The Ultimate Guide to Chicken Wings
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Get ready to master the ultimate guide to chicken wings! In this post, you’ll find everything you need to make wings that are juicy on the inside, crispy on the outside, and packed with flavor. We’ll cover the best seasoning blends, explore mouthwatering sauces, and break down the most popular cooking methods. With tips, tricks, and flavor combos galore, you’ll never run out of delicious ways to make chicken wings at home.
How to make the best wings
Making the best chicken wings at home comes down to two key elements, the texture and the flavor. Over the years I’ve cooked hundreds (if not thousands!) of wings at home. I’ve tested every method for cooking chicken wings extensively to make sure the texture is perfect and the flavor is on point! Here’s what I’ve learned.
- Most people under-season their wings. I have perfected the amount of seasoning to wing ratio that will give you perfectly flavorful wings, no matter which dry rub, or cooking method, you use.
- I add baking powder to the seasoning on the wings. This is what makes wings that are grilled, smoked, baked, or air fried, extra crispy on the outside. Just trust me, once you try it, you’ll never make wings without this secret ingredient!
- Wings should always be completely dry before you cook them. If the wings are wet at all, the outside skin will not get crispy, and no one wants that!
- Don’t crowd the wings when cooking them! If the wings are touching, they won’t cook evenly on all sides, which means they won’t have that all around crisp texture.
- The seasoning matters. I always use my homemade seasoning blends for wings. They’re incredibly flavorful and not filled with extra salt, sugar, or filler ingredients. If you’re shopping for a pre-made dry rub at the grocery store, try to find one where salt and sugar aren’t the first two ingredients. We’re going for bold flavor, not extra sweet or salty wings!
- Purchase party wings. These contain both the drumettes and the wingettes or “flats”, already separated. Otherwise, if you purchase whole chicken wings, you’ll have to separate the drummette, wingette, and tips yourself.
Flavor combinations
Want to make an epic wing spread at your next party? Try a few of these seasoning and sauce flavor combinations and impress all of your guests!
- Buffalo: Chicken Wing Seasoning + Buffalo Sauce
- BBQ: BBQ Seasoning + BBQ Sauce
- Garlic Parmesan: Chicken Seasoning + Garlic Parmesan Sauce
- Cajun: Cajun seasoning + Cajun sauce
- General Tso’s: follow my General Tso Chicken Wings recipe
- Korean BBQ: Korean BBQ Seasoning + Korean BBQ Sauce
- Chipotle Honey: use the seasoning and sauce in this recipe for Chipotle Honey Boneless Wings
- Teriyaki: Togarashi seasoning + Teriyaki Sauce
- Mango Habanero: Chicken Wing Seasoning + Mango Habanero Sauce
- Asian Orange: use the seasoning from General Tso Wings + Orange Sauce
- Lemon Pepper: follow my recipe for Lemon Pepper Wings
- Jamaican Jerk: Jerk Seasoning + Jerk Sauce
For the spicy wing fans in your life, I recommend the cajun, General Tso’s, and Mango Habanero flavor combinations.
For the fans of mild wings, I recommend bbq, garlic parmesan, or lemon pepper.
Links to all of my favorite seasonings, cooking methods, and sauce recipes can be found below.
Wing seasonings, cooking methods, and sauces
1
Chicken Wing Seasoning
This Chicken Wing Seasoning is the perfect dry rub for wings prepared in a variety of ways. Whether you're making smoked or grilled wings, baked wings or juicy air fryer chicken wings, this rub will add a delicious amount of flavor to any chicken wing recipe! It's easy to mix up in just 5 minutes, with 6 simple ingredients!
Check out this recipe
2
BBQ Seasoning
This homemade BBQ Seasoning is the perfect spice rub for a variety of recipes. Whether you’re making smoked or grilled chicken, pulled pork, ribs, bbq shrimp, or even french fries, this dry rub will add a delicious amount of flavor to any dish! It’s easy to mix up in just 5 minutes, with 8 simple ingredients!
