Cowboy Butter Chicken Wings Recipe

Cowboy Butter Chicken Wings Recipe are a delicious twist on classic wings, combining crispy, juicy chicken with a rich, flavorful butter sauce infused with garlic, herbs, and spices. Perfect for game day, parties, or casual dinners, this recipe offers a savory, tangy, and slightly spicy flavor profile that elevates your wing game to the next level.

Cowboy Butter Chicken Wings Recipe Servings

6-8 people

Estimated Cost

Approximately $15-$20 USD

Prep Time

15 minutes (plus marinating time if desired)

Course

Main / Appetizer

Cuisine

American

Equipment

• Oven or air fryer
• Baking sheet with wire rack (for oven method)
• Mixing bowls
• Tongs
• Measuring spoons and cups
• Knife and cutting board

Ingredients

For the Wings

• 5 lbs chicken wings, separated into drumettes and wingettes
• 1 tbsp baking powder (for extra crispiness)
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder

For the Cowboy Butter Sauce

• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
• 4 cloves garlic, finely minced
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 tsp red pepper flakes
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1/2 tsp paprika
• 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
• 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
• 1 tbsp fresh chives, chopped
• 2 tsp fresh thyme leaves, minced
• 1 tsp lemon zest
• 1/2 tsp Worcestershire sauce

Instructions

1. Prepare the Wings

• Pat the chicken wings dry with paper towels to remove moisture for crispiness.
• In a large bowl, combine baking powder, salt, garlic powder, and onion powder.
• Toss the wings in the seasoning mixture until evenly coated.
• Optionally, refrigerate the wings uncovered for 30 minutes to help dry the skin further.

2. Cook the Wings

Oven Method:

• Preheat oven to 250°F (121°C).
• Line a baking sheet with foil and place a wire rack on top; spray the rack with cooking oil.
• Arrange wings on the rack with space between each piece.
• Bake on the lower middle rack for 30 minutes to render fat.
• Increase oven temperature to 425°F (218°C) and move the pan to the upper middle rack.
• Bake for an additional 30-40 minutes, flipping halfway, until wings are golden and crispy and internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).

Air Fryer Method:

• Preheat air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
• Place wings in the basket in a single layer; cook for 20 minutes, shaking halfway through.
• Ensure internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).

3. Make the Cowboy Butter Sauce

• In a bowl, mix softened butter with garlic, parsley, lemon juice, red pepper flakes, black pepper, paprika, cayenne, Dijon mustard, chives, thyme, lemon zest, and Worcestershire sauce until well combined.

4. Toss and Serve

• Once wings are cooked, let them rest for 5 minutes.
• Toss wings in the cowboy butter sauce until evenly coated, or serve the sauce on the side for dipping.
• Serve immediately.

Calories

Approximately 700-800 kcal per serving (varies with portion size and cooking method)

Recipe Notes

• Baking powder is key to achieving crispy skin without frying.
• Adjust cayenne and red pepper flakes to control the heat level.
• The cowboy butter sauce can be made ahead and stored in the refrigerator.
• For extra flavor, marinate wings in the seasoning mix for up to 2 hours before cooking.
• Leftover cowboy butter is excellent on steak, vegetables, or bread.