Up until a few years ago, my experience with chicken wings was limited. Yes, I’d had those famous buffalo-style wings and while they weren’t bad, they definitely weren’t something I craved and certainly nothing I would go out of my way for. My daughter on the other hand, loves them. And Scott naturally associates “wings” with “football” as in “let’s watch the game and eat some wings!” I was the lone dissenter. Actually, not a dissenter, but more of a meh – whatever, take-em or leave-em shrug. In the spirit of “if you can’t beat ’em…” I challenged myself to make a better wing. One that even I wanted to eat!
Last year, we worked on these Hatch Chile wings – which my official tasters gobbled up. Then I went on an asian-flavor kick and made these wings that smacked you upside the head with a tangy, sweet, spicy glaze. Ok, I REALLY liked those! This time, I was trying to recreate some wings that I’d tasted a few years ago at the Boca Burger Battle. (I know — WINGS at a BURGER BATTLE???) — BUT both Scott and I agreed, these wings were better than any of the burgers!
With rosemary, garlic and spice, they had a bold flavor that kept us coming back. The wings were served with tender caramelized onions and whole roasted garlic cloves. (sigh!!)
Of course, the restaurant serving them had a wood burning oven. I do not. So my first challenge was “how” to cook them. Grilling would make sense and maybe lend a little char. Roasting on a rack in a very hot oven usually achieves a crispy result. But there were those onions and garlic cloves…. I settled on a cast iron skillet and a dual cooking method — stovetop and oven.
The marinade is pretty straight forward and includes a ton of fresh rosemary, some lemon zest, red pepper flakes and a healthy amount of salt and pepper. I put the wings into the marinade the night before so that they could really absorb those flavors. To take some of the pungency out of the garlic cloves, I blanched them first in some boiling water, then slipped off the skins and they were ready to be used. I made these at the same time I was putting the marinade together and just stored them in a plastic baggie until I was ready to cook.
The next day, I set the skillet over the burner and turned it on medium high. Cast iron holds the heat and sears anything it touches (including you — I used an oven-mitt)! This stovetop method seared the chicken and started the browning/caramelizing on the onions. I finished the cooking in a very hot oven!
After about 10 minutes, I used a pair of tongs to flip the wings and give the onions a quick stir. Flip the wings once or twice more during the cooking until they take on a glistening golden brown. That’s it! Transfer the wings to a platter, turn on the game and pass out the napkins. You won’t have leftovers. In fact, you may want to think about doubling or tripling this recipe. I guess, maybe I am a wing-lover after all.
Rosemary Garlic Chicken Wings
Ingredients
- 1 pound chicken wings separated into flats and drums
- 1 tablespoon rosemary chopped fresh
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest from about 2 lemons
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1/4 cup + 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 large onion peeled and sliced into 1/4-1/2" wedges
- 1 head garlic not peeled, separated into cloves
Instructions
- In a small bowl combine the rosemary, lemon zest, salt, pepper, red pepper flakes and 1/4 cup olive oil and stir well. Set aside.
- Rinse and dry the wings and place them in a 1 gallon resealable storage or freezer bag. Add the marinade, seal the bag, getting out most of the air. Massage the chicken wings in the marinade until well coated. Refrigerate overnight.
- Take the chicken wings out of the refrigerator and let them sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 400°.
- Bring a small pot of water to a boil and add the cloves of garlic. Cook for 3-4 minutes, drain and let the cloves cool. Slip the skins off the cloves of garlic and set aside.
- Heat a large, heavy ovenproof skillet (preferably cast iron) over medium high heat. Add one tablespoon olive oil, when the oil is hot, add the onions and cook while stirring occasionally for one minute. Add the chicken wings one at a time to the hot pan and cook for 1-2 minutes (without turning or prodding them) so that they get a little sear. Using tongs, flip the wings. Add the peeled garlic cloves and stir them with the onions. Cook for 1-2 more minutes, then transfer the skillet to the hot oven.
- Cook for 10 minutes, then flip the chicken wings and stir the onions and garlic before returning to the oven. Cook an additional 8 minutes and flip the chicken wings again. Cook for a final 8 minutes and remove from the oven.
- Transfer the wings to a platter and serve.
Nutrition
More Wings and Snacks:
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- Hatch Chile Hot Wings
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- Chili Aioli Buffalo Sliders
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- Honey Sriracha Lime Wings
“Pin It” For Later!
