add the tablespoon of beer to a tablespoon of cornstarch, whisking until combined. (If you've already finished off the can, you can use some water).
   
4. Add the cornstarch mixture to the beer in the pan.
   
5. Simmer until slightly thickened and remove from heat.
   
6. Slowly add ¼ cup of cubed butter, one to two cubes at a time, whisking until incorporated.
   
7. Pour the sauce over your cooked wings before serving or use for dipping.

The Best Dip Recipe For Chicken Wings

Sauced wings are great, but what really makes a wing fantastic is a delicious dip.

Blue cheese or ranch are the typical go-to's, but why not try this?

1. Combine:
   • 1 cup of plain yogurt
   • ¼ cup of minced cucumber
   • 1 minced garlic clove
   • 2 teaspoons of sugar
   • 1 tablespoon of lime juice
   • Salt to taste

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How To Cook Chicken Wings

There are a lot of different ways to cook your wings. However you want to do it, is up to you!

Grill

Let the grill warm up to medium-high heat (about 350°F), then place the wings directly over the flame. But don't stray too far – the fat dripping off the meat can cause flare-ups.

Flip the wings once and cook until the skin is crisp but not charred.

Bake

To bake chicken wings, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and lightly grease it. Place the wings on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown and cooked through.

For crispier skin, broil the wings for 2-3 minutes on each side, until they are nicely browned.

Smoke

Smoking your wings is a great way to add flavour! Hickory or cherry wood pairs especially well with poultry.

Soak your wood chips before adding them to a smoker box and preheat the grill to 250°F with the burner under the box. Cook the wings on indirect heat, and allow yourself some time as this will take around two to two-and-a-half hours.

Finish by turning all the burners on to medium-high heat and crisping the wings for one to two minutes per side, basting with your sauce of choice as you go.

Cedar Plank

Pre-heat the grill to 450° and place soaked planks over the unlit burners.

Arrange seasoned wings on the planks and roast them for 20 minutes; flip and continue plank roasting for another 20 minutes or until the wings are crispy.

Deep Fry

To deep fry wings, fill a large heavy-bottomed pot with enough oil to come at least 3 inches up the sides. Heat the oil to 375°F (190°C) using a deep-fry thermometer.

Carefully add a few chicken wings to the hot oil and fry until golden brown and cooked through, about 10-12 minutes. Remove the wings from the oil using a slotted spoon and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to drain.

Repeat with the remaining wings, taking care not to overcrowd the pot.

Air Fry

Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C). Place the wings in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure they are not touching. Spray them lightly with cooking spray.

Air fry the wings for 20-25 minutes, flipping them over halfway through the cooking time.

Check the wings for doneness. They should be golden brown and crispy on the outside and fully cooked on the inside. If they need more time, air fry for a few more minutes until done.

So, what are you waiting for? Get those chicken wings ready and enjoy! Just don’t forget the paper towel or wet naps. You still have to look good!