02 Sep Fox 8 Recipe Box: Homegrown Honey Chicken Wings

Originally Published September 2014 – Copyright Fox 8 Cleveland / Tribune Broadcasting Company

Kimberly McCune Gibson is the chef and owner of Hungry Bee Catering. In honor of September being National Honey Month, Kimberly shared a delicious recipe for chicken wings using honey, apple cider and apples. The daughter of a beekeeper, Kimberly also shared some ‘bee’ insights with Fox 8’s Kristi Capel.

Chef Gibson’s Homegrown Honey Chicken Wings

12 skin-on chicken drumsticks
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
2 cups local apple cider
1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
1 tbsp McCune Family Apiary honey
Grated zest of 1 lemon
1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
2 teaspoons sesame seeds (optional)
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
1 apple minced

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Set a wire rack on a rimmed baking sheet. Put the drumsticks on the rack and season both sides generously with salt and pepper. Bake 30 minutes; flip the drumsticks and continue baking until golden and crisp, about 30 more minutes.

Meanwhile, make the sauce:

Bring the apple cider, vinegar, soy sauce, honey, lemon zest, red pepper flakes and a pinch of salt to a high simmer in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook until the sauce is syrupy and coats the back of a spoon, 20 to 25 minutes. Set aside until the chicken is done.

Stir the minced apple into the sauce,  and warm over medium heat, if necessary. Transfer the chicken to a large bowl. Add the sauce and butter and toss to coat. Season with salt and pepper. Transfer the chicken to a platter and drizzle with any remaining sauce from the bowl.