Chipotle Honey Chicken Wings with Sour Cream-Lime Dip

Published Feb. 7, 2025

Recipe Overview

• Total Time: 40 minutes

• Prep Time: 5 minutes (sauce preparation)

• Cook Time: 35 minutes (roasting)

Ingredients

• 3 pounds chicken wings, separated into wingettes (flats) and drumettes (if not pre-separated)

• 2 teaspoons kosher salt (generous for seasoning)

• 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

• 1 cup sour cream (may substitute Greek yogurt for tangier texture)

• ½ (7-ounce) can chipotle chiles in adobo sauce (including sauce; adjust for spice preference)

• ¼ cup honey (local wildflower honey recommended for depth)

• 2 tablespoons canola oil (avocado oil for higher smoke point)

• 1 teaspoon dried oregano (Mexican oregano preferred)

• 1 teaspoon ground cumin (toasted cumin seeds for enhanced aroma)

• 3 garlic cloves, minced

• Zest of 1 orange (optional; critical for brightness, per user reviews)

• 1 lime (for zest and juice)

Instructions

Step 1: Prep Oven & Chicken

• Preheat Oven: Set oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a large sheet pan with parchment paper and place a wire rack on top to ensure airflow (prevents steaming).

• Season Wings: In a large bowl, toss chicken wings with salt and pepper. Let rest 5 minutes to allow seasoning to penetrate.

Step 2: Make Chipotle Honey-Sour Cream Sauce

• In a blender or mini-prep food processor, combine: ½ cup sour cream, chipotle chiles (with adobo), honey, canola oil, oregano, cumin, minced garlic, and orange zest (if using). Blend until ultra-smooth (1–2 minutes).

• Reserve ¼ cup of the sauce for drizzling over wings; pour the remaining sauce over the seasoned chicken and toss to coat thoroughly.

Step 3: Roast the Wings

• Arrange coated wings on the prepared sheet pan, spacing 1 inch apart to maximize crispiness.

• Roast: First 15 minutes (for initial browning), then flip all wings and roast another 15–20 minutes until golden, crisp, and cooked through (internal temp: 165°F/74°C). Total roasting time: 30–35 minutes.

Step 4: Sour Cream-Lime Dipping Sauce

• While wings roast, mix ½ cup sour cream with 1 teaspoon lime zest (finely grated), 2–3 tablespoons lime juice (from squeezed half-lime), and a pinch of salt. Stir until smooth.

Step 5: Serve

• Transfer roasted wings to a platter. Drizzle with reserved ¼ cup chipotle sauce and toss gently.

• Serve immediately with the sour cream-lime dip.

Chef’s Tips

• Air Fryer Alternative: Toss wings with sauce, then air fry at 400°F (200°C) for 10-minute increments (25–30 minutes total). Flip halfway for crispiness.

• Spice Control: Reduce chipotle to ¼ can for milder heat; add extra adobo for intensity.

• Zest Essential: Orange zest is a non-negotiable per reviews (adds citrus brightness).

• Crisping Hack: For extra crunch, broil wings at the final 2–3 minutes (watch closely to avoid burning).

User Reviews

• “Made in air fryer at 400° for 10-minute increments—25 total. Orange zest is a must! Lime in the sauce is game-changing.”

• “No blender? Use a mini-prep. The sauce is habit-forming! Sour cream-lime dip pairs perfectly.”

• “Spiciness too intense? Cut chipotle to ¼ can. Otherwise, a sensation!”

Total Time: 40 minutes | Servings: 4–6 | Difficulty: Medium

Enjoy the smoky-sweet, crisp-tender wings with the creamy-lime dip! 🌶️🍋