These are so easy. I followed exactly. I don’t have a cast iron skillet so used a sheet pan for the oven part. Best ever wings!!
With one substitution, the result was sensational. (I didn’t have a lemon to make zest with, but I had a jar of preserved lemons – my own – so I minced one up instead, including the pulp which provided the salt.) This was the fasted moving platter of wings I have ever made.
I like to hear that, David! Send me some preserved lemons, next time!
Hi may I ask. Is it possible to bbq the wings instead?
Absolutely. I love grilled wings — You might want to put the onions and garlic in a cast iron skillet on the grill – so they don’t fall through the grates.
Such a delish combination of flavors whether on chicken or fish.
Thanks, Julie! Glad you like it!
THANK YOU FOR ADDING THE TEMPERATURE, IT TURNED OUT TO BE VERY GOOD…
I’m so glad you enjoyed it Carolyn… Thanks for the catch!
WHAT TEMPERATURE TO SET THE OVEN?. I DON’T SEE IN THE RECIPE.
Oops! Thanks for catching that — 400°. I fixed it in the recipe.
Love the combo of rosemary and lemon, especially with red pepper flakes for a kick! Great job on the step by step direction pictures.
I’m a firm believer in a little spice kick!
I’m also not typically a person who craves chicken wings (surprising, considering I grew up about an hour outside of Buffalo, NY), but these look absolutely fantastic! Lemon and rosemary is such a delicious combo and these look perfectly crisp.. just the way wings should be!
Glad you like the flavor combo!
Gosh these wings look mouthwatering! And they are so easy, I’m adding these to my Super Bowl list for sure – everyone here LOVES wings! Thanks for the recipe!
Thanks, Kristine!
Wow these look phenomenal! Love that you hit them in a cast iron first before finishing in the oven. A great way to keep them healthy but also keep that crisp!
Thanks Tracy! Who doesn’t like chicken wings?!
These look easy, and so delicious! I really love garlic.
Yeah – it’s a weakness of mine too!
This looks incredible, I just made something like this with lamb. Garlic and rosemary make such a powerful and delicious impact on a dish
You are so, right, Dahn!
Loved the recipe! It looks delicious
I love garlic, it’s my favorite to cook! Thanks for sharing…
Love the fall flavors in these wings and I also must absolutely making your Asian Sriracha wings too! I have only had buffalo style wings but really need to expand my horizons and make these for dinner!
I’m glad you like the combos, Vicky. I like to change things up every so often and these are really tasty!
This looks great! Besides being a great dinner option, I think it’d make a good appetizer on a tailgating spread!
Definitely!
I rarely eat any meat that isn’t seafood.. but in blood-sugar induced hunger, I have grabbed a buffalo wing.. and I didn’t like it AT ALL. This, on the other hand, looks fantastic!!! I didn’t even think about wings having something other than hot sauce– this is great!
There may be some who think wings are only about that buttery hot sauce and blue cheese dressing, I like to switch it up for a change!
This looks absolutely GORGEOUS. I keep seeing it and my mouth waters. What a great recipe and photos! YUM!
I love everything with rosemary!!
Oh wow! YUM!!! Totally making these for the family…ASAP!!
Looks so delicious. I love olive oil, rosemary and garlic combo. Aromatic and very healthy.
Hey Broncos play Thursday night! Just saying….
Time for a wing-fest!
Rosemary and garlic go well together. The marinade looks amazing
Oh Lisa, such droool-worthy pictures, as usual! The flavours and browning on them wings is super awesome!
LOL! It’s not just the photo that’s drool-worthy! Try these for yourself!
omg – this looks absolutely amazing! Lemon, rosemary, garlic – delicious! and they are so crispy! Definitely pinning!
I’m glad you like them Julia – they didn’t last long!
I’m one of those people who LOVE garlic. This is a great marinade and your chicken looks amazingly good.
OMG these remind me of my fav wings at a local pizza joint. I am so excited to try them at home.
I wonder if it’s the same place as the one near us!
Beautiful food photography and delicious recipe!
I appreciate that!
These chicken wings are so simple and tastes sinfully delicious. Yummy!
Thank you, Ludmilla!
You always have the most delicious recipes! Cant wait to make this!!!
Thanks, Natalia!
This is my kind of chicken wing! We usually do ours on the grill but they never quite get crispy enough. This method sounds fantastic!
The flavors are outstanding, too!