Name: Honey Mustard Chicken Wing Sauce Recipe
Prep time: 2 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 17 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: ½ cup Honey Mustard; ¼ cup cayenne pepper hot sauce; 3 tbsp unsalted butter; 1 pinch salt; 1 pinch ground black pepper

Looking to elevate your chicken wings game? This honey mustard chicken wing sauce brings a perfect balance of sweetness, tanginess, and a hint of heat, making it an irresistible addition to your favorite wings recipe. The combination of flavors will have you and your guests reaching for more.

Photos of Honey Mustard Chicken Wing Sauce Recipe

While most of the ingredients for this honey mustard chicken wing sauce are common pantry staples, you might need to pick up some cayenne pepper hot sauce if it’s not already in your kitchen. This hot sauce is essential for adding that spicy kick to balance out the sweetness of the honey mustard.

Ingredients For Honey Mustard Chicken Wing Sauce

Honey mustard: A perfect blend of sweetness and tanginess that forms the base of the sauce.

Cayenne pepper hot sauce: Adds a spicy kick to balance the sweetness of the honey mustard.

Unsalted butter: Provides a rich and creamy texture to the sauce.

Salt: Enhances the overall flavor of the sauce.

Ground black pepper: Adds a touch of heat and depth to the flavor profile.

One reader, Felicdad Bussey says:

This honey mustard chicken wing sauce is fantastic! The perfect balance of sweet and spicy, it made our wings irresistible. Quick and easy to prepare, it’s now a staple for our game nights. Highly recommend!

Felicdad Bussey

Techniques Required for Making Honey Mustard Chicken Wing Sauce

Yes.

How to mix ingredients: Combine honey mustard, hot sauce, butter, salt, and pepper in a saucepan. How to melt butter: Stir the mixture over medium heat until the butter is fully melted. How to simmer sauce: Continue to cook the sauce until it begins to thicken, which takes about 5 minutes.

How To Make Honey Mustard Chicken Wing Sauce

Sweet with a kick of earthiness and a little bit of tanginess, this chicken wing sauce is great for parties and takes less than 20 minutes to make.

Preparation: 2 minutes

Cooking: 15 minutes

Total: 17 minutes

Serves:

Ingredients

½cuphoney mustard
¼cupcayenne pepper hot sauce
3tbspunsalted butter
1pinchsalt
1pinchground black pepper

Instructions

Mix together honey mustard, hot sauce, butter, salt, and pepper in a saucepan over medium heat.
Stir until butter is melted; simmer until sauce begins to thicken, about 5 minutes.
Use in your favorite chicken wings recipe and serve while hot.

Nutrition

Calories: 96.68kcal
Fat: 9.73g
Saturated Fat: 5.55g
Trans Fat: 0.35g
Monounsaturated Fat: 2.92g
Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.59g
Carbohydrates: 2.09g
Fiber: 1.30g
Sugar: 0.47g
Protein: 1.33g
Cholesterol: 22.90mg
Sodium: 717.46mg
Calcium: 23.45mg
Potassium: 70.65mg
Iron: 0.57mg
Vitamin A: 75.54µg
Vitamin C: 10.64mg

Technique Tip for Perfecting Your Honey Mustard Chicken Wing Sauce

For a smoother and more cohesive sauce, make sure to melt the butter slowly over low heat before adding the honey mustard and hot sauce. This helps to prevent the butter from separating and ensures a silky texture.

Time-Saving Tips for Preparing Honey Mustard Chicken Wing Sauce

Prepare ingredients in advance: Measure out honey mustard, cayenne pepper hot sauce, and butter ahead of time to streamline the cooking process.

Use a microwave: Melt the butter in the microwave before adding it to the saucepan to speed up the melting process.

Preheat the saucepan: Start heating the saucepan while you gather your ingredients to save a few minutes.

Batch cooking: Make a larger batch of the sauce and store it in the fridge for future use.

Simplify cleanup: Use a non-stick saucepan to make cleaning up faster and easier.

