These Spicy Orange Chicken Wings are packed with flavor, combining the perfect blend of sweet, spicy, and citrusy flavors. The crispy chicken wings are smothered in a homemade orange sauce made with fresh orange juice, honey, and hot sauce, delivering a satisfying kick. Whether served as an appetizer or a main dish, they’re an irresistible crowd-pleaser that’s perfect for any gathering or weeknight meal.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

For the Wings:

• 2 ½ lbs organic chicken wings, disjointed

• 2 tsp On Everything All-Purpose Blend (or make your own)

• 1 tsp smoked paprika (optional)

• 1 tsp sea salt

For the Spicy Orange Sauce:

• 2 tbsp filtered water

• 1 tbsp unsalted butter

• 2 garlic cloves, minced

• 1 cup freshly-squeezed orange juice (from about 3-4 oranges)

• ¼ cup raw honey

• 3 tbsp organic brown sugar

• 1 tsp arrowroot starch + 2 tbsp water

• 1 tsp sriracha or hot sauce

• ½ tsp red pepper flakes

• ¼ tsp ground ginger

• Zest and peels of 1 navel orange

Directions

1. Prepare the Wings: Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and place a wire rack on top. Pat the chicken wings dry, and season them with On Everything All-Purpose Blend, smoked paprika, and sea salt. Arrange the wings on the rack, making sure they are spaced out.

2. Bake the Wings: Bake the wings for 20-25 minutes or until they are crispy and cooked through.

3. Make the Sauce: In a saucepan, combine butter, garlic, orange juice, honey, brown sugar, red pepper flakes, ginger, hot sauce, and orange peels. Simmer for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally. In a small bowl, mix arrowroot starch and water until smooth, then add to the sauce, stirring until it thickens. Remove from heat.

4. Coat the Wings: Once the wings are crispy, pour the sauce over them and toss to coat. Bake for an additional 5-6 minutes, or until the sauce is sticky and caramelized on the wings.

5. Serve: Serve the wings immediately with your favorite side or dipping sauce.

Nutrients (per serving)

• Calories: 425 kcal

• Carbohydrates: 28 g

• Protein: 27 g

• Fat: 24 g

• Saturated Fat: 6 g

• Cholesterol: 90 mg

• Sodium: 700 mg

• Potassium: 490 mg

• Fiber: 2 g

• Sugar: 19 g

Perfectly Crispy Wings

The foundation of this dish lies in the crispy, perfectly baked chicken wings. To achieve the ideal texture, the wings are seasoned with a flavorful blend of On Everything All-Purpose Blend (or your own spice mix), smoked paprika, and sea salt, which adds a depth of flavor without overwhelming the wings. The seasoning creates a savory base, allowing the sweet and spicy orange sauce to shine through.

To ensure the wings come out crispy, they’re baked on a wire rack, which allows air to circulate around the wings, ensuring they cook evenly and achieve a crunchy texture. Baking the wings at 400°F (200°C) for 20-25 minutes gives them enough time to crisp up while still keeping the meat juicy and tender on the inside.

Homemade Spicy Orange Sauce: The Star of the Dish

What sets these wings apart is the homemade spicy orange sauce that’s both sweet and fiery. The sauce begins with butter and minced garlic, which are sautéed together to create a savory base. Freshly-squeezed orange juice, honey, and brown sugar are added to create a sweet and tangy mixture that coats the wings beautifully. The addition of sriracha or hot sauce brings the perfect amount of heat, while red pepper flakes add a little extra kick. Ground ginger provides a subtle warmth that enhances the depth of the sauce.

To achieve the perfect sauce consistency, arrowroot starch and water are combined into a slurry and added to the sauce, thickening it to a sticky, glaze-like consistency. This sauce coats the wings beautifully and caramelizes in the oven, ensuring that every bite is bursting with sweet, spicy, and citrusy flavor.

The Finishing Touch: Caramelization and Coating

After the wings are baked to crispy perfection, they are tossed in the spicy orange sauce, ensuring every wing is well-coated in the sticky, flavorful glaze. The wings are then baked for an additional 5-6 minutes, which allows the sauce to thicken and caramelize on the wings, creating a glossy, irresistible finish. This step is key to achieving that deliciously sticky texture that makes these wings so special.

Serving Suggestions

These Spicy Orange Chicken Wings are perfect for any occasion. Serve them as an appetizer at a party, or as a main dish for a quick and flavorful dinner. They pair wonderfully with a variety of sides, such as:

• Mashed Potatoes: The creamy, buttery texture of mashed potatoes balances the spiciness of the wings perfectly.

• Rice: Serve the wings with jasmine rice or a simple rice pilaf to soak up the extra sauce.

• Sautéed Vegetables: A light vegetable side, like sautéed broccoli or green beans, complements the bold flavors of the wings.

These wings also go great with dipping sauces like ranch, blue cheese, or a simple garlic aioli for an extra layer of flavor.

Nutritional Information

Each serving of Spicy Orange Chicken Wings contains approximately 425 calories, with 27 grams of protein, making it a satisfying meal or snack. The wings also contain 24 grams of fat, with 6 grams of saturated fat, which contribute to their rich, juicy texture. With 28 grams of carbohydrates, including 2 grams of fiber and 19 grams of sugar, they are a sweet and savory treat, though they do contain a significant amount of sugar from the honey and brown sugar.

The wings also offer important nutrients like potassium (490 mg), which supports muscle function, and sodium (700 mg), which contributes to flavor, though it’s important to note the sodium content due to the seasoning and sauce. Cholesterol is 90 mg per serving, which is typical for a meat-based dish like this.

Conclusion

These Spicy Orange Chicken Wings are a delicious combination of sweet, spicy, and citrusy flavors, making them an irresistible dish for any gathering or meal. The crispy, tender wings are coated in a flavorful homemade orange sauce that’s both tangy and fiery, creating the perfect balance of flavors. Whether served as an appetizer or main dish, these wings will quickly become a family favorite and a crowd-pleasing addition to any menu. With easy preparation and big, bold flavor, they’re the perfect go-to dish for a flavorful weeknight dinner or special occasion!