Name: Best Chili Lime Wings
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Ingredients: 2 lbs Chicken Wings; 2 tablespoons Avocado Oil; 1 tablespoon Chili Lime Seasoning; 1/2 tablespoon Smoked Paprika; 1 teaspoon Onion Powder; 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder; 1 teaspoon Cumin; 1/2 teaspoon Cayenne; Pinch of salt (or to taste); Oil, for frying; 1 Serrano Pepper, sliced; 3 tablespoons Butter; 3 tablespoons Honey; 1/2 teaspoon Chili Flakes; Juice of 1 lime; Zest of half a lime; 1 tablespoon Chili Lime Seasoning; 1/2 tablespoon Smoked Paprika; 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder; 1 teaspoon Onion Powder

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Wings Wednesday just got a whole lot better with these Chili Lime Wings!! They are simple to make but packed with incredible flavor. I share instructions on how to make the best crispy wings drenched in a zesty chili lime sauce! Serve them as appetizers for your next party or enjoy them as a meal!

Craving more wing recipes? Try my Honey Butter Fried Chicken next!

squeezing fresh lime on a plate of chili lime wings

I never need any excuse to enjoy crispy chicken wings. Whether its game day, a celebration, or I need appetizers that feed a crowd, these Chili Lime Wings are my go-to!

The flavor is sweet from the honey, with the perfect bite of lime zest and savory chili. The flavor combination is a 10 out of 10! I shared these on Instagram and everyone went crazy.

Let’s get into how to make these Spicy and Sweet Chili Lime Wings!

Ingredients You’ll Need

For Frying The Chicken Wings

Chicken Wings- Make sure to wash and trim your wings
Avocado Oil- You can use any cooking oil you prefer. I like to use olive oil or avocado oil
Seasonings- Chili Lime Seasoning (or Chili Powder), Smoked Paprika, Cumin, Cayenne Pepper, Onion Powder, Garlic Powder, and Salt
Oil For Frying

To Make The Chili Lime Sauce For Wings

Butter- The butter provides a rich flavor. Use unsalted butter to control the salt levels of the sauce.
Honey- You’ll need a few tablespoons to make the sauce. You can also drizzle more honey on the finished chicken wings too.
Lime– You’ll need the juice from 1 lime and zest from half a lime
Serrano Pepper- give the sauce the perfect amount of heat. If you don’t have serrano peppers, you can use a jalapeno pepper.
Seasonings– Chili Flakes (red crushed peppers), Chili Lime Seasoning (or chili powder), Smoked Paprika, Garlic Powder, and Onion Powder.

a wooden cutting board with a stack of chili lime wings on it and sliced jalapenos

How To Make Chili Lime Chicken Wings

Making these wings is easy! First, you clean and trim your wings, put them in a large bowl, and cover them with seasonings. Then, heat your cooking oil and cook the wings in the oil in batches for 8-10 minutes at a time. Carefully, remove the chicken from the oil and place on a wire rack to cool.

Next, prepare the sauce. Start by melting the butter in a small saucepan over medium-low heat. Then toss in the sliced serrano peppers and cook for about 30 seconds. Add the remaining ingredients, mix well, and simmer on low heat for 2 minutes.

Once the sauce is ready, place the chicken wings in a large bowl, pour the sauce over the wings, and toss to make sure all the wings are coated. Garnish with cilantro, sliced serrano peppers, and a squeeze of fresh lime juice. Serve your wings hot and enjoy!

a wooden cutting board with a stack of chili lime wings on it and sliced jalapenos and a small bowl of ranch on the side

Recipe Variations

Add Fresh Herbs. Garnish with chopped cilantro and green onions.
Make your wings extra crispy. Coat your wings in a couple of tablespoons of cornstarch before frying to make them extra extra crispy.
Dipping Sauce Options: Some people love super saucy wings and sauce pairings variations. These wings certainly don’t need it, but Ranch dressing is always my go-to dipping sauce to pair with wings. You can also double the chili lime sauce and use some for dipping.

Want To Make These Chili Lime Wings In The Oven?

Grab a baking sheet and wire rack. Preheat the oven to 375°F. Season the wings in a large bowl. Then, line the wings on the tray or wire rack, making sure to leave space between each. Bake for 35 minutes or until the wings are fully cooked and crispy, making sure to flip the wings halfway through. While the wings are in the oven, prepare the sauce. Then, toss the wings in the sauce and place them back in the oven for about 5 minutes. Garnish and enjoy!

Sides To Serve With Your Chili Lime Wings

I like to make these wings a meal and serve them with my Potato Salad Recipe or Jalapeno Mac and Cheese. Here are a few other good options:

French Fries or Crispy Roasted Potatoes
Sliced Celery and Carrot
Dirty Rice
Or more wings! I love to mix and match.

FAQ

What is the secret to making crispy chicken wings?

The secret to making crispy wings when baking them is to pat them dry before seasoning and add a couple of tablespoons of baking powder or cornstarch to the wings when seasoning. This removed any excess moisture and helps to create the perfect crispy wings.

Should you season wings before baking?

YES! Season the wings first for the best results. You can always add more seasoning after if you prefer.

How do you get sauce to stick to wings?

Fry your wings first and add them to a large bowl. Then, prepare your sauce. While the sauce is hot, pour it over the chicken and use tongs to toss so all the chicken is coated. Give the wings a few minutes to cool and you will see that the sauce easily sticks to the wings.

More Quick Dinner Recipes

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