Substitute Ingredients For Honey Mustard Chicken Wing Sauce Recipe

honey mustard - Substitute with Dijon mustard and honey: Combining Dijon mustard and honey in equal parts will give you a similar sweet and tangy flavor profile.
cayenne pepper hot sauce - Substitute with sriracha: Sriracha provides a similar level of heat and a slightly different but complementary flavor.
unsalted butter - Substitute with olive oil: Olive oil can be used to add richness and a smooth texture, though it will impart a slightly different flavor.
salt - Substitute with soy sauce: Soy sauce adds saltiness along with a depth of umami flavor.
ground black pepper - Substitute with white pepper: White pepper provides a similar heat and flavor but with a slightly different aroma.

Best Way to Present This Delicious Chicken Wing Sauce

Use high-quality ingredients: Ensure that your honey mustard, cayenne pepper hot sauce, and unsalted butter are of the finest quality to enhance the flavor profile of your sauce.
Create a smooth sauce: Mix the honey mustard, hot sauce, butter, salt, and pepper in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring until the butter is fully melted and the sauce is smooth and well-combined.
Simmer to perfection: Allow the sauce to simmer until it begins to thicken, approximately 5 minutes. This step is crucial for achieving the perfect consistency.
Coat the wings evenly: Once your chicken wings are cooked, toss them in the sauce to ensure each wing is evenly coated. This ensures a consistent flavor in every bite.
Plate with elegance: Arrange the chicken wings neatly on a serving platter. Consider using a white plate to make the vibrant color of the sauce pop.
Garnish thoughtfully: Add a touch of fresh herbs, such as finely chopped parsley or chives, to add a burst of color and a hint of freshness to the dish.
Serve immediately: Ensure the chicken wings are served while hot to maintain the best texture and flavor.

Essential Tools for Making Honey Mustard Chicken Wing Sauce

Saucepan: A medium-sized pan used for heating and combining the ingredients over medium heat.
Wooden spoon: Ideal for stirring the sauce to ensure the butter melts evenly and the ingredients are well mixed.
Measuring cups: Essential for accurately measuring the honey mustard and hot sauce.
Measuring spoons: Used to measure the butter, salt, and pepper precisely.
Stovetop: Provides the heat source needed to melt the butter and thicken the sauce.
Whisk: Helps in achieving a smooth consistency by thoroughly mixing the ingredients.
Serving bowl: Used to hold the finished sauce before applying it to the chicken wings.
Tongs: Handy for tossing the chicken wings in the sauce to ensure they are evenly coated.

How To Store and Freeze Honey Mustard Chicken Wing Sauce

Allow the honey mustard chicken wing sauce to cool completely before storing or freezing.
Transfer the cooled sauce to an airtight container or a resealable plastic bag.
For storing in the refrigerator: place the container or bag in the refrigerator, where it will keep for up to 1 week.
For freezing: label the container or bag with the date and place it in the freezer, where it will keep for up to 3 months.
To thaw frozen honey mustard sauce, transfer it from the freezer to the refrigerator and let it thaw overnight.
Reheat the thawed sauce in a saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally, until it is heated through and reaches the desired consistency.
If the sauce appears too thick after thawing, you can thin it out by stirring in a little water or chicken broth until it reaches the desired consistency.
Do not refreeze the sauce once it has been thawed, as this can affect its quality and texture.

How To Reheat Leftover Honey Mustard Chicken Wing Sauce

The best way to reheat leftover honey mustard chicken wing sauce is to gently warm it up in a saucepan over low heat. Stir the sauce occasionally to ensure even heating and prevent scorching. If the sauce has thickened up too much in the refrigerator, you can add a splash of water or chicken broth to thin it out to your desired consistency.
Another option is to reheat the sauce in the microwave. Transfer the sauce to a microwave-safe bowl and heat it in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval, until it reaches your desired temperature. Be careful not to overheat the sauce, as this can cause the butter to separate and the sauce to become greasy.
If you're reheating chicken wings that have already been coated in the honey mustard sauce, you can place them on a baking sheet and reheat them in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10-15 minutes, or until they're heated through. This method will help to crisp up the skin of the wings while warming up the sauce.
For a quick and easy option, you can also reheat the sauce and wings together in a skillet over medium heat. Add the wings and sauce to the skillet and stir occasionally until everything is heated through. This method works well if you're looking to quickly reheat a small batch of wings.
Regardless of the reheating method you choose, be sure to reheat the sauce and wings until they reach a safe internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) to ensure that any harmful bacteria have been eliminated. Use a meat thermometer to check the temperature of the wings before serving.

