Honey Garlic Chicken Wings
Honey Garlic Chicken Wings feature juicy, crispy wings glazed in a luscious honey garlic sauce, perfectly balancing sweet and savory flavors. Ready in under 45 minutes, this recipe is ideal as a snack for parties or a flavorful appetizer for family dinners. With minimal ingredients and customizable heat levels, these crowd-pleasing wings deliver maximum taste and comfort.
- Author: Lina
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Main Ingredients
- 2 pounds fresh or thawed chicken wings
- 1/3 cup natural honey
- 4 garlic cloves, freshly minced
- 1/4 cup soy sauce (use gluten-free soy sauce or tamari for gluten-free option)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Optional Ingredients
- 1/2 teaspoon chili flakes (optional, for heat)
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch (optional, for extra crispy wings)
- Chili powder or sriracha (optional, for spicy variation)
- Fresh herbs like rosemary or thyme (optional, for herb infusion)
- Toasted sesame seeds (optional, for garnish and texture)
- Prepare the Wings: Pat the chicken wings dry with paper towels to ensure a crispy skin. For extra crispiness, lightly toss the wings in a mixture of cornstarch, salt, and pepper.
- Cook the Wings: Bake the wings on a wire rack set over a baking tray at 425°F (220°C) for about 35 minutes, flipping them halfway through cooking. Alternatively, air fry at 400°F (200°C) for 20-25 minutes, shaking the basket every 7 minutes to promote even cooking.
- Make the Honey Garlic Sauce: While the wings cook, combine honey, freshly minced garlic, soy sauce, olive oil, and chili flakes (if using) in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir continuously for about 4 to 5 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly and the garlic aroma is fragrant.
- Toss and Glaze: Once the wings are cooked, transfer them into a large bowl and pour the warm honey garlic sauce over them. Gently toss to coat every wing thoroughly. For extra sticky wings, return them to the oven or air fryer for an additional 3 to 5 minutes after glazing.
- Serve Warm: Serve the wings hot with your choice of garnishes such as chopped green onions, toasted sesame seeds, or crushed red pepper flakes, alongside your favorite sides.
Notes
- Dry wings thoroughly to maximize crunch before cooking.
- Do not skip the sauce reduction step to intensify flavor and help the sauce cling to the wings.
- Use fresh garlic for the best aromatic flavor and texture.
- Watch cooking times carefully to avoid drying out the wings; aim for golden crispiness and juicy meat.
- Serve wings immediately as honey sauce can harden when cooled.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5-6 wings
- Calories: 280 kcal
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg
Keywords: honey garlic chicken wings, crispy chicken wings, sweet and savory wings, party snacks, appetizer, gluten-free wings, easy chicken wings