Get ready for a flavor explosion with these Chili Lime Wings! Imagine a mouthwatering blend of spicy chili, zesty lime, and savory goodness all wrapped around crispy wings. These wings are a surefire hit at any BBQ party or game day; they vanish so fast that you'll wish you made a double batch!
In this recipe, I'll show you how to make crispy chicken wings that will have your guests begging for more. Plus, I'll share a secret: a special chili-infused dry rub that takes the flavor to the next level, perfect for elevating other proteins, too. Ready for it? Let's dive into the recipe!
This Recipe Is:
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- Low Carb
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- Keto
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- Gluten Free
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- Dairy Free
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- Paleo
Table of Contents
6 Reasons to Love This Recipe
You will never have enough of this chili lime wings recipe for many reasons, including:
- Amazing flavor combination.
- Minimal ingredients.
- Fantastic dry rub that can be used on other proteins.
- Easy to adapt and customize.
- Super low net carb count.
- Perfect for the BBQ or oven.
Are Chili Lime Wings Low Carb?
Yes, chicken is typically zero-carb, and the other ingredients have insignificant carb levels. This recipe is remarkably low-carb, with a mere 1 g net carbs per serving. You can enjoy it alongside your favorite dishes without worrying about spiking your carb intake. Also, check out my article on Carbs In Chicken Wings to know more about what you are eating and how much you should consume in a day - lots of things to know!
Chili Lime Wings Ingredient List
To make these chili lime chicken wings, you will need the following simple ingredients:
- 2 pounds chicken wings, separated into drums and flats
- 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
- 1 tablespoon lime zest
For the Dry Rub
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon Kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust according to heat preference)
Ingredient Substitutions
Want to swap a certain ingredient? I've got some great substitutes!
- Lime juice and zest: Use freshly squeezed lemon juice. Do not use jarred lemon or bottled lime juice as it is too acidic and may have hidden sugars.
- Chili powder: Use ground anchoes or chipotles. Anchoes have a more earthy flavor, and chipotles are more spicy and smoky.
- Cayenne pepper: Red chili flakes or Aleppo peppers will do just fine to make spicy wings. For subtle heat, opt for chipotle or ancho powder.
Additional Ingredients
Want to add more delicious flavors to your lime pepper wings? Try these optional ingredients along with the main ingredients:
- Dried herbs: Add dried herbs to the dry rub. Try dried chives, dried minced onions, oregano or cilantro. They are all complementary and will add in-depth, aromatic herby flavors to the chicken.
- Garlic: Add a tablespoon of garlic powder to the dry rub for the most delicious garlic lime chicken wings. The flavor combo is incredible.
- Cilantro for garnish: Use some freshly chopped cilantro to garnish and add a fresh herby flavor.
Note: The additional ingredients are not part of the original recipe- use them to enhance or customize the recipe to your liking
Cooking Tools
Gather the following tools for this chili lime chicken recipe:
- Rimmed baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- Tongs
- Mixing bowls
- Measuring cups or spoons
How to Make Chili Lime Wings: Complete Guide
Cooking Method
- Baking
- Grilling
Preparation Steps
- Combine the chicken wings with lime juice and zest in a large bowl. Stir well to ensure each wing is lightly coated. Let the mixture marinate for about 5 minutes, allowing the citrus to tenderize and infuse the chicken with flavor.
- While the wings are marinating, prepare the dry rub. In a small bowl, whisk together chili powder, onion powder, ground cumin, Kosher salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper.
- Sprinkle the dry rub over the wings, then use tongs to gently toss and coat them evenly. Make sure each wing is well covered with the rub for maximum flavor.
Cooking Instructions
Gas Grill Method
- Preheat your grill to high heat. You want it nice and hot for a perfect sear.
- Place the wings on the grill, turning every 4-5 minutes. Grill for about 20 minutes or until they reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). This ensures they're cooked through and safe to eat.
Oven Method
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (204°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
- Arrange the wings in a single layer on the sheet.
- Bake the wings in the preheated oven for 10 minutes, then flip the wings and rotate the sheet. Bake for another 10-12 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
Note: Keep an eye on the flats as they may cook a bit quicker than the drums. Adjust your flipping and cooking times as needed to ensure everything comes out perfectly.
Step 1: Whisk marinated wings, chili and onion powder, ground cumin, salt, pepper, and gently toss and coat them evenly.
Step 2: Preheat the grill and place the wings.
Step 3: Grill for about 20 minutes, turning every 4-5 minutes.
💡 My Pro Tip
I have made chicken wings countless times as a chef and home cook, and the best tip ever given to me is to add a little acid to the wings before cooking them. Let the wings marinate in a lime-zest mixture for 5 minutes as you put together your dry rub—5 minutes only for the crispiest wings! On the grill, the skin gets crisper and the meat becomes more tender. The chicken wing marinade also helps the dry rub adhere to all the wings' nooks and crannies for maximum flavor.