Check out this recipe
3
Cajun Seasoning
Mix up a batch of this Louisiana-style Cajun Seasoning to season shrimp, chicken or vegetables! It's got just the right amount of heat and tons of flavor!
Check out this recipe
4
Lemon Pepper Seasoning
Create the perfect blend of salty and zesty flavors with this easy homemade Lemon Pepper Seasoning recipe! It's perfect for breading chicken, making tasty marinades and sauces, or simply sprinkling over roasted vegetables, or avocado toast. Making this seasoning blend at home gives you the option to customize it how you like, it's sugar free, gluten free, and contains no artificial ingredients!
Check out this recipe
5
Korean BBQ Seasoning
Add bold, sweet-and-savory flavor to any dish with this quick and easy Korean BBQ Seasoning! Made in just 5 minutes with pantry staples like garlic, ginger, and brown sugar, it’s perfect for grilling meats, seasoning veggies, or spicing up your favorite stir-fry.
Check out this recipe
6
Chicken Seasoning
Whip up THE BEST Chicken Seasoning recipe in just 5 minutes with 7 pantry staple ingredients! It's perfect for using as a rub on grilled chicken, seasoning Instant Pot Shredded Chicken, rotisserie chicken or baked chicken.
Check out this recipe
7
Jamaican Jerk Seasoning
Get a taste of the Caribbean with this authentic Jamaican Jerk Seasoning blend! Use it as a dry rub on chicken wings or steak. Or use it to make a marinade for chicken breasts, thighs or shrimp!
Check out this recipe
8
Air Fryer Chicken Wings
Whip up juicy, flavorful Air Fryer Chicken Wings in just 20 minutes! Coated in a bold and spicy dry rub and cooked to crispy perfection, these wings are perfect with buffalo sauce, ranch, or blue cheese dressing for the ultimate game-day appetizer!
Check out this recipe
9
Smoked Chicken Wings
Smoked chicken wings are a game day favorite at our house, and once you try them, you’ll see why! These wings are perfectly seasoned, slow-smoked for incredible flavor, then finished with a crispy bite that’s totally irresistible. They’re easy to make and always a hit for parties, BBQs, or weekend snacking!
Check out this recipe
10
Oven Baked Chicken Wings
Make perfectly crispy wings in the oven with this easy recipe for Baked Chicken Wings. Golden on the outside, juicy on the inside, and ready for your favorite sauce, these wings are guaranteed to be a hit!
Check out this recipe
11
Grilled Chicken Wings
Make the best Grilled Chicken Wings with this easy recipe! The wings are juicy and tender inside, with a perfectly seasoned sear on the outside from an amazing dry rub. They're delicious right off the grill, or tossed with your favorite wing sauce! Enjoy these wings at a summer bbq, game day party or for a mouthwatering weeknight dinner. They're easy to make in just 20 minutes!
Check out this recipe
12
Sous Vide Chicken Wings
If you're looking to make juicy, tender, fall-off-the-bone wings, you have to try this recipe for Sous Vide Chicken Wings! Dozens of wings can be vacuum sealed at a time and cooked in a sous vide for 2 hours. To finish the wings, pop them under the broiler in the oven, then toss them with sauce for delicious Buffalo Chicken Wings!
Check out this recipe
13
Fried Chicken Wings – The Big Man’s World
My fried chicken wings are truly crispy on the outside while being ultra juicy in the middle. They cook in just 10 minutes!
Check out this recipe
14
Boneless Wings
Make the best homemade boneless wings with this easy recipe and my secret ingredient for unbeatable flavor! Cook them in the air fryer, oven, or pan fry them for crispy, tender results that beat any restaurant. Try these boneless buffalo wings at home and skip the expensive take-out!
