The Ultimate Sweet and Spicy Chicken Wings
Chicken wings are one of the most popular appetizers out there, and that’s for a good reason. They give you a blank slate to start, and whether you prefer sweet, salty, savory or spicy, you will find all of that here with these wings. These have quickly become one of my most requested appetizers because of the addictive sweet heat built into the glaze. It’s the perfect complement to crispy oven-baked wings, and when I say this checks every single box on the flavor spectrum, I mean it! Modify the spice level to your preference, but I highly recommend Sriracha with this for a truly next-level appetizer.
Yields6 - 8 whole chicken wings
Ingredients
- 2 pounds (907 g) whole chicken wings, separated into drums and flat
- 2 tablespoons (30 ml) olive oil
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 cup (60 ml) honey
- 1/4 cup (60 ml) soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons (30 ml) hot sauce, such as Sriracha or Tabasco® Pepper Sauce
- 1 tablespoon (15 ml) rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Chopped fresh cilantro, for garnishing
- Toasted sesame seeds, for garnishing
Instructions
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Preheat the oven to 400°F (204°C), and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
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In a large bowl, toss the wings with the olive oil to coat, and then season with the paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt and pepper. Mix well and make sure the wings are evenly coated. Arrange the wings on the baking sheet in a single layer. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until they turn golden brown and crispy.
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While the wings are baking, prepare the glaze. In a small saucepan, combine the honey, soy sauce, hot sauce, rice vinegar, ginger and garlic. Heat the mixture over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, for 15 minutes, or until it simmers and slightly thickens. After the initial baking time, remove the wings from the oven and generously brush them with the prepared glaze. Return them to the oven and bake for 7 to 10 minutes to allow the glaze to caramelize and create a sticky coating. The internal temperature should be 165 to 170°F (75 to 77°C).
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Remove the wings from the oven and let them rest for a moment. Sprinkle the cilantro over the top along with the toasted sesame seeds. Make sure to have plenty of napkins on hand.
Credit:
Reprinted with permission from How to Cook a Steak by Mike Alfarah. Page Street Publishing Co. 2024. Photo credit: Corey Wyckoff.
