Sweet and Spicy Calabrian Chili Chicken Wings Recipe

If you’re looking to elevate your chicken wing game, these Sweet and Spicy Calabrian Chili Chicken Wings are the perfect choice. Combining the sweet and fiery flavors of Calabrian chili peppers with crispy chicken wings creates a dish that’s sure to impress. Perfect for game day, parties, or a delicious dinner, these wings are a must-try!

Ingredients

To make these flavorful chicken wings, you’ll need:

• Main Ingredients:
  • 2 lbs chicken wings
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• Sauce Ingredients:
  • 1/4 cup Calabrian chili paste
  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder

Preparation

Prepping the Chicken Wings:

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) or preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
2. Pat the chicken wings dry with paper towels to ensure they get crispy.

Marinating the Wings:

1. In a large bowl, toss the chicken wings with olive oil, salt, black pepper, and garlic powder. Make sure they are evenly coated.

Cooking the Chicken Wings

Oven-Baked Method:

1. Place the chicken wings on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a wire rack.
2. Bake in the preheated oven for 40-45 minutes, flipping halfway through, until crispy and golden brown.

Air Fryer Method:

1. Place the chicken wings in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
2. Cook in the preheated air fryer for 20-25 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through, until crispy and golden brown.

Making the Calabrian Chili Sauce

Ingredients for the Sauce:

1. In a small saucepan, combine the Calabrian chili paste, honey, soy sauce, unsalted butter, apple cider vinegar, and garlic powder.

Steps to a Perfect Sauce:

1. Heat the saucepan over medium heat, stirring constantly until the butter is melted and the sauce is well combined.
2. Bring the sauce to a simmer and cook for 2-3 minutes until slightly thickened.

Coating the Wings

Tossing the Wings in Sauce:

1. Once the chicken wings are cooked, place them in a large bowl.
2. Pour the Calabrian chili sauce over the wings and toss to coat evenly.

Ensuring Even Coating:

1. Make sure all the wings are well coated with the sauce, adding more if needed.

Serving Suggestions

Perfect Side Dishes:

1. Serve with celery sticks, carrot sticks, and a side of ranch or blue cheese dressing.

Presentation Tips:

1. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley or cilantro for a pop of color.

Storage Tips

Keeping Leftovers Fresh:

1. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Reheating Instructions:

1. Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10-15 minutes, or in the air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for 5-7 minutes until heated through.

Variations

Adjusting the Spice Level:

1. For a spicier version, add more Calabrian chili paste or a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce.
2. For a milder version, reduce the amount of chili paste and increase the honey.

Different Flavors and Add-ins:

1. Add a squeeze of lime juice for a tangy twist.
2. Incorporate chopped fresh herbs like basil or mint for added flavor.

Tips for Success

Ensuring Crispy Wings:

1. Make sure the wings are well dried before cooking to achieve maximum crispiness.
2. Do not overcrowd the baking sheet or air fryer basket to ensure even cooking.

Balancing the Flavors:

1. Taste the sauce before coating the wings and adjust the sweetness or spiciness to your preference.

FAQs

1. Can I Use Different Types of Chicken?
   • Yes, you can use chicken drumsticks or thighs. Adjust the cooking time accordingly.
2. How Do I Store Leftovers?
   • Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
3. Can I Make the Sauce Ahead of Time?
   • Yes, you can prepare the sauce in advance and store it in the refrigerator for up to a week.
4. How Do I Adjust the Sweetness?
   • Increase or decrease the amount of honey to adjust the sweetness to your liking.
5. What If I Don’t Have Calabrian Chili?
   • You can substitute with your favorite chili paste or hot sauce.

Conclusion

Sweet and Spicy Calabrian Chili Chicken Wings are a perfect blend of flavors that will elevate any meal. With their crispy texture and delicious sauce, these wings are sure to become a favorite. Try this recipe and enjoy a delightful and spicy twist on traditional chicken wings!

Yield: 4

Sweet and Spicy Calabrian Chili Chicken Wings Recipe

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Sweet and Spicy Calabrian Chili Chicken Wings are a perfect blend of flavors that will elevate any meal. With their crispy texture and delicious sauce, these wings are sure to become a favorite. Try this recipe and enjoy a delightful and spicy twist on traditional chicken wings!

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 50 minutes

Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes

Ingredients

• For the Wings:
• 3 pounds chicken wings, flats and drumettes separated
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon granulated garlic
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1/2 cup all purpose flour
• Nonstick cooking spray (I like olive oil)
• For the Glaze:
• 3 tablespoons Bomba sauce (fermented Calabrian chili paste)
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1/2 lemon, juiced
• To finish:
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
• 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• Flaky salt, to garnish
• Lemon Wedges, for serving

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 425˚F. Line a rimmed sheet pan with tin foil, then set a wire rack on top. Spray with nonstick spray and set aside.

Pat the chicken wings dry with a paper towel, then place in a large bowl. Evenly distribute the spice mixture over the wings, tossing the wings as you season them, until evenly coated. Repeat with the flour, tossing until each wing is evenly coated in flour.

Place the wings on the prepare sheet pan, leaving some room between each wing. Spray lightly with olive oil spray. Place in the oven and roast for 40 minutes, flipping halfway through. Remove the pan from the oven and increase the heat to 450˚F. Roast the wings for 10 more minutes, flipping the wings halfway through, or until the wings are golden brown and crisp.

While the wings roast, make the glaze. Add bomba sauce, honey, butter and lemon juice to a small saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer and cook for 2-3 minutes, or until the sauce thickens.

Add the wings to a large bowl, and add about 2/3 of the glaze. Gently toss until each wing is coated in glaze. Add the glazed wings back to the prepared sheet pan and roast for 5 more minutes. Remove the pan from the oven, flip the wings over, and add more glaze to the wings. Sprinkle with parmesan cheese and fresh parsley and bake for 5 more minutes or until the cheese starts to melt and turn lightly golden. *If you trust your broiler, you can also broiler them for 2-3 minutes if you prefer them a little more charred.

Serve with a sprinkle of flaky salt and lemon wedges.