The Best Winger’s Sticky Finger Copycat Recipe

Winger’s is a family favorite restaurant loved by all! All loyal restaurant customers of theirs know about their winger’s sticky fingers and the sticky sauce that covers the chicken tenders. But now you can learn how to make one of their signature sauces right in the comfort of your own home with our copycat recipe!

If you are not sure what to make for dinner tonight then let me suggest one of our family favorites. Winger’s Sticky Fingers and their amazing sauce.

I first discovered Winger’s when I lived in Utah. But it can also be found in Wyoming, Nevada, Idaho and Oregon. Next time you are in one of those states you should definitely see if they have a restaurant near you. If you’ve never been here, you’re really missing out. It’s a typical, casual restaurant, but their signature item is their sticky fingers.

The sticky finger sauce packs a good amount of natural smoke flavor and sweetness, and they are seriously finger-lickin’ good.

Really, I don’t think anyone would judge you too harshly if they saw you doing that (well, I wouldn’t. And isn’t it just my opinion that counts?! Just kidding.)

Since I love them so much and I can’t just go to a Winger’s restaurant when I want to, I had to come up with a copy cat recipe to use. And it has turned out to be one my go-to great recipes .

What is a Sticky Finger?

A sticky finger is a chicken tender or chicken strip that is crispy and crunchy and covered with an amazing sweet and spicy sauce. 

What is the best chicken to use?

I saw that my friend, Amber, had posted a recipe for sticky fingers on her blog, and it sounded pretty great. However, when I went to make it, I realized that she had said to use frozen, breaded chicken fingers. And, unfortunately for me, I didn’t have any of those. So I decided to just make my own, and it still turned out amazing. Thus why I call this, a better-than-sticky fingers recipe. Which makes them just a little bit better than the restaurant version but still has its authentic flavor.

But if you are in a hurry or prefer to use frozen chicken then you can use any Frozen Crispy Chicken Fingers. If you have an air fryer you can crisp them up a bit which would make them extra crispy and delicious. Or you could deep fry the chicken fingers, too! It’s really up to you and what you prefer.

And if you are in a pinch, be sure to head over to Amber’s blog for instructions on how to use the frozen chicken fingers instead of homemade ones…I’m positive they are still delicious!

How do you eat Winger’s Sticky Fingers?

This is making hungry just thinking about it. This is a great meal to enjoy watching a sporting game, game nights, a party or just for a regular family dinner. Even a picky eater will enjoy this copycat recipe.

Most people enjoy eating them with a side of ranch dressing, which is something they will sometimes do at Winger’s, but it’s not the sauce they cook the chicken fingers in.

However, we think it is the perfect tangy addition and what put these sticky fingers over the top. Feel free to omit it if you don’t like ranch/can’t have it…but, I highly suggest you don’t! Blue Cheese would also be fabulous.

What else you can you use the sauce for?

This sauce can be used for other recipes in a really great way. It doesn’t have to be just for chicken fingers. You can always set some aside for later and use it for salads, dippings, chicken nuggets, eggs, chicken wings, quesadillas- anything that sounds good!

How to make Winger’ Sticky Chicken Fingers and Sauce

Ingredients

• 10 skinless, boneless chicken breasts
• Salt
• Pepper
• 2 cup buttermilk
• 2 1/4 teaspoons garlic powder
• 3 eggs, beaten
• 2-3 cups plain bread crumbs
• 2 teaspoon baking powder
• 2 1/3 cups brown sugar
• 10 tbsp Frank Buffalo Sauce sauce
• 6 tbsp water
• 1/2 cup ranch dressing

Equipment Needed

• Plastic Bag
• Various bowls
• Oven
• Half Sheet Pan

Instructions

1. Breaded Chicken Fingers
2. Cut chicken breasts into long strips, about 2-inches wide (about 5 inches long). Each breast should make about three chicken strips.
3. Season the chicken strips with salt and pepper.
4. In a large, gallon sized bag, place buttermilk, eggs and garlic powder. Put chicken strips in, seal, and shake (I recommend using two bags). Place in refrigerator for about two hours.
5. Preheat oven to 375.
6. Place bread crumbs in a large dish (start with 2 cups, add more if needed later on)
7. Remove chicken from the refrigerator.
8. Taking one piece at a time, shake off the excess milk, and cover in bread crumbs. Place on a greased cookie sheet.
9. Repeat until all chicken is coated.
10. Bake for about 15 minutes, or until chicken is no longer pink.
11. Dip chicken in sticky fingers sauce and cover completely.
12. Sticky Fingers Sauce
13. Put the brown sugar, hot sauce, and water into a sauce pan, and bring to a boil over medium heat.
14. Let boil about five minutes, stirring the whole time.
15. Remove from heat, and let sit for about 1 minute.
16. Mix in ranch dressing.

What if I don’t have buttermilk?

You can make buttermilk at home by adding 1 Tablespoon of lemon juice to 1 cup of cows milk and letting it sit for about five minutes.

What brand of hot sauce should I use?

I prefer to use Frank’s Hot Sauce. But if you would like to use something different you always can- just make sure it’s a buffalo sauce otherwise it won’t taste like the winger’s sticky sauce.

What brand of ranch dressing should I use?

Just use whatever is on sale at the store of your choice. Just use whatever is your favorite and you know it will be good.

Other Copycat Recipes You May Enjoy:

• Copycat Applebee’s Spinach Artichoke Dip
• Olive Garden Five Cheese Marinara
• Copycat Taco Bell Mexican Pizza