If you love wings with bold, savory flavors coated in a luscious sauce, this Garlic Parmesan Chicken Wings Recipe is going to be your new go-to. Crispy, buttery, and packed with garlic and cheese, these wings are pure magic straight from the oven.

A black round pan filled with many golden brown chicken wings with a crispy texture and sprinkled with white grated cheese and small green herb bits, resting on a white marbled surface. Some green parsley leaves are scattered on the chicken wings and around the pan. A white cloth with red stripes is partly visible at the bottom right corner. The background shows a bunch of fresh green herbs blurred out. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Garlic Parmesan Chicken Wings Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Garlic Parmesan Chicken Wings Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Garlic Parmesan Chicken Wings Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Honestly, I can’t get enough of these wings—the crispy skin paired with that rich garlic butter and the sharp tang of fresh Parmesan is seriously irresistible. Plus, making them at home means you get them just how you like ’em every time!

Perfectly Crispy: Baking at 400°F gives the wings a satisfying crunch without frying.
Flavor-Packed Dry Rub: A blend of garlic, smoked paprika, and spices infuses every bite with depth.
Rich Garlic Parmesan Sauce: Melted butter, fresh garlic, parsley, and Parmesan create a luscious coating.
Easy to Make: Minimal prep and simple ingredients make it a breeze for any weeknight or game day.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Before you get started, here are a few notes on the ingredients that make these wings shine—and some tips so you get the best results.

Flat lay of two pounds of fresh raw chicken wings, a small white bowl of golden olive oil, five whole garlic cloves, a small white bowl of finely chopped green parsley, a small white bowl of freshly grated Parmesan cheese, a small white bowl of garlic powder, a small white bowl of onion powder, a small white bowl of coarse salt, a small white bowl of black peppercorns, and a small white bowl of smoked paprika, all arranged with perfect symmetry on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Garlic powder: This forms the base of the dry rub, delivering mellow, roasted garlic flavor throughout the wings.
Onion powder: Adds subtle sweetness and depth without overpowering the garlic.
Salt: Essential for seasoning and enhancing all other flavors.
Pepper: Gives a gentle spicy kick to balance the richness.
Smoked paprika: Brings a warm, smoky layer that's key to that crave-worthy flavor profile.
Baking powder (optional): Helps the skin get that extra-crispy texture during baking—feel free to skip if you prefer.
Chicken wings: The star ingredient; I like buying them fresh, but good quality frozen wings work too.
Olive oil: Coats the wings to help crisp the skin and keep them juicy.
Butter: Melted and mixed with garlic and parsley, it creates the luscious sauce that finishes the wings.
Garlic cloves: Fresh garlic really brightens the sauce and gives it that punch you want.
Parsley: Adds freshness and a pop of color, balancing the richness.
Parmesan cheese: Freshly grated is best—melts beautifully over the wings for that signature savory finish.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of the best parts about this Garlic Parmesan Chicken Wings Recipe is how easy it is to tweak it to your taste. Whether you want to spice things up or keep it classic, these wings are a versatile canvas waiting for your personal touch.

Spicy Kick: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes to the dry rub for a fiery twist. I love adding a bit of heat to balance the rich garlic and Parmesan flavors—it's a total game-changer!
Herb Upgrade: Swap the parsley for fresh basil or thyme to bring a different herbaceous note. During spring, fresh basil gives the wings a bright, garden-fresh flair that my family adores.
Dietary Swap: For a lower-fat version, try using olive oil spray instead of pouring in olive oil and skip the butter by tossing wings in a garlic and Parmesan olive oil drizzle after baking.
Cheesy Variety: Experiment with different cheeses like Pecorino Romano or Asiago to mix up the cheesy punch while keeping that wonderful melty texture.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Garlic Parmesan Chicken Wings Recipe

The image shows a close-up of a woman's hand holding a golden-brown crispy chicken wing covered with melted cheese shreds and green herb bits on top. In the background, several more chicken wings with the same golden color and cheese topping are stacked on a white plate, resting on a white marbled surface with a blurred light-colored cloth underneath. The lighting makes the cheese look creamy and slightly melted, highlighting the crispy texture of the wings. A small white bowl with sauce is partly visible in the background. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Preheat the Oven & Prepare Your Rack

Start by heating your oven to 200°C (400°F) and place a rack in the center. This setup lets the hot air circulate evenly around the wings, which is key for getting that perfect crispy skin without deep frying. I always line my baking dish with foil under the rack for easier cleanup.

Step 2: Whisk Together the Dry Rub

In a small bowl, mix 1 tablespoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon pepper, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, and 1 teaspoon baking powder if you’re using it. The baking powder helps create an irresistibly crispy texture on the wings — a little kitchen magic worth trying!

