Looking for an easy summer dinner or a BBQ party-worthy appetizer that's both simple and bold? These Tequila Lime Chicken Wings are packed with bright citrus flavors, a hint of agave warmth, and a sticky sweet glaze. They can be baked or grilled.
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There's no off-season for chicken wings, but there's something really special about eating chicken wings alfresco in the summertime.
And these tequila lime chicken wings are the perfect summer chicken more than pretty much any other kind of wing. They're light and citrusy with just the perfect hint of tequila and spice from jalapeños.
I like making my chicken wings in the oven, but I'm also sharing a grilling option if you prefer to keep your often off and stay outside this summer.
❤️ Why this recipe works
Bright and balanced flavors: The ingredients in these chicken wings work so well together. Lime and tequila's tang are combined with the sweetness of honey, a kick from the jalapeño, and a mix of garlic, cumin, and paprika for the ultimate sweet-spicy-savory hit.
Flavor-packed marinade: The wing marinade, consisting of tequila, lime, oil, honey, garlic, and spices infuses every wing with tangy, spicy flavor before cooking. You only need to marinade the wings for 2-4 hours.
Baking the chicken wings: Roasting the wings 425 degrees on a wire rack for about 45 minutes (flipping once) crisps the skin and cooks the wings through without sitting in excess fat. You also have the option to grill the wings.
The perfect glaze: Simmered-down tequila, lime juice, honey, butter, and red pepper flakes reduce into a sweet glaze that clings to each chicken wing.
🗒 Ingredients
Here's everything you need for the perfect tequila lime chicken wings (be sure to view the recipe card at the bottom of this post for ingredient amounts and full recipe instructions):
- Chicken wings: cut into drumettes and wingettes. I highly recommend buying them already cut (usually sold as "party wings") as this makes prep SO much easier.
- Tequila: I recommend tequila blanco
- Limes
- Olive oil
- Honey
- Garlic
- Jalapeño
- Cumin
- Paprika
- Salt & pepper
- Unsalted butter
- Red pepper flakes
- Cilantro, mint, or chives: for serving
🍗 Recipe tips
- Don't skip the marinade, but also be sure not to over-marinate the wings. 2-4 hours is ideal; any longer and the lime and tequila will start "cooking" the meat and will make it mushy.
- After you're done marinating, let the wings sit out for fridge for about 20 minutes before baking so they cook more evenly.
- Use a wire rack placed over a baking sheet instead of placing wings right on the baking sheet. This will allow hot air to circulate underneath the wings and will help them get extra crispy.
- Once you set the chicken wings on the rack, pat them lightly with a paper towel. This will help them crisp up more in the oven.
- When baking, flip the wings once about halfway through baking time.
- Start making your glaze while the wings finish cooking so it's hot and pourable once the wings are done.
- Simmer the glaze for 3-5 minutes so it thickens up a bit.
- Put the baked wings in a bowl and pour the glaze over the top. Toss to coat completely.
- Before serving, top the wings with the herb of your choice. I especially recommend cilantro, mint, or chives. Scallions and parsley work, too!
- Garnish serving dish with lime wedges.
- So many different side dishes would complement these tequila lime chicken wings. I especially recommend an elote salad, blistered green beans, or a broccoli kale salad. They'd also be great with a simple tomato avocado salad, cilantro lime rice, or a summer slaw.
We love that these wings are absolutely packed with bright summer flavor. The citrus of the lime is very prominent and the tequila just gives a hint of sweet agave flavor (almost like a margarita!).
The jalapeño adds a very subtle kick and I definitely wouldn't classify these wings as spicy.
☀️ How to grill wings
If it's just too hot to turn your oven on, or you simply prefer grilling outside in the summer months, it's easy to grill these wings, too!
You'll want to marinate the wings as instructed. But when you take the wings out of the marinade, don't pat them with a paper towel. Let the excess marinade drip off, but then place them right on the grill heated to medium-high as the moisture will help them stick.
Grill the wings over direct heat for 2-3 minutes per side, without moving them around. This will help build a gorgeous char and caramelization.
Once the wings are nicely seared, move them to a cooler spot on the grill. Close the lid and cook for about 15-20 minutes, flipping the wings every 5 minutes, until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees.
Make the glaze and toss the wings in it the same way you would if you were baking them.
Optional: After tossing in the glaze, you can put the wings back on the grill (direct heat) for about 30 seconds per side to help them crisp up even more. Just be careful as the wings will quickly caramelize and you don't want the grill to flare up and burn them.
However you cook these wings, they're going to be a delicious summer dinner!
They'll also be a hit if you serve them during a backyard BBQ.
🍽️ More chicken wing recipes
Chicken wings are one of our go-to dinner recipes as they're easy to make and have so many different variations that we never get bored of them.
Here are some of our favorite chicken wing recipes:
Of course, you can never go wrong with buffalo wings, either!
Do you have a favorite chicken wing recipe for summer?
📖 Recipe
Tequila Lime Chicken Wings
Ingredients
- 3 lbs chicken wings cut into drumettes and wingettes (I like to buy them already cut as "party wings")
- 2 tablespoon tequila (I recommend tequila blanco)
- Zest and juice of 2 limes (roughly 1 tablespoon zest and ¼ cup juice)
- 2 ½ tablespoon olive oil
- 1 ½ tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic (from about 3 cloves)
- 1 mined jalapeño (about 2 Tbsp)
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
Tequila Lime Glaze
- 4 tablespoon tequila
- 3 tablespoon lime juice (from about 2 limes)
- 2 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- Chopped cilantro, mint, or chives for serving
Instructions
- In a large Ziplock bag or in a bowl, whisk together all marinade ingredients (from tequila to pepper). Add the wings and toss well to coat. Cover and put in refrigerator for 2-4 hours. Be sure not to marinade any longer than this or tequila and lime juice may start to break down chicken.
- When ready to bake, preheat oven to 425 degrees, line a baking sheet with foil, and place a wire rack on it. Spray or brush rack lightly with cooking spray.
- Place wings on prepared rack and pat lightly with a paper towel. Bake for 40-45 minutes, flipping them once halfway through bake time, until they're cooked through and golden.
- When wings are almost ready to come out of the oven, make glaze. Combine tequila, lime juice, honey, and butter in a small saucepan over medium heat and simmer for 3-5 minutes until the sauce is slightly thickened. Add red pepper flakes.
- Place cooked wings in a large bowl, pour glaze over the top, and toss well to combine.
- Optional: After tossing wings in glaze, place back on the baking rack and put them under the broiler for about 30 seconds per side to crisp them up and caramelize them. Be sure to watch them carefully so they don't burn.
- Serve wings with chopped cilantro, mint, chives, or the herbs of your choice.
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