If there’s an appetizer my husband loves, it’s wings! He’s always up for chicken wings but rather than making the same old recipe, I like trying different flavors. Besides, why limit it to the usual buffalo sauce or BBQ sauce? With a Cinco de Mayo theme to work with for my birthday fiesta, I prepared these Spicy Lime & Honey Wings for my menu and they sure didn’t last long…
I came across this recipe from Food Network. These wings have that great sweet and spicy flavor from the honey and adobo sauce used in the marinade. The original recipe called for tequila and agave nectar. Instead, I omitted the tequila and doubled the lime juice and used honey in place of the agave nectar. Also, I added some freshly minced garlic to the chicken for more flavor. I thought the baking time for the chicken was a bit long so I decreased it by 15 minutes since the chicken would be cooked a second time on the grill. Despite all the changes I made to the original recipe, the chicken came out really well and was one of the first things eaten up off our menu!
recipe adapted from Guy Fieri
Chicken:
3 pounds chicken wings/chicken drummettes
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper3 cloves minced garlic
2 tablespoons olive oil
Sauce:
1 teaspoon grated lime zest
1 cup fresh lime juice
1/4 cup honey
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon adobo sauce (from a can of chipotle peppers in adobo sauce – optional)
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
Chopped fresh cilantro, for garnish (optional)
To prepare the wings on the grill: Preheat a grill to high. Grill the wings until marked, 10 to 15 minutes, turning as needed. Transfer the marinade to a saucepan and cook until slightly thick, about 8 minutes (you can do this on the grill as well). Drizzle the wings with the sauce and top with cilantro, if desired.
If you don’t have a grill, you can use a grill pan indoors, bake them in the oven or saute in a little butter in a skillet until warmed through.
Oh man, these just sing to my soul! Delish!
I have some turkey wings that I'll try with this recipe. thanks!
My mom would love these wings. Goodness!!! The photo is fantastic.
YUM! These look so fantastic! I have got to try them!
hubby would love these!
What can I say? I lurve everything that goes into these wings and as for the photo, well, truly scrumptious!
Greetings from Gibraltar.
bri_in_gib
Lucky hubby, those look spectacular! The photo came up in my google reader and I wanted to reach out and grab one…they look delicious!
Hi Joelen
I don't have a grill, can I bake these wings in the oven.
It's breakfast and I want these!! YUM!!
mouthwatering, just can't wait to make one for my wife!
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Can you please clarify these instructions? So I bake them first for 30 minutes and then grill them? Or, pick one of the 2 methods?
Just to check… In the make ahead/freezer version, you add chicken and sauce together and freeze. I noticed you said to let wings cool first. Does that mean I bake them before putting them in the freezer, or simply throw it all together in a bag, freeze, thaw, and bake? Thank you for any help!! 🙂
Confused as well.
Christine/Michelle – you can cook the chicken either in the oven OR grill them. I provided instructions for both options.
Kmer – I've updated the directions for a freezer meal. Simply place the chicken and marinade in a freezer bag and freeze. Defrost and cook either in the oven or on the grill.
So you do not cook the wings first if you are going to freeze them?
I made a version of these for a large group – they went over very well!