The Perfect Mexican Wing Experience!
These wings are a celebration of authentic Mexican flavors—crispy on the outside, juicy inside, with that magical combination of smoky chiles, tangy lime, and aromatic spices. They’re perfect for game day, family gatherings, or any time you crave something extraordinary!
📋 INGREDIENTS
For the Wings:
- 2 lbs chicken wings (split into drumettes and flats)
- 2 tablespoons baking powder (the secret to crispiness!)
- 1 teaspoon salt
For the Mexican Spice Rub:
- 2 tablespoons smoked paprika
- 1 tablespoon ancho chile powder
- 1 tablespoon ground cumin
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon chipotle powder (for smoky heat)
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon oregano (Mexican if possible)
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
For the Chile-Lime Glaze:
- 3 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- Zest of 2 limes
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce (optional)
- Fresh cilantro for garnish
- Lime wedges for serving
👩🍳 STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS
Step 1: Prep Your Wings Pat the chicken wings completely dry with paper towels (this is crucial for crispiness!). Place them in a large bowl.
Step 2: Create the Crispy Coating In a small bowl, mix the baking powder and salt. Sprinkle this mixture over the wings and toss thoroughly to coat every piece evenly. The baking powder raises the pH of the skin, helping it crisp up beautifully!
Step 3: Apply the Spice Rub Combine all the spices (paprika, ancho chile, cumin, garlic powder, chipotle, onion powder, oregano, and cayenne) in a bowl. Sprinkle generously over the wings and toss to coat completely. Let them rest for 15-20 minutes at room temperature.
Step 4: Arrange for Baking Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a wire rack. Arrange wings in a single layer, making sure they don’t touch—this ensures even crisping.
Step 5: First Bake Bake for 25 minutes, then flip each wing over.
Step 6: Second Bake. Continue baking for another 25-30 minutes until deeply golden and crispy. The skin should crackle!
Step 7: Prepare the Glaze While wings finish baking, whisk together lime juice, lime zest, honey, olive oil, and hot sauce in a large bowl.
Step 8: Toss and Serve Transfer the hot, crispy wings to the bowl with the glaze. Toss gently to coat. Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve with lime wedges.
🌽 PERFECT ACCOMPANIMENT: Mexican Street Corn (Elote)
Ingredients:
- 4 ears of corn (grilled or boiled)
- ¼ cup Mexican crema or sour cream
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- ½ cup crumbled cotija cheese
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- Fresh cilantro, chopped
- Lime wedges
Instructions:
- Grill or boil corn until tender (about 8-10 minutes)
- Mix crema and mayo together
- Brush corn generously with the creamy mixture
- Roll in cotija cheese
- Sprinkle with chili powder and cilantro
- Serve with lime wedges
This combination is absolutely magical! The creamy, tangy corn balances the spicy, crispy wings perfectly.