The Best Chicken Wings Ever
These Honey Chipotle Chicken Wings are hands down the best wings I’ve ever tasted. They’re the perfect balance of sweet and savory, with a crispy, spicy exterior and an incredibly tender, juicy inside. The flavor is unmatched, thanks to a secret ingredient in the barbecue sauce—but more on that in a moment. Grilling these wings elevates them to a whole new level, but don’t worry if you don’t have a grill. These spicy, buffalo-style wings will still be absolutely amazing whether fried in oil or baked in the oven.
Grilling, Frying or Baking
As I last mentioned, this chicken wing recipe can be cooked the way you prefer. this means, if grilling isn’t your thing, and you’d rather bake, deep or air fry, be my guest. The real important ingredient for the overall flavor comes down to the sauce. Because this is a grilled chicken wing recipe, however, let me give you a few tips for each.
Brining is Key
Brining chicken wings for just one hour makes a world of difference, no matter how you cook them—grilling, baking, or deep-frying. The brine infuses the meat with moisture and seasoning, ensuring the wings stay juicy and flavorful even at high cooking temperatures. For grilling, brining helps prevent the wings from drying out over the flames. When baked, the added moisture keeps the interior tender while achieving a crisp exterior. And for deep-frying, brined wings cook evenly and develop a beautifully crispy, golden crust without sacrificing any juiciness. It’s a simple step that guarantees mouthwatering results and it’s only salt and water.
Grilling Tips
Grilling chicken wings over direct flame is the key to achieving that irresistible char and smoky flavor. Preheat your grill to medium heat. To prevent sticking, I like to oil the wings first but you can oil the grill instead, if you prefer. Place the wings directly over the flame, keeping a close eye to avoid flare-ups. Turn them frequently to cook evenly and achieve a perfect crisp on all sides. Do NOT add the sauce until the wings have been cooked all the way through and removed from the grill. For best results, I demonstrate my method from start to finish in the video tutorial down below.
Baking or Air Frying
If you’re cooking the wings in the oven or an air fryer, you can still achieve deliciously crispy results. For the oven, bake the wings on a wire rack at 400°F, turning them halfway through to ensure even crispness. In the air fryer, set the temperature to 375°F and cook in small batches, shaking the basket or flipping the wings halfway for that golden, crispy exterior. Both methods lock in the flavor while keeping the wings tender and juicy on the inside, making them a great alternative if you don’t have a grill.
Deep Frying
The quickest way to achieve ultra-crispy skin and juicy, tender meat is to Deep fry the Chicken Wings. Heat your oil to 375°F and fry the wings in small batches to maintain a consistent temperature. The hot oil creates a perfectly golden crust while sealing in the moisture, giving the wings that classic restaurant-quality texture. Once they’re fried, toss them in your favorite sauce while they’re still hot to ensure every bite is packed with flavor. Deep frying is a foolproof method for crowd-pleasing wings!
Honey Chipotle Chicken Wings Sauce
This Chicken Wing Sauce is phenomenal. I mean it. It’s fantastic. My secret for this recipe is definitely in the sauce. I use Sweet Baby Ray’s barbecue sauce to start, then I add a couple of Chipotle peppers in Adobo Sauce and a fresh clove of Garlic but it doesn’t end there. Since it’s got that pepper spice I balance it out with Tequila and Lime. Now, of course, the Tequila is optional but the lime is definitely essential because it adds that Mexican style flavor everyone loves in their Mexican food. But if you’re not shy, I highly recommend following this recipe to a “T” and add that Tequila. It takes this Honey Chipotle Chicken Wing Sauce to whole new level.
Be sure to check out my Wasabi Chicken Wings and my Ranch Chicken Wings!
Ingredients for Honey Chipotle Chicken Wings:
- 3 to 4 lbs Chicken Wings – Fresh or thawed, separated into flats and drumettes.
Chicken Wing Brine:
- 4 cups Water – For the brine base.
- 1/4 cup Salt – To help the wings retain moisture.
- 2 cups Ice – To cool the brine quickly.
Honey Chipotle Sauce:
- 1 cup BBQ Sauce (Sweet Baby Ray’s) – Adds sweetness and richness.
- 2 Chipotle Peppers in Adobo Sauce, blended – For smoky, spicy heat.
- 1 Garlic Clove, chopped – For extra savory depth.
- 1/3 cup Honey – To balance the spice with sweetness.
- 2 oz Tequila – Adds tang and complexity to the sauce.
- 1 Lime, freshly squeezed – For a bright, zesty kick.
Grill Instructions:
Grill chicken wings over medium heat for 20 minutes, turning every 5 minutes for even cooking and a perfect crispy finish.
Recommendations
Grills, Deep Fryers, Air Fryers, Mixing Bowls, Pots and Pans