Thai Sweet Chili Wings 🍗

Sharing is caring!

Craving a zesty appetizer to kick off your next gathering? These Thai Sweet Chili Wings are just what you need! Juicy wings tossed in a flavorful homemade Thai sweet chili sauce, perfectly balancing sweet and spicy notes. Whether you're hosting a game day or a casual hangout, these wings are a true definition of Asian flavors. Let’s dive into making these delicious wings!

This recipe is: Low Carb and Gluten Free

Plate of Thai sweet chili wings garnished with green onions, served on parchment paper.

Table of Contents

7 Reasons to Love This Recipe

These Thai sweet chili wings are sure to become a new favorite! Here are a few reasons to try it:

  1. Homemade Thai-flavored chicken wings.
  2. Oven-cooked wings that are amazingly tasty.
  3. Nice and spicy with a complementing sweetness.
  4. A family favorite – my kids ask for this all the time.
  5. A unique flavor for chicken.
  6. The spicy Thai sweet chili sauce can be used for other proteins, too.
  7. You can completely change it to a low-carb recipe.

Are Thai Sweet Chili Wings Low-Carb?

Yes, Thai sweet chili wings can be low-carb, but honey isn’t typically low-carb-friendly. You can also check my article on Carbs in Chicken Wings for in-depth information—it's always good to make informed choices when it comes to our food, right?

This recipe originated when my website focused on gluten-free and paleo styles. To avoid blood sugar spikes, check out the low-carb alternatives below.

Thai Sweet Chili Wings Ingredient List

Here is a list of the ingredients you need to make Thai sweet chili wings:

For the wings

  • 30 wings (cut into drums and flats)
  • 2 tablespoons granulated garlic
  • 1 tablespoon granulated onion
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • ¼ teaspoon cayenne
  • ¼ teaspoon fresh cracked black pepper

For the spicy Thai sweet chili sauce

  • ½ cup cider vinegar
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ¼ cup Fresno chilis, seeded and roughly chopped (about 2)
  • ¼ cup raw honey
  • 3-4 cranks of fresh cracked pepper
  • 2 cloves garlic, peeled and roughly chopped
  • 2 teaspoons fresh ginger, peeled and roughly chopped (about 1 thumb)
  • 2 teaspoons arrowroot, plus ¼ cup water for the slurry
  • 1 tablespoon fish sauce
Close-up view of Thai sweet chili wings glistening with sauce.

Ingredient Substitutions

Here are some simple alternatives you can use for the ingredients in this Thai chili wings recipe:

  • Granulated garlic: Use 1 ½ tablespoons of powdered garlic.
  • Granulated onion: Use 2 teaspoons of powdered onion.
  • Cayenne: Use ground chipotle, chili flakes, or chili powder for less heat.
  • Olive oil: Use avocado oil or even coconut oil.
  • Apple cider vinegar: Use red wine vinegar. Other vinegars don’t taste right.
  • Fresh ginger: Use store-bought jarred minced ginger.
  • Fresno chilis: Use jalapeños for more heat level or poblanos for less heat.
  • Raw honey: For a low-carb version, mix ¼ cup sugar-free maple syrup or sugar-free honey substitute with 2 tablespoons powdered erythritol or monk fruit sweetener, and ¼ teaspoon xanthan gum (to thicken). Use this mix instead of the honey.
  • Fish sauce: Use coconut amino, gluten-free soy sauce, or tamari.
  • Arrowroot: Use cornstarch or other thickening agents. Or for a low-carb version, skip the arrowroot, and add just ¼ teaspoon xanthan gum into the mix, evenly distributed, and whisk well to avoid clumping.

Additional Ingredients

Want to elevate your Thai sweet chili wings? Add these tasty ingredients that pair perfectly with the main flavors:

  • Fresh herbs: This recipe loves some freshly chopped cilantro added to it... or parsley will do. Add on some of the greens from some freshly sliced scallions, green onions, or sesame seeds... so good!
  • More heat: There are a couple of ways to add more heat to this recipe. I love to add some minced jalapeño as a garnish over these wings. This also adds some freshness to the recipe. You could also add some crushed red pepper flakes to really increase the heat output, but be careful; either of these suggestions can make things really spicy!
  • Sauces: Make some additional hot sauce for dipping these crispy wings (my kids can’t get enough of it), or you could cool things off with my homemade ranch dressing.

Note: These ingredients are optional, you can use them to change the flavor of the wings as per your liking.

