grilled hot honey cajun wings + very herby ranch

throw some wings on the grill this weekend!

One word…grilled wings!

It’s the start-ish of summer and that means everyone is getting on the grill!

These wings are inspired by my old Hampton University days working at Hooters (see below for a 21 year old baby Alex lol) but I lovedddd being a waitress, like it was my favorite job! Anyway, daytona wings were a IYKYK type of thing. They are tossed in your favorite sauce then finished on the grill and they were chef’s kiss!

Also, highlighting some of my favorite Black owned spice brands that I use in this recipe! My friend’s brother owns Superior Crack Seasonings and I discovered The Spice Theory through a friend and re-upped at Black Women in Food Summit! Both amazing!

• Superior Crack Griselda Garlic Seasoning

• The Spice Theory Cajun Blackening Rub

• The Spice Theory Garlic Herb Seasoning

lol my good ole waitress days in College at Hooters

Ingredients

• 1 lb party wings, wings & flats separated

• kosher salt & fresh cracked black pepper, to taste

• 2 tablespoons of your favorite all purpose seasoning! I’ve been loving, like actually obsessed with Superior Crack Griselda Garlic seasoning. It’s a Black owned brand too!

Hot Honey Cajun Sauce

• 1/2 cup Valentina Hot Sauce

• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter

• 1/4 cup honey

• 1 tablespoon cajun spice seasoning

  • hot saucie tip: I used The Spice Theory Cajun Blackening Rub

• some kosher salt, to taste

Very Herby Ranch

• 1/2 cup mayo

  • hot saucie tip: GOOD mayo like Dukes

• 1/4 cup sour cream

• a splash of buttermilk! Like 2-3 tablespoons

  • hot saucie tip: To me, ranch is all about preference! I like a THIC ranch but some may want thinner so buttermilk adds a tang and can also loosen up your ranch!

• 1/4 bunch fresh parsley, chopped

• 2 tablespoons fresh dill

• 3 green onions stalks, chopped

• 1/2 lemon, juiced

• 1-2 teaspoons of your favorite dried herb seasoning! They offer a ton of options at Whole Foods or If you want, even a dry ranch seasoning packet (shhhh I won’t tell anyone lol)

  • hot saucie tip: I used The Spice Theory Herb Garlic Seasoning . The reason I add a dry herbed seasoning mix is because it intensifies the flavor of the ranch!

• kosher salt & fresh cracked black pepper, to taste

Tools

• optional: a grill!

• tongs

• small sauce pan

• a sauce brush

• prep mixing bowls

• citrus juicer

• chef’s knife

Directions

1. Season chicken wings with salt, pepper & your favorite all purpose seasoning! Let your chicken sit overnight to marinate. My rule of thumb for chicken is at least 6-8 hours marinating time.

2. Hot Honey Cajun Sauce: add all ingredients into a saucepan and place on the stove on medium heat. Let the butter & honey melt and flavors meld together into the hot sauce & cajun seasoning. Let it simmer for about 10 minutes so the flavors combine.

3. Very Herby Ranch: add all ingredients into a prep mixing bowl and let it sit! The longer it sits the better it gets! Taste to adjust seasonings.

4. Prep your wings for the grill: Take your wings out the fridge and let sit for about 30 minutes to come to room temp. Whenever your cooking any protein, let it come to room temp because you don’t want to “shock” your protein when it hits a hot pan or in this case grill! When you “shock” your meat, it tenses up and can become really tough. So essentially when it’s relaxed at room temp it will be very tender!

5. Grill your wings on the sear side of your grill for about 5 minutes each side with the lid closed! When they are almost done, brush with the hot honey cajun sauce on both sides.

6. To finish drizzle some more sauce over the wings & serve with lots of very herby ranch!