Baking chicken wings in the oven is a simple and delicious way to prepare them. Here's a basic recipe to guide you through the process:
Ingredients:
- Chicken wings
- Olive oil or melted butter
- Salt
- Pepper
- Optional: your choice of seasoning (e.g., garlic powder, paprika, cayenne pepper, etc.)
Instructions:
Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 400°F (200°C) to preheat while you prepare the chicken wings.
Prepare the chicken wings: If the chicken wings are whole, you can cut them into wingettes (drumettes and flats). Pat them dry with paper towels to ensure crispy results.
Season the wings: In a large bowl, drizzle the wings with olive oil or melted butter. Sprinkle salt, pepper, and any other seasoning you prefer over the wings. Toss the wings in the bowl until they are evenly coated with the seasonings.
Line a baking sheet: Cover a baking sheet with aluminum foil or parchment paper for easy cleanup. Place a wire rack on top of the baking sheet to elevate the wings and allow the heat to circulate around them.
Arrange the wings: Place the seasoned chicken wings on the wire rack in a single layer, leaving some space between each wing to ensure even cooking.
Bake the wings: Put the baking sheet with the wings into the preheated oven. Bake for about 40-45 minutes, or until the wings are golden brown and crispy. Halfway through the baking time, you can flip the wings over to ensure even browning on both sides.
Optional: Sauce the wings: If you prefer sauced wings, you can toss the baked wings in your favorite sauce (e.g., buffalo sauce, BBQ sauce) or serve the sauce on the side for dipping.
Serve and enjoy: Once the wings are fully cooked and sauced (if desired), remove them from the oven. Let them cool for a minute or two before serving. You can serve them with celery sticks, carrot sticks, and your favorite dipping sauce.
Remember, cooking times may vary depending on the size of the wings and your oven's performance, so keep an eye on them as they bake. Enjoy your homemade baked chicken wings!