Crispy BBQ Chicken Wings (Printable)

Crispy chicken wings coated in smoky barbecue sauce with honey and spices. Ideal for entertaining and game day celebrations.

# What You Need:

→ Chicken

01 - 2.5 lbs chicken wings, split and tips removed

→ Wing Seasoning

02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
03 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
04 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
05 - 1 teaspoon onion powder
06 - 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper, optional
07 - 1 teaspoon salt
08 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

→ BBQ Sauce

09 - 1 cup barbecue sauce
10 - 2 tablespoons honey
11 - 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
12 - 1/2 teaspoon chili flakes, optional

# How to Make It:

01 - Preheat oven to 425°F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or foil and place a wire rack on top.
02 - Pat chicken wings dry with paper towels. Place wings in a large bowl and toss with olive oil, garlic powder, smoked paprika, onion powder, cayenne pepper if using, salt, and black pepper until evenly coated.
03 - Arrange wings in a single layer on the prepared rack. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden and crispy.
04 - Mix barbecue sauce, honey, apple cider vinegar, and chili flakes if using in a small saucepan. Heat gently over medium heat, stirring until combined and slightly thickened, approximately 3 to 4 minutes. Remove from heat.
05 - Transfer baked wings to a clean bowl. Pour warm BBQ sauce over wings and toss to coat evenly.
06 - Serve hot, garnished with chopped parsley or green onions if desired.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The wings develop this incredible crispy exterior while staying impossibly juicy inside, without the hassle or mess of deep frying.
  • The balance of sweet, tangy and smoky flavors in the BBQ sauce coating creates that perfect finger-licking experience that keeps conversation flowing.
02 -
  • Skipping the step of drying the wings thoroughly resulted in disappointingly soggy wings my first two attempts, no matter how long I baked them.
  • I discovered that heating the BBQ sauce mixture until it just barely bubbles activates the honey, creating a thicker glaze that adheres to the wings much better than cold sauce.
03 -
  • Store any leftover wings uncovered in the fridge, then reheat them in a 350°F oven for 10 minutes rather than the microwave to maintain their texture.
  • The real game-changer is allowing the wings to rest for 5 minutes after coming out of the oven before tossing in sauce, which helps the coating stick rather than slide right off.

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