Homemade Hot Wings

My husband and I are big fans of hot wings. But we're not a fan of how expensive they are at restaurants. So, awhile back I set out on a mission to learn how to make them at home. I decided to bake them instead of frying them like they do at the restaurant, because I wanted to make a healthier version too. I also don't coat the wings in the sauce, but have the sauce on the side, which also reduces the potential calories consumed. After all, the sauce has a lot of butter!

Here's the step-by-step:

*** Caution: Raw chicken ahead! ***

Homemade Hot Wings

(You need a very sharp knife or kitchen shears. Kitchen shears work really well.)

Buy a big package of chicken wings and take out about 15-20. (I get mine at Costco.)
Cut off the wing tips at the joint.

Set aside the wing tips for making your homemade chicken stock.
(And don't forget when you're done eating the wings, to set aside the bones to add to this stock too!)

(Broth: Chicken extras, carrots, onions, bay leaves, celery, cover with water and simmer for a few hours.)

Lightly grease a large cooking pan and line up all the wings.

Cook at 375ºF until chicken is done - about 40-45 minutes. The internal temp needs to be at least 165ºF.
You might want to put the broiler on the last 5 minutes to get the skin crispy and brown.

Cue the Super Sauce and it's side kick Butter!
We like using Frank's Red Hot, which we get in big bottles at Costco. :-)

I'd say about 1/3 cup melted butter and 2/3 cup sauce to equal 1 cup.

You can dip your wings in the sauce, or serve them on the side along with your favorite ranch or blue cheese dressing. YUM!

Here's the full recipe:


Homemade Hot Wings

15-20 chicken wings
2/3 cup Franks Red Hot hot sauce
1/3 cup butter

Preheat the oven to 375ºF. Lightly spray or grease a large, medium depth pan. Remove the chicken wings from their package, rinse, and pat dry with a towel, paper or otherwise. Using kitchen shears, or a sharp knife, cut off the pointy wing tips at the joint where they bend. Set wing tips aside to make chicken stock.

Place the wings, sans tips, into the pan and bake for about 40-45 minutes or until the internal temperature of the wings registers at least at 165ºF. Turn the wings over and turn on the broil. Broil the wings for about 5 minutes to help the skin get a little more crispy and browned if they aren't already.

While the wings are on broil, prepare the sauce by melting 1/3 cup butter and mixing it with 2/3 cup of the hot sauce. Stir until blended well.

Serves the wings right away, by either dipping them in the sauce, or serving them with the sauce on the side. Also, serve with your favorite ranch or blue cheese dressing.

Enjoy the BURN! hahaha!