Ultimate Garlic Parmesan Chicken Wings: 1 Epic Recipe

Oh, game day gatherings! There’s just something so wonderfully chaotic and fun about having friends over, shouts at the TV, and that constant need for delicious, easy-to-grab snacks. I used to stress so much about what to make, but then I stumbled upon this gem: my favorite Garlic Parmesan Chicken Wings Recipe for Easy Game Day Gatherings. Trust me, these wings are a total game-changer. They’re incredibly simple to whip up, taste absolutely phenomenal, and always disappear faster than you can say “touchdown!” This recipe quickly became a go-to in my Seattle kitchen for fuss-free entertaining, and I just know it’ll be yours too.

Why You’ll Love This Garlic Parmesan Chicken Wings Recipe

Okay, so why are these Garlic Parmesan Chicken Wings going to be your new go-to? Well, let me tell you!

• Seriously Simple: We’re talking minimal prep, easy cleanup, and a baking method that means no messy frying. Perfection for when you’re juggling guests!
• Flavor Bomb Alert: That irresistible combo of savory garlic and salty Parmesan? It’s magic, pure and simple. These wings hit all the right spots.
• Crowd-Pleaser Extraordinaire: They’re always a hit! Everyone, from the pickiest eater to the most discerning food critic (aka, my brother), devours them.
• Perfect for Any Gathering: Game day, potluck, casual dinner with friends – they fit right into any situation where good food and good company are the main event.

Ingredients for the Perfect Garlic Parmesan Chicken Wings

Alright, let’s talk ingredients! You don’t need a crazy long list for these beauties, which is another reason I love this recipe so much. It’s all about quality and making sure each component shines. Here’s what you’ll want to grab:

• 2 lbs chicken wings, patted bone-dry (this is key for crispiness, trust me!)
• 1/2 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese (the good stuff, not the pre-shredded kind if you can help it!)
• 4 cloves garlic, absolutely fresh and minced like you mean it
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1 tsp garlic powder (yes, we’re doubling up on the garlic love!)
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper, freshly ground if you’ve got it
• Fresh parsley, chopped (just for a pretty little garnish, totally optional but I love it)

Equipment Needed for Garlic Parmesan Chicken Wings

You don’t need a fancy kitchen full of gadgets for these Garlic Parmesan Chicken Wings, which is part of their charm! Here’s what I usually grab:

• A big ol’ mixing bowl (the bigger, the better for tossing those wings!)
• A sturdy baking sheet (or two, if you’re making a double batch – gotta give those wings some space!)
• Parchment paper (seriously, don’t skip this for easy cleanup, you’ll thank me later!)
• And, of course, your trusty oven. That’s about it!

How to Prepare Garlic Parmesan Chicken Wings for Easy Game Day Gatherings

Okay, now for the fun part: getting these delicious Garlic Parmesan Chicken Wings into your belly! Don’t fret, it’s super straightforward. Even if you’re a kitchen rookie, you’ve totally got this. Just follow these steps, and you’ll be a wing-making wizard in no time!

1. First things first, preheat that oven! Get it nice and toasty to 400°F (that’s 200°C for my international pals). While it’s heating up, grab a large baking sheet and line it with parchment paper. Trust me on the parchment – it makes cleanup a breeze and helps prevent sticking.
2. Next, find your biggest mixing bowl. In go the melted butter, minced garlic (yum!), garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Give it a good whisk to combine everything. It’s going to smell amazing already, I promise!
3. Now for the stars of the show: your chicken wings! Add them into that buttery garlic mixture. This is where you get a little hands-on. Toss them really well. I mean really, really well. Every single wing needs to be coated in that glorious seasoned butter. You want all that flavor to stick!
4. Once they’re beautifully coated, arrange those wings in a single layer on your prepared baking sheet. Don’t crowd them! If they’re too close, they’ll steam instead of crisp, and we definitely want crispy here. If you have a lot, use two baking sheets.
5. Pop them into your preheated oven. Bake for about 25-30 minutes. Then, pull them out, give each wing a little flip (careful, they’re hot!), and put them back in for another 20-25 minutes. You’re looking for that gorgeous golden-brown color and super crispy skin.
6. When they’re done baking and looking perfectly golden, take them out of the oven. Transfer them to a *clean* large bowl. This is important because we’re adding the Parmesan now, and we don’t want it to melt into the hot butter on the baking sheet. Sprinkle that wonderful grated Parmesan cheese all over them. Toss, toss, toss until every wing is delightfully coated in cheesy goodness.
7. Serve ’em up right away! If you’re feeling fancy, a sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley adds a lovely pop of color.

Tips for Success with Your Garlic Parmesan Chicken Wings

Making great chicken wings isn’t super complicated, but a few little tricks can take your Garlic Parmesan Chicken Wings from good to absolutely phenomenal! Trust me, I’ve made enough batches to know a thing or two.

