Chipotle Chicken Wings

These Spicy and Sweet Baked Chipotle Chicken Wings are perfect for entertaining a crowd! They're sweet. They're spicy. They're finger-licking good!

Course Appetizer

Cuisine American

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 45

Total Time 1

Servings servings

Calories 351kcal

Author Oriana Romero

Equipment

Ingredients

4 lb (1.8 kg) chicken wings, thawed (halved at joints, wingtips discarded)
2 teaspoons cumin
1 1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt
1 tablespoon smoked paprika
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
2 tablespoons baking powder
2 tablespoons cilantro leaves to garnish (optional)
Lime wedges to serve (optional)

Chipotle Glaze:

7.5 oz (221 ml) Coca Cola (one small can)
4 chipotle peppers in abodo sauce, puréed (see notes)
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 cup (100 g) brown sugar
2 tablespoons (30 ml) soy sauce
1/2 teaspoon cornstarch dissolved in 1 teaspoon cold water

Instructions

Oven:

Preheat oven to 425º F (220º C). Line a baking sheet with foil. Place a wired rack on top and spray it with oil.
Pat dry the chicken wings with a paper towel. It's important to dry them REALLY well! This step will help you get rid of the extra moisture; the less moisture left in the skin, the crispier your wings will be!
Add the cumin, salt, paprika, black pepper, and baking powder in a gallon-sized bag. Shake the bag to combine. Add chicken wings and shake again to coat it evenly with the seasoning.
Place seasoned chicken over the wired rack and spray with oil.
Bake for 30 - 40 minutes, turning once, or until cooked throughand golden brown and crispy. Important Note: The total cook time will depend on the size of the wings but may take up to 1 hour.
When the chicken is cooked. Baste both sides of the chicken wings generously with the chipotle sauce and bake for 10 -15 minutes.
Garnish with cilantro, if using, and lime wedges. Serve hot.

Air Fryer:

Preheat the air fryer to 400º F (200º C). Spray the fry basket with cooking spray.
Pat dry the chicken wings with a paper towel. It's important to dry them REALLY well! This step will help you get rid of the extra moisture; the less moisture left in the skin, the crispier your wings will be!
Add the cumin, salt, paprika, black pepper, and baking powder in a gallon-sized bag. Shake the bag to combine. Add chicken wings and shake again to coat it evenly with the seasoning.
Arrange wings in an even layer, skin side up. Spray the top of the wings with cooking spray and air fry for 18-20 minutes, flipping halfway, until crispy, browned, and cooked through. Total cook time will depend on the size of the wings and air fryer but may take up to 25 minutes. You will need to do this in batches since the chicken wings must be arranged in a single layer for evenly cooked.
When all the batches are done, remove from air fryer allow to rest for 5 minutes before tossing in chipotle sauce.

Make the Chipotle Sauce:

Place a medium saucepan, over medium heat, add the Coca-Cola, puréed chipotles, onion powder, garlic powder, brown sugar, and soy sauce; mix to combine. Bring to a boil; reduce heat to low and simmer until reduced by half, about 15 minutes. Stir in cornstarch slurry and cook until thickened, about 2 minutes. Set aside.

Notes

IMPORTANT: Chicken wings must be thawed.

Baking Powder: use aluminum-free. Do NOT use Baking Soda!

Chipotle Peppers: You can use a small food processor to puree the chipotle peppers.

Storing and Freezing Instructions: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. For longer storage, freeze the wings in a freezer-safe bag, ensuring they're well-sealed to preserve freshness.

How to Reheat Chicken Wings:

Reheating baked chicken wings to maintain their crispiness and flavor is simple. Here's a step-by-step guide:

Oven Method:

Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C).
Place the baked chicken wings on a baking sheet, ensuring they are in a single layer.
Reheat in the preheated oven for about 10-15 minutes or until they reach the desired temperature.
If you want to retain or enhance crispiness, you can broil them for an additional 2-3 minutes, keeping a close eye to prevent burning.

Air Fryer Method:

The air fryer method is excellent for maintaining or even improving the crispiness of the wings.

Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
Arrange the wings in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
Reheat for 5-8 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through to ensure even heating.

Microwave Method (not my favorite for maintaining crispiness):

Keep in mind that this method may result in softer wings compared to the oven or air fryer methods.

Place the wings on a microwave-safe plate.
Microwave on medium power in 30-second intervals, checking and flipping the wings after each interval until they are heated through.

Recipe Tips

Perfect Crisp: Pat the wings dry before seasoning for an extra crispy texture.
Baste and Bake: Baste the wings generously with the chipotle glaze during baking for an irresistible glossy finish.
Swap Coca-Cola for cola alternatives or ginger beer.
For a Milder Kick, reduce the amount of chipotle peppers.

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Please note that nutritional information is a rough estimate, and it can vary depending on the products used.

Nutrition