When it comes to chicken wings, the meat quality is the most important factor. Next is how they are cooked and seasoned. The best seasoning for chicken wings balances sweet and savory flavors. Not only this, but they are ideal for air frying, baking, and cooking wings. The final result is succulent meat or crispy exteriors that will leave you relishing every bite. That said, a lot goes into seasoning chicken wings. Let us break down the process and suggest the best herbs and spices to try.
How to Season Chicken Wings
Gather Your Ingredients
The first step is to gather the herbs and spices. The most popular ones are:
- Sweet, smoked, or hot paprika: Depending on the type, it adds a smoky, sweet, or hot flavor. Plus, it gives a reddish hue to the wings.
- Garlic or granulated powder adds a robust, savory flavor and is a great substitute for fresh garlic.
- Onion powder provides subtle sweetness and depth to the seasoning profile.
- Pepper: Black pepper, cayenne pepper, and other types introduce different levels of heat to create a spicy kick.
- Sea salt brings out the natural chicken wing taste and complements other ingredients.
- Thyme adds a subtle earthiness and herbaceous flavor. You can pair it with oregano to impart a Mediterranean touch with slight bitterness and an aromatic profile.
- Lemon zest gives a citrusy note.
- Soy and hot sauce: Soy adds a savory umami flavor, while hot sauce increases the heat and gives a distinct vinegar tang.
Other seasonings you can try include honey, brown sugar, ginger, sesame seeds, cumin, and rosemary. We recommend you experiment with them to find the perfect flavor profile.
Preheat the Oven and Prepare Your Wings
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Then, pat the chicken wings dry with paper towels to eliminate excess moisture. If you bought whole wings, separate them into flats and drumettes. Start by seasoning with pepper and salt to form a base for other seasonings.
If you prefer dry rub wings, pour all the ingredients into a large bowl and toss in the chicken wings. Massage the rub into the wings and ensure they are evenly coated. In contrast, if you want wet marinade, mix the ingredients in a bowl. Then, place the wings in a large resealable bag and pour the marinade over. Afterward, seal the bag and let the wings marinate for about 30 minutes in the refrigerator.
Bake or Grill
Place the wings on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake in the preheated oven for about 50 minutes until they are golden or crispy. That said, don’t forget to flip them halfway through. If you prefer a grill, oil the grates to prevent sticking. Then, grill for about 25 minutes until they reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees F.
Best Seasoning for Chicken Wings
A versatile seasoning mix has a flexible application. The blends work on grilled wings, baked wings, fried wings, and more. Although shopping for your seasoning is fun, the process of gathering independent herbs and spices is time-consuming. Plus, it is arduous if you don’t know what you’re looking for. Meanwhile, it restricts your options to basic ingredients. The best bet is to leverage a seasoning collection. Take a look at the best seasoning for chicken wings below:
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Perfect For Poultry $50.60 on Virginia Boys Kitchens
These 6 packs of seasonings and rubs are perfect for chicken, duck, turkey, and wild game. Each spice blend adds succulent flavor to daily favorites like spicy wings and BBQ classics like spatchcock chicken. Instead of overpowering your wings, the rich, natural flavors will enhance your meal and let you achieve poultry perfection.
Products in the Collection
- Perfect Poultry BBQ Rub: Garlic, Onion, Sea Salt, Pepper, Paprika, Cane Sugar, Celery Seed, Black Pepper, White Pepper, Hickory Smoke Powder, Basil, Oregano, Rosemary, Thyme, Marjoram, Parsley, Red Cayenne, Red Pepper.
- Zesty Mediterranean BBQ Rub: Garlic Powder, Minced Garlic, Granulated Garlic, Sea Salt, Black Pepper, Cane Sugar, Oregano, Lemon Oil, Marjoram, Chili Peppers, Coriander, Paprika, Red Pepper, Cinnamon, Caraway, Ginger, Lemon Zest.
