Buffalo Chicken Wings with Peri Peri Sauce
If you’re craving a snack that is bursting with bold, spicy flavors and the perfect balance of tangy heat, look no further than Buffalo Chicken Wings with Peri Peri Sauce. This dish combines the classic American favorite with a fiery Portuguese twist, resulting in an irresistible taste experience. Whether you’re gearing up for game day or just want a flavorful treat, these wings promise a crispy, juicy bite coated in a spicy, zesty sauce that will have everyone coming back for more.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Bold Flavor Fusion: Combines the traditional Buffalo heat with the vibrant zest of peri peri spices for an unforgettable taste.
- Perfect for Any Occasion: Great for casual game days, parties, or even a delicious snack to spice up your evening.
- Simple Ingredients: Uses easy-to-find ingredients that come together quickly without sacrificing flavor.
- Crispy Texture: Achieves that irresistible crunch without heavy frying, perfect for a lighter option.
- Customizable Heat Level: Adjust the peri peri sauce intensity to suit mild or fiery taste buds alike.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe nails the balance between simplicity and complexity. Each ingredient plays a vital role in crafting the crispy wings and vibrant peri peri sauce that make Buffalo Chicken Wings with Peri Peri Sauce so memorable.
- Chicken Wings: Fresh, preferably mid-joint wings for the ideal meat-to-skin ratio and easy eating.
- Peri Peri Sauce: A blend of chili, garlic, lemon, and herbs that adds the signature zesty kick.
- Hot Sauce: Classic Buffalo-style cayenne pepper sauce to blend with peri peri for extra heat and flavor depth.
- Butter: Helps mellow the spiciness and gives the wings a rich, glossy coating.
- Garlic Powder and Onion Powder: Adds savory layers to both the wings and sauce for complexity.
- Salt and Black Pepper: Essential seasonings to enhance every flavor note and balance heat.
- Olive Oil: Used for roasting the wings to crispy perfection without deep frying.
- Fresh Lemon Juice: Brightens the peri peri sauce with a fresh, tangy aroma.
Variations for Buffalo Chicken Wings with Peri Peri Sauce
One of the greatest things about Buffalo Chicken Wings with Peri Peri Sauce is how versatile they are. Feel free to tweak this recipe to better suit your taste, dietary needs, or what you have on hand—each variation is simple yet adds a unique twist.
- Grilled Version: Swap roasting for grilling to add a smoky char and enhanced depth to the wings.
- Vegetarian Option: Use cauliflower florets in place of chicken for a spicy, crispy veggie treat.
- Mild Heat Adjustment: Reduce or omit the cayenne pepper and use less peri peri for a gentler spice level.
- Extra Garlic Kick: Add fresh minced garlic to the peri peri sauce for an aromatic punch.
- Herb Infusion: Incorporate fresh herbs like oregano or parsley to the sauce for a fresh herbal contrast.
How to Make Buffalo Chicken Wings with Peri Peri Sauce
Step 1: Prepare the Wings
Start by patting the chicken wings dry with paper towels—this step is key for getting that crispy skin. Then toss the wings in olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper, ensuring every piece is evenly coated before roasting.
Step 2: Roast to Perfection
Arrange the wings on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a wire rack to allow air circulation. Roast at 425°F (220°C) for 35-40 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the wings are golden brown and crispy.
Step 3: Make the Peri Peri Sauce
While the wings roast, prepare the peri peri sauce by blending peri peri chili paste, fresh lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, and a touch of smoked paprika until smooth. Heat it gently in a saucepan to meld the flavors together.
Step 4: Combine the Sauces
In a separate pan, melt butter and mix it with the hot sauce to create the classic Buffalo wing sauce. Then combine this with your homemade peri peri sauce for that signature Buffalo Chicken Wings with Peri Peri Sauce heat and flavor balance.
Step 5: Toss Wings in Sauce
Once the wings are crispy and the sauce is ready, toss the hot wings in the combined peri peri and Buffalo sauce. Make sure each wing is thoroughly coated for the full flavor impact.
Pro Tips for Making Buffalo Chicken Wings with Peri Peri Sauce
- Dry Wings Thoroughly: Patting wings dry before cooking ensures maximum crispiness.
- Use a Wire Rack: Baking wings on a wire rack allows even cooking and prevents sogginess.
- Adjust Heat Gradually: Add peri peri sauce in small increments to control spiciness.
- Make Sauce Ahead: Preparing the peri peri sauce a day ahead lets flavors deepen and intensify.
- Double Coat for Extra Flavor: Toss wings twice in the sauce for an extra sticky, flavorful glaze.
How to Serve Buffalo Chicken Wings with Peri Peri Sauce
Garnishes
Fresh garnishes can elevate your wings visually and flavor-wise. Try chopped fresh cilantro or parsley for a bright herbaceous note, or add thinly sliced red onions to complement the heat. A sprinkle of sesame seeds also offers a nice textural contrast.
Side Dishes
Buffalo Chicken Wings with Peri Peri Sauce pair wonderfully with cooling sides like creamy ranch or blue cheese dressing. Crunchy celery and carrot sticks provide refreshing balance, while crispy fries or a simple salad complete the meal perfectly.
