Zesty Garlic Chicken Wings Recipe for Finger-Licking Fun

Sizzling golden wings coated in a mouthwatering garlic chicken wings recipe promise an explosion of flavor that’ll make your taste buds dance.

These crispy, tender bites pack a punch of savory goodness that’ll steal the show at any gathering.

Each wing is carefully seasoned to perfection, delivering a bold blend of garlic and spices.

Succulent meat falls right off the bone, revealing a delectable interior that’s both juicy and irresistible.

The secret lies in a simple yet powerful marinade that infuses deep, rich flavors into every single piece.

Home cooks can easily master this restaurant-quality dish with just a few basic ingredients and some culinary passion.

Let’s find out this crowd-pleasing recipe that transforms ordinary chicken wings into an extraordinary meal everyone will crave.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 16 minutes

Total Time: 21 minutes

Calories: 430 kcal

Servings: 7

What Goes into Garlic Chicken Wings

• Chicken Drumettes/Wings: Succulent and juicy meat that provides the perfect canvas for bold garlic flavors, choose fresh, plump wings with smooth, unblemished skin for the best texture and taste.

• Garlic Cloves, Garlic Powder: Powerhouse ingredients that deliver intense, aromatic garlic punch, select fresh garlic with firm, unblemished cloves and bright white coloring for maximum flavor.
• Onion Powder: Adds subtle depth and background sweetness, ensuring a well-rounded taste profile without overwhelming the main ingredients.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasoning that amplifies and balances the overall taste, use freshly ground black pepper for a more vibrant and robust flavor.

• Olive Oil, Butter: Creates a rich, golden coating that helps chicken crisp beautifully and provides luxurious mouthfeel, choose high-quality butter and extra virgin olive oil for best results.
• Parmesan Cheese: Introduces nutty, salty complexity and helps create a delightful crispy exterior when sprinkled over wings.
• Fresh Parsley: Optional bright green garnish that adds fresh herbal notes and visual appeal, select vibrant, crisp parsley leaves for maximum flavor and color.

Tools for Making Garlic Chicken Wings

• Instant Pot: Essential for quickly cooking the chicken wings to tender perfection.
• Large mixing bowl: Perfect for tossing wings with seasonings and later with butter mixture.
• Baking sheet: Crucial for achieving crispy wings in the oven.
• Measuring spoons: Helps accurately measure salt, garlic powder, and other seasonings.
• Tongs: Great for handling hot wings and turning them during baking.
• Broiler-safe pan: Necessary for getting that final crispy exterior under high heat.
• Cheese grater: Helpful for freshly grating Parmesan cheese if using whole block.

Steps to Prepare Garlic Chicken Wings

• Seasoning Blend

Grab your chicken wings and sprinkle them with a zesty mix of garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Make sure each wing gets a generous coating for maximum flavor.

• Quick Pressure Cook

Pop the seasoned wings into an Instant Pot and pressure cook for a quick 6 minutes. This helps lock in the juiciness and starts the cooking process perfectly.

• High-Heat Transformation

Crank up your oven to a blazing 525°F. This intense heat will turn your wings into crispy, golden delights.

• Flavor Massage

In a bowl, combine melted butter, a splash of olive oil, minced garlic, and a pinch of salt. Gently coat the cooked wings in this luxurious mixture.

• Crispy Finish

Slide the wings into the hot oven and bake for 8 minutes. Then switch to broil for 2-3 minutes, watching closely to achieve that irresistible crispy exterior.

• Final Touch

Sprinkle freshly grated Parmesan cheese, a dash of salt, and chopped parsley over the wings. These final garnishes add a burst of flavor and make your dish look restaurant-worthy.

Garlic Chicken Wings Flavor Boosters and Twists

• Pat the chicken wings completely dry before seasoning to ensure maximum crispiness and perfect golden-brown exterior.
• Replace regular salt with smoked sea salt or add red pepper flakes for a zesty kick that elevates the garlic flavor profile.
• Prep wings up to 24 hours in advance by seasoning and storing in the refrigerator, which allows flavors to deeply penetrate the meat before cooking.
• Whip up a quick garlic aioli or ranch dressing using Greek yogurt, fresh herbs, and minced garlic to complement these wings perfectly.
• Experiment with fresh herbs like thyme, rosemary, or oregano alongside the parsley to create a more complex and aromatic finish to the dish.

