Sticky Glazed Chicken Wings (Oven or Grill)
Serves: 4
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: ~45–55 minutes
Flavor: Sweet, savory, garlicky, lightly smoky
Ingredients
Chicken
-
2½–3 lbs chicken wings (drumettes & flats)
-
1 tbsp baking powder (for crispiness — trust this)
-
1 tsp salt
-
1 tsp black pepper
-
1 tsp smoked paprika
-
½ tsp garlic powder
-
½ tsp onion powder
Sticky Glaze
-
½ cup honey (or brown sugar for deeper caramel flavor)
-
¼ cup soy sauce
-
2 tbsp ketchup
-
1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
-
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
-
3 cloves garlic, minced
-
1 tsp smoked paprika
-
½ tsp chili flakes (optional)
-
1 tbsp butter
Instructions
1. Prep the Wings (Very Important)
-
Pat wings completely dry with paper towels.
-
Moisture = soggy skin.
-
-
Place wings in a large bowl.
-
Toss with:
-
Baking powder
-
Salt
-
Pepper
-
Smoked paprika
-
Garlic & onion powder
-
-
Let sit uncovered in the fridge 30 minutes if you have time (extra crisp).
2. Cook the Wings
Oven Method (Recommended)
-
Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).
-
Place wings on a wire rack over a foil-lined baking sheet.
-
Bake 25 minutes, flip, then bake 20–25 more minutes.
-
Wings should be golden, crispy, and rendered.
For extra char: broil 2–3 minutes at the end.
Grill Option
-
Grill over medium-high heat, turning often, 20–25 minutes total.
3. Make the Sticky Glaze
-
In a saucepan over medium heat, add:
-
Honey
-
Soy sauce
-
Ketchup
-
Vinegar
-
Worcestershire
-
Garlic
-
Paprika
-
Chili flakes
-
-
Simmer 5–7 minutes, stirring often.
-
Add butter and stir until glossy and thick enough to coat a spoon.
-
Remove from heat.
4. Glaze & Caramelize
-
Toss hot wings in the glaze until fully coated.
-
Return wings to oven (or grill) for 5–8 minutes.
-
This step creates that dark, sticky crust.
-
-
Watch closely — sugar burns fast!
Final Touch
-
Rest wings 5 minutes.
-
Serve hot, sticky, and unapologetically messy.
Pro Tips for That Photo-Perfect Look
-
Dark pan glaze = flavor — don’t shy away from caramelization.
-
Baking powder makes skin crispy without tasting it.
-
Want deeper color? Add 1 tsp molasses to the glaze.
Optional Variations
-
Spicy: Add 1–2 tbsp hot sauce
-
BBQ-style: Replace ketchup with BBQ sauce
-
Asian-inspired: Add grated ginger + sesame oil
-
Air fryer: 380°F for 24–26 minutes, toss in glaze, air fry 3 more minutes