Random Fact About Honey Mustard Chicken Wing Sauce

A fun fact about this honey mustard chicken wing sauce recipe is that the combination of honey mustard and cayenne pepper hot sauce creates a perfect balance of sweet and spicy flavors, making it a versatile sauce that can also be used as a dip or a glaze for other meats and vegetables.

Is Making Honey Mustard Chicken Wing Sauce at Home Cost-Effective?

This honey mustard chicken wing sauce recipe is quite cost-effective for a household. With simple ingredients like honey mustard, cayenne pepper hot sauce, and unsalted butter, the total cost is approximately $5-$7 for a household of 4 people. Given the minimal ingredients and ease of preparation, it scores a solid 8 out of 10 in terms of cost-effectiveness.

Is Honey Mustard Chicken Wing Sauce Healthy or Unhealthy?

The honey mustard chicken wing sauce recipe, while undeniably delicious, leans more towards the unhealthy side due to a few key ingredients:

High sugar content: Honey mustard is the primary ingredient, which is high in sugar. This can contribute to weight gain and other health issues if consumed in excess.
Butter: Although butter adds richness and flavor, it is high in saturated fat, which can raise cholesterol levels and increase the risk of heart disease.
Sodium: The addition of salt and the sodium content in the honey mustard and hot sauce can lead to high sodium intake, which may cause high blood pressure and other health problems.

However, the recipe does have some redeeming qualities, such as the use of cayenne pepper hot sauce, which contains capsaicin – a compound known for its metabolism-boosting and anti-inflammatory properties.

To make this recipe healthier, consider the following modifications:

Reduce the amount of honey mustard and replace some of it with Dijon mustard, which has a lower sugar content
Use a low-sodium hot sauce to decrease the overall sodium content
Replace the butter with a healthier alternative, such as olive oil or Greek yogurt, to maintain creaminess while reducing saturated fat
Add more spices and herbs, like garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika, to enhance the flavor without relying on salt and sugar
Serve the chicken wings with a side of fresh vegetables, such as carrot and celery sticks, to increase the nutritional value of the meal

Editor's Thoughts on This Tangy and Sweet Chicken Wing Sauce

This honey mustard chicken wing sauce recipe strikes a delightful balance between sweet and spicy. The honey mustard provides a rich, tangy sweetness, while the cayenne pepper hot sauce adds a fiery kick. The butter ensures a smooth, velvety texture, making the sauce cling perfectly to the wings. A pinch of salt and black pepper enhances the overall flavor profile. It's a simple yet effective recipe that can elevate your chicken wings to a new level of deliciousness.

Enhance Your Honey Mustard Chicken Wing Sauce Recipe with These Unique Side Dishes:

Roasted Garlic Parmesan Potatoes: Imagine crispy potatoes roasted to perfection, infused with the rich flavors of garlic and Parmesan cheese. These golden delights are the perfect companion to your honey mustard chicken wings, offering a satisfying crunch and a burst of savory goodness in every bite.

Grilled Asparagus With Lemon Zest: Elevate your meal with tender asparagus spears, lightly charred on the grill and finished with a sprinkle of fresh lemon zest. The bright, citrusy notes complement the spicy and sweet flavors of the chicken wings, creating a harmonious balance on your plate.

Mango Avocado Salsa: Add a tropical twist to your appetizer spread with a vibrant salsa made from juicy mangoes and creamy avocado. This refreshing side dish brings a burst of color and a delightful contrast to the rich and tangy chicken wing sauce.

Creamy Coleslaw: A classic side dish with a twist, this coleslaw features a creamy dressing that perfectly balances the heat of the cayenne pepper hot sauce. The crisp cabbage and carrots provide a satisfying crunch, making it an ideal pairing for your honey mustard chicken wings.

Sweet Potato Fries: Indulge in the natural sweetness of sweet potatoes with these crispy fries, lightly seasoned and baked to perfection. Their caramelized edges and soft interior make them a delightful contrast to the bold flavors of the chicken wing sauce.

Alternative Recipes Similar to Honey Mustard Chicken Wing Sauce

Buffalo Cauliflower Bites: Craving something spicy and crispy? These cauliflower bites are tossed in a tangy buffalo sauce and baked to perfection. Perfect for a game day snack or a fun appetizer.

