Crispy on the outside and juicy on these inside, these baked chicken wings are delicious and perfectly seasoned on their own, but they’re also endlessly adaptable.
Flavor variations like Classic Buffalo, Hot Honey, Garlic Parmesan, and Honey Mustard are saucy, tangy, and finger-licking good. No matter how you serve them, they’ll be your go-to baked chicken wing recipe.
Key Ingredients For Baked Chicken Wings
The classic oven-baked chicken wings recipe calls for just a few ingredients. You’ll added sauces and dippers from there.
- Chicken wings: Cut whole wings at the joint to yield both flats and drummettes. Use a sharp knife or kitchen scissors to clip the tip of the wings.
- Baking powder: A bit of baking powder helps with crisping up and browning the skin of the wings.
- Kosher salt: Seasons the chicken while also ensuring a crispy the skin and a moist interior.
- Cooking spray: To keep the wings from sticking to the wire rack.
Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling; Prop Stylist: Christina Daley
Recipe Tips From The Southern Living Test Kitchen
- When you flip the wings, swap the trays from the bottom shelf to the top and vice versa. This helps them cook more evenly in large batches.
- These wings are best made fresh, but you can also reheat individual wings in the air fryer or in bulk in the oven.
Flavor Variations For Hot Honey Chicken Wings
- Hot Honey Butter Chicken Wings: While preparing the wings as directed, boil together 1/4 cup unsalted butter, 1/4 cup hot honey, 2 teaspoons of hot sauce, 1/2 teaspoon of kosher salt to a boil. Boil for 30 seconds, then remove from heat. When chicken wings are done baking, toss the hot honey sauce with chicken wings in a large bowl. Add thinly sliced jalapeño if you’d like some extra spice, and garnish with fresh cilantro.
- Buffalo Chicken Wings: In a small saucepan, heat 1/2 cup of hot sauce, 1/4 cup of unsalted butter, 1 teaspoon of brow sugar, and 1/4 teaspoon of kosher salt. When chicken wings are done baking, toss the Buffalo sauce with chicken wings in a large bowl.
- Garlic Parmesan Ranch: Prepare the wings as directed. During the last 10 minutes or so, microwave 1/4 cup of unsalted butter on high until melted. Stir in 1/2 teaspoon of grated garlic, 1 tablespoon of ranch seasoning, 1/4 teaspoon of kosher salt. When chicken wings are done baking, toss the butter ranch sauce with chicken wings in a large bowl.
- Honey Mustard Barbecue: During last 10 minutes of baking, stir together 6 tablespoons Chick-Fil-A Sauce, 5 1/2 teaspoons Dijon mustard, and 4 teaspoons honey in a medium bowl. When wings are done baking, drizzle wings with sauce, or alternatively, place wings in a large bowl, add sauce to bowl, and toss well to coat. Garnish with freshly cracked black pepper.