How to Serve Garlic Chicken Wings Best

• Flavor Fusion Plate: Pair these crispy garlic chicken wings with cool ranch or blue cheese dressing to balance the rich, garlicky taste and add a creamy contrast.
• Veggie Companions: Serve alongside roasted seasonal vegetables like asparagus, Brussels sprouts, or zucchini to create a complete and nutritious meal that complements the wings' savory profile.
• Dipping Delight: Create a quick garlic aioli or herb-infused dipping sauce using mayo, fresh herbs, and minced garlic to enhance the wing's already robust flavor and provide an extra layer of excitement for guests.
• Beverage Harmony: Match these wings with a crisp pilsner, light wheat beer, or a chilled white wine to cut through the richness and refresh the palate between bites.

Garlic Chicken Wings Storage and Reheating Tips

• Quick Cooling Strategy: Let wings rest on a wire rack for 5-10 minutes after cooking to maintain crispiness and prevent soggy bottoms.
• Refrigeration Technique: Store leftover wings in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days, keeping them separate from other foods to retain their crisp texture.
• Reheating Magic: Revive cold wings in an air fryer at 375°F for 3-4 minutes to restore their original crunch and warmth without drying out the meat.
• Freezer-Friendly Approach: Wrap wings individually in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer bag for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating for best quality.

Crispy Garlic Chicken Wings Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.8 from 34 reviews

• Total Time: 21 minutes
• Yield: 7 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Spicy garlic chicken wings offer a bold fusion of zesty flavors that dance across hungry palates. Marinade ingredients combine perfectly, creating crispy, tender wings that will delight guests at any gathering.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 3 lbs (1.36 kg) chicken drumettes/wings
• 5 large garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tbsps (30 ml) olive oil
• 2 tbsps (28 g) butter
• 1 cup (237 ml) water
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 2 tsps salt
• 1 tsp black pepper
• ⅓ cup (35 g) Parmesan cheese, grated
• 2 tbsps fresh parsley, chopped (optional)

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Seasoning Preparation: Thoroughly coat chicken wings with garlic powder, onion powder, kosher salt, and black pepper in a large mixing bowl, ensuring uniform distribution of spices.
2. Instant Pot Tenderizing: Pressure cook wings for 6 minutes at high pressure to break down meat fibers and initiate flavor infusion.
3. Crispy Coating Creation: Whisk melted unsalted butter with extra virgin olive oil, minced fresh garlic, and an additional salt pinch to craft a robust flavor enhancement mixture.
4. Wing Preparation: Drain liquid from Instant Pot wings, then generously massage the butter-garlic mixture across each piece, guaranteeing complete flavor coverage.
5. Oven Positioning: Arrange wings on a wire rack over a baking sheet, optimizing air circulation for maximum crispiness and allowing excess oil to drain.
6. High-Temperature Cooking: Roast at 525°F for 8 minutes to develop initial golden exterior, then broil for 2-3 minutes, monitoring closely to prevent scorching while achieving perfect crunch.
7. Final Garnishing: Immediately sprinkle freshly grated Parmesan cheese, finely chopped parsley, and a delicate salt dusting to elevate the wings’ taste complexity and visual appeal.

Notes

• Pressure Cook for Tenderness: Use Instant Pot to quickly tenderize chicken wings and lock in initial flavors before high-heat roasting.
• High-Temperature Technique: Extremely hot oven (525°F) and broiler setting guarantee ultra-crispy wing exteriors without drying out meat.
• Drip and Crisp Method: Wire rack placement allows excess oil to drain, ensuring wings become perfectly crisp and avoid soggy bottoms.
• Flavor Layering Strategy: Multiple seasoning stages (dry rub, butter-garlic coating, final cheese and herb sprinkle) build complex, rich taste dimensions.

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 16 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 430
• Sugar: 0 g
• Sodium: 654 mg
• Fat: 32 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 22 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 2 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 36 g
• Cholesterol: 100 mg