Everyone has their favorite, but this is the BEST chicken wings recipe! You know I love chicken wings – just take a look at our chicken wing recipes, and you’ll see a ton of different wing flavors – but this recipe is my all-time favorite.
Declaring this the best chicken wings recipe is a bold statement – I know, I know – but to
Best Chicken Wings Recipe
Sure, there are tons of wing flavors out there – but we believe you can’t beat a classic chicken wing flavor. This flavor is close to a classic buffalo but with a secret ingredient that ups that flavor profile to what we consider the best chicken wing flavor!
Ingredients needed
- 4 pounds fresh or thawed chicken wings/drummettes
- Salt & pepper for seasoning
- 2 cup high-temp frying oil (ex. Avocado oil)
- 1 stick unsalted butter
- 2 cups hot sauce (I use Frank’s Hot Sauce)
- 1 Tbsp red pepper flakes
- 1/2 cup ranch dressing
How to make the best chicken wings recipe
In a deep frying pan, heat 2 cups of cooking oil over medium-high heat. I recommend using avocado oil. Next, season the wings with salt and pepper – (be sure to first pat them dry from any remaining water). Place the seasoned wings into the oil. Fry the wings for about 10 minutes on one side, then turn and fry for another 10 minutes.
After the wings have finished cooking, remove from the oil and place onto a paper towel-lined plate to rest.
Finally, dip the wings individually into the sauce and then place onto a serving platter and serve immediately.
Recipe FAQs
I highly recommend buying fresh chicken wings. However, if you’re unable to find fresh chicken wings you can always buy a high-quality frozen option – just be sure to fully thaw the wings before frying.
The chicken wings themselves are low carb, it’s the sauce you’ll want to review if you’re looking for a low carb option. You can review the nutritional information at the bottom of the recipe for specific carb information.
Like I’ve said before, we firmly believe in intuitive eating here at Wanderlust and Wellness and prefer to not categorize foods as good or bad. With that being said, I would recommend reviewing the nutritional information and deciding for yourself.
No, while the recipe does call for pan frying the wings, you can also cook them in an air fryer, bake, or broil them as well.
Alternative Cooking Methods
- Oven-Baked Chicken Wings – Place the wings onto a broiler rack, or place a cooling rack onto a baking sheet and place the wings onto the cooling rack. Place into the oven and bake for 40 minutes at 400 degrees F. When done, using kitchen tongs, individually dip each wing into the sauce and place back onto the cooling rack. Place the baking sheet back into the oven and turn the oven setting to broil. Broil for 3-5 minutes or until the sauce begins to thicken on the wings.
- Air Fried Chicken Wings – Place wings into air fryer basket and cook for 20 minutes, turning every 10 minutes at 400 degrees. When done, using kitchen tongs, individually dip each wing into the sauce and place back into the air fryer basket and cook for 5-10 additional minutes.
- Oil Fried Chicken Wings – In a deep frying pan, heat 2 cups of cooking oil over medium-high heat. I recommend using avocado oil. Place the seasoned wings into the oil. Fry the wings for about 10 minutes on one side, then turn and fry for another 10 minutes. Remove from oil and let set, then dip into the sauce and serve.
Recommended Kitchen Tools
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Enjoy these other chicken wing recipes!
- All W&W Chicken Wings Recipes
- Hot Honey Mustard Wings
- Epic Dry-Rubbed Baked Chicken Wings
- Best Ever Dry Rub Chicken Wings
Best Chicken Wings Recipe
Best Chicken Wings Recipe
This is hands-down our favorite chicken wings recipe - which is why we're giving it the title best chicken wings recipe!
If you liked this recipe, please give it a 5-star rating.
Ingredients
- 24 fresh chicken wings/drummettes
- Salt & pepper for seasoning
- 2 cup high-temp frying oil (ex. Avocado oil)
- 1 stick unsalted butter
- 2 cups hot sauce (I use Frank's Hot Sauce)
- 1 Tbsp red pepper flakes
- 1/2 cup ranch dressing
Instructions
- In a medium-sized saucepan, add the hot sauce, butter, ranch dressing, and red pepper flakes. Heat over medium heat, stirring occasionally until the butter is melted. Reduce heat to low.
- In a deep frying pan, add the 2 cups of oil and heat over medium-high heat until it reaches 350 degrees F.
- Season the chicken wings with salt and pepper, then add them to the hot oil.
- Cook for 10 minutes on one side, occasionally moving the wings to keep them from sticking to the bottom. Then flip and cook for another 10 minutes.
- Once finished cooking, remove from oil and transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to rest.
- Turn the oven onto the broil setting and prepare a baking sheet. Line a baking sheet with foil then set a cooling rack on top of the lined baking sheet. Or, you can use a broiler pan.
- Using tongs, dip the wings individually into the sauce and place onto the cooling rack. Place the pan into the oven and let the wings sit under the broiler for about 2-3 minutes. Watch closely so they do not burn.
- Remove from the oven, then once again dip each wing individually into the sauce one again, then transfer to a serving platter and serve immediately.
Notes
- Be sure to use fresh or thawed chicken wings - never frozen.
- Adjust the red pepper flakes quantity to increase or decrease heat.
- If you need a dairy-free ranch, check out my Paleo Ranch dressing.
Jennifer is the recipe developer and food photographer behind Wanderlust and Wellness since 2016. She creates easy, approachable gluten-free recipes for the everyday home cook; because cooking gluten-free doesn’t mean food has to be complicated or tasteless.
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