Flavorful Dry Rub Chicken Wings Start With A Cheap Packet Of This Seasoning

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Whether it's game day and you have an hour before kickoff or you only have basic ingredients on hand, sometimes you need to think fast when it comes to grub. Chicken wings are a staple, but it can be difficult to achieve quick flavor without breaking out every jar in the spice cabinet. When making a dry rub, try a packet of ranch seasoning instead.

Hidden Valley Original Ranch Seasoning and Salad Dressing Mix ($2.33 at Walmart, location depending) brings flavor to the forefront, and is an ideal mix for dry rubs. Ingredients include buttermilk, salt, monosodium glutamate, onion powder, and garlic powder. The MSG gives the packet its classic umami punch, and the other seasonings round out the creamy, herby ranch flavor. For the rub, just the packet works great, but consider adding a bit of brown sugar to help the chicken caramelize during the cooking process, making perfectly browned chicken wings with balanced flavor. You can also add a bit of black pepper or paprika, which add a smoky punch to your rub mix.

Ranch is great for dipping, but it also works exceptionally well as a rub. The herby, bright flavors of the ranch seasoning complement chicken's savoriness nicely. Ranch is kid-friendly as well, so ranch-rubbed wings are a great family dinner option in lieu of something spicy, such as Buffalo sauce.

Before adding the ranch seasoning rub to your wings, pat them dry with a paper towel. Extra moisture on the wings makes the rub soggy instead of crispy. Start by tossing the wings in either oil or melted butter. Oil is a solid binder because it has a neutral flavor, making the ranch flavors stand out while sticking the rub to the chicken. Butter, however, adds a bit of fatty flavor to the wings. Once you pick your binder, apply a thin layer to your wings. Make sure not to use too much, or your wings could end up greasy instead of crispy.

Next, toss your wings with your ranch dry rub in a large bowl. Use a good amount while tossing; you want the wings fully covered in a thin, even layer of seasoning. For shatteringly crispy skin, you can also dry brine your wings first in salt overnight. Once your wings are covered in your ranch rub, you're off to the races. Whether you're baking, frying, or even air-frying your wings, they should be bursting with flavor at the end. Sprinkle a bit of the leftover rub on your wings at the very end, et voilà! Easy homemade wings made with just a packet of ranch seasoning (and some extra tricks).