• Pat ‘Em DRY: I cannot stress this enough! Moisture is the enemy of crispy wings. Before you even think about adding butter, give those wings a good pat-down with paper towels. You want them as dry as a desert. This helps the skin crisp up beautifully in the oven.
• Don’t Crowd the Pan: Give your wings some personal space! If you jam too many onto one baking sheet, they’ll steam instead of bake and crisp. Spread them out in a single layer. If you have a big batch, use two sheets.
• Parmesan Power: Use freshly grated Parmesan if you can. Those little containers of pre-grated stuff have anti-caking agents that can sometimes make it melt a bit weirdly. Fresh Parmesan just tastes better and coats the wings more evenly.
• For Extra Crispy: If you’re really chasing that next-level crunch, you can blast them under the broiler for the last 2-3 minutes. Just be sure to watch them like a hawk – things can go from golden to burnt in a flash! An air fryer also works wonders for crispiness if you have one!
• My Secret Tip (Shhh!): Sometimes, if I have a little extra time, I’ll sprinkle the wings with a tiny bit of baking powder (about 1/2 teaspoon per pound of wings) along with the salt and pepper *before* adding the butter mixture. It seriously aids in making them extra, extra crispy! Just don’t overdo it, or they can get a metallic taste.

Garlic Parmesan Chicken Wings: Make-Ahead & Storage Tips

Okay, let’s be real – often with game day food, you want to get a head start, or maybe you’ve got a few delicious wings leftover (though honestly, that rarely happens in my house!). Knowing how to make these Garlic Parmesan Chicken Wings ahead of time or store them properly is super handy.

Make-Ahead: You can definitely do some prep work! Get your wings all patted dry and coated in that buttery garlic mixture (step 2 & 3 in the instructions). Then, arrange them on your parchment-lined baking sheet and pop them in the fridge, covered, for up to 24 hours. When you’re ready to bake, just pull them out, let them come to room temperature for about 15-20 minutes, and then bake as instructed. Easy peasy!

Storage: If, by some miracle, you have leftovers, let them cool completely. Then, transfer them to an airtight container and store them in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. To reheat them and keep that crispiness, I highly recommend popping them back in a preheated oven (around 375°F/190°C) for 10-15 minutes, or even better, in an air fryer for about 5-7 minutes until they’re hot and crispy again. Microwaving them will make them soft and sad, and nobody wants sad wings!

Frequently Asked Questions About This Garlic Parmesan Chicken Wings Recipe

Got questions about these amazing Garlic Parmesan Chicken Wings? I totally get it! When you find a recipe you love, you want to make sure you get it just right every single time. Here are some common questions I hear from friends and family:

Can I use frozen wings for this Garlic Parmesan Chicken Wings Recipe?

You absolutely can, but there’s a crucial step: you HAVE to thaw them completely first! Trying to bake frozen wings will lead to soggy, unevenly cooked wings, and we don’t want that. So, pull them out of the freezer the night before or give them a good cold water bath to thaw. Patting them super dry after thawing is even more important to ensure delicious crispy skin!

What are some variations for these Garlic Parmesan Chicken Wings?

Oh, the possibilities are endless! While these Garlic Parmesan Chicken Wings are perfect as is, you can totally play around. After baking, sometimes I’ll toss a few with a little bit of hot sauce for a spicy kick, or maybe a dash of smoked paprika for an extra smoky flavor. If you’re feeling adventurous, you could even try a lemon pepper seasoning instead of just regular pepper for a zesty twist! Or, if you’re really into that Parmesan crust, you might also like my Parmesan Crusted Chicken Breast recipe. And hey, if you love a good spicy kick, you should totally check out my spicy air fryer shrimp recipe too!

How do I make my Garlic Parmesan Chicken Wings extra crispy?

Crispy wings are the dream, aren’t they? My top tips are really patting them dry before seasoning, and making sure not to crowd the baking sheet. For that next-level crispiness though, you can definitely broil them for the last 2-3 minutes of cooking, but watch them like a hawk so they don’t burn! Or, if you have an air fryer, popping them in there for a few minutes after baking can give them that incredible crunch. Check out my recipe for crispy air fryer BBQ wings for more air fryer goodness!

Nutritional Information for Garlic Parmesan Chicken Wings

Just a little heads-up about the nutritional info for these Garlic Parmesan Chicken Wings! While I always aim for balance in my recipes, keep in mind that any nutritional values you see are just estimates. Things like the exact brands you use, how much cheese you sprinkle on, or even the size of your chicken wings can change those numbers a bit. So, take it with a pinch of salt (the good kind!) and enjoy!

Enjoy Your Easy Game Day Garlic Parmesan Chicken Wings!

So there you have it, friends! My absolute favorite Garlic Parmesan Chicken Wings recipe that’s guaranteed to be a hit at your next game day, potluck, or just a Tuesday night when you’re craving something truly delicious. I really hope you give these a try – they’re simple, utterly satisfying, and bring so much joy to the table. If you do make them, please, *please* come back and tell me how they turned out! Leave a comment, rate the recipe, or even better, share a picture on social media and tag me! I genuinely love seeing your kitchen adventures. Remember, cooking doesn’t have to be fancy to be special, and these wings are proof of that! If you ever want to learn more about my cooking philosophy, you can always check out my about page!

Print