Cooking Tools Required

Here is a list of cooking tools required for the Thai sweet chili wings recipe:

Close-up of Thai sweet chili wings, showcasing the crispy texture and spicy glaze.

How to Make Thai Sweet Chili Wings: Complete Cooking Guide

Cooking Method

  • Baking

Preparation Steps

  1. Gather all the tools and ingredients for this recipe.
  2. Cut wings into drums and flats.
  3. Peel and roughly chop garlic and ginger.
  4. Seed and roughly chop Fresno chilis.
  5. Make a slurry by mixing the arrowroot powder with the water.

Cooking Instructions

Let's cook the wings!

  1. Preheat your oven to 250°F (120°C).
  2. In a bowl, add the wings, seasonings, and olive oil. With a rubber spatula, mix until the wings are nicely coated.
  3. Place the wings, skin side up, in a single layer on a foil covered baking sheet.
  4. Put in the oven for 30 minutes.
  5. After 30 minutes, increase the oven temp to 450°F (230°C). Cook for another 30 minutes.
  6. The wings should have nice, crispy skin now. Remove from the oven and set aside.

For the spicy Thai sweet chili sauce

  1. While the wings are cooking, let's make the sweet chili wing sauce.
  2. Add the garlic, ginger, chilis, honey (or low-carb alternative), and fish sauce to a mini-prep or food processor. Blitz until it is chopped really well.
  3. Add the garlic-ginger mixture to a small saucepan over medium heat.
  4. Add in the cider vinegar and stir. When it starts to bubble a little bit, add in the arrowroot slurry (or the xanthan gum for low-carb.)
  5. Mix well and add in the salt and pepper. Continue to stir consistently for 6-8 minutes.
  6. Remove from the heat and set aside to cool until the wings are cooked.

Bring it all together

  1. Add some of the Thai chili wing sauce to the bottom of a clean mixing bowl.
  2. Toss in some wings and stir around with a rubber spatula to coat in the sticky sauce.
  3. Serve immediately and happy eating!
Ingredients for Thai sweet chili sauce in a food processor, ready to be blended.

Step 1: Add the garlic, ginger, chilis, honey (or low-carb alternative), and fish sauce to a mini-prep or food processor. Blitz until it is chopped well.

Marinated chicken wings in a bowl, coated with spices.

Step 2: In a bowl, add the wings, seasonings, and olive oil. With a rubber spatula, mix until the wings are nicely coated.

Baked chicken wings on a baking sheet, fresh out of the oven.

Step 3: Place the wings, skin side up, in a single layer on a foil-covered baking sheet. Bake at 250°F (120°C) for 30 minutes, then increase the temperature to 450°F (230°C) and cook for another 30 minutes.

💡 My Pro Tip

Ginger is a fantastic ingredient, but its fibrous nature can pose challenges if you want grated ginger. Grating ginger often clogs up the grater's openings, making it difficult to use. A useful tip is to peel and mince the ginger, then toss it into a food processor. This method chops the ginger finely and works wonderfully in most recipes.

Alternatively, minced ginger from grocery stores is a convenient option, though it may lack the maximum flavor and fresh taste of freshly prepared ginger.

⏲️ Time-Saving Tips

  • Pre-cut wings into drums and flats before cooking.
  • Prepare the spicy Thai sweet chili sauce a day ahead.
  • Peel and chop garlic and ginger ahead of time.
  • Make some extra sauce and use it as a topping for other meats including pork, beef, and fish.

What to Serve with Thai Sweet Chili Wings?

Enhance your sweet chili wings with these delicious recipes:

  • Cucumber Feta Salad: The refreshing crunch of cucumber combined with tangy feta cheese provides a perfect contrast to the spicy flavor of the sweet Asian chili wings and makes a great weeknight dinner.
  • Grilled Asparagus: Tender, smoky, grilled asparagus spears add a savory dimension that complements the bold flavors of the sweet chili chicken wings, creating a balanced and satisfying meal.
  • Cauliflower Potato Salad: This lighter version of potato salad, featuring cauliflower for added crunch and a creamy dressing, pairs beautifully with the spicy glaze of the hot wings, offering a refreshing and nutritious side dish.
  • Thai Red Curry Soup: Warm up your meal with a bowl of Thai red curry soup, infused with coconut milk and aromatic spices. Its rich and creamy texture provides a comforting contrast to the baked wings, making for a complete and satisfying dining experience.
  • French Haricots Verts: These delicate French green beans, lightly steamed or sautéed to retain their crispness, add a touch of sophistication and freshness to the Asian-style chicken wings, rounding out the meal beautifully.

