These Tequila Lime Chicken Wings are perfectly seasoned and tossed in a sweet and tangy sauce for a delightful flavor combination. Pair these zesty wings with your favorite dipping sauce for a quick weeknight dinner or crowd-pleasing game day snack!
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These wings come together quickly and easily, in about 30 minutes, but you can prep them ahead of time so they are ready to go when you are. Store them in the fridge with the sauce or add the sauce when you’re ready to serve them. Either way, they’ll taste great!
If you like these tequila and lime wings, you will love these Thai Curry Wings, these Slow Cooker Turkey Wings, Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Wings and these Honey BBQ Wings. Or try this Lemon Pepper Sauce!
Why You Will Love This Tequila & Lime Chicken Wings Recipe
- Easy preparation: With simple ingredients and air fryer cooking, this recipe is quick and hassle-free.
- Bold flavors: The combination of tequila, lime, and Tajin creates a zesty, tangy profile.
- Crispy texture: The air fryer method ensures crispy chicken wings without deep frying.
- Versatile & Customizable: These wings make a great appetizer, game day snack, or main course. You can easily adjust spice levels and sauce thickness to your preference.
Ingredients
- Chicken Wings: Have a juicy interior and crispy exterior. They're perfect for absorbing the flavors of the sauce.
- Onion and Garlic Powder: These add depth and savory notes to the seasoning. Fresh minced onion and garlic can be substituted for a more intense flavor.
- Tajin: A Mexican seasoning blend that adds citrusy, spicy notes. Ancho chili powder or regular chili powder mixed with lime zest and salt can be used as a substitute.
- Olive Oil: Helps the seasoning stick to the wings and promotes browning. Any neutral cooking oil like avocado or vegetable oil can be used instead.
- Baking Powder: The secret to extra crispy skin. It can be omitted, but the texture won't be as crispy. Use 1 teaspoon for every 1 pound of chicken wings. Do not use baking soda!
- Sweet Chili Sauce: Provides sweetness and a mild heat to balance the tart lime and tequila. Honey mixed with sriracha can be a good substitute.
- Lime Zest and Juice: Adds bright, citrusy notes that complement the tequila.
- Tequila: Brings a unique, slightly smoky flavor to the sauce. For a non-alcoholic version, leave out the tequila or use chicken broth instead.
See the recipe card below for the exact quantities of each ingredient.
Variations
- Add some spice: Stir cayenne pepper or red chili flakes into the sauce or sprinkle over the chicken. You could also add chopped jalapenos to the sauce.
- Switch up the chicken: Drumsticks or boneless chicken thighs are a good substitute for chicken wings.
- For sweeter wings: Stir honey, agave, or maple syrup into the sauce.
- Sub the tequila: If you don’t have tequila, use mezcal, vodka or gin in its place.
How to Make Tequila Lime Chicken Wings
Get started by preheating your air fryer to 400° F.
Step 1: Prepare the seasoning. Mix the onion powder, garlic powder, Tajin, and baking powder in a small bowl.
Step 2: Season the wings. Pat the chicken wings dry with paper towels and place in a large bowl. Sprinkle on the seasoning and toss to coat.
Step 3. Place wings in the air fryer. Arrange the seasoned wings in the air fryer basket in a single layer.
Step 4: Cook the wings. Air fry for 20 minutes, flipping the wings halfway during cooking.
Step 5: Make the sauce. Combine the sweet chili sauce, lime zest, fresh lime juice, and tequila in a small bowl and whisk to combine.
Step 6: Add the sauce. Transfer the cooked wings to a clean bowl and pour the sauce over top. Toss to coat.
If you're a fan of tequila, you may also enjoy this Tequila Berry Cocktail.
Storage
- Refrigerator: Allow the wings to cool completely, and store in an airtight container or freezer bag in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Place the leftover chicken wings on a wire rack on a sheet pan and freeze until solid. Transfer the wings to a freezer bag and store in the freezer for up to 3 months.
- Reheat: For best results, reheat refrigerated wings in an air fryer at 375°F (190°C) for 5-7 minutes, or in a 375°F (190°C) oven for 10-15 minutes until they turn crispy and are heated through. For frozen wings, I recommend thawing them in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
Serving Suggestions
Chicken Wings are the ultimate game day snack, quick weeknight dinner, or party appetizer. Here are a few things we like to pair them with.
- For a game day get-together, serve these wings on a platter with a variety of dips, such as Chipotle Lime Dip, Buttermilk Ranch Dip, and Spicy Mayo Sauce.
- Make a quick weeknight dinner with Hot Girl Summer Salad or this Broccoli Crunch Salad.
- Make as an appetizer for your next party along with these Cheesy Mushrooms Appetizer Toasts.
Recipe Tips
- For extra crispy wings: Let them sit in the fridge with the seasoning for 30 minutes before cooking. You can also toss the wings in baking powder the night before and refrigerate uncovered for ultra-crispy skin.
- Adjust the sauce consistency: For a thicker sauce, simmer it on the stovetop for a few minutes. For a thinner sauce, add some chicken broth to the mixture.
- Reserve some of the sauce: Reserve some sauce for dipping or you can brush the wings with some during the last 2 minutes of cooking for a caramelized finish.
- Keep the wings warm: For a party, keep the cooked wings warming in a slow cooker that’s set to low or in an oven set to 170° F.
FAQ
Yes, you can bake them in a 425°F (220°C) oven for 40-45 minutes, flipping them halfway through cooking.
It's best to thaw wings completely to ensure even cooking and proper seasoning adherence.
Lightly spray the basket with cooking oil before adding the wings to prevent sticking.
More Delicious Wing Recipes
Ready to get cooking? Remember that you can print this recipe if you would like.
Lime Tequila Chicken Wings
Equipment
- Small bowl for sauce
Ingredients
- 1 lb 8 oz chicken wings about 10-15 wings
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons Tajin
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ cup sweet chili sauce
- ½ teaspoon lime zest
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- ¼ cup reposado tequila
Instructions
- Pat the chicken wings dry with paper towels and place them in a large bowl. Drizzle with olive oil and toss to coat evenly.
- In a small bowl, mix onion powder, garlic powder, Tajin, and baking powder. The baking powder helps create a crispy exterior. Sprinkle this seasoning mixture over the wings and toss to coat evenly.
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 3 minutes.
- Arrange the seasoned wings in the air fryer basket in a single layer, without overcrowding. You may need to cook in batches. Cook for 20 minutes, flipping the wings halfway through. The wings should be golden brown and crispy, with an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) when checked with a meat thermometer.
- While the wings are cooking, whisk together sweet chili sauce, lime zest, fresh lime juice, and tequila in a small bowl. This tequila lime sauce doesn't need cooking but can be simmered for a thicker consistency.
- Once the wings are cooked, transfer them to a large clean bowl. Pour the delicious sauce over the wings and toss them gently to coat evenly.
- Serve your tequila lime wings immediately while they are still hot and crispy.
Notes
- For extra crispy wings: Let them sit in the fridge with the seasoning for 30 minutes before cooking. You can also toss the wings in baking powder the night before and refrigerate uncovered for ultra-crispy skin.
- Adjust the sauce consistency: For a thicker sauce, simmer it on the stovetop for a few minutes. For a thinner sauce, add some chicken broth to the mixture.
- Reserve some of the sauce: Reserve some sauce for dipping or brush the wings with some of the during the last 2 minutes of cooking for a caramelized finish.
- Keep the wings warm: For a party, keep the cooked wings warming in a slow cooker that’s set to low or in an oven set to 170° F.
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