Meal planning just got much easier — these sweet and flavorful oven-baked chicken wings make a great simple and delicious meal.

Meal planning has always stressed me out — there’s just too much to do every day and meal planning ends up at the bottom of the list. Aside from the fact that I’m busy, I absolutely dread it. 

Every time I meal plan, I tend to pick the same recipes, and they are getting very, very old. Whenever I try to spice things up and find new recipes, they become super complicated and time-consuming. I don’t have the time for that — with work and five boys to feed, well, six including my husband, it gets rough.

But a couple of months ago, I hit my breaking point. I needed something new and easy — something everyone would love. That’s when I accidentally created this recipe — it was the perfect solution — and, luckily, a hit! 

These wings are to die for. The elderberry barbecue sauce is so deliciously sweet and addicting. I really could snack on these wings all day long.

Before I keep going on and on about how amazing these wings are, I want to share with you how this recipe was born. 

From Game Day to Every Day

It all started on Super Bowl Sunday. All six guys were set up in our living room to watch this long-awaited football game. I made them lots of snacks, but the one thing I was struggling to come up with was a main dish. They needed more than snacks, I mean, where’s the protein, right?

Fast food chicken wings would be an easy option, but I couldn’t stomach all the junk in them. That’s when it hit me — I could make homemade chicken wings. I decided to bake the wings on a sheet pan and coat them in my homemade elderberry barbecue sauce. 

As soon as I pulled that pan out of the oven, I could tell by the sweet smell that they would be so good. In fact, the boys ate these so fast, they haven’t asked for other wings since.

I loved them too. They were crispy, tender, sweet, smoky and packed with amazing flavor. What’s so wonderful about these chicken wings is that they are so easy to make. They definitely earned a spot in my meal planner. It has quickly become a weeknight dinner favorite. 

Here’s Why I Use Elderberry

I could use good old plain barbecue sauce in this recipe, but I found a far better (and healthier) option. One that has such a unique and delicious taste and benefits our health. This is why I make homemade elderberry barbecue sauce.

Here are just a few of the astounding benefits:

• Immune-Boosting Powerhouse: The flavonoids, antioxidants and vitamins help fight off nasty colds and sickness — and can shorten the duration of any bugs or illness you may be battling. 

• Natural Anti-Inflammatory: Flavonoids do much more than aid in immunity; they can also help eliminate inflammation and reduce swelling. 

• Gut-Friendly Goodness: Elderberries contain fibers and prebiotics that aid in maintaining a healthy gut and support digestion. 

• Promotes Heart Health: This superfood has been known to help support healthy cholesterol and blood pressure levels, which can improve your heart health. 

Who wouldn’t want all these awesome benefits?! Adding this wellness and immune-boosting superfood to my sauce gives it such a wonderful flavor; it’s a win-win! 

I recommend making the sauce beforehand so you have minimal prep and easy cleanup while making these chicken wings — grab the sauce recipe here!

The Dream Team Behind These Wings

Here are the ingredients you will need to make these crispy, saucy and savory chicken wings.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of Smoky & Sweet Elderberry BBQ Sauce

• 4 lbs. of chicken wings

• 2 tbsp of baking powder

• ¾ tsp of salt

• ½ tsp of black pepper

• 1 tsp paprika

• 1 tsp garlic powder

These super simple ingredients will make you run to the grocery store quickly, or you might find that you already have everything in your pantry. These ingredients work together to create some addictive chicken wings. 

Step-By-Step Instructions 

Now, let’s get these irresistible chicken wings in the oven. Trust me, once you smell them baking, you’ll count the minutes until they hit your plate! Follow these simple steps to get that perfect balance of crispy, juicy and flavor-packed goodness.

Crispy, juicy, perfectly seasoned and coated in a heavenly elderberry barbecue sauce — I bet you’re pretty hungry right now. Dig in and enjoy these wonderfully savory wings. 

The Best Sides to Pair With Your Wings

I think we all can agree that these elderberry barbecue chicken wings are the star of the show, but they deserve some sidekicks. 

These wings are fantastic on their own, but having some delicious sides to pair them with can up your game. 

Here are some sides that pair well with these savory wings:

• Potato wedges

• Coleslaw

• French fries

• Salad

• Cornbread

• Baked beans

The possibilities are endless, and the best part? You can mix and match based on what you're craving. Want something crispy? Go for potato wedges or fries. Need a fresh and tangy contrast? Coleslaw or a crisp salad is perfect. Dig into cornbread or baked beans — the ultimate comfort foods. You can’t go wrong with any of these sides.

Leftovers? Here’s How to Store Them

In my house, we never have leftovers when it comes to these wings — honestly, I need to start stashing some away for myself.

If you’re lucky enough to have some of these delicious wings left over, it’s easy to store them. Put them in an airtight glass container and place them in the refrigerator — they will stay good for up to three days. You can enjoy them all over again.

Grab Some Elderberry Syrup

This elderberry barbecue sauce is best made with high-quality elderberry syrup, which is wonderful for your health. If that’s what you’re looking for, you’re in the right place. 

Here at Elderberry Queen, we pride ourselves in providing clean, wholesome and USDA organic elderberry syrup — because you deserve the best. 

Shop here to get a bottle of our elderberry syrup — when you buy our syrup, you’re also investing in your health.

So go ahead, grab a bottle, fire up the oven and get ready to enjoy wings that are not only delicious but also packed with wholesome goodness.