Friday Night Treat: Chicken Wings

Every Friday, I like to reward myself with a little bit of a splurge food.  My high stress job and rigid workout schedule makes me feel like I deserve some kind of respite.  The catch is that I find a way to make it more healthy.  Tonight, I am having a craving for some hot wings.  When you get hot wings from your favorite restaurant, they are fried in fat, sometimes breaded and smothered in rich sauces.   I decided to experiment and make a healthier version to "splurge" on, on a Friday night.  Here's my  method and recipe.

"Healthy Choice" Chicken Wings

12 chicken wing sections
2 tablespoons olive oil

salt, pepper, garlic powder and cayenne pepper to taste

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F

2. Combine wing sections, olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic powder and cayenne in a resealable plastic bag.  Shake to coat wing sections.

3. Place wing sections on a foil lined baking sheet and bake for 1 hour until golden and crisp.

If you want saucy wings, combine your favorite sauces with a splash of water in a large bowl and toss the cooked wings in the sauce.  Serve with vegetables for a balanced meal.

 

This cooking method drastically reduces the amount of fat in this "junk food" treat.  If you choose a skinless chicken wing, this will also reduce the amount of fat and calories you are consuming.  This cooking method may be a lot more time consuming than good old fryer chicken wings, but are just as tasty and way less guilty.

Have a favorite "splurge food" that you want me to feature a healthier version of?  Let me know.  I am up for suggestions and experimentation in the kitchen!