Hot Honey Chicken Wings
There’s nothing quite like the perfect chicken wing—crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and packed with flavor. Hot honey chicken wings take this classic dish to the next level by balancing the fiery kick of spice with the smooth sweetness of honey. Whether you’re hosting game day, planning a casual gathering, or just indulging in a crave-worthy dinner, these wings are guaranteed to be the star of the table.
Servings 4 servings
Calories 524kcal
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 pounds chicken wings I use split/party wings
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- salt and pepper to taste
Hot Honey Sauce (I use half of this sauce to drizzle the wings and the other half for dipping).
- 2 tablespoons melted butter Measured solid. Olive oil can be substituted.
- ½ cup honey
- ½ cup hot sauce
Instructions
Baked Wings
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
- Season the chicken wings with smoked paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper to taste.
- Line a sheet pan with parchment paper and add the wings to the pan.
- Bake for 20 minutes and then flip the wings.
- Bake for an additional 15-20 minutes.
- Mix the hot sauce, butter, and honey together in a bowl or mixing cup. Taste the sauce repeatedly and make adjustments to suit your taste.
- Remove the chicken and place it in a large bowl. Drizzle the honey hot sauce throughout. I reserve half of the sauce for dipping once the wings have cooked. You can use all of the sauce here, if you prefer, or use half of the ingredients noted above for the sauce.
- Place the sauced chicken wings back onto the sheet pan and bake for an additional 5 minutes (same temperature). Ensure the chicken has reached an internal temperature of 165 degrees. Use a meat thermometer.
Air Fryer Wings
- Season the chicken wings with smoked paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper to taste.
- If necessary, spray your air fryer basket with cooking oil to prevent sticking. Add the chicken to the air fryer basket.
- Air fry for 15 minutes at 400 degrees.
- Open the air fryer and flip the chicken. Cook for an additional 5 minutes.
- Mix the hot sauce, butter, and honey together in a bowl or mixing cup. Taste the sauce repeatedly and make adjustments to suit your taste.
- Remove the chicken and place it in a large bowl. Drizzle the honey hot sauce throughout. I reserve half of the sauce for dipping once the wings have cooked. You can use all of the sauce here, if you prefer, or use half of the ingredients noted above for the sauce.
- Place the sauced chicken wings back into the air fryer. Air fry for an additional 5 minutes at 350 degrees. Ensure the chicken has reached an internal temperature of 165 degrees. Use a meat thermometer.
Video
Notes
Feel free to use whole chicken wings if you like. You may have to adjust the cooking time.
You should always cook chicken until it reaches a minimum internal temperature of at least 165 degrees. As such, your cook time may vary. Use a meat thermometer to test for accuracy.
If you like sweet wings, use more honey. If you like really spicy wings use less honey but you can also add cayenne pepper to your rub for the raw wings. That way they are cooked in additional spice. You can also add additional hot sauce.
To make breaded wings you can use 1-2 tablespoons of baking powder or ⅓ cup to ½ cup of all-purpose flour (enough to fully coat the chicken). Add it prior to baking or air frying.
Nutrition
Serving: 8oz | Calories: 524kcal | Carbohydrates: 38g | Protein: 44g | Fat: 24g