Baked Spicy Honey Chicken Wings

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Baked Spicy Honey Chicken Wings are sweet and spicy in every bite. The sweet and sticky honey glaze, added in the last 5 minutes, perfectly complements the bold spice mix and takes these wings to new heights  

This post and recipe card updated February 1, 2020

When I began the blog, I created main course dishes almost exclusively. I eventually added side dishes, and appetizers came next. Spinach and Bacon Stuffed Mushrooms was my first appetizer and a huge favorite with my friends. And Pigs in an Everything Blanket takes the traditional up several notches.

Chicken wings are also high on my appetizer favorite list. For years, I bought pre-seasoned wings at the grocery store. Honestly, I never even knew that you could even buy raw wings at the grocery store until a couple of years ago. Yes, I realize that’s embarrassing to admit.

Years ago I discovered a delicious recipe for spicy honey chicken. I made it a few times, loved it, and then completely forgot about it for years. Story of my life. So in the spirit of appetizers, I adapted the recipe to create Baked Spicy Honey Chicken Wings

WHY THIS RECIPE WORKS

• The seasoning adds incredible flavor to the wings
• Baking the wings saves calories, and the only oil you need is a little drizzle
• The honey glaze is the perfect finishing touch

Oh my goodness, these Baked Spicy Honey Chicken Wings are so delicious. As soon as I opened the oven, the gorgeous smells reminded me why I love these flavors so much. 

TIPS FOR THE PERFECT BAKED SPICY HONEY CHICKEN WINGS

I always assumed that fried was the only option for chicken wings. But once I learned about baked wings I was sold. Less fat, fewer calories. Yes, it takes longer to cook, but it’s worth the wait.

You can buy raw wings either fresh or frozen. I prefer to buy frozen because the wings are meatier. The frozen package usually says to cook the wings from frozen, but for this recipe, I thaw the wings because the seasoning sticks better.

To thaw frozen chicken wings, place them in an airtight container in the fridge overnight.

I like to use avocado oil to drizzle on the raw wings, but you could use canola oil or vegetable oil. You don’t need much, just enough to help the seasoning adhere to the chicken.

Do NOT add the honey glaze until the last 5 minutes of cooking, or the honey will burn. Cooked honey = good. Burnt honey = bad.

Drizzle the honey glaze onto the wings…do not brush it on, or you’ll lose the gorgeous seasoning. The wings will sizzle when you add the honey glaze, but that sizzle means flavor!

STEP BY STEP INSTRUCTIONS

Preheat oven to 385 degrees. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil. Place a baking rack on top of the sheet, and spray the rack well with cooking spray.

In a bowl, combine the seasoning mix: chili powder, paprika, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, and salt. Mix to combine and set aside.

Pat wings dry with paper towels and add to a large bowl. Drizzle in oil and toss to lightly coat the wings

Add the seasoning mix to a large Ziploc bag. Add chicken pieces in batches, seal the bag, and shake well to coat.

Place wings on the baking rack, leaving a little space between each wing so they have room to cook properly. Allow the wings to rest for at least 10 minutes, up to 30 minutes.

Bake wings for 40 minutes.

While wings cook, add honey to a small microwave-safe bowl. Heat the honey for 20 seconds to make it easier to stir. Add the vinegar and stir well.

Drizzle the wings with the honey mixture. Do not brush the honey on, or you’ll lose the seasoning! Cook for another 5 minutes

FINISHING TOUCHES FOR BAKED SPICY HONEY CHICKEN WINGS

I finish Baked Spicy Honey Chicken Wings with a final drizzle of honey right before serving. This is an optional step, but it is glorious.

I serve Baked Spicy Honey Chicken Wings with Coconut Milk Ranch Dressing. It tastes as good, if not better, than regular ranch, and you know exactly what’s in it.

For best results, I recommend eating Baked Spicy Honey Chicken Wings as quickly as possible. I let them rest about 2-3 minutes, but then I dive right in. Baked Spicy Honey Chicken Wings are great to make for a crowd, for lunch, or even just an afternoon snack.

MORE DELICIOUS CHICKEN WING RECIPES

• Old Bay Chicken Wings
• Grilled Honey Bourbon Chicken Wings
• Fried Asian Chicken Wings

MORE DELICIOUS APPETIZERS

• Hot Muffaletta Sliders
• Homemade Pimiento Cheese
• Crispy Baked Egg Rolls
• Bacon Wrapped Chicken Meatballs

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