March Madness is here, and that means one thing: it’s time to gather with friends, cheer for your favorite teams, and enjoy some incredible game-day snacks. If you’re looking for the perfect dish to impress your guests, these Cowboy Butter Ranch Chicken Wings are a slam dunk. Crispy, flavorful, and paired with a rich, tangy cowboy butter ranch, these wings are the ultimate addition to your game-day spread.
Why Cowboy Butter Ranch Chicken Wings?
When it comes to game-day food, wings are a classic choice. They’re easy to eat, customizable with different flavors, and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. But these Cowboy Butter Ranch Wings take things to the next level. They combine the rich, buttery goodness of cowboy butter with the cool, creamy tang of homemade ranch dressing. The result? A flavor explosion that perfectly balances heat, tang, and crunch.
The Secret Behind the Flavor
The key to these wings lies in the seasoning and frying process. We start by marinating the wings in a buttermilk and egg mixture, which keeps them tender and juicy. Then, we coat them in a crispy panko and flour mixture seasoned with Kinder’s Cowboy Butter seasoning. This adds depth to every bite, ensuring that the wings are packed with flavor even before they hit the fryer.
Once golden brown and crispy, they’re paired with homemade cowboy butter ranch, a creamy and zesty dipping sauce with fresh herbs and a kick of spice.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Cowboy Butter Ranch
1/4 cup butter (melted)
2 garlic cloves (minced)
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
Juice of 1 lemon
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon chili oil
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup sour cream
1/4-1/2 cup buttermilk (adjust for desired consistency)
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 tablespoon fresh dill (chopped)
1 tablespoon fresh parsley (chopped)
1 tablespoon chives
Salt and black pepper to taste
Chicken Wings
For Frying
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Cowboy Butter Ranch
The first step in making these wings is preparing the Cowboy Butter Ranch. This sauce is an incredible blend of butter, garlic, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, and spices, mixed with a traditional ranch base for extra creaminess.
Melt the butter and mix it with minced garlic, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, paprika, and chili oil.
In a separate bowl, combine the mayonnaise, sour cream, and buttermilk. Adjust the buttermilk to reach your desired consistency.
Add garlic powder, onion powder, fresh dill, parsley, and chives.
Stir in the melted butter mixture and season with salt and black pepper.
Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to let the flavors meld together.

Step 2: Prep the Chicken Wings
For crispy wings, we use a wet-to-dry coating method.
In a bowl, whisk together buttermilk and an egg.
In another bowl, mix panko flakes, flour, and Kinder’s Cowboy Butter seasoning.
Dip each wing into the buttermilk mixture, then coat it in the dry mix, ensuring it’s evenly covered.

Step 3: Fry to Perfection
For the ultimate crunch, deep-fry the wings in peanut oil heated to 350-375°F.
Heat the oil in a deep fryer or a large pot. Use a thermometer to maintain the right temperature.
Fry the wings in batches, ensuring they don’t overcrowd the pan.
Cook for about 8-10 minutes, or until they reach a golden-brown color and an internal temperature of 165°F.
Remove from oil and let them rest on a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.

Step 4: Serve and Enjoy
Now comes the best part—serving these crispy, juicy wings with Cowboy Butter Ranch on the side. Garnish with fresh herbs and extra lemon wedges for an extra touch of flavor.
Pro Tips for Perfect Wings
Use fresh wings – Fresh, high-quality chicken wings will yield the best results. If using frozen wings, ensure they are completely thawed and patted dry before coating.
Don’t skip the buttermilk marinade – Buttermilk tenderizes the wings and helps the coating stick.
Double dip for extra crunch – For an extra crispy texture, double-dip the wings in the buttermilk and dry mixture before frying.
Maintain the right oil temperature – Keeping the oil at 350-375°F ensures the wings fry evenly and don’t absorb too much oil.
Serve immediately – Wings are best enjoyed fresh and hot!
Pairing Suggestions
These Cowboy Butter Ranch Chicken Wings pair perfectly with:
Celery and Carrot Sticks – A fresh, crunchy contrast to the rich wings.
Loaded Nachos – Because no game-day spread is complete without nachos!
Cold Beer or Lemonade – A refreshing drink to balance the spice and richness of the wings.
Final Thoughts
March Madness is all about excitement, and these Cowboy Butter Ranch Chicken Wings bring that same level of energy to your snack table. Whether you’re hosting a big party or just enjoying the games with family, these wings are sure to be a crowd favorite.
So grab your ingredients, heat up that fryer, and get ready to indulge in crispy, buttery, ranch-dipped perfection!
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