Epic Dry-Rubbed Baked Chicken Wings

Tender, juicy baked chicken wings coated in a mouthwatering homemade dry rub that will have your tastebuds singing! Pair it with a creamy gorgonzola dipping sauce and it’s a party hit!

Ingredients

EPIC DRY RUB:

  • ▢1/2 Tbsp ancho chile pepper
  • ▢1/2 Tbsp smoked paprika
  • ▢1/2 Tbsp onion powder
  • ▢1/2 Tbsp kosher salt
  • ▢3/4 Tbsp light brown sugar, packed
  • ▢3/4 tsp chili powder
  • ▢3/4 tsp paprika
  • ▢3/4 tsp cumin
  • ▢1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • ▢1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (less if you’re worried about the heat level)
  • ▢1/2 tsp dried mustard powder
  • ▢1/4 tsp black pepper
  • ▢1/4 tsp dried oregano
  • ▢1/4 tsp dried ground thyme

WINGS:

  • ▢4 lbs chicken wings, thawed completely if using a frozen bag
  • ▢2 Tbsp vegetable or canola oil

CREAMY GORGONZOLA SAUCE:

  • ▢1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • ▢3-6 Tbsp buttermilk
  • ▢1/4 cup sour cream
  • ▢2 -3 oz crumbled gorgonzola cheese
  • ▢1 clove garlic, grated
  • ▢1/2 Tbsp lemon juice
  • ▢1/4 tsp black pepper
  • ▢1/4 tsp kosher salt

Instructions

MAKE DRY RUB AND CHICKEN WINGS:

  • Preheat oven to 400 F degrees.  Line a large baking sheet with 2 sheets of aluminum foil (or 1 heavy duty sheet).  Top that with an oven safe cooling rack and spray it with non-stick cooking spray and set aside.
  • Combine all dry rub ingredients in a small mixing bowl, set aside.  In a large mixing bowl, add chicken wings and vegetable oil.  Use a rubber spatula to toss gently to coat.
  • Sprinkle in about half to 2/3 of the dry rub mixture and use your hands to massage it into all of the chicken wings, coating evenly.  Feel free to use all the dry rub, but for a coating like in the photos, 1/2-2/3 of the mixture does just fine.
  • Add chicken wings to prepared baking sheet and bake for 45 minutes.

MAKE GORGONZOLA SAUCE:

  • To your food processor or blender, add mayo, buttermilk, sour cream, 1.5 oz of the gorgonzola cheese, garlic, lemon juice, pepper and salt.  Process until smooth.  
  • Transfer to serving bowl and stir in remaining gorgonzola cheese.  Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to use.