Chicken Wings in Honey Sauce

Chicken wings in honey sauce are an easy oven dish for lunch or dinner, and the same marinade suits both juicy wings and crispy wings. The difference is only in the baking time and the oven temperature, so the recipe lets you choose the texture you like better. Chicken wings in honey sauce are especially useful when you want a simple dish with very little active cooking time, because the wings only need a short marinade and then bake on their own.

The honey marinade works by balancing sweetness, saltiness, heat and aroma in a very small list of ingredients. Honey gives the wings a light sweetness and helps the surface caramelise in the oven. Soy sauce seasons the chicken and brings savoury depth to the marinade. Paprika adds warm colour and a mild spice note, while garlic gives the marinade a sharper fragrance. Fresh hot pepper, or ground chili instead, adds heat to taste, and cilantro brings a fresh herbal note.

The main thing to watch during cooking is the baking mode, because the same wings can come out juicy or crispy depending on the temperatures and timing. For juicy wings, bake the chicken wings for 25 minutes at 220 °C and then 10 minutes at 180 °C. For a crispy result, bake the chicken wings for 30 minutes at 220 °C and then 40 minutes at 160 °C. Arrange the chicken wings in one layer on a baking tray lined with baking paper, because a single layer helps the chicken wings cook evenly.

The marinade is flexible in only a few places, and the recipe itself points out the most sensible change. Fresh hot pepper can be replaced with ground chili if that is what you have. The recipe also notes that the same honey marinade works with other cuts of chicken, such as thighs or drumsticks, but those cuts need a longer baking time of 45 to 55 minutes. Chicken breast is not a good substitute here, because the honey marinade will not protect chicken breast from drying out.

Chicken wings in honey sauce can be served straight from the oven as a hot main dish. Chicken wings in honey sauce suit both lunch and dinner, and they also fit a festive table or a simple meal at home. The honey marinade gives enough flavour that the wings do not need much more than a side dish or a fresh element at the table. The juicy version is softer and gentler, while the crispy version gives a firmer crust and a more roasted finish.

Storage is simple, but the way you reheat the wings matters if you want to keep the texture. Store cooked chicken wings in honey sauce in a closed container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat cooked chicken wings in the oven at 180 °C for 10 minutes to bring back the crust. The recipe notes that a microwave will make the chicken wings soft. Raw chicken wings can also be frozen already in the marinade for up to 2 months, while freezing the baked wings is not recommended because the crispy crust is lost after thawing.

Questions about this recipe

How long does it take to make chicken wings in honey sauce?

The total time is 40 minutes, with 5 minutes of active cooking time. The remaining time is for marinating and baking in the oven without much attention.

Can I use another cut of chicken instead of wings?

Yes, chicken thighs or drumsticks work with the same honey marinade. Increase the baking time to 45 to 55 minutes, and avoid chicken breast because chicken breast dries out too easily in this recipe.

Can I freeze chicken wings in honey sauce?

Yes, raw chicken wings can be frozen already in the marinade for up to 2 months. Baked chicken wings are not recommended for freezing, because the crispy crust is lost after thawing.

How do I store cooked chicken wings and how long do they keep?

Store cooked chicken wings in honey sauce in a closed container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat cooked chicken wings in the oven at 180 °C for 10 minutes, because microwave reheating will make the chicken wings soft.