- Fancy AF BBQ Rub: Garlic, Sea Salt, Black Pepper, Cane Sugar, Rosemary, Paprika, Worcestershire (Vinegar, Sugar, Salt, Onion, Tomato and Apple, Natural Caramel Color, Yeast Extract, Maltodextrin), Celery Seed, Lemon Zest, Red Pepper Flakes, Butter (Sweet Cream, Salt, Annatto Color, Non-Fat Milk Solids) Black Truffle, Natural Carob Powder, Natural Truffle Flavor, and Habanero Peppers.
- French Onion Seasoning: Sea Salt, Onion, Sugar, Dill Tips, Chives, Garlic, Basil, Chervil, Tarragon, White Pepper, Parsley.
- Everything But The Fried Chicken Seasoning: Garlic, Salt, Black Pepper, Sugar, Mustard Powder, White Pepper, Thyme, Sage, Celery, Basil, Chili Pepper, Ginger, Wasabi Powder, Honey, Rosemary.
- Chicken Kabob Seasoning & Rub: Garlic, Onion, Sea Salt, Black Pepper, Paprika, Cane Sugar, Parsley, Oregano, Thyme, Ground Celery, Red Cayenne, Red Pepper Flakes, Red Bell Pepper, Ancho Chili, Coriander, Orange Zest, Ginger, Cinnamon, Lemon, Marjoram.
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Taste Of Home $28.60 on Virginia Boys Kitchens
The taste of home – for your air fryer gourmet seasoning collection will bring out the best in your chicken wings. It contains four essential gourmet, all-natural spice blends that are sustainably sourced. Each ingredient elevates proteins, veggies, and starches from ordinary to excellent and is sufficient to make your air fryer sing.
Products in the Collection
- Garlic Basil Sea Salt: Sea Salt, Garlic, Basil.
- Lemon Rosemary Sea Salt: Sea Salt, Lemon Peel, Lemon Zest, Rosemary.
- Buffalo Wing Sea Salt: Sea Salt, Sugar, Vinegar Powder (Maltodextrin, White Distilled Vinegar), Salt, Paprika, Spice, Citric Acid, Natural Flavor.
- Everything But The Fried Chicken Seasoning: Garlic, Salt, Black Pepper, Sugar, Mustard Powder, White Pepper, Thyme, Sage, Celery, Basil, Chili Pepper, Ginger, Wasabi Powder, Honey, Rosemary.
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Home Chef Flavor Kit $27.50 on Virginia Boys Kitchens
The home chef flavor kit is for a grilling and cooking enthusiast. The avocado toast is perfect for whipping up a quick dip for keeping wings dry. Likewise, the bold BBQ seasoning is excellent for livening up pan-seared chicken. The spicy smoked salt is versatile for various applications, while the French onion seasoning transforms whatever you season, marinate, or finish it with.
Products in the Collection
- French Onion Seasoning
- Everything But The Avocado Toast
- All Day Every Day Seasoning
- Spicy Smoked Salt
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Spicy Sea Salts $38.50 on Virginia Boys Kitchens
The complete sea salt collection is perfect for wing lovers who like getting a little spicy. Each blend livens up chicken wings with impeccable flavor. For instance, Buffalo wing sea salt combines the true flavor of Buffalo wing with California salt. The herbs and spices will add smoky heat, tangy heat, and warmth to your meal.
Products in the Collection
- Sriracha Sea Salt: California Sea Salt and Sriracha Powder.
- Red Cayenne Sea Salt: California Sea Salt and Red Peppers.
- Indian Tandoori Sea Salt: California Sea Salt, Coriander, Cumin, Nutmeg, Red Pepper, Garlic, Paprika, and Onion Powder.
- Ancho Chile Sea Salt: California Sea Salt and Chili Peppers.
- Wasabi Sea Salt: California Sea Salt, Japanese Wasabi Root.
- Chipotle Sea Salt: California Sea Salt, Dried Chipotle Peppers.
Conclusion
Chicken wings go with any meal. From French fries and potato wedges to veggies, the choice is yours. Try some of our favorite seasoning blends to transform ordinary chicken wings into a culinary masterpiece today.
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