I’ve always been a fan of appetizers, and chicken wings are one of my favorites. These Raspberry Chipotle Chicken Wings are really special. They’re the perfect mix of sweet, smoky, and spicy.
These wings are great for watching games, parties, or even a fun dinner during the week. What’s really cool about this recipe is how the sweet raspberry flavor balances out the spicy chipotle peppers. It’s a taste you won’t forget!
Recipe Overview
This recipe is all about crispy, tasty chicken wings covered in a sticky, yummy raspberry chipotle sauce. You bake the wings until they’re golden brown and perfectly cooked. Then, you toss them in a homemade sauce that’s both sweet and spicy.
The mix of the crispy skin and the flavorful sauce is awesome.
It’s a snack that everyone will love, with a sweet and spicy kick that makes you want more.
You can serve these wings as a starter with other party snacks, or as the main dish with coleslaw or a fresh salad. They’re also great with a cooling dip like ranch or blue cheese to balance out the spice.
Ingredients for Raspberry Chipotle Chicken Wings
Here’s what you’ll need to make these awesome wings:
- 3 pounds of chicken wings (the drumsticks and flats separated)
- 1 tablespoon of olive oil
- 1 teaspoon of salt
- 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon of onion powder
- 1/2 cup of raspberry jam (the kind without seeds is best)
- 1/4 cup of apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons of brown sugar
- 1-2 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, chopped up really small (use more or less depending on how spicy you like it)
- 1 tablespoon of adobo sauce (the sauce from the can of chipotle peppers)
- 1 teaspoon of smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon of cumin
You can use fresh or frozen chicken wings. If you use frozen ones, make sure they’re completely thawed before you start. If you like just the drumsticks or just the flat parts, you can use all of one kind.
The seedless raspberry jam makes the sauce smoother. But if you have jam with seeds, that’s okay too. Just know that the sauce might have a slightly different texture. You can use turkey wings instead of chicken wings for a similar taste.
The chipotle peppers are what make the sauce smoky and spicy. You can change how many peppers to make the sauce more spicy.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat and Prep: Turn your oven on to 400°F (200°C). Put parchment paper on a big baking sheet. This stops the wings from sticking and makes it easier to clean up.
- Season the Wings: Put the chicken wings in a big bowl. Mix them with olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Make sure the wings are evenly covered with the spices. This is how you make the basic flavor!
- Bake the Wings: Put the seasoned wings on the baking sheet in a single layer. Make sure they have some space between them so they get crispy. Bake them for 45-50 minutes. Flip them over halfway through. They’re done when they’re cooked all the way and the skin is crispy and golden brown. They’re ready when the inside temperature is 165°F (74°C).
- Make the Sauce: While the wings are baking, start making the sauce! In a small pot, mix the raspberry jam, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, chopped chipotle peppers, adobo sauce, smoked paprika, and cumin.
- Simmer the Sauce: Heat the sauce mix over medium heat, stirring it all the time. Then, turn the heat down to low and let it simmer for about 10-15 minutes. It should get a little thicker. Keep an eye on it and stir it sometimes so it doesn’t burn.
- Combine and Serve: When the wings are done, take them out of the oven. Carefully put the baked wings into the pot with the raspberry chipotle sauce. Mix the wings gently so they’re evenly covered in the sauce. You want every part of the wings to have that yummy sauce! Serve them right away.
Variations & Tips
- Spice Level: If you want less spicy wings, use only one chipotle pepper or take out the seeds before chopping it. For more spice, add another pepper or a little bit of cayenne pepper to the sauce.
- Grilling Option: You can grill the wings instead of baking them. Heat your grill to medium-high heat and cook the wings, turning them sometimes, until they’re cooked through.
- Make-Ahead: You can make the sauce ahead of time and keep it in the fridge for up to 3 days. You can also bake the wings ahead of time, then mix them in the warmed sauce just before you serve them.
- Storage: Keep leftover wings in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Reheating: Reheat the wings in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10-15 minutes, or until they’re hot. You can also reheat them in the microwave, but they might not be as crispy.
- If you don’t have any smoked paprika. Chili Powder can be a great substitute.
Key Details for Raspberry Chipotle Chicken Wings
- Prep time: 15 minutes
- Cook time: 50 minutes
- Total time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Servings: 6-8
- Equipment you’ll need: Baking sheet, parchment paper, large bowl, small saucepan, whisk.
FAQ
Can I use frozen chicken wings?
Yes, you can use frozen chicken wings. Just make sure they’re completely thawed before you start. This makes sure they cook evenly.
Can I make the sauce less spicy?
Definitely! To make it less spicy, use only one chipotle pepper, or take the seeds out before you chop it. You can also add a little more raspberry jam to balance out the heat.
How do I know when the chicken wings are cooked through?
The chicken wings are cooked when the inside temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Use a meat thermometer to check. The juices should also run clear when you poke the thickest part of the wing.
Can I grill the wings instead of baking?
Yes, grilling is a great idea! Heat your grill to medium-high heat and cook the wings, turning them sometimes, until they’re cooked and have some grill marks.
How long can I store leftover wings?
Leftover wings can be kept in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
How do i reheat the wings?
To reheat the wings you can preheat the oven to 350, and bake for about 10-15 minutes.
Raspberry Chipotle Chicken Wings
Ingredients
- 3 pounds of chicken wings the drumsticks and flats separated
- 1 tablespoon of olive oil
- 1 teaspoon of salt
- 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon of onion powder
- 1/2 cup of raspberry jam the kind without seeds is best
- 1/4 cup of apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons of brown sugar
- 1-2 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce chopped up really small
- 1 tablespoon of adobo sauce the sauce from the can of chipotle peppers
- 1 teaspoon of smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon of cumin
Instructions
- Preheat and Prep: Turn your oven on to 400°F (200°C). Put parchment paper on a big baking sheet.
- Season the Wings: Put the chicken wings in a big bowl. Mix them with olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder.
- Bake the Wings: Put the seasoned wings on the baking sheet in a single layer. Bake them for 45-50 minutes, flipping halfway through, until cooked through and crispy.
- Make the Sauce: While the wings are baking, in a small pot, mix the raspberry jam, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, chopped chipotle peppers, adobo sauce, smoked paprika, and cumin.
- Simmer the Sauce: Heat the sauce mix over medium heat, then reduce to low and simmer for 10-15 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Combine and Serve: Toss the baked wings with the raspberry chipotle sauce to coat evenly. Serve immediately.