Spicy Ranch Chicken Wings

Spicy ranch chicken wings have become a popular appetizer and snack for many people. With a combination of crispy chicken wings and zesty, flavorful sauce, they're perfect for sharing with friends and family! And they are SUPER simple and easy to make with just a few ingredients! (gluten free)

History of Spicy Ranch Chicken Wings

Chicken wings were first introduced in the United States in the 1960s, but it wasn't until the 1980s that they became a popular appetizer in bars and restaurants. It was during this time that spicy buffalo wings emerged as a fan favorite, with their tangy hot sauce and blue cheese dipping sauce.

The introduction of ranch dressing to the mix was a natural progression. Ranch dressing was invented by Steve Henson in 1949, and it quickly became a popular condiment in the United States. Its creamy, tangy flavor pairs well with many different foods, and it's a favorite dip for everything from vegetables to pizza.

It wasn't long before someone decided to combine the spicy heat of buffalo wings with the cool creaminess of ranch dressing. The result was the spicy ranch chicken wing, which quickly became a crowd-pleaser.

Our family concurs. This is the best combination and perfect for serving for the Superbowl, parties, or as an appetizer. We know that if if we serve wings, we gotta serve ranch with it! So I decided to combine the spice and the ranch in one recipe!

spicy ranch wings on a black background — spicy ranch wings

Let's Make Some Wings!

Making spicy ranch chicken wings at home is easy and simple! All you need are some chicken wings or drummettes, hot pepper sauce, melted butter, apple cider vinegar, an envelope of ranch dressing mix and some paprika (optional). Mix it all together, dip your wings in it and it's time to start baking!

Time to Assemble and Bake Your Wings!

In a large Ziploc bag, place the wings, drummettes or both.
In a small bowl, mix together the hot pepper sauce, butter and vinegar. Stir to combine.
Pour the mixture over the wings in the bag. Seal the bag, then flip the bag several times to toss the chicken in the marinade.
Place in the refrigerator and allow to sit for 8 hours or overnight.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Remove the chicken from the bag and place on a lightly greased baking sheet.
Sprinkle the ranch dressing mix evenly over the wings, then the paprika.
Place the pans into the oven and bake for 35-45 minutes at 350 degrees until the center of the chicken is no longer pink.
Remove from oven, serve with salsa, guacamole, or ranch dressing.

Troubleshooting Your Recipe

Can I make this recipe dairy free?

Yes, there are dairy free ranch packets available now which is great in making this recipe dairy free! You can also substitute dairy free butter. *contains affiliate link

Dairy Free Ranch Seasoning

Can you substitute drummettes for wings?

Yes, you can use chicken wings or chicken drummettes for this recipe. Either is fine. If you find a package with both, that works great too!

What are some creative ways to make chicken wings?

There are many ways to make wings. A simple recipe is to brush wings with olive oil then sprinkle with salt and pepper. Bake them until done and dip them in a variety of homemade or storebought dipping sauces.

If you're looking for some other great wing recipes, try our copycat Wingstop wings, wicked hot wings, Wingers sticky fingers or chicken leg quarters.

Tips for Serving Spicy Ranch Chicken Wings

Serve with ranch dressing: Spicy ranch chicken wings are best served with extra ranch dressing for dipping. The cool creaminess of the ranch dressing helps to balance out the heat of the wings.
Don't forget the celery: Celery sticks are a classic accompaniment to chicken wings. The crunchy texture of the celery is a nice contrast to the crispy chicken wings.
Experiment with different hot sauces: While traditional buffalo sauce is the most common hot sauce used for chicken wings, there are many other options to try. Sriracha, Frank's Red Hot, and Tabasco are all good choices.
Cook the wings on the grill: For a smoky flavor, try cooking the wings on the grill instead of in the oven. Grill the wings over medium-high heat for 10-12 minutes per side, or until they are cooked through.
Make a party platter: Spicy ranch chicken wings are perfect for a party or game day. Make a platter of wings, celery sticks, and ranch dressing, and let your guests help themselves.

Spicy Ranch BBQ Wings

Ingredients

4 pounds chicken wings, drummettes or a combination of the two
¾ cup hot pepper sauce (we used Frank's)
¼ cup butter, melted
3 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
1 envelope ranch dressing mix (we used Simply Organic ranch dip)
1 teaspoon paprika

Instructions

In a large Ziploc bag, place the wings, drummettes or both.
In a small bowl, mix together the hot pepper sauce, butter and vinegar. Stir to combine.
Pour the mixture over the wings in the bag. Seal the bag, then flip the bag several times to toss the chicken in the marinade.
Place in the refrigerator and allow to sit for 8 hours or overnight.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Remove the chicken from the bag and place on a lightly greased baking sheet.
Sprinkle the ranch dressing mix evenly over the wings, then the paprika.
Place the pans into the oven and bake for 35-45 minutes at 350 degrees until the center of the chicken is no longer pink.
Remove from oven, serve with salsa, guacamole, or ranch dressing.

https://burntapple.com/spicy-ranch-chicken-wings/

Recipe Adapted from Taste of Home, 2006 Edition