Easy Honey Chicken Wings

These honey chicken wings are easy to make and irresistibly good! Cook them on the grill or in the oven and slather them with the simple 3-ingredient glaze. The balance of sweet and savory is perfect for game day parties, tailgate parties or backyard barbecues.

glazed chicken wings served in paper lined snack box with tortilla chips, overhead.

Chicken wings are such a classic appetizer for parties, and they can serve as an entree for cookouts too.

I know you’re going to love this easy recipe for brown butter honey glaze that coats each bite in a sweet and tangy sauce.

Why You’ll Love It

  • This easy chicken wings appetizer is perfect for serving on game day or for tailgate parties.
  • Cook them on the grill for a backyard barbecue, or in the oven for casual gatherings.
  • If you’re serving a crowd you easily double or triple the recipe.
  • The honey sauce is delicate and perfect alongside a beer or glass of lemonade
glazed chicken wings served in paper lined snack box with tortilla chips.

Ingredients & Substitutions

Here are the key ingredients you’ll need, plus pantry staples like olive oil, salt and pepper.

  • Chicken wings. I suggest buying a package of pre-cut wings and drumettes. If you want to prepare them yourself, you need to cut them into two pieces: the flat and the drumette. Pat them dry with paper towels before cooking to help the skin crisp up.
  • Butter. I usually use unsalted butter when cooking, but for this recipe you can use either salted or unsalted.
  • Honey. This should be a pantry staple; you can also try it with hot honey.
  • Apple cider vinegar. A hit of acidity helps balance the richness of butter and sweetness of honey. I used apple cider vinegar but you can swap it with white wine vinegar for a twist.

How to Make Them

There are 3 basic steps to making the chicken wings. See full cooking instructions in the recipe card at bottom.

  1. Prepare the sauce on the stovetop.
  2. Cook the chicken wings through.
  3. Brush the glaze onto the wings, or toss the wings in a large bowl with the sauce, to coat.

Variations

Add a splash of hot sauce, like Tabasco, to the butter mixture for a little heat.

You can also cook them in an air fryer at 400°F for 15 minutes, shaking the basket occasionally for crispiness.

PARTY TIP: Serve these restaurant-style with a bowl of blue cheese dressing and ranch dressing for dipping. Add celery and carrot sticks on the side.

Expert Tips

  • Get a crisp crust by making sure the raw chicken is completely dry. Use a paper towel to pat them dry. You can even do this ahead and place them in the fridge with a piece of foil laying loosely on top. The air circulation will help dry the skin to insure they cook crisp.
  • Internal temperature of chicken should reach 165°F.
  • To bake them in the oven, line a sheet pan with aluminum foil for easy clean up.
  • For even cooking, turn the wings about every 5 minutes using tongs.
  • Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Freeze them for up to 3 months.
glazed chicken wings served in paper lined snack box with tortilla chips.

More Party Appetizers

Round out your casual themed party menu with these appetizers.

  • Baked jalapeno poppers are the quintessential game day food along with chicken wings.
  • Simple and satisfying, pimento cheese spread is an excellent spread for crackers and savory dippers.
  • Anything with bacon makes party food all the better. These bacon wrapped chicken bites can be cooked on the grill too.
  • Add some freshness to the table with this chunky cowboy salsa dip.
  • Don’t forget the crunch factor. These blue cheese & balsamic kettle chip nachos are a restaurant copycat recipe that’s tried and true.

This special recipe for honey chicken wings was shared with me by my friend Aimee Broussard. It’s from her cookbook, Picnics, Potlucks, & Porch Parties and makes a wonderful gift for newlyweds or for anyone who loves to cook simple and tasty meals.

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glazed chicken wings piled into serving dish.

Honey Chicken Wings Appetizers

Yield: 24 wings
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes

Easy honey glazed chicken wings are sweet and savory and delicious! Add them to the grill for tailgating parties or backyard cookouts, or cook in the oven for casual gatherings.

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds chicken wings
  • 1 ½ tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper

Sauce

  • ¼ cup honey
  • ¼ cup butter
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar

Instructions

  1. To make the sauce, cook butter in a saucepan over medium-high heat for 5 minutes, or until brown specks begin to form. Transfer to a small bowl and cool 5 minutes.
  2. Add the honey and vinegar into the saucepan and cook over medium heat stirring often, about 2 minutes. Whisk in browned butter.
  3. Meanwhile, toss wings in a large bowl with olive oil; add salt and pepper and toss again to coat.
  4. To Grill: Preheat the grill to medium-high heat. Place the wings on the grate and close the cover. Cook for 25-30 minutes or until skin is crisp and wings are cooked through, turning occasionally.
  5. Using a basting brush, generously brush wings with Honey Sauce during the last 5 minutes.
  6. To Bake: Preheat the oven to 375°F. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil for easy cleanup and add wings; cook for 30 minutes, turning them halfway through for even browning.
  7. Toss cooked wings with the sauce to evenly coat, and serve.

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