Baked Chicken Wings with Roasted Jalapeño Alabama White Sauce

Tangy, peppery Alabama white sauce turns classic chicken wings into a crave-worthy Southern favorite. This unique twist on Alabama white sauce made with the addition of roasted jalapeños is inspired by one of my favorite restaurants, Helen in Birmingham, Alabama. They serve the sauce slathered over smoked beef ribs where I pair it with more approachable chicken wings. Tender oven-baked chicken wings meet tangy Alabama white sauce for a creamy barbecue classic that’s bold, unexpected, and completely irresistible. For a more traditional sauce recipe try, this fried chicken sandwich with Alabama white sauce. For a full Southern-inspired spread, try serving these wings alongside fried green tomatoes with comeback sauce and one-pot pimento mac and cheese.

Key Ingredients in This Recipe

Chicken wings – If you buy whole wings, split them at the joint into wingettes and drumsticks. Discard the wing tips or use them to make your own stock from scratch.
Baking powder – Tossing the wings in baking powder before letting them air dry raises the ph and promotes browning.
Kosher salt – Salt also helps dry out the skin of the wings while deeply seasoning them.
Jalapeños – The jalapeños are roasted, and the seeds are removed, adding a deep smoky flavor without an overpowering amount of spice.
Mayonnaise – Mayo makes up the base of Alabama white sauce.
Sour cream – A bit of sour cream balances the mayonnaise flavor while keeping the base of the sauce creamy.
Horseradish – This recipe uses prepared horseradish, which is actually made by grating the root vegetable, and combining it with vinegar and salt, to provide its signature sharp flavor.
Brown sugar – Brown sugar adds a bit of sweetness to balance the acidic flavors in the sauce.
Worcestershire – Worcestershire is made from a mix of vinegar, molasses, anchovies, garlic, tamarind extract and chili pepper. The fermented condiment adds a quick depth of flavor.
Lemon – Freshly squeezed lemon juice adds a bit of acidity without overpowering the sauce.
Apple cider vinegar – Apple cider vinegar gives this sauce its signature tangy flavor.
Dijon – A touch of Dijon mustard adds depth of flavor to the sauce.
Spices – A combination of onion powder and garlic powder are used to deepen the flavors of the sauce.

A full ingredient list with exact amounts can be found in the recipe card below.

Ways to Roast Jalapeños

Swaps and Substitutions

How to Make Baked Chicken Wings with Roasted Jalapeño Alabama White Sauce (Step-by-Step)

charred jalapeños on stove. — **Step 1: Char jalapeños.**
Char the jalapeños over a gas flame or in a broiler until blackened on all sides, about 6 minutes.

roasted jalapeños chopped on cutting board. — **Step 2: Steam and chop roasted jalapeños.** Enclose the charred chilies in a paper bag for 10 minutes. After roasting the jalapeños, carefully peel off the charred skin, being careful to keep the stem intact. Remove the stem and discard along with the seeds. Finely chop the jalapeños

blended alabama white sauce. — **Step 3: Blend Alabama white sauce.**
In the base of a blender combine the roasted jalapeños, mayonnaise, sour cream, lemon juice, Dijon, horseradish, Worcestershire sauce, apple cider vinegar, onion powder and garlic powder. Blend until smooth and season to taste with salt and pepper.

air dried chicken wings on baking rack with baking powder. — **Step 4: Dry wings.**
Toss the wings with the baking powder and salt. Place a wire rack inside a baking sheet. Arrange the wings in an even single layer and refrigerate, uncovered, overnight.

crispy baked chicken wings. — **Step 5: Bake chicken wings.**
Heat oven to 400ºF (200ºC) and bake until the wings are cooked through, about 35 minutes. Heat the oven to broil on high. Broil the wings until golden brown and crispy, about 3 minutes on each side.

baked chicken wings tossed in roasted jalapeño alabama white sauce. — **Step 6: Toss wings and serve.**
Remove to a large bowl and toss with the Alabama white sauce. Serve immediately.

FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions

What is Alabama white sauce?

Alabama white sauce is a mayonnaise-based barbecue sauce made with vinegar, black pepper, and a touch of sugar. It’s traditionally served with smoked chicken and originated in northern Alabama. I add roasted jalapeños for a deeper flavor.

Can I make the sauce ahead of time?

Yes. The sauce can be made up to 3 days in advance and stored in the refrigerator. In fact, the flavor improves as it sits.

Do I toss the wings in the sauce or serve it on the side?

Either works! I like to lightly toss the wings just before serving but the sauce can also be kept on the side so guests can dip.

Can I fry or grill these wings instead of baking?

Yes! Fried, grilled or smoked wings work very well and still pair perfectly with the tangy white sauce.

Are Alabama white sauce wings spicy?

They’re more tangy than spicy. You can add additional roasted jalapeños or cayenne if you want more heat.

How many chicken wings should I plan on per person?

I recommend planning about 4 wings per person as an appetizer and doubling it as an entrée.

How do I store leftovers?

Store leftover wings and sauce separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat wings in the oven or air fryer for best texture.

What should I serve with Alabama white sauce wings?

They pair well with celery, pickles, coleslaw, potato salad, or grilled vegetables.

Other Recipes to Try

If you enjoy these roasted jalapeño Alabama white sauce chicken wings I recommend giving these other recipes a try:

Thanks for cooking with me! If you made this recipe, leave a 🌟 rating and share your thoughts or tips below. I’d love to hear from you!