Island Chicken Wings

Chicken wings are always the life of the party, especially during football season, but are they worth the hype? The answer is “yes” if you’re making them yourself. Don’t settle for second-rate chicken wings that taste like they’ve been sitting heated in a metal basket all day. Dry or soggy chicken wings are a disappointing way to cheer a win OR mourn a loss. They’re also kind of dreary. Dip can’t cover up the lack of love put into a disappointing delivery meal. The Best fried chicken will make for a great meal and is a great addition to any party!

You need some good chicken wing recipes to make a night to remember. You can do better, and your stomach and friends will thank you for it. Whether it’s football season, or your boys have a night in playing with playstation 2 roms to relive the good ol’ days, make sure you never miss the food! And when it comes to finger food, no one can beat the chicken wings!

There’s never been a better time to learn a few chicken wing recipes. Chicken has never been cheaper in the US — in fact; you can usually pick up a party-size frozen bag of plain chicken wings for about $12.99 at Walmart or your local grocery store. (Party size means 64 ounces, which is enough to feed eight hungry friends for at least two game nights!) Although fresh, organic chicken is always ideal, it can be cost-prohibitive. So, of course, a great price is still something to look for when you’re out shopping. Do what you can afford and fancy it up with these great recipes.

Football games are always worth cooking a bit for, and you’re sure to impress friends and family alike by choosing one of these chicken wing recipes (or all three!) when you’re watching the game.

Once you’ve home-cooked chicken wings, you’ll never want to order from the old pizza joint or carryout again. For one thing, you’ll save money. You’ll also find it’s much more pleasant to wait for the oven to buzz or ring than to wait for the delivery guy. And it’s okay to ask for your guests to pitch in for the chicken wings instead of a tip. They’ll be so pleased when you tell them the money will go towards the wings for the next game night!

1. Island Chicken Wings

(image at the top of article)

This chicken wing recipe is the healthiest one on the plate, with just 261 calories per serving. (That’s two wings!)

Ingredients:

  • 8 chicken wings
  • 1 4 oz. can diced green chilies, drained
  • 1/4 cup chopped onion
  • 1/4 cup golden raisins
  • 2 tblsp apricot preserves
  • 1 tblsp brown sugar
  • 1 tblsp lemon juice
  • 1/4 tsp ground allspice
  • 1 large banana, peeled and cut into chunks
  • 1 tblsp garlic oil

Cut off wing tips; discard or save for other purposes. Cut remaining wings apart at joints to make 2 pieces each.

To make dipping sauce, in blender, combine chilies, onion, raisins, preserves, brown sugar, lemon juice, allspice and banana; puree.

In large skillet, heat garlic oil. Cook wings for 18 to 20 minutes or until well-browned on all sides and internal juices of chicken run clear. Meanwhile, pour sauce in small saucepan and cook uncovered over medium heat for 10 minutes to thicken liquid; stir frequently.

Sprinkle wings with salt and pepper. Serve with dipping sauce.

TIP: For additional flavor, marinate chicken wings in Italian dressing and then grill or broil. Serve with dipping sauce.

Nutrition Information:

  • Calories 261
  • Total fat 12g
  • Protein 13g
  • Carbohydrates 28g

2. Chinese Honey Garlic Chicken Wings

From Johnson & Wales University, North Miami, FL

chicken wing recipes

Makes 4 appetizer servings; double for a hungry crowd on game night

Ingredients:

  • 3 pounds chicken wings
  • 1/2 cup soy sauce
  • 1/2 cup honey
  • 1/4 cup lemon juice
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 3 tblsp ketchup
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp ginger root, minced
  • 1 tsp sesame oil
  • 1 tsp Chinese five-spice powder
  • 2 tblsp cooking sherry
  • 1 tblsp black sesame seeds
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1/2 cup basil leaves, coarsely chopped

Rinse chicken wings and pat dry; set aside.

In large bowl, combine soy sauce, honey, lemon juice, water, ketchup, garlic, ginger, sesame oil, five-spice powder, cooking sherry, sesame seeds, salt and pepper. Stir to mix. Add chicken wings to bowl; cover and allow to marinate in refrigerator 2 hours or up to overnight.

Preheat oven to 400 F. Remove wings from marinade and place in single layer on roasting pan or cookie sheet. Place in oven and roast for 30 minutes. Turn wings; spoon some additional marinade over wings. Discard remaining marinade. Return wings to oven and cook additional 20 minutes.

Serve immediately, sprinkled with chopped basil leaves.

Note: Wings could also be grilled, about 7 – 8 minutes per side, brushing with marinade after turning.

Nutrition Information:

  • 480 calorie
  • 27 g fat
  • 7 g saturated fat
  • 22 g carbohydrate

3. Ginger-Orange Glazed Chicken Wings

This chicken wing recipe offers a little inspiration from the American West.

ginger-orange-glazed-chicken-wings

Serves 6, as an appetizer

  • 2 pounds chicken wings (about 24)
  • 1/2 cup orange juice concentrate, undiluted
  • 3 tblsp fresh lemon juice
  • 1/4 cup Hoisin sauce
  • 1 tblsp canola oil
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 3 tbsp fresh ginger, minced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 3 scallions, slivered

In a large plastic, resealable bag, place orange juice concentrate, lemon juice, Hoisin sauce, canola oil, ginger, and garlic. Seal and shake to mix. Add chicken wings, seal and shake to coat evenly. Refrigerate overnight, or up to 3 days.

Preheat oven to 400F. Line a large sheet pan with aluminum foil. Spread wings on foil. Bake for 45 minutes, until brown and shiny.

Transfer to serving platter and sprinkle with scallions.

Nutrition Information:

  • Calories 515
  • Fat 29g
  • Protein 38g
  • Carbohydrates 24g

Recipes and images courtesy of the National Chicken Council via National Chicken Month.