Also, if you want to learn preparing chicken wings, I have some incredible tips here: How To Prepare The Chicken Wings.
⏲️ Time-Saving Tips
- Save time on cleaning by buying pre-cut chicken wings.
- Marinate the chicken wings ahead of time and store them in an airtight container in the fridge. Bring the wings to room temperature before cooking them.
- Make the dry rub in bulk. I love this dry rub and use it for other chicken and pork recipes. I have a container of it in my spice drawer, and it always makes me a solid during grilling season.
What to Serve with Chili Lime Wings Recipe?
Chili lime wings are a solid party food that easily passes as a perfect appetizer or a satisfying comfort meal on a fun game night. I enjoy the wings with various condiments and sides like:
- Cream Cheese Dip: Dip your crispy chicken wings in this delightful dipping sauce for incredible flavors. The cheesy dip adds lusciousness and nicely rounds out the chicken wing's heat.
- Creamy Garlic Parmesan Wing Sauce: If serving the wings as an appetizer, try my favorite dipping sauce! Pour the sauce over chicken wings or dip them, the flavors are off the hook and will heighten the chicken wings' rich flavors.
- Greek salad: The authentic Mediterranean flavors in this salad pair well with the bright, savory chili lime chicken wings.
- Sauteed Brussel Sprouts: The deliciously caramelized sauteed brussels sprouts are a fine accompaniment to the crispy lime chicken wings. Pair them for a filling, comfort dinner meal.
- BLT Tomato Bites: Need an elegant crowd-pleasing appetizer? Serve these bites alongside this amazing chicken wing recipe. The flavor combo is out of this world!
Storage and Reheating
Storage Tip
- Allow the wings to cool to room temperature before storing them in an airtight container in the fridge. They hold well in the fridge for up to a week.
Freezing Tip
- If you freeze these wings, lay them on a small baking sheet in the freezer in a single layer. Separate the layers with parchment paper. Once frozen, transfer them to a freezer bag and store them for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat according to the instructions below.
Reheating Tip
- Chili lime wings reheat beautifully using the same method used to cook them; either on the grill or in the oven. I strongly advise against microwaving as the meat gets tough and the skin chewy. The stove isn't good either. I don't know why, but wings reheated in a pan on the stovetop change their flavor and texture. I've tried different pans and tricks to reheat wings on the stove, but I have never had good results.
Recipe Conclusion
I am a huge fan of chicken wings, and these Chili Lime Wings are my favorites. I enjoy making this recipe whenever there is a gathering at my house, or I need a quick and easy comfort meal for a fun game night. The best thing about it is the dry rub, which is a fragrant mix for adding a robust and spicy layer to your wings. Make more than you can finish and store to use in other meat recipes.
Try the delicious chicken wings and share your cooking results with me. If you want them hotter, add jalapeno or serrano peppers. Take pictures and share your thoughts on the recipe!
More Healthy Chicken Recipes
Here are some more flavor-packed chicken wing recipes to try:
FAQs
Overcooked chicken wings have a dry texture or a charred burnt appearance. It can also be too shrunken due to excess moisture loss. Monitor the wings during the cooking process and adhere to the recommended cooking times and temperatures to avoid overcooking.
No, lime does not directly reduce chili heat. However, it mitigates the perception of spiciness.
Add a tablespoon of raw honey to the chicken wings' marinade for sweetness.
Chili Lime Wings
Ingredients
Chili Lime Wings Ingredients List
- 2 pounds chicken wings separated into drums and flats
- 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
- 1 tablespoon lime zest
For the Dry Rub
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon Kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper adjust according to heat preference
Instructions
Preparation Steps
- Combine the chicken wings with lime juice and zest in a large bowl. Stir well to ensure each wing is lightly coated. Let the mixture marinate for about 5 minutes, allowing the citrus to tenderize and infuse the chicken with flavor.
- While the wings are marinating, prepare the dry rub. In a small bowl, whisk together chili powder, onion powder, ground cumin, Kosher salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper.
- Sprinkle the dry rub over the wings, then use tongs to gently toss and coat them evenly. Make sure each wing is well covered with the rub for maximum flavor.
Cooking Instructions
- Gas Grill Method
- Preheat your grill to high heat. You want it nice and hot for a perfect sear.
- Place the wings on the grill, turning every 4-5 minutes. Grill for about 20 minutes or until they reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). This ensures they're cooked through and safe to eat.
Oven Method
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (204°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
- Arrange the wings in a single layer on the sheet.
- Bake the wings in the preheated oven for 10 minutes, then flip the wings and rotate the sheet. Bake for another 10-12 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
Notes
Nutrition
“This website provides approximate nutrition data and information for convenience and as a courtesy only.”
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Anonymous says
Oh my, I can't wait to try!
Scott Groth says
Excellent! Let me know how they turn out- I love them! Have a great day in the kitchen- Scott