Description
Enjoy crispy, golden chicken wings smothered in a rich, garlicky cowboy butter sauce. Perfectly seasoned with smoked paprika and chili flakes, these wings pack a punch of bold flavor that’s ideal for game day or any indulgent night in. With both oven and air fryer methods, you can achieve a satisfying crunch every time.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken Wings
- 2 lbs chicken wings, split & tips removed
- 1 tbsp baking powder (for crispiness)
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp garlic powder
Cowboy Butter Sauce
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 1 tsp paprika
- ½ tsp chili flakes (more if you like heat)
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped
- 1 tbsp fresh chives, chopped
- Salt & pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Crisp the Wings: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Pat the chicken wings very dry to remove moisture, which helps achieve maximum crispiness. Toss the wings thoroughly with baking powder, salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, and garlic powder to coat evenly. Arrange the wings on a wire rack set over a baking sheet, ensuring they are spaced out for hot air circulation. Bake for 40 to 45 minutes, flipping the wings halfway through to promote even browning and crispness. For an air fryer alternative, cook at 400°F for 20 to 22 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through cooking.
- Make the Cowboy Butter: While the wings are cooking, melt the unsalted butter in a bowl. Stir in minced garlic, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, lemon zest, paprika, chili flakes, salt, and pepper until fully combined. Finally, mix in the fresh parsley and chopped chives to finish the sauce with fresh herbal notes.
- Toss & Serve: Once the wings are hot and crispy, toss them in the cowboy butter sauce to coat evenly or brush the sauce generously over them. Finish by sprinkling extra fresh herbs and a squeeze of lemon juice for brightness. Serve immediately while hot and enjoy.
Notes
- Ensure wings are completely dry before seasoning to maximize crispiness.
- Sauce the wings just before serving to keep the crisp texture intact.
- Leftover cowboy butter sauce is excellent on steak, shrimp, or grilled corn.
- For extra heat, add 1–2 teaspoons of your favorite hot sauce to the butter sauce.
- Try sprinkling freshly grated Parmesan over the wings while still hot for added richness.
- Serve with ranch or blue cheese dressing for dipping.
