Chipotle honey glazed chicken wings are a sweet and smoky appetizer that is perfect for game day or any potluck. The wings are seasoned with cumin and paprika and tossed in a honey chipotle glaze that so good everyone will be licking their fingers. Don’t be surprised when everyone asks you for the recipe. The best part is that you can use the same glaze on other baked and grilled chicken.
I wanted a smoky and spicy honey chicken wing recipe, so I just played around leftover chipotle peppers. There is something special about the combination of sweet and smoky and this recipe strikes the perfect balance. They’re great for game day, backyard gatherings, or those nights when you want something that feels special that you can make with one trip to the grocery store.
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Key Ingredients You'll Need
Most of what you need is probably already in your pantry, and if not, all you need is a quick grocery store run. Here’s what makes this recipe so tasty:
Chipotle peppers in adobo: This is what gives you that smoky heat without overwhelming spice. If you want less heat, use fewer peppers but keep the adobo sauce. There is where the smoky flavor lives.
Honey: Addes the sweetness to the glaze. Choose a good honey for this recipe. I like local honey, but any honey you like eating straight will work beautifully.
Apple cider vinegar: This cuts through the sweetness, brings a nice balance, and adds the tang that keeps these wings from being one-dimensional.
Smoked paprika: Enhances the smoky flavor from the chipotles. If you don’t have smoked paprika, regular paprika works.
Fresh lime juice: Like vinegar, the acid helps with the sweetness and helps cut through the fat in the wings. Limes are also great to pair with chipotle peppers.
Getting the Perfect Glaze Consistency
You only have a few options when it comes to wings, a spice rub, a marinade, or glaze. While you can use a combination of them at the same time this one makes use of a flavorful glaze. You want it thick enough to coat the wings but not so thick that it burns or starts to solidify. A food processor or powerful blender is your friend here to get a nice smooth sauce. If you don’t have access to one, try and mince the chipotle peppers as fine as possible.
You will only want to let the glaze boil over medium-high heat for a couple of minutes. This helps to remove the water from the sauce and concentrate the flavors. You will be able to tell if it is done when you can draw a line across the back of a metal spoon with your finger and if the line holds for over a second. You still want the glaze to move back down the back of the spoon.
What to Do with Chipotle Peppers
This recipe calls for a whole can of chipotle peppers for the glaze. However, if you would like to reduce the heat a little then you will want to remove some of the peppers before chopping. Since you will have some leftover peppers, here are some ideas on how to use them. They’re incredible in marinades for steak or pork, stirred into mac and cheese for smoky heat, or blended into mayo or ranch for a delicious sandwich spread. Store the leftover peppers and sauce in the fridge for up to a month.
Pro tip: Freeze individual peppers in ice cube trays with a little adobo sauce. Pop one out whenever you need smoky heat in soups, stews, or your next batch of wings.
Time Management Tips
These wings come together pretty quickly once you get going, but the good part is there are two distinct parts. Pat the wings dry, season, and then bake them. It is important to make sure you spray the baking rack to keep them from sticking. Once the wings are in the oven you have plenty of time to make the glaze and get everything else ready.
I normally enjoy salad with my wings; don’t ask why they just go together for me. But if you want some fries, or whatever other sides, this is the perfect time to get them ready. Once the glaze is done you can set it aside until the wings are ready and then toss them in a bowl to coat.
Pro tip: while ranch and blue cheese tend to be a go-to dipping sauce for chicken wings Caesar salad dressing makes the perfect pairing.
Building the Perfect Wing Meal
These chipotle honey wings pair beautifully with cooling sides that balance out the heat. Think creamy Baked Macaroni and Cheese for a comfort food side, or The Best Cornbread to soak up the heat from the glaze. If you want a salad like me, try them with my simple Greek Salad that is light and refreshing, also a bit cooling if your mouth is a bit on fire.
For game day or entertaining friends and family, set up a wing bar with different flavors alongside these. The Buffalo Chicken Sliders with Coleslaw make perfect companions along with my Tequila Lime Chicken Wings, Old Bay Buffalo Wings, Glazed Garlic and Honey Chicken Wings. Get creative and make it your own!
Drink Pairings That Work
The smoky sweetness of these wings calls for something that can either complement or cut through that richness. A cold IPA works well here. The bitterness from the hops balances the honey and spice. If you’re more of a bourbon person, then you can try it with a splash of soda water and lime.
For wine drinkers, go with something with a little spice or fruit like a Zinfandel or even an off dry Riesling can handle these wings without getting lost.
If you’re skipping alcohol, try a ginger beer with lime or even iced tea with a squeeze of fresh lemon. The goal is something refreshing that cleanses your palate between bites.
More Wings Worth Making
The best part about chicken wings is how customizable and versatile they are, try these other crowd pleasers that bring different flavors to the table. The Bourbon Glazed Chicken Wings take one of my favorite alcohols for cooks and makes these wings a perfect Southern snack. For classic wing lovers, the Old Bay Buffalo Wings have a simple twist from the standard Buffalo wings that will have you coming back for more.
The Glazed Garlic and Honey Chicken Wings offer a another sweeter wing but without the heat, while the Sweet and Spicy Gochujang Wings introduce Korean flavors that balance sweet and heat much like these chipotle honey glazed wings.
Chipotle Honey Glazed Chicken Wings Recipe
Equipment
- Lined baking sheet with baking rack
- Mixing Bowl
- Food processor
- Sauté pan
Ingredients
- 4 pounds chicken wings split into drums and flats
- ½ tablespoon garlic powder
- ½ tablespoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- ½ teaspoon salt
Glaze
- 7 ounces chipotle peppers 1 can
- ½ cup honey
- 2 tablespoons adobo sauce
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425°F, 220°C or gas mark 7. Spray the baking rack with cooking spray and place it in the foil lined sheet pan.
- In a mixing bowl add the wings, salt, pepper, cumin, and paprika. Mix until evenly coated. Place the wings on the baking rack and bake for 40 minutes.4 pounds chicken wings, ½ tablespoon garlic powder, ½ tablespoon smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon cumin, ½ teaspoon pepper, ½ teaspoon salt
- While the chicken is cooking, combine the chipotle peppers, adobo, honey, lime juice, and vinegar into a food processor and pulse until combined. Pour the sauce into a sauté pan.7 ounces chipotle peppers, ½ cup honey, 2 tablespoons adobo sauce, 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar, 1 tablespoon lime juice
- Over medium-high heat, bring the glaze to a boil and cook for 2-3 minutes until it has started to darken, reduce and thicken and remove from the heat.
- When the wings are done place into a large mixing bowl, pour the glaze over the wings and toss to coat evenly.
- Serve with Ceasar salad dressing or your favorite dipping sauce.
Notes
Nutrition