Garlic Parmesan Chicken Wings: Indulge in the savory goodness of garlic and parmesan with these crispy chicken wings. Baked or fried, they're a crowd-pleaser that pairs well with a side of celery sticks.

Teriyaki Glazed Chicken Wings: Transport your taste buds to the Far East with these teriyaki glazed chicken wings. The sweet and savory sauce makes them an irresistible treat for any occasion.

Spicy Mango Habanero Wings: For those who love a kick, these wings are coated in a mango and habanero sauce that balances sweetness with heat. A tropical twist on your classic chicken wings.

BBQ Chicken Wings: Classic and timeless, these BBQ chicken wings are smothered in a rich, smoky barbecue sauce. Perfect for a summer cookout or a cozy night in.

Suggested Main Courses and Desserts to Pair with Honey Mustard Chicken Wings

Main Courses:

Grilled Honey Mustard Chicken: Grilled Honey Mustard Chicken is a delightful dish that combines the sweetness of honey mustard with the smoky flavor of grilled chicken. Marinate the chicken in a mixture of honey mustard, garlic, and lemon juice for a few hours to let the flavors meld. Grill the chicken until it’s perfectly charred and juicy. Serve it with a side of roasted vegetables or a fresh green salad to balance the flavors. This dish is perfect for a summer barbecue or a cozy family dinner, offering a burst of flavor in every bite.

Honey Mustard Glazed Salmon: Honey Mustard Glazed Salmon is a sophisticated yet simple dish that brings out the best in salmon. The honey mustard glaze, enriched with a hint of cayenne pepper hot sauce, adds a sweet and spicy kick to the tender fish. Bake the salmon until it’s flaky and the glaze is caramelized to perfection. Pair it with steamed asparagus or garlic mashed potatoes for a complete meal. This dish is ideal for a special dinner or a weeknight treat, offering a delightful combination of flavors and textures.

Desserts:

Cheesecake: Indulge in a creamy delight with a velvety cheesecake that melts in your mouth. The richness of the cream cheese pairs perfectly with a buttery graham cracker crust. Top it off with a tangy fruit compote or a decadent chocolate ganache for an extra layer of luxury. This dessert is sure to be a showstopper at any gathering.

Tiramisu: Experience the classic Italian dessert with a modern twist. Tiramisu features layers of espresso-soaked ladyfingers and creamy mascarpone cheese. Add a hint of cocoa powder and a splash of coffee liqueur to elevate the flavors. For a unique spin, consider incorporating seasonal fruits or flavored syrups to make this dessert truly memorable.

Why trust this Honey Mustard Chicken Wing Sauce Recipe:

This honey mustard chicken wing sauce recipe is a must-try for any wing lover. The combination of honey mustard and cayenne pepper hot sauce creates a perfect balance of sweet and spicy flavors. The addition of unsalted butter ensures a rich and creamy texture, while a pinch of salt and ground black pepper enhances the overall taste. It's quick and easy to make, taking only about 5 minutes to thicken. Trust this recipe for a delicious and satisfying wing experience.

Want to share your own honey mustard chicken wing sauce recipe or discuss tips and tricks? Join the conversation in the Recipe Sharing forum!

FAQ:

Can I use regular mustard instead of honey mustard?

You can, but it will change the flavor profile. Honey mustard adds a sweet tanginess that regular mustard lacks. If you use regular mustard, you might want to add a bit of honey to balance it out.

How spicy is this sauce?

The sauce has a kick due to the cayenne pepper hot sauce, but it's balanced by the sweetness of the honey mustard. If you're sensitive to spice, you can reduce the amount of hot sauce.

Can I make this sauce ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can make the sauce ahead and store it in the fridge for up to a week. Just reheat it gently on the stove or in the microwave before using it on your wings.

What type of hot sauce should I use?

Any cayenne pepper hot sauce will work. Brands like Frank's RedHot or Louisiana Hot Sauce are good choices. Just pick one you like!

Can I use this sauce for something other than chicken wings?

Definitely! This sauce is versatile. You can use it as a dip for chicken tenders, a glaze for grilled chicken, or even as a dressing for a spicy salad.