Storage, Reheating and Freezing Instructions

Storage Tips

Store in the fridge for up to a week in an airtight container.

Freezing Tips

These delicious chicken wings can be frozen for up to a month in a freezer-safe container. Defrost in the fridge overnight and reheat using the methods above.

Reheating Tips

Reheat in an oven at 350°F (180°C), until warmed through. If you're using the oven, I suggest having some extra Thai chili sauce available as they tend to dry out. Alternatively, microwave sweet red chili wings on medium power for 3-5 minutes or until heated through. Because of the nature of the sauce, reheating in a pan is not suggested as they tend to burn well before heating through.

Recipe Conclusion

WOW, ARE THESE GOOD! The rub on the Thai Sweet Chili Wings at the beginning really matches so perfectly with the sweet heat from the sweet chili sauce. At first, I thought that the dipping sauce was going to be way too hot (spicy) for my family to enjoy. But when the crispy chicken wings are coated with the spicy chili sauce, they just balance out to a mouth warming delicious bite. Out of the 30 wings that were made, I think that my kids ate about half! Just so good.

You can make a bunch of sweet chili wings sauce recipes. I wouldn't keep it for more than a week to ten days in the fridge but you can put it on chicken, pork or fish. Caroline has put sauces like this over a plain goat cheese log as a delicious appetizer at a lot of parties in the past as well. It's got such a great balance of flavors — get creative with it!

You can join in the conversation and see more pictures and stuff on Facebook and Instagram. Let's explore food together.

More Wings Recipes to Try

Craving more chicken wing recipes? Check out these:

FAQs

Thai chili peppers are very spicy, ranging from 50,000 to 100,000 Scoville Heat Units.

Thai chili sauce is generally savory and spicy, while sweet Thai chili sauce has added sweetness, balancing heat with sugar and sometimes tangy flavors like vinegar.

Yes, wings generally require a longer cooking time compared to smaller cuts of meat or poultry due to their thicker texture and bone-in structure.

Thai sweet chili wings served on parchment paper and topped with scallions featured image

Thai Sweet Chili Wings

A perfect balance of sweet and heat coats these tender wings with out-of-this-world flavor. Make extra...they'll disappear quick!
5 from 1 vote
Print Pin Rate
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: Japanese
Keyword: low carb thai sweet chili wings, sweet chili wings recipe, Thai sweet chili wings
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 30 wings
Calories: 125kcal
Author: Scott G

Ingredients

For the wings

  • 30 wings cut into drums and flats
  • 2 tablespoons granulated garlic
  • 1 tablespoon granulated onion
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • ¼ teaspoon cayenne
  • ¼ teaspoon fresh cracked black pepper

For the spicy Thai sweet chili sauce

  • ½ cup cider vinegar
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ¼ cup Fresno chilis seeded and roughly chopped (about 2)
  • ¼ cup raw honey
  • 3-4 cranks of fresh cracked pepper
  • 2 cloves garlic peeled and roughly chopped
  • 2 teaspoons fresh ginger peeled and roughly chopped (about 1 thumb)
  • 2 teaspoons arrowroot plus ¼ cup water for the slurry
  • 1 tablespoon fish sauce

Instructions

Preparation Steps

  • Gather all the tools and ingredients for this recipe.
  • Cut wings into drums and flats.
  • Peel and roughly chop garlic and ginger.
  • Seed and roughly chop Fresno chilis.
  • Make a slurry by mixing the arrowroot powder with the water.

Cooking Instructions

    Let's cook the wings!

    • Preheat your oven to 250°F (120°C).
    • In a bowl, add the wings, seasonings, and olive oil. With a rubber spatula, mix until the wings are nicely coated.
    • Place the wings, skin side up, in a single layer on a foil covered baking sheet.
    • Put in the oven for 30 minutes.
    • After 30 minutes, increase the oven temp to 450°F (230°C). Cook for another 30 minutes.
    • The wings should have nice, crispy skin now. Remove from the oven and set aside.

