"Tacos and Tequila" Chicken Wings
Glaze thickens as it cools; brush it onto wings while warm for the best sticky coating. Garnish with extra kosher salt, lime wedges, and cilantro leaves to brighten the finish. Use a thermometer to confirm wings reach 170°F before glazing to ensure doneness.
Time: Prep: 5 mins, Cook: 150 mins, Total: 155 mins
Servings: 3
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt
- 1/2 tablespoon cumin
- 1/2 tablespoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground red pepper
- 3 pounds split chicken wings
- 1 1/2 cups tequila
- 8 ounces honey
- 1/4 cup fresh squeezed orange juice
- 1/4 cup fresh squeezed lime juice
- zest of 1 lime
- 1/4 cup hot sauce of choice
- Optional: more kosher salt, lime wedges, and cilantro leaves
Instructions
- In a bowl, add the chili powder, paprika, garlic powder, kosher salt, cumin, pepper, cinnamon, and ground red pepper. Stir until evenly mixed. Set 1 Tbsp of this taco seasoning aside to use for the sauce. Sprinkle the rest of the taco seasoning on all sides of the chicken wings.
- Cook the chicken wings according to one of the following methods: In the oven: Place wings on a lined baking sheet and put in a 400 degree oven for 45 minutes, flip them halfway through. In the smoker: Place the wings in a smoker set to 250 degree for 2 and a half hours. Flip them halfway through. Use a thermometer to make sure they are 170 degrees.
- As the wings cook, make the glaze by adding tequila, honey, orange juice, lime juice, lime zest, hot sauce, and the reserved 1 Tbsp of the taco seasoning to a saucepan. Whisk together and bring to a boil, reduce the heat to low and simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Brush the glaze on both sides of the wings before serving. Sprinkle with more kosher salt and serve with more lime wedges and cilantro if desired.