Craving crispy, juicy chicken wings that are packed with flavor, but without the mess of deep frying? These Epic Dry-Rubbed Baked Chicken Wings are coated in a mouthwatering homemade spice blend that delivers the perfect balance of heat, sweetness, and smokiness.
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (adjust to heat preference)
1/2 tsp mustard powder
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/4 tsp dried oregano
1/4 tsp dried thyme
For the Wings:
4 lbs chicken wings (fully thawed if using frozen wings)
2 Tbsp vegetable or canola oil
For the Creamy Gorgonzola Sauce:
1/2 cup mayonnaise
3-6 Tbsp buttermilk (adjust for desired thickness)
1/4 cup sour cream
2-3 oz crumbled gorgonzola cheese
1 clove garlic, grated
1/2 Tbsp lemon juice
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/4 tsp kosher salt
Instructions:
Prepare the Chicken Wings:
Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a large baking sheet with two sheets of aluminum foil (or one heavy-duty sheet), and place an oven-safe cooling rack on top. Spray the rack with non-stick cooking spray.
Make the Dry Rub:
In a small bowl, combine all dry rub ingredients and mix well. Set aside.
Coat the Chicken Wings:
In a large bowl, toss the chicken wings with the vegetable oil, making sure they're well coated.
Sprinkle about half to two-thirds of the dry rub over the wings and massage it into the chicken until evenly coated. You can use all of the rub, but for a lighter coating, 1/2 to 2/3 will work perfectly.
Bake the Wings:
Arrange the wings on the prepared rack and bake for 45 minutes, or until golden and crispy.
Make the Gorgonzola Sauce:
In a food processor or blender, combine mayonnaise, buttermilk, sour cream, 1.5 oz of the gorgonzola, garlic, lemon juice, black pepper, and salt. Blend until smooth.
Transfer to a serving bowl and stir in the remaining gorgonzola cheese. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
Chef's Tips:
Serve with some fresh celery and carrot sticks for the perfect appetizer.