Al Roker's Spicy Chicken Wings Are So Good, You'll Want to Make Them Every Week
Al Roker's Spicy Chicken Wings
Ever since I was a kid, I've always enjoyed chicken wings. Fried, baked, air fried or grilled, I'll rarely ever turn down chicken. There is, however, one caveat to my love for the bird though: it has to be made right.
While making chicken "right" may be a debatable topic for many, one of the main things I think makes chicken made "right" is for it to pack the right punch of flavor. For example, spice doesn't always equal flavor and too many herbs or extra additives can take away from what the recipe was initially supposed to deliver. So, as simple as making chicken may seem to some, there's actually a balance that needs to be incorporated to deliver a delicious final product.
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As an Atlanta native, I truly consider chicken wings to basically be in my DNA. From nationwide chains like Popeyes and American Deli to local superstars ATLiens consider iconic, you can just about find a chicken restaurant on almost every corner.
Though I love to go with the spots that we locals can't get enough of, when I'm making wings at home, I like to experiment with new flavors and methods for making wings. So, when I ran across Al Roker's recipe for Spicy Chicken Wings, I decided to give it a try. After seeing that it only required six simple ingredients, I hopped in my truck, shuffled down to the store and grabbed a pack of wings to put this recipe to the test.
Get the recipe: Al Roker's Spicy Chicken Wings
Courtesy of Choya Johnson
Ingredients for Al Roker's Spicy Chicken Wings
For this light lift recipe, you'll need just a few ingredients: chicken wings, honey, chili powder, melted butter, hot pepper sauce and salt.
How to Make Al Roker's Spicy Chicken Wings
Start by cutting (depending on what type of chicken you choose) and cleaning your wings. Though the latter is a much-debated topic, it is something that I do, so I added this step in. Once that's completed, place the wings in a large bowl.
In a separate bowl, mix the hot pepper sauce, honey, melted butter, chili powder and salt. Pour that mixture over the wings, making sure to evenly coat each one. Cover and refrigerate for anywhere between 2 and 12 hours, turning occasionally.
Toward the end of your refrigeration period, preheat the oven to 375°F. Remove the wings from the bowl and place them on a foil-lined baking sheet in a single layer. Bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes, turning the wings about halfway through. Remove when they're golden and crispy, then let cool and enjoy.
Courtesy of Choya Johnson
What I Thought of Al Roker's Spicy Chicken Wings
Before I jump into what I thought of these wings, I'd like to point out just how easy they were to make. Aside from letting them marinate for at least two hours and the cook time, making these was a cinch.
As for the taste, these wings were ridiculously good! And just like the name suggests, they definitely had a good kick to them. Previously, I've read online just how much people have loved Al Roker's recipes, and after making this one and tasting it myself, I can definitely see why.
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While the ingredient list was short, just like many wing recipes, these were very versatile in terms of pairing. I was able to eat them for lunch with fried potato wedges and for the remaining wings, I had them with fresh green beans and mac & cheese for dinner. Even after that, I had some left over for the next day, too.
Finding this recipe really feels like a gift. Though it's been around for some time, I can picture this being a great appetizer or dish to add to my holiday roundup. But if I'm being honest, I'll probably be making these year-round.
Courtesy of Choya Johnson
A Tip for Making Al Roker's Spicy Chicken Wings
Make them your own. Though the recipe is great as is if you want to throw in a few more herbs or create a sauce, these wings are very easy to build upon, so it's easy to take these to the next level.
