Baked Chicken Wings w/ Two Classic Sauces

The other day, I met someone who went most of her life thinking that chicken wings were pointless.  She said, "there is no meat on them", or "too many bones", and, "what is the big deal?"..... then she tried chicken wings, and now she's thinking, "where have these been all my life?? Why didn't anyone tell me how amazing these things are??"  It's because they wanted all the wings for themselves!  Chicken wings are a family favorite! They can be a appetizer, or a casual messy meal.  They can be made ahead of time, and made in bulk!  Make sure you have lots of napkins ready, as these are messy little bites.

The sauces in this recipe are straight up, classic sauces.  One slightly spicy, classic Buffalo Sauce.  And, the other is a bold Honey BBQ sauce.  Both are delicious, and both leave your fingers sticky.  I started making my own sauces because I'm SO FUSSY!  I want to control the flavor profile and spice level of the sauces, and the best way to do it is to make it yourself.  Try your sauce, it may not be right the first time.  Re-season and taste again!  Make it your own!  Try drizzling blue cheese dressing over the top of the wings with Buffalo Sauce.  It's a party in your mouth!!

Baked Chicken Wings

5-10 pounds chicken wings, defrosted if previously frozen
salt and pepper

Preheat oven to 375.  For easy clean up, cover s baking tray with foil, and spray with cooking spray.  Generously season the chicken wings with salt and pepper, and place on baking trays.  Roast until done, about 35 minutes.  IF you want them a little crispier, about 10 minutes before the wings are done, take a cooling rack, and place it on top of a rimmed baking sheet.  Transfer the almost cooked wings to the prepared baking trays and bake at 425 until crispy.

Place desired amount of wings in a bowl, pour sauce over wings.  Gently toss wings to coat in sauce.  Pour on a plate with a side of carrot sticks.  Yum!!

Classic Buffalo Sauce

3/4 cup hot sauce
3 Tbsp butter, melted
1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
cayenne pepper, to taste (optional!)
1/4 tsp. garlic powder

Put all ingredients in a bowl, whisk until smooth.  Taste, adjust seasoning as needed.  This sauce can be made up to three days ahead of time. 

Honey BBQ sauce

1/2 cup ketchup

1/4-1/2 cup honey (I prefer 1/4 cup, but this all depends on your sweetness preference)

1 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce

1 tsp. Pepper

1 tsp. onion powder

1 tsp. garlic powder

Put all ingredients in a bowl, whisk until smooth.  Taste adjust seasoning as needed.  Sauce can be made up to three days ahead of time!