7 Creative Ways to Make Delicious Wings

The classic Buffalo or hot wing is typically coated in a hot sauce (Frank's Red Hot if you're the real deal) after being fried. While we have nothing against this classic preparation and, in fact, have included a superb recipe below, one of the beauties of chicken is that it's essentially a blank canvas for whatever seasonings or flavor profiles you want to cook it with.

You can go with an Asian-inspired dish using ginger and garlic or try Indonesian flavors with turmeric, coriander, and garlic, or give them an Italian flare with Parmesan and parsley - whatever you choose, they will work fantastically. Just as long as you don't mess up while cooking them.

Tip: If you're hosting a large party, pre-bake the wings and then quickly cook them in the fryer or under the broiler to warm them and crisp them up right before serving.

Ginger-Turmeric Wings Recipe

This recipe was inspired by my mother's traditional Indonesian fried chicken, ayam goreng. But instead of deep-frying the wings, I tried to make these a little healthier while still retaining all the flavor, so I pan-roasted them in the oven.

Be warned: The unmistakable tang of turmeric will fill your kitchen. And the telltale stains will be everywhere, no matter how hard you try to work clean. But that's okay. These are worth it.

Click here to see the Ginger-Turmeric Wings Recipe

Crispy Garlic Parmesan Wings Recipe

An ideal wing always consists of the following:

1. Bones, whoever says they like boneless wings is fooling themselves.

2. Even spice or sauce throughout, for consistency.

3. A cooling agent, i.e. blue cheese, ranch, etc., because water won't cut it.

What happens, however, when you break all the rules, shift the spice barrior, and kick the flavor up about three notches? Cue recipe!

Click here to see the Crispy Garlic Parmesan Wings Recipe

Barbecue Turkey Wings Recipe

Let's say you're hungry - really hungry - and those tiny chicken wings whose meat you have to nibble off aren't going to cut it, but you want the wings taste and feel. Turkey wings are barbecued wings for a giant.

Click here to see the Barbecue Turkey Wings Recipe

Garlic Ginger Chicken Wings Recipe

Forget the messy barbecue sauce, or hot and spicy Buffalo marinade. My go-to glaze when broiling chicken wings (or thighs, breasts, drumsticks...) is inspired by the cuisines of the Far West. Garlic for a kick, fresh ginger for a sweet note with tang, combined with a mixture of a neutral oil (such as grapeseed), soy or tamari sauce, and maple syrup.

While I simply combined all the ingredients in a bowl, it leaves bits of garlic and ginger (which I prefer). For a smoother glaze, purée the liquids together with the garlic and ginger before adding the chicken wing.

Click here to see the Garlic Ginger Chicken Wings Recipe

Spicy Cajun Hot Wings Recipe

This recipe combines two of my favorite ingredients: Frank's RedHot and Tony Chachere's Cajun seasoning. Great to serve during any sports-watching get-together, they taste even better with a cooling, savory blue cheese or ranch dip.

Click here to see the Spicy Cajun Hot Wings Recipe

Boneless Barbecued Wings Recipe

Boneless wings often get a pretty bad rap from traditionalists who believe that wings "on-the-bone" are the only way to go. While its true that boneless wings are in fact dressed-up chicken tenders, when made well they can be just as juicy and succulent as their classic siblings.

Click here to see the Boneless Barbecued Wings Recipe

Spicy Chipotle-Honey Wings Recipe (pictured above)

If you like heat on your wings, then these chile-covered wings are the ones for you. The best part is that they are incredibly easy to make. Pop them in the oven with salt and pepper and then five minutes before they are done, make your sauce. Slather on the wings and then put under the broiler to get the crispy, crunchy finish.

A must, however, is serving them with a cooling dip like ranch or blue cheese, otherwise you'll be sweating and panting - trust me, I've been there.

INGREDIENTS

12 split wings, about a 1 1/2 pounds
Salt and pepper, to taste
Olive oil, for greasing
2 tablespoons butter
One 7-ounce can chipotles en adobe, roughly chopped into slices, sauce reserved
1/4 cup honey, plus more as desired

DIRECTIONS

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.

After washing and drying the wings, cover them on both sides with salt and pepper. Lay them down on a lightly greased, foil-lined baking sheet and cook for 35 minutes, turning halfway.

Five minutes before the wings are finished, make the sauce. Melt the butter and combine it with the chopped chiles and sauce. Add the honey and taste, adding more if needed. Remove the wings from the oven and coat with the sauce. Heat the broiler to low. Place the wings back on the pan and into the oven on a tray directly under the heat source for 2-3 minutes, or until reached your desired level of crispiness.

Remove and serve immediately.

Recipe Details
Servings: 3
Total time: 45 minutes
Special Designations: Dairy-free

-Yasmin Fahr, The Daily Meal