Is there such a thing as too much garlic? Nope! And these Sizzling Garlic Chicken Wings will prove it. The crispy pan-fried chicken wings are incredibly easy to make and absolutely packed with flavor.
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(This recipe was originally published in December 2009, but has been updated with new photos in 2022).
I love making chicken wings at home and have so many different ways I enjoy preparing them that it's rare I make a recipe twice. But these wings are exceptions to that rule. And I have a feeling they will be for you, too.
Because once you try these Sizzling Garlic Chicken Wings, you'll immediately want them again. And every time you buy chicken wings, you'll want to prepare them exactly like this.
Throwing a party or having friends over to watch a football game? These garlic chicken wings will most definitely be on your menu. I recommend adding these Marinated Mozzarella Balls alongside them!
❤️ Why You'll Love This Recipe
If you love garlic and super easy and flavorful dinners, these sizzling garlic chicken wings are for you! They're everything a chicken wing should be: amazingly crispy and packed with flavor.
I almost always bake chicken wings instead of frying them, but these pan-fried ones are so delicious and so easy that I've been using this method way more often lately. Pan-frying is much easier than deep frying and, in my opinion, just as tasty!
These wings make a great party appetizer, but they're also perfect for a last-minute dinner. Serve with a side veggie or two and enjoy!
🗒 Ingredients
You don't need much to make these sizzling chicken wings... Wings and garlic are the most important ingredients!
Here's the full list of what you need:
- Chicken wings (cut into drumettes and wingettes... I like to buy them already cut as "party wings")
- Salt
- Pepper
- Paprika
- Garlic cloves
- Olive oil
- Sherry or brandy
- Parsley
🍗 What are Party Wings?
When you're at the grocery store, you may notice you have the option of buying either chicken wings or "party wings." If you see party wings, I highly recommend buying them for this recipe!
When chicken wings are labeled as so, it means the wings are already cut into drumettes and wingettes (with the tips discarded), which is how you want them for this recipe.
You can buy whole chicken wings and cut them yourself (this tutorial may be helpful for you!), but this is a kitchen task I really abhor and buying the wings already cut makes life so much easier!
🍽️ How Many Wings Per Serving?
It's tough to determine serving size for chicken wings since so much depends on what you're eating with them, but in general, you'll want close to a pound per person if you're eating them as a meal. I say this recipe serves 2-3 people as an entree, so if you're cooking for more, I highly recommend doubling or tripling the recipe.
Luckily, this is the kind of recipe that's very easy to double... You may just need to pan-fry the wings in batches or have two skillets going at once.
👩🍳 How to Make Sizzling Garlic Chicken Wings
These chicken wings are so easy to make, which is why they're so perfect for a last-minute dinner or party appetizer.
Start by placing the chicken wings in a large bowl and tossing with salt, pepper, and paprika to coat.
Smash the two whole garlic cloves.
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet and add the chicken and two smashed garlic cloves.
Cook chicken for 3-5 minutes per side, until nice and golden.
Add the remaining minced garlic to skillet and continue frying for about 2 minutes.
Add sherry or brandy and continue cooking until most of the liquid is absorbed and the chicken is tender, 10-15 minutes.
Serve chicken wings in a bowl topped with lots of fresh chopped parsley.
Check out how crispy these garlic chicken wings are!!
There's just something so perfect about this chicken. It's made with simple ingredients, but is SO flavorful.
If you're making these wings as an entree, I recommend serving them with a couple vegetable sides, like broccoli and asparagus. They also go really well with rice pilaf or something similar!
Though I don't expect you to have any trouble eating 2 pounds of these chicken wings in one sitting if you're dining with a companion, I have to tell you these wings are also absolutely phenomenal as leftovers.
All of the garlicky/paprika goodness really sinks in and they are somehow even more tasty!
⏲️ How to Make in Advance
If you're serving these garlic chicken wings at a party, you may want to make them in advance, so you're not standing over the stove during the party. And you definitely can!
Simply cook them as stated and keep in an airtight container in your fridge. When you're ready to re-heat, remove wings from fridge and let come to room temperature for about 15 minutes.
Heat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly spray a metal baking rack with cooking spray and place over a baking sheet (you may want to put a sheet of parchment paper or foil on baking sheet).
Place wings on the rack. You can spritz them with a little bit of water if you want to help prevent them from drying out. And put in oven for 5 minutes. Flip wings and cook for an additional 5 minutes.
And enjoy!! I love being able to make party recipes ahead of time to keep stress down on the day of.
💡 More Chicken Wing Recipes
As I warned you, once you make these sizzling garlic chicken wings, you may have a hard time making wings any other way! But if you're looking for more delicious chicken wing recipes, I have quite a few in my arsenal! Here are some of my favorites:
- Apple Cider Chicken Wings
- Zesty Baked Chicken Wings
- Spicy Ginger Honey Chicken Wings
- Spicy Thai Chicken Drumsticks
- Roasted Ranch Wings (from Spicy Southern Kitchen)
- Crispy Vietnamese Air Fryer Chicken Wings (from I Heart Umami)
No matter how you're serving these wings, they're sure to be crowd-pleasers and there's a strong chance friends and family will be requesting that you make them for every event you're invited to.
And you may never want to make chicken wings another way again!
What's your favorite way to prepare chicken wings?
📖 Recipe
Sizzling Garlic Chicken Wings
Ingredients
- 2 lbs. chicken wings, cut into drumettes and wingettes (I like to buy them already cut as "party wings") and patted dry
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp pepper
- 2 ½ tsp paprika
- 10 cloves garlic, 2 whole and 8 minced
- 5 Tbsp olive oil
- ½ cup sherry or brandy
- ¼ cup chopped parsley
Instructions
- Place chicken wings in a large bowl and toss with salt, pepper, and paprika to coat.
- Smash the two whole garlic cloves. Heat oil in a large skillet and add chicken wings and the two smashed garlic cloves. Cook chicken for 3-5 minutes per side, until golden.
- Add the remaining minced garlic to skillet and continue frying for 2 minutes.
- Add sherry or brandy and continue cooking until most of the liquid is absorbed and the chicken is tender, 10-15 minutes.
- Serve chicken wings in a bowl topped with lots of fresh chopped parsley.
Notes
- To make ahead and re-heat: Remove wings from fridge and let come to room temperature for about 15 minutes. Heat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly spray a metal baking rack with cooking spray and place over a baking sheet (you may want to put a sheet of parchment paper or foil on baking sheet). Place wings on the rack. You can spritz them with a little bit of water if you want to help prevent them from drying out. Put in oven for 5 minutes. Flip wings and cook for an additional 5 minutes, until heated through.
- Recipe adapted from seasaltwithfood and Traditional Spanish Cooking By Janet Mendel.
[email protected] says
I love making chicken and adding garlic, one of my fav spices!
Kelly Alesso says
Yum. Those look like an awesome alternative to fried wings.
Anna says
I'm going to a Christmas Sweater Party this weekend and I think I'll bring this. Let you know how it goes! 🙂
Kelly @ EvilShenanigans says
Those look fantastic! I bet they are so tender and flavorful!
two coast table says
Chels, those look so good i really need to make them soon. (steven)
Angie says
Hi there, thanks for the link. I love the sizzled chicken wings!
Esi says
I made these the other day. SO GOOD!! Will post about them tomorrow.