Hot Blackberry BBQ Chicken Wings Recipe

Chicken wings: The main protein for this dish, providing a juicy and tender base for the sauce.

Blackberries: These berries add a unique sweetness and depth of flavor to the BBQ sauce.

Ketchup: A classic base for BBQ sauce, adding tanginess and thickness.

Apple cider vinegar: Provides acidity to balance the sweetness of the sauce.

Brown sugar: Adds sweetness and helps to caramelize the sauce.

Worcestershire sauce: Adds umami and depth of flavor to the sauce.

Garlic powder: Enhances the savory notes of the sauce.

Onion powder: Adds a subtle onion flavor without the texture of fresh onions.

Salt: Enhances all the flavors in the dish.

Black pepper: Adds a mild heat and depth to the sauce.

When blending the blackberry bbq sauce, ensure it is completely smooth to achieve a velvety texture. If you prefer a chunkier sauce, you can pulse the blender a few times instead of blending continuously. For an extra layer of flavor, consider grilling the chicken wings for a few minutes after baking to add a smoky char.

• chicken wings - Substitute with chicken drumettes: Drumettes have a similar texture and flavor, making them a suitable alternative for wings.

• blackberries - Substitute with raspberries: Raspberries provide a similar tartness and sweetness, though the flavor will be slightly different.

• ketchup - Substitute with tomato paste and honey: Tomato paste offers a concentrated tomato flavor, and honey adds the necessary sweetness.

• apple cider vinegar - Substitute with white wine vinegar: White wine vinegar has a similar acidity and can be used in the same quantity.

• brown sugar - Substitute with honey: Honey provides sweetness and a slight floral note, though it will make the sauce a bit more liquid.

• worcestershire sauce - Substitute with soy sauce and a dash of lemon juice: Soy sauce provides umami, and lemon juice adds a bit of tanginess.

• garlic powder - Substitute with fresh minced garlic: Fresh garlic offers a more robust flavor, though you may need to adjust the quantity.

• onion powder - Substitute with finely minced onion: Fresh onion provides a similar flavor, though it will add some texture to the sauce.

• salt - Substitute with soy sauce: Soy sauce adds saltiness along with umami flavor, but be cautious of the overall salt level.

• black pepper - Substitute with white pepper: White pepper offers a similar heat but with a slightly different flavor profile.

• Allow the chicken wings to cool completely before storing. This prevents condensation, which can make the wings soggy.
• Place the cooled wings in an airtight container. For best results, use a container that fits the wings snugly to minimize air exposure.
• If you plan to eat the wings within a few days, store them in the refrigerator. They will stay fresh for up to 3-4 days.
• For longer storage, freeze the wings. Lay them out on a baking sheet in a single layer and freeze until solid. This prevents them from sticking together.
• Once frozen, transfer the wings to a freezer-safe bag or container. Label with the date to keep track of freshness.
• When ready to reheat, thaw the wings in the refrigerator overnight. This ensures even reheating and maintains the texture.
• Reheat the wings in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10-15 minutes, or until heated through. For extra crispiness, place them under the broiler for a few minutes.
• If you have extra blackberry BBQ sauce, store it separately in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will keep for up to a week.
• For freezing the sauce, pour it into a freezer-safe container, leaving some space at the top for expansion. It can be frozen for up to 3 months.
• When ready to use the frozen sauce, thaw it in the refrigerator and reheat gently on the stove before tossing with the reheated wings.

• Oven Method:

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Place the chicken wings on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or aluminum foil.
  3. Cover the wings with aluminum foil to prevent them from drying out.
  4. Heat for 15-20 minutes, or until the wings are warmed through and the blackberry BBQ sauce is bubbling.

• Stovetop Method:

  1. Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat.
  2. Add a small amount of olive oil or butter to the skillet.
  3. Place the chicken wings in the skillet and cover with a lid.
  4. Cook for 10-15 minutes, turning occasionally, until the wings are heated through and the sauce is caramelized.

• Microwave Method:

  1. Place the chicken wings on a microwave-safe plate.
  2. Cover the wings with a damp paper towel to retain moisture.
  3. Microwave on medium power for 2-3 minutes, checking halfway through to ensure even heating.
  4. If needed, heat in additional 30-second intervals until the wings are hot.

• Air Fryer Method:

  1. Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Place the chicken wings in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
  3. Heat for 5-7 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through to ensure even reheating.
  4. Check to ensure the wings are heated through and the sauce is sticky and caramelized.

• Grill Method:

  1. Preheat your grill to medium heat.
  2. Place the chicken wings on the grill grates.
  3. Grill for 5-10 minutes, turning occasionally, until the wings are heated through and the blackberry BBQ sauce is slightly charred and caramelized.

• Oven: Used to bake the chicken wings until they are crispy.

• Baking sheet: Holds the chicken wings while they bake in the oven.

• Saucepan: Used to simmer the blackberry BBQ sauce ingredients.

• Blender: Blends the sauce until it is smooth.

• Tongs: Useful for tossing the baked wings in the sauce.

• Measuring cups: Measure out the ingredients like blackberries, ketchup, apple cider vinegar, and brown sugar.

• Measuring spoons: Measure out smaller quantities of ingredients like Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.

• Mixing spoon: Stir the sauce ingredients while they simmer.

• Cutting board: Optional, but useful if you need to cut or prepare any additional ingredients.

• Knife: Optional, but useful for any additional prep work.

Preheat the oven: Start preheating the oven while you prepare the chicken wings to save time.

Use frozen blackberries: Opt for frozen blackberries if fresh ones are not available to cut down on prep time.

Make the sauce ahead: Prepare the blackberry BBQ sauce in advance and store it in the fridge.

Line the baking sheet: Use parchment paper or foil to line the baking sheet for easier cleanup.

Blend efficiently: Use an immersion blender directly in the saucepan to save on washing extra dishes.