    For the spicy Thai sweet chili sauce

    • While the wings are cooking, let's make the sweet chili wing sauce.
    • Add the garlic, ginger, chilis, honey (or low-carb alternative), and fish sauce to a mini-prep or food processor. Blitz until it is chopped really well.
    • Add the garlic-ginger mixture to a small saucepan over medium heat.
    • Add in the cider vinegar and stir. When it starts to bubble a little bit, add in the arrowroot slurry (or the xanthan gum for low-carb.)
    • Mix well and add in the salt and pepper. Continue to stir consistently for 6-8 minutes.
    • Remove from the heat and set aside to cool until the wings are cooked.

    Bring it all together

    • Add some of the Thai chili wing sauce to the bottom of a clean mixing bowl.
    • Toss in some wings and stir around with a rubber spatula to coat in the sticky sauce.
    • Serve immediately and happy eating!

    Notes

    I like these with a little freshly chopped green onion. I just use the green part for some freshness that is delicious.
    You can also add some of the sauce onto the wings during the last 4-5 minutes of cooking if you want them a bit glazed.

    Nutrition

    Nutrition Facts
    Thai Sweet Chili Wings
    Amount Per Serving (1 wing)
    Calories 125 Calories from Fat 72
    % Daily Value*
    Fat 8g12%
    Saturated Fat 2g10%
    Trans Fat 0.1g
    Polyunsaturated Fat 2g
    Monounsaturated Fat 3g
    Cholesterol 37mg12%
    Sodium 206mg9%
    Potassium 93mg3%
    Carbohydrates 4g1%
    Fiber 0.2g1%
    Sugar 2g2%
    Protein 9g18%
    Vitamin A 78IU2%
    Vitamin C 1mg1%
    Calcium 9mg1%
    Iron 1mg6%
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

    “This website provides approximate nutrition data and information for convenience and as a courtesy only.”

    Recent Low Carb Recipes:

    A plated serving of pork tenderloin medallions covered in mustard sauce, with a blurred background featuring a red checkered napkin.

    Pan Seared Pork Tenderloin Medallions

    Got a pork tenderloin and not sure what to do with it? My Pan Seared Pork Tenderloin Medallions are tender, packed with flavor, and finished with a rich mustard cream sauce. Quick, easy, and always a hit at the dinner table.

    Read More »
    Three stuffed bell peppers filled with shredded chicken and cheese, garnished with sour cream and fresh chives, served on a rustic wooden board.

    Southwest Chicken Stuffed Bell Peppers

    My Southwest Chicken Stuffed Bell Peppers are packed with smoky, bold flavors and plenty of cheesy goodness. They’re easy to customize and perfect for meal prep. A simple, satisfying dinner the whole family will love.

    Read More »

    Is it low carb? Learn more about it:

    Sharing is caring!

    10 Responses

    1. Pingback: Thai Sweet Chili Wings Recipe - Yum Goggle
    2. Pingback: Smoked Wings Recipe | I'd Rather Be A Chef
    3. Pingback: Crispy Baked Chicken Wings | I'd Rather Be A Chef
    4. Pingback: Grilled Chicken Wings Recipe | I'd Rather Be A Chef
      1. Hi Steph:
        I would assume that you could freeze the sauce and reheat at a future point pretty easily. I'm not sure I would cook the wings, coat and then freeze the cooked, dressed wings. Most likely just the sauce and coat on freshly cooked wings. Hope this helps.
        Thank you for writing and happy cooking!
        Scott

    5. Pingback: Recipe Roundup: Chicken Wings by Karyl's Kulinary Krusade
    6. Pingback: Easy Chicken Fried Rice Recipe | I'd Rather Be A Chef
    7. 5 stars
      I made these for my wife (she loves sweet chili sauce) yesterday. All I can say is INCREDIBLE. So tasty. These have made it into our permanent wing rotation!

      1. Hey JD:
        Great to hear that! We have wings in our house all the time - so variety is crucial.
        Thank you for sharing.
        Take care,
        Scott

    5 from 1 vote

    Leave a Reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Scott Groth image for I'd Rather Be A Chef

    I'm Scott, just a regular guy who has experienced amazing benefits from embracing a low carb (occasionally keto) lifestyle. Join me as I share low carb recipes that are family friendly, delicious and fun to eat.

    Discover more about me in my Bio, explore whether my Low Carb Journey resonates with you, and if you also believe we are stronger together, then sign up for my LOW CARB NEWSLETTER.

    As Seen On:

    As seen on healthline, men's journal, greatist, buzzfeed, nom nom network, djfoodie, brit+co, goodnet