Chicken wings in spicy sauce are a favorite for game days, parties, or casual dinners. They’re easy to prepare and pack a flavorful punch. Here’s a simple recipe for making crispy, spicy chicken wings with a delicious sauce.
Ingredients:
For the chicken wings:
- 2 lbs chicken wings
- 1 tbsp baking powder (to help with crispiness)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tsp garlic powder (optional)
- 1 tsp onion powder (optional)
For the spicy sauce:
- 1/2 cup hot sauce (like Frank’s RedHot or your favorite brand)
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter (melted)
- 1 tbsp honey (for a touch of sweetness)
- 1 tsp garlic powder (optional)
- 1 tsp cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
1. Prepare the Chicken Wings:
- Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
- Pat the chicken wings dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture. This helps them get crispy.
- In a large bowl, toss the wings with baking powder, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder until evenly coated.
2. Bake the Wings:
- Place the wings on a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil and a wire rack (to allow air circulation) or directly on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 40-45 minutes, flipping them halfway through, until they are golden brown and crispy.
3. Make the Spicy Sauce:
- While the wings are baking, prepare the sauce. In a saucepan, combine hot sauce, melted butter, honey, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, and season with salt and pepper.
- Heat over medium heat until the butter melts and everything is well combined. Adjust the heat level by adding more hot sauce or cayenne pepper to taste.
4. Toss the Wings in the Sauce:
- Once the wings are done baking, remove them from the oven and place them in a large bowl.
- Pour the spicy sauce over the wings and toss until they are evenly coated.
5. Serve:
- Serve the wings immediately, garnished with chopped green onions or parsley if desired. They pair well with celery sticks and blue cheese or ranch dressing on the side.
Tips:
- Crispier wings: For extra crispy wings, bake them on a wire rack over the baking sheet, which allows air to circulate around the wings.
- Frying option: If you prefer, you can also deep fry the wings at 375°F (190°C) for about 10-12 minutes until crispy.
- Sauce variations: Feel free to customize the sauce by adding ingredients like sriracha, chipotle in adobo, or even a splash of lime juice for extra flavor.
Enjoy your spicy chicken wings! Would you like any additional recipes or suggestions for sides?
