My Dad passed away on December 16, 2020. I was trying to figure out what I could make in his honor. With the "big game" I thought his chicken wings would be a great pick. He usually only made these for Easter, but I thought I'd make them ahead of time incase anyone wants to make them for their Easter festivities in honor of my dad.
I have never cut apart raw chicken pieces. It was definitely a learning experience trying to figure out where exactly to cut so that I would end up with the drum, then pin and then the tip that my mom said to just toss out. They might not have been cut up nice and neat but I think I did a pretty good job my first try.
The full wing
Cut into 3 pieces
Perfect cutting! haha!
I used about 6 pounds of chicken. So I had to adjust the marinade. I tripled the recipe for my big 6qt bowl and just used a single amount for the smaller bowl. Yes, that's a lot of marinade but there was a lot of chicken!
I have also never grilled anything before. My dad was the "grill master". Anthony is a good fill in, so he's the one who usually does the grillin'. Now, my dad used a gas grill, so that's what I used as well.
I don't know about you, but when I think of buffalo wings, I think of super tangy/vinegary and spicy. To me, these have just the right amount of tang. Not too much. They also aren't spicy, so if you want them to have more of a kick, definitely add more cayenne pepper or even add some of your favorite buffalo sauce. I didn't want to make them too spicy so the kids would eat some (which they didn't anyway). I couldn't find onion salt, so I just added some onion powder and extra salt. Taste the marinade before you add the eggs to see if you need to tweak the spiciness of it. The secret is to marinate these bad boys for at least 2 days prior to grilling. Every so often make sure you take them out and give them a good stir or shake if you have them in a good bowl with a tight lid.
I know this recipe isn't handwritten, but it was included in a big binder full of recipes from family and friends that was put together for me as a wedding present. Although I no longer speak with the person who put it all together for me, I do treasure the recipes and pictures included in it!
My interpretation of the recipe:
Dad's Buffalo Chicken Wings
Ingredients
¾ cups cider vinegar
½ cup oil
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon celery salt
1 teaspoon garlic salt
1 teaspoon onion salt
1 teaspoon paprika
½ teaspoon black pepper
⅛ teaspoon nutmeg
1 beaten egg
Directions
Mix all ingredients in large container with lid. Add rinsed and cut chicken wings.
Marinate for 2 days stirring or shaking ever so often.
Make enough marinade to cover chicken. We usually make 5 pounds of wings at a time. You can also make enough just for two. Just be sure to make enough marinade.
You can grill or bake in oven till cooked.
If made in the oven, turn to broil to crisp after cooking fully at 350.
Serve with blue cheese dressing and celery sticks.
I hope you enjoy and give this recipe a second chance in your kitchen too.
I love you dad and miss you so much!
