Making delicious BBQ chicken wings at home is easier than you think! With just a few simple ingredients and tools, you can whip up a batch of finger-lickin’ good chicken wings coated in your favorite tangy, sweet and spicy BBQ sauce. This guide will walk you through all the key steps involved in making perfect BBQ wings every time.
Ingredients You’ll Need
To make great BBQ chicken wings, you’ll need:
- Chicken wings – Look for wings that are meaty and evenly sized. You can use a mix of drumettes and flats or just one type. Avoid any wings with excess skin or fat.
- BBQ sauce – Opt for your favorite prepared BBQ sauce or make your own. Sweet, tangy and slightly spicy sauces pair best with wings.
- Seasonings – For maximum flavor, season the raw wings with a dry rub before cooking. Garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, pepper and a dash of cayenne are classic wing rub ingredients.
- Butter or oil – Use a small amount of butter or neutral oil to coat the wings before baking. This helps them get crispy.
- Thickening agent – For a saucy wing coating that sticks, thicken your BBQ sauce slightly. Cornstarch or arrowroot work well.
You’ll also need foil, a baking sheet, cooking spray and tongs on hand.
Step 1 – Prep the Wings
Start by preparing your chicken wings:
- Rinse and dry the wings thoroughly, and remove any excess skin or fatty pieces.
- Cut off and discard the wing tips, saving only the drumettes and flats.
- Separate the flats from the drumettes if needed for even cooking.
- Pat very dry with paper towels to help achieve crispy skin.
Step 2 – Season the Wings
Next, season the wings all over with your favorite dry rub:
- Combine 1-2 tsp each of garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt and pepper.
- For heat, add 1/4 tsp cayenne or more to taste.
- Generously coat each wing on all sides with the seasoning mixture.
- Rub it in to adhere. Seasoning under the skin is key for flavor.
- Let sit 10 minutes for spice flavors to penetrate before cooking.
Pro tips: Play around with different proportions and additions like chili powder, cumin or brown sugar in your rub until you find your perfect wing flavor profile.
Step 3 – Bake the Wings
Baking helps render the chicken fat and achieve crispy skin:
- Preheat oven to 425°F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil and spray with nonstick spray.
- Arrange wings on sheet skin-side up in a single layer, spacing apart.
- Bake 25 minutes, flip and bake 25 more minutes until browned and cooked through.
The high heat helps the seasoning caramelize into the skin for extra flavor.
Step 4 – Fry for Crispiness (Optional)
For ultra crispy wings, fry them after baking:
- Heat 1 inch oil to 375°F in a pot. Use a thermometer to monitor temperature.
- Fry wings in batches 2-3 minutes until golden brown and sizzling.
- Drain on a paper towel-lined plate. The paper absorbs excess grease for a crispier wing.
- Repeat with remaining wings, letting oil reheat between batches.
Be careful when working with hot oil! Use tongs and avoid overcrowding the pot when frying.
Step 5 – Make the BBQ Sauce
Whisk up a flavorful, clingy sauce for your wings:
- In a small bowl, combine 3/4 cup BBQ sauce, 1 Tbsp butter and 1 tsp cornstarch.
- Microwave until bubbling to thicken, about 1 minute. Stir until smooth.
- For extra flavor, also mix in 1 minced garlic clove, 1 tsp chili powder and a squeeze of lime.
- Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. The sauce coats better warm.
Thickening the sauce helps it stick to the wings instead of making them soggy.
Step 6 – Coat Wings in Sauce
Get your wings saucy and sticky:
- Toss cooked wings in sauce mixture until fully coated. Use tongs for easy mixing.
- Spread on a fresh foil-lined baking sheet. Sauce will drip, so line with foil.
- Bake at 425°F for 10-15 minutes until caramelized and sticky.
- Keep an eye on them to avoid burning.
Brushing extra sauce on top halfway through baking makes them extra saucy!
Serving Suggestions
Cool and crisp sides balance the savory, sticky wings beautifully:
- Celery and carrot sticks – Offer with creamy blue cheese dressing for dipping.
- Ranch or blue cheese dressing – Extra sauce also pairs great with the wings!
- Cucumber salad – Toss sliced cucumbers in vinegar, salt, pepper and dill.
- Coleslaw – Crunchy, creamy and acidic, it’s the perfect complement.
- Blue cheese crumbles – Sprinkle on top of the wings for bonus flavor.
For something sweet, serve chilled watermelon slices on the side.
BBQ Chicken Wing Cooking Tips
Follow these tips for finger-licking good wings every time:
- Pat wings very dry before seasoning for crispiest skin.
- Rest seasoned wings before cooking so seasoning permeates.
- Bake at high temp first for rendered fat and crunchiness.
- Fry after baking for ultimate crispiness (optional).
- Toss baked wings in sauce while still hot so it adheres.
- Bake sauced wings briefly to caramelize the sauce.
- Avoid oversaucing – the coating should just lightly glaze the wings.
- Check wings frequently when baking for doneness and to prevent burning.
- Use tongs and heatproof gloves when handling hot wings.
Common BBQ Chicken Wing FAQs
Get answers to all your burning chicken wing questions:
How long do you bake chicken wings?
Bake raw chicken wings at 425°F for around 50 minutes total – 25 minutes on each side. Baking cooks the wings through while crisping up the skin.
Should you fry or bake chicken wings?
You can do either! Baking gives you crispy, flavorful wings without the mess and splatter of frying. For ultracrunchy wings, try baking then frying briefly.
What temperature do you fry chicken wings?
Fry chicken wings at the ideal temperature of 375°F. Use a deep fry or candy thermometer to monitor the oil temperature. Overheating risks burning the coating before the insides cook through.
Can I grill chicken wings instead?
Yes, grilling imparts delicious charred flavor. Grill over direct medium heat 15-20 minutes, flipping occasionally. Brush with sauce in the last 5 minutes once char marks develop.
How long do baked wings last in the fridge?
Store baked chicken wings covered in the fridge 3-4 days. Reheat gently in a 300°F oven until hot in the center. Don’t re-crisp them by re-baking at a high temp.
Can you freeze cooked chicken wings?
Absolutely! First cool baked or fried wings completely. Freeze in a single layer on a sheet pan then transfer to bags. Reheat frozen wings straight from freezer in a 375°F oven for about 20 minutes until hot.
What’s the best chicken wing flavor?
The possibilities are endless! Classic buffalo, honey BBQ, lemon pepper, cajun dry rub, teriyaki, jerk seasoning, garlic parmesan – take your pick for your ideal flavor profile.
In Conclusion
Making mouthwatering BBQ chicken wings with crispy skin and zesty sauce is easy with these step-by-step instructions. The key is properly seasoning, baking at high heat, then saucing the hot wings for maximum stickiness. Serve alongside cool, crunchy sides like celery, carrots and coleslaw to balance the savory wings. Adjust the rub flavors and sauce to create your own signature chicken wing recipe.
Follow this guide for tender, juicy wings encased in sweet and tangy BBQ sauce anytime you get a wing craving. Impress friends and family with homemade BBQ chicken wings that rival your favorite restaurants! Craving more recipes? Check out my articles on making buffalo wings and more.