Creative Ways to Present
For game day or parties, serve the wings in a large wooden platter with small dipping bowls for extra sauce and dressings. You can also stack them in a tiered display for visual impact, paired with colorful veggies to entice your guests at first sight.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store leftover wings in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. It’s best to keep the sauce separate if you prefer to maintain crispiness when reheating.
Freezing
You can freeze cooked and sauced wings by laying them out on a tray to freeze individually, then transferring to a sealed freezer bag. Frozen wings maintain quality for up to two months.
Reheating
Reheat wings in the oven at 375°F (190°C) for about 10-15 minutes to restore crunch. Avoid microwaving as it can make the skin soggy. Add extra sauce after reheating to freshen up the flavor.
FAQs
Can I make Buffalo Chicken Wings with Peri Peri Sauce gluten-free?
Absolutely! Just ensure your hot sauce and peri peri ingredients are certified gluten-free, and avoid any breading or coatings that contain wheat.
Is peri peri sauce very spicy?
Peri peri sauce has a medium to high heat level, depending on the chili variety used. It’s flavorful with a pleasant tang, but you can easily adjust the heat by modifying the amount of chili or adding more lemon for balance.
Can I deep fry the wings instead of roasting them?
Yes, deep frying will give you an extra-crispy exterior but roasting is a healthier and less messy method that still delivers great crunch and flavor.
How long does it take to prepare Buffalo Chicken Wings with Peri Peri Sauce?
From prep to plating, it typically takes around 50 minutes including roasting time, making it a doable dish for a weeknight or weekend get-together.
Can I use store-bought peri peri sauce?
Definitely! Store-bought peri peri sauce can save time and still taste fantastic. Just choose a brand with fresh, quality ingredients and adjust seasoning to your liking.
Final Thoughts
If you’re searching for a reliable, show-stopping snack that packs excitement and flavor, Buffalo Chicken Wings with Peri Peri Sauce is your answer. This recipe offers all the familiar comfort of classic wings with an invigorating twist that’s sure to become a favorite. So grab your ingredients, fire up the oven, and get ready to impress your friends and family with this spicy, tangy, and utterly delicious treat!
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PrintBuffalo Chicken Wings with Peri Peri Sauce
Buffalo Chicken Wings with Peri Peri Sauce deliver a bold fusion of classic Buffalo heat and vibrant peri peri spices, resulting in crispy, juicy wings coated in a zesty, spicy sauce. Perfect for game days, parties, or a flavorful snack, these wings offer a perfect balance of tangy heat and rich flavor with easy-to-find ingredients and a roasting method that achieves maximum crispiness without deep frying.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35-40 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American-Portuguese Fusion
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
Chicken Wings
- Fresh mid-joint chicken wings, quantity as desired
Peri Peri Sauce
- Peri peri chili paste (amount to taste, approx. 2-3 tablespoons)
- Fresh lemon juice, 2 tablespoons
- Olive oil, 2 tablespoons
- Fresh garlic or garlic powder, 1-2 cloves minced or 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Smoked paprika, ½ teaspoon
Buffalo Sauce
- Hot sauce (classic Buffalo-style cayenne pepper sauce), ⅓ cup
- Unsalted butter, 4 tablespoons
Seasonings and Others
- Garlic powder, 1 teaspoon
- Onion powder, 1 teaspoon
- Salt, 1 teaspoon or to taste
- Black pepper, ½ teaspoon or to taste
- Olive oil, 1-2 tablespoons for coating wings
Instructions
- Prepare the Wings: Pat the chicken wings dry thoroughly using paper towels to ensure crispiness. Toss the wings in olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper, making sure each piece is evenly coated.
- Roast to Perfection: Arrange the wings on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a wire rack to allow air circulation. Roast at 425°F (220°C) for 35-40 minutes, flipping halfway through, until wings are golden brown and crispy.
- Make the Peri Peri Sauce: In a blender or food processor, combine peri peri chili paste, fresh lemon juice, olive oil, garlic (fresh or powder), and smoked paprika. Blend until smooth. Warm the sauce gently over low heat in a saucepan to meld the flavors.
- Combine the Sauces: In a separate pan, melt the butter over low heat. Once melted, mix in the hot sauce to create the Buffalo sauce. Then, combine this with the peri peri sauce, stirring to blend the flavors evenly.
- Toss Wings in Sauce: When the wings are done roasting and crispy, transfer them to a large bowl. Pour the combined peri peri and Buffalo sauce over the wings and toss thoroughly to coat each wing in sauce evenly for full flavor.
Notes
- Pat chicken wings dry before cooking for the crispiest skin.
- Use a wire rack when roasting to allow even cooking and prevent sogginess.
- Adjust peri peri sauce gradually to control heat intensity to your liking.
- Prepare peri peri sauce a day ahead to deepen and intensify flavors.
- Toss wings twice in sauce for an extra sticky and flavorful coating.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5 wings
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 3g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
Keywords: Buffalo wings, peri peri sauce, spicy chicken wings, game day snack, roasted wings, spicy appetizer