Check out this recipe
15
Lemon Pepper Chicken Wings
This easy Lemon Pepper Chicken Wings recipe is bursting with zesty lemon, bold pepper, and savory flavor! Cook them in the air fryer for quick crispiness or in the oven for a simple, hands-off option, perfect for game day or dinner.
Check out this recipe
16
General Tso’s Wings
Bring bold flavor to game day or dinner with these General Tso Chicken Wings! Baked or air-fried until crispy, then tossed in a sweet, tangy, and spicy sauce, they’re irresistibly delicious.
Check out this recipe
17
Garlic Parmesan Sauce
This Garlic Parmesan Sauce is so incredibly creamy and flavorful! It's perfect tossed with chicken wings or pasta, used as a dipping sauce, pizza sauce or a sandwich spread. It's easy to mix up in just 5 minutes and is guaranteed to become your new favorite sauce recipe!
Check out this recipe
18
Carolina Gold BBQ Sauce
Tangy, sweet, and so delicious, you have to try this Carolina Gold BBQ Sauce recipe! This mustard-based barbeque sauce pairs perfectly with pork or chicken. It's delicious tossed with chicken wings, pulled pork sandwiches, or used as a dipping sauce for grilled chicken or smoked pork tenderloin.
Check out this recipe
19
Creamy Cajun Sauce
Whip up this Creamy Cajun Sauce in just 5 minutes with 5 ingredients! Smoky, spicy Cajun seasoning blends with a rich, creamy base for a versatile sauce perfect on chicken wings, seafood, steak, or veggies.
Check out this recipe
20
Korean BBQ Sauce
Say hello to your new favorite flavor-booster, this Korean BBQ Sauce is sweet, savory, tangy, and totally delicious! Made with a blend of soy sauce, garlic, ginger and brown sugar, this easy homemade sauce brings bold, authentic Korean flavor to grilled meats, chicken wings, bulgogi, rice bowls and veggies. It’s ready in just 10 minutes and way better than anything you’ll find in a bottle!
Check out this recipe
21
Mango Habanero Sauce
This Mango Habanero Sauce is the perfect mix of sweet and spicy! Made in just 10 minutes with fresh mango and fiery habaneros, it’s great for wings, tacos, grilled meats, or anything that needs a bold flavor boost.
Check out this recipe
22
General Tso Sauce
Skip the takeout and whip up this homemade General Tso Sauce in just 5 minutes! Sweet, tangy, and spicy, it’s perfect for tossing with chicken, drizzling over veggies, or tossing with noodles.
Check out this recipe
23
Orange Sauce
Learn how to make THE BEST Chinese Orange Sauce with this easy recipe! I've been using this orange sauce in my Gluten Free Orange Chicken recipe for years and it always gets rave reviews! This sauce is sticky sweet and delicious, with a tangy zest of citrus. It's better than Panda Express and perfect on everything from chicken, to steamed vegetables, to fish!
Check out this recipe
24
Teriyaki Sauce
Make the best homemade Teriyaki Sauce with this easy 6 ingredient recipe! This delicious Japanese sauce is sweet and salty, and perfect for making stir fries, glazing chicken, or topping Hawaiian burgers. Make the sauce at home in just 10 minutes, and store it in the fridge for up to 2 weeks to add flavor to tons of recipes!
Check out this recipe
25
Jack Daniel’s BBQ Sauce
If you're looking for a homemade bbq sauce that's sticky sweet and delicious, look no further than this recipe for Jack Daniels BBQ Sauce! The whiskey is simmered down to add a hint of spice and smoke to this sweet barbecue sauce that's rich in flavor. It's easy to make and delicious brushed on ribs, tossed with chicken strips, or used as a dipping sauce!
Check out this recipe
What to pair with chicken wings
The most common sides served with chicken wings are carrots, celery, and ranch dressing, or blue cheese dressing for dipping. If you want to make your own at-home Buffalo Wild Wings copycat menu, you can also pair the wings with any of these sides or appetizers.
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