Honey BBQ Baked Chicken WIngs

While the Superbowl may be over and all the crowds have all left Arizona (hallelujah!), there is one thing that I wish was still here. These wings. We decided since the big game was in our home state this year, we would stay out of the fuss and just watch the game from the comfort of our own couch. We planned on making a large pile of nachos and wings for the game, and once we saw how much food we had, we invited a couple of friends over to help us polish it all off. I do have a confession to make though. This was the first time I had ever made wings. Like truly made them. Bought full raw wings from the store, cut off the tips, trimmed the excess skin, and then separated the wings from the drumstick. It was actually the perfect mix of disgusting and fun at the same time (TMI?). Since I knew that we would be indulging a lot, I wanted to bake the wings instead of deep-frying them and I couldn't have asked for a better result. These wings are perfectly sweet and savory, and an absolute crowd-pleasing classic.

Honey BBQ Baked Chicken Wings

Ingredients:

• 2.5 lbs chicken wings, raw
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
• 1 cup bbq sauce
• 1/2 cup honey
• 1 tbsp. hot sauce
• 1/2 tsp. liquid smoke
• 1 tsp. molasses bacon seasoning

If you purchased wings already broken up into drumsticks and wings, then you are one step ahead. If you purchased whole wings like me, get out a large butcher knife and clip off the tip (the end off of the wing that that no meat on it). Then find where the drumstick meets the wings and cut in between the two. You will need to use some force and will have to break through bone. Lastly, trim off the excess skin from both.

Wash and pat dry chicken wings. Then set the wings on a baking sheet and allow to dry out in front of a fan for about 30 minutes. If you do not have time, feel free to skip this step. It makes the skin extra crispy when baked.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Season the wings with salt and pepper and bake for 40-50 minutes. Remove from the heat and toss the wings in the honey bbq sauce. Place back on the baking sheet and cook another 5-10 minutes until the sauce is bubbly.

Serve warm.

Check back tomorrow for the sinful wings recipe on the top left!