Best Honey BBQ Chicken Wings

By far the most memorable part of our trip to Connecticut was the 2 hour drive to Roy Carpenter Beach in Rhode Island. Tucked away on a gorgeous strip of sand are 380 beach shacks occupied by some of the nicest people you will ever meet. Many of these families have owned these homes for generations, it was first built in the 1940's. These children grow up together and I envied the bonds this close knit community shared. It was magical to be a part of it even for only a weekend.

We happened to visit during the weekend of a high school graduation and the family we stayed with hosted a block party for their daughter to celebrate.

My dad cooked all day long on Saturday, grilling burgers, hotdogs, pulled pork sandwiches, but most popular were his fried chicken wings tossed in a honey BBQ sauce. He couldn't keep up with the demand, people devoured them before he could even get started on the next batch. Needless to say, this recipe is a winner.

Honey BBQ Chicken Wings

Makes 18 wings

Wings

18 chicken wings, rinsed and dried

48 oz vegetable oil for frying plus 3 T more for coating chicken

1 teaspoon Lawry's Seasoned Salt

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

1/2 teaspoon onion powder

1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Sauce

1 cup BBQ Sauce

1/2 cup honey

1 tablespoon brown sugar

1 teaspoon chili powder

In a deep and heavy pot add 48 oz vegetable oil (a whole container) or use a deep fryer and heat the oil to 350 degrees. You want the wings to have plenty of room to move around, so be generous in filling your pot with oil. 

Rinse chicken wings off under cold running water and pat dry. Sprinkle with Lawry's Seasoned Salt, 3 tablespoons vegetable oil and mix together using your hands. Add garlic and onion powder, cayenne pepper and blend thoroughly.

Fry the wings 6 at a time so they cook evenly, if using a double fryer you can cook 12 at a time! 350 degrees is the magic number, make sure your oil is hot enough and make sure you bring it back to temperature before adding the next batch. 

The wings will be done in no less than 13 minutes. You don't want any bubbles surrounding your wings. Drain thoroughly.

To make the sauce:

In a large saucepan simmer over low heat BBQ sauce, honey, brown sugar, and chili powder together until its warmed through. In a large bowl add 6 naked fried wings and 1 tablespoon of sauce, top with another smaller bowl and shake until the wings are evenly coated.

 

They are ready to serve, be sure to grab one for yourself because these will FLY off the table! You may want to double this recipe...