I remember the first time I made these wings—it was a summer cookout, and I wanted something that hit that perfect balance of smoky, spicy, and sweet.
My cousin took one bite, looked me dead in the eye, and said, “You need to open a restaurant.” That’s when I knew I had something special.
These Chipotle Honey Chicken Wings are everything you want—crispy, sticky, smoky, sweet, and just enough heat to make you keep reaching for one more.
Made with fresh, locally sourced chicken and real honey, they’re packed with flavor and nutrition. Plus, they’re easy to make whether you’re using the grill, oven, or air fryer.
Variations & Substitutions
- Milder Heat? Use 1 tbsp honey & 1 tbsp BBQ sauce instead of chipotle peppers.
- Extra Spicy? Add ½ tsp cayenne pepper to the glaze.
- No honey? Swap with maple syrup for a deeper sweetness.
- Gluten-Free? Use tamari or coconut aminos instead of soy sauce.
🍽️ Serving & Presentation Tips
- Arrange on a rustic wooden board with lime wedges and a drizzle of extra honey.
- Pair with sweet potato fries or grilled corn for a full meal.
- Serve on a big platter with a side of cool ranch or creamy avocado dip.
Chipotle Honey Chicken Wings
Smoky, sweet, and spicy wings with a crispy finish and a sticky chipotle honey glaze. Perfect for game nights, cookouts, or a flavor-packed dinner.
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Ingredients
For the Wings:
- 2 lbs chicken wings, split at the joint, tips removed
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp cumin
For the Chipotle Honey Glaze:
- ¼ cup honey (local, raw honey is best)
- 2 tbsp chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, finely minced
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
- 1 tbsp soy sauce (or coconut aminos for a gluten-free option)
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- Juice of ½ lime
Instructions
Prep the Wings
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) or get your air fryer set to 375°F. If grilling, fire it up to medium-high heat.
Pat the wings very dry with paper towels. This is crucial for getting that crispy skin. Toss them in a large bowl with olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and cumin.
2️⃣ Bake or Air Fry
- Oven Method: Place wings on a wire rack over a lined baking sheet. Bake for 40-45 minutes, flipping halfway.
- Air Fryer Method: Arrange wings in a single layer and air fry for 20-25 minutes, shaking the basket every 7-8 minutes.
- Grill Method: Grill over indirect heat for 25-30 minutes, flipping every 10 minutes.
3️⃣ Make the Chipotle Honey Glaze
While the wings cook, mix together honey, chipotle peppers, apple cider vinegar, melted butter, soy sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, and lime juice in a small saucepan. Simmer for 2-3 minutes over low heat until slightly thickened.
4️⃣ Toss & Caramelize
Once the wings are crispy and cooked through (internal temp 165°F), toss them in the glaze. Return them to the oven, grill, or air fryer for 5 more minutes to let the sauce caramelize.
5️⃣ Serve & Devour
Pile those wings high on a platter and sprinkle with fresh cilantro and a squeeze of extra lime juice. Serve with ranch or blue cheese dressing and some crisp celery and carrot sticks.
Notes
Use fresh, high-quality honey for the best taste. Drying the wings thoroughly ensures extra crispiness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Main Dish
- Method: Baking, Grilling, Air Frying
- Cuisine: American, Tex-Mex
Nutrition
- Serving Size: ~6 wings
- Calories: 290
- Sugar: 14g
- Sodium: 480mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
