Garlic parmesan wing sauce is a popular flavor for chicken wings and other foods. The sauce gets its name from two of its main ingredients – garlic and parmesan cheese. At its core, garlic parmesan wing sauce is made from just a few simple ingredients that can be easily tweaked to suit different tastes.
The Main Ingredients
The primary ingredients that go into making a basic garlic parmesan wing sauce are:
- Butter – The butter provides a rich, creamy base for the sauce.
- Garlic – Minced or pressed garlic adds a punch of savory, aromatic flavor.
- Grated Parmesan cheese – Finely grated parmesan gives the sauce a sharp, salty, nutty taste.
- Herbs – Oregano, parsley, and other dried Italian herb seasonings are commonly used.
In addition to these core components, garlic parmesan wing sauce recipes often also contain some of the following:
- Milk – For extra creaminess and richness.
- Mayonnaise – Can be used instead of or along with butter for thickness and tang.
- Spices – Black pepper, cayenne pepper, paprika add heat and flavor.
- Hot sauce – Small amounts of hot sauce bring a spicy kick.
- Lemon juice – Brightens up the other flavors.
The Basic Method
Making garlic parmesan wing sauce is simple and only takes about 5-10 minutes.
- Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat.
- Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Whisk in the grated parmesan cheese until melted and smooth.
- Stir in any optional ingredients like milk, mayo, spices, herbs, lemon juice, hot sauce, etc.
- Let the sauce simmer for 2-3 minutes to thicken up.
- Use immediately or transfer to a container and refrigerate until ready to use.
Serving Suggestions
Garlic parmesan wing sauce has a bold, savory flavor that pairs perfectly with chicken. Here are some of the most popular ways to use it:
- As a dip for fried or baked chicken wings
- Tossed with fried or grilled bone-in chicken pieces
- Drizzled over chicken tenders or nuggets
- Served alongside chicken cutlets or chops
- Used as a topping for chicken pizza
- Added to breadcrumbs or batter for chicken
The sauce also works nicely with other white meats like pork chops, fish fillets, shrimp, etc. For a vegetarian option, it can be tossed with cauliflower florets before roasting. Garlic parmesan wing sauce adds instant flavor in any of these applications!
Variations
One of the great things about garlic parmesan wing sauce is how customizable it is. You can tweak the recipe in any number of ways to create your own signature version. Some variations to try include:
- Lemon garlic parmesan – Add extra lemon juice and zest for brightness.
- Spicy garlic parmesan – Stir in chopped jalapenos or hot sauce for heat.
- Ranch garlic parmesan – Mix in ranch seasoning and dill.
- Blue cheese garlic parmesan – Swap in crumbled blue cheese for a twist.
- Bacon garlic parmesan – Cook chopped bacon first for a smoky touch.
- Creamy garlic parmesan – Use mayo and milk for extra richness.
Don’t be afraid to experiment with different cheeses, herbs, spices, citrus, vegetables, etc. The possibilities are endless for customizing garlic parmesan wing sauce!
Storage Tips
To get the most out of your batch of homemade garlic parmesan wing sauce:
- Store in an airtight container in the fridge for 5-7 days.
- Let sauce come to room temperature before tossing with hot wings or other items.
- Sauce may separate, just stir before using.
- Add a splash of milk or water when reheating to thin out.
- Can be frozen for longer storage. Thaw in fridge before using again.
Conclusion
With just a few pantry staples, you can whip up a flavorful garlic parmesan wing sauce in minutes. Feel free to play around with different ingredient combinations. Once you have a basic recipe down, the options for customizing it to your tastes are endless. This versatile and easy sauce will be your new go-to flavor boost for chicken, vegetables, and more!