Step 3: Season the Wings

Place 2 pounds of chicken wings in a large baking dish and sprinkle the dry rub evenly over them. Toss well to coat every inch with those fragrant spices. Drizzle 2 tablespoons of olive oil over the wings to help the skin crisp up during baking. Make sure not to overcrowd the dish so air can move freely around each wing.

Step 4: Bake Until Golden & Crispy

Pop the wings into your preheated oven and bake them for 45 minutes. The wings will turn golden brown and crispy on the outside, juicy and cooked through inside. You can tell they're ready when you see that deep color and crisp crackle in the skin. I like to check one at around 40 minutes just to be sure my oven’s temperature is steady.

Step 5: Prepare the Garlic Parmesan Sauce

While the wings are baking, melt ¼ cup butter gently in a small pot over low heat. Add 5 cloves of minced garlic and ¼ cup chopped parsley, stirring just until the garlic becomes fragrant—about 2 minutes. Be careful not to let the garlic brown; burnt garlic can turn bitter. Once fragrant, remove from the heat and set aside.

Step 6: Toss Wings in Sauce & Add Parmesan

When your wings come out of the oven, immediately pour the warm garlic butter sauce over them and toss gently but thoroughly to coat every piece. Then sprinkle ¼ cup of freshly grated Parmesan cheese on top. The fresh parm melts beautifully, giving the wings a rich, savory finish.

Step 7: Finish Baking for Ultimate Crispness

Return the wings to the oven for an extra 5 minutes. This final bake lets the Parmesan turn golden and crispy, making these wings even more irresistible. Keep an eye on them to ensure the cheese melts perfectly without burning. Then, plate up and prepare for compliments!

Top Tip

These tips come straight from my kitchen experiments to help you get the crispiest, most flavorful Garlic Parmesan Chicken Wings every time.

Use Baking Powder for Extra Crispiness: I add baking powder to the dry rub because it really helps the skin get that professional-level crunch without frying.
Don’t Skip Drizzling Olive Oil: Tossing the wings with olive oil before baking promotes beautiful browning and seals in juiciness—something I learned after a few dry batches!
Fresh Parmesan Is Key: Grate your Parmesan fresh right before topping the wings. Pre-grated cheese lacks the moisture and melts unevenly, which can impact texture.
Watch the Garlic on Low Heat: When melting the butter and garlic, keep the heat low to prevent burning the garlic. I once lost a batch to bitter burnt bits — so gentle heat is a must!

How to Serve Garlic Parmesan Chicken Wings Recipe

A white round dish filled with twelve raw chicken wings arranged in a circular pattern, each wing dusted generously with reddish-brown seasoning creating a slightly rough texture on the skin. The dish rests on a white marbled surface with a white cloth that has red stripes casually placed beneath it, adding a soft fabric texture to the scene. The overall color palette is light with natural pink, orange, and red tones from the raw wings and seasoning contrasting gently against the white dish and marble. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

Fresh chopped parsley brightens the rich garlic butter and Parmesan flavors beautifully, so be generous! You might also add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice for a zesty kick or sprinkle some red pepper flakes if you love a little heat.

Side Dishes

These wings pair wonderfully with crisp celery and carrot sticks, classic ranch or blue cheese dip, and crunchy coleslaw. For a heartier plate, serve alongside garlic mashed potatoes or a fresh garden salad to balance the indulgence.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once cooled, place your leftover Garlic Parmesan chicken wings in an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator. They stay fresh and tasty for up to 4 days—perfect for quick bites or to pack for lunches.

Freezing

If you want to stash wings for longer, use a shallow freezer-safe container to freeze them. They keep well for up to 6 months, so you can enjoy these crispy delights any time you need a flavorful snack or party appetizer.

Reheating

To reheat, avoid microwaving as it turns crispy wings soggy. Instead, use your oven or air fryer to warm them up while preserving that irresistible crunch. I find 5-7 minutes at 180°C/350°F in the oven does the trick perfectly.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use frozen chicken wings for this recipe?

Yes! Just make sure to fully thaw the wings before seasoning and baking for the best texture and even cooking.

What does the baking powder do in this recipe?

Baking powder helps dry out the skin surface and promotes browning, resulting in extra crispy wings without deep frying.

Can I make the garlic Parmesan sauce ahead of time?

You can prepare the garlic butter sauce in advance, but I recommend warming it gently before tossing with the hot wings to refresh the flavors and texture.

How spicy is this Garlic Parmesan Chicken Wings Recipe?

This recipe is savory and garlicky but mild in heat. If you want more spice, add crushed red pepper flakes or cayenne powder to the dry rub or sprinkle on top before serving.

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re serving a crowd or craving a cozy night in, this Garlic Parmesan Chicken Wings Recipe never fails to deliver crispy, flavorful results that everyone loves. Don’t be afraid to make it your own with garnishes and sides—comfort food is all about joy and sharing. Happy cooking!