Chicken wings cooked with Butcher BBQ

The Ultimate Chicken Wing Recipe from Butcher BBQ: Crispy, Flavorful, and Competition-Worthy

As the sun sets on another summer, the air is filled with the tantalizing aroma of sizzling meat and the laughter of friends gathered around the grill. At Butcher BBQ, we know that the true heart of any backyard barbecue lies in the humble chicken wing. That's why we're excited to share with you our ultimate chicken wing recipe, perfected by our two-time world BBQ champion.

Whether you're hosting a game-day bash or simply craving a delicious, finger-licking good snack, these wings are sure to impress. With the perfect balance of crispy skin, juicy meat, and bold flavors, they'll have your guests begging for more. So, grab your tongs, fire up the grill or oven, and let's dive into the secrets of creating crispy baked chicken wings that are competition-worthy.

Ingredients

To bring out the best in your chicken wings, you'll want to start with the right ingredients. Here's what you'll need:

For the homemade sauce (optional):

  • 1 cup ketchup
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tsp Butcher BBQ Signature Dry Rub
  • 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper

Preparation

  1. Preheat your grill, smoker, or oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Pat the chicken wings dry with paper towels and place them in a large bowl.
  3. Sprinkle the Butcher BBQ Honey Rub over the wings and toss to coat evenly.
  4. If you're making the homemade sauce, combine all the sauce ingredients in a small saucepan and heat over medium, stirring occasionally until the sugar dissolves. Set aside.

Cooking Method: How to Make Baked Chicken Wings

  1. If baking, line a baking sheet with a grilling mat or parchment paper. Spread the wings on the sheet without overcrowding to get the crispiest baked wings.
  2. Cook the wings in the oven or on the grill/smoker for 30-40 minutes, flipping halfway through. For oven-baked chicken wings, cooking at 350°F works well, or increase to 400°F if you want extra crispy skin.
  3. Check that the internal temperature of the wings reaches 165°F (75°C) to ensure they're cooked through.
  4. During the last 5 minutes of cooking, brush the wings with Butcher BBQ Sauce or your favorite Butcher BBQ sauce.

Sauce Options

While the wings are delicious on their own, you can take them to the next level by serving them with a homemade sauce. Our Butcher BBQ Sweet Sauce is a perfect pairing, but if you're feeling adventurous, try mixing some 5 Alarm Honey Rub into buffalo sauce or hot sauce for a spicy kick. Melted butter is a great addition to buffalo sauce to enrich the flavor and create a classic wing experience.

Serving Suggestions

Serve the wings hot, garnished with chopped green onions or parsley. They pair perfectly with a side of creamy coleslaw, crispy fries, or a fresh salad. Don’t forget dipping sauces like ranch or blue cheese to complement your hot wings and buffalo wings. For extra heat, offer Butcher BBQ Honey Habanero Sauce on the side.

Pro Tips for Crispy Baked Chicken Wings

  • For the crispiest skin, pat the wings dry thoroughly before seasoning and use aluminum-free baking powder sprinkled on the wings to boost crispiness.
  • Experiment with different Butcher BBQ rubs and sauces to find your perfect flavor combination.
  • Try smoking the wings first to add a layer of smoky flavor before crisping them in the oven or air fryer.
  • If using an air fryer for chicken wings, cook at 400°F for about 20 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through.
  • Adjust the cooking time based on wing size and cooking method to ensure juicy, crispy wings.

How to Cut Chicken Wings

Learning how to cut chicken wings properly helps with even cooking and creating the classic wingette and drumette pieces. Hold the wing flat, find the joints between the drumette, wingette, and wing tip, then slice through the joints with a sharp knife or kitchen shears. Discard the wing tips or save them for making chicken stock.

FAQ

What is the secret to the best chicken wings?

The secret to the best chicken wings lies in achieving a perfectly crispy skin with juicy meat inside, using a combination of drying the wings thoroughly, applying baking powder (preferably aluminum-free), seasoning well with dry rub or spices, and cooking them at the right temperature. Finishing them with flavorful sauces like buffalo sauce mixed with melted butter adds the classic wing taste.