Betty White's Secret to the Best Sweet and Sticky Chicken Wings, Just in Time for Football Season

Published on October 4, 2025

The origins of Betty White's Chicken Pacific recipe aren't well-documented, but it's thought to have started with whole chicken breasts baked in a sweet, sticky sauce. Over time, the recipe has evolved into a party appetizer made with chicken wings for the perfect sweet-meets-savory bite. We put the dish to the test in the Better Homes & Gardens Test Kitchen and fell in love with the flavorful sauce. Here's why Betty's easy app deserves a spot on your next game day spread.

How to Make Betty White's Chicken Wings

Here's a quick overview of how to make them.

1. Make a marinade for the chicken using butter, brown sugar, soy sauce, garlic, and dry mustard. Cook the marinade until the butter and sugar melt, then cool completely. While the marinade cools, place 3 lbs. of chicken wings into a shallow baking dish.
2. Pour the cooled marinade over the chicken and let marinate in the fridge for at least 2 hours, turning occasionally.
3. Bake the chicken in the same pan for about an hour and a half. Drain and serve with your favorite dipping sauce.

Tips for Making Chicken Wings at Home

We loved Betty's recipe as written, but here are a few tips for making it your own.

• Marinate overnight. Instead of the minimum 2-hour marinate time, try letting the chicken wings soak overnight for a richer, more caramelized flavor.
• Prep the pan. For easy cleanup, line the baking dish with foil before adding the chicken and sauce.
• Garnish. Betty didn't include garnishes in her original recipe, but our recipe tasters felt the wings would be delicious with a sprinkle of sliced green onions, fresh cilantro, or sesame seeds on top. A squeeze of fresh lime juice would be delicious as well.
• Make it a meal. Serve the wings over rice (for soaking up all the sticky sweet sauce) with a side of steamed broccoli for a chicken dinner everyone will love.
• Add spice. If you like a bit of heat, add sriracha, crushed red pepper flakes, or chili paste to the marinade.
• Go vegan. The marinade for this recipe is also delicious on roasted cauliflower or cubed tofu. Just be sure to use a vegan butter alternative in the sauce.

The Verdict on Betty White's Chicken Wing Recipe

We loved these wings, especially the tender chicken paired with the sticky sauce. Our two biggest recommendations: choose a low-sodium soy sauce and allow the marinade to thicken up before removing it from the heat. This ensures the finished wing sauce is the right texture without being too salty. If you want to try a nostalgic alternative to buffalo chicken wings, this retro recipe will be a total crowd-pleaser.