Tequila Lime Wings
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Tequila lime wings are a version of drunken chicken wings in a sticky, sweet, and tangy tequila lime sauce. Deep-fry, Air-fry, bake, or grill these wings as a crowd-pleasing appetizer, snack, or meal. Make game-day shine with perfectly juicy and crispy chicken wings that are unique and irresistible.
Whether you know them as drunken chicken wings, margarita chicken wings, or tequila lime wings as we call them around here, the sweet, tangy, citrus glaze for wings has been around and well-loved for many years. Along with mini corn dog muffins and bacon jam crostini, they’re one of our favorite appetizers to share with friends and family.
Whether you’re looking for game-day food, want a fun and flavorful snack to share at your next house party, or just get that wing craving for dinner occasionally, this recipe is for you. The unique sweet and tangy citrus glaze is sticky, mildly spicy, and downright addictive. Paired with a crispy wing (made in the deep fryer, air fryer, or your oven), and it’s a recipe you’ll find yourself claiming as your own. (Don’t worry, I won’t tell)
Recipe Features
- Unique and Delicious – The homemade tangy, sweet, and spicy tequila lime sauce make these a tasty snack or appetizer that you won’t find at your typical wing place.
- Versatile – Serve them to your game-day crowd, your next summer cookout, or whenever you feel like wings for dinner.
- Crispy – Deep or air fried wings are the crispiest! But I’ve also shared other ways to cook them.
Ingredients, Substitutions, & Variations
There aren’t any complicated ingredients that go into making the perfect tequila lime chicken wing, just a few things to cook down into the tequila lime sauce, chicken, and oil.
- Chicken wings – Buy a party pack of pre-cut drumettes and wingettes (also called flats) pieces, or buy them as one (cheaper) and learn how to separate chicken wings here.
- Oil – I prefer to deep fry wings. For that use an oil with a high smoke point (heat tolerance) such as grapeseed, canola, or vegetable oil.
- Tequila – Anejo or reposado tequila is my preference, use any that you like.
- Limes – 3 juicy limes; fresh is preferred.
- Orange – Fresh oranges if possible, bottled juice if not.
- Honey – Maple syrup or agave nectar are good substitutions if needed.
- Jalapeno – Add mild heat by slicing 1 jalapeno into the glaze. Leave out if you wish to skip spice, or reduce spice by cutting out the seeds and white inner ribs.
- Salt – I always use coarse kosher salt.
Variations
- Veganize it – Toss your tequila lime glaze on crispy tofu or cauliflower florets. Be sure to swap the honey for agaze or maple syrup to make it vegan.
- Make it Spicier – Slice 2-3 jalapenos into the glaze before cooking. Keep all seeds and ribs to maximize spiciness. You can even use a hotter pepper like habanero or serrano.
Step by Step Instructions
If you’ve never deep-fried a wing before, let me put your mind at ease, it’s very easy! No flouring or coating is needed, just a heavy duty pot and some oil. If you prefer, I’ve shared air-fryer and baking instructions at the end of this section.
Step 1 – Heat Oil and Prep Glaze
The first step is always to get your ingredients ready. Once everything is sliced, measured, and ready, pour your oil into a heavy-bottomed pot like a Dutch oven and heat it to 375°F. I prefer a candy thermometer attached to the pot to control temperature.
While that heats, combine the tequila, lime juice, orange juice, honey, salt, and jalapeno into a sauce pan and place it over medium heat. Bring it to a rapid simmer, then reduce heat to medium. Stir occasionally while it reduces.
PRO TIP: Bring your wings out 30 minutes before cooking to allow the chill of the fridge to leave. Cold chicken will drop the oil temperature too quickly and can affect how crispy and oily the finished product is.
Step 2 – Deep Fry Wings
Lay out your chicken wings and gently pat them dry. Dry wings prevent spitting oil when the wings are placed in. (hot oil and water create the popping oil effect that many people don’t like about deep frying).
Gently lower the chicken into the hot, 375°F oil using tongs or a spider strainer. Fry for 8 minutes, or until wings are golden, crispy, and have an internal temperature of 165°F. When cooked, remove to a paper towel lined plate to remove excess oil.
PRO TIPS: Watch the oil temperature. If it drops below 340°F, increase the burner heat. Lower oil heat can add 1-3 minutes to overall cooking time and lead to greasier wings.
Don’t overcrowd the pan, either! If you’re cooking for a party, cook in batches. Each wing should have space to touch the oil on all sides for proper cooking. Too much will reduce the oil temperature and lead to soggy, greasy wings. Keep cooked wings hot and crispy by placing them on a cooling rack set over a baking sheet in a 200°F oven while you work on subsequent batches.
Step 3 – Toss in Glaze
When your tequila lime sauce has reduced by 2/3 and is sticky and syrupy, it’s time to toss your wings. The jalapenos should look candied (and are delicious!).
Place cooked wings in a large bowl and pour over the glaze. Toss repeatedly until wings are thoroughly coated, then transfer wings to a serve platter. Enjoy!
Alternate Cooking Methods
- Air Fryer Cooking Method – Follow your model’s instructions for temperature and length of time for chicken wings. This is typically about 400°F for 16 minutes. Flip the chicken wings once in the middle of cooking. Spray your basket with oil to prevent sticking, and keep wings in a single layer. Then toss with glaze and serve.
- Oven Cooking Method – Heat your oven to 425°F and line a baking sheet with parchment or a silicone mat. Toss wings with a tablespoon of baking powder, then arrange skin side up on the baking sheet. Bake for 20-30 minutes or until an internal temperature of 165°F. Toss with glaze and serve.
FAQs
Serve other game day food like maple bacon onion jam and BLT hot dogs for a party atmosphere, or make white rice and a corn avocado salad to make these wings a meal.
Greasy or oily wings are usually a culprit of your oil being too cold. Make sure your oil is at 375°F before you drop your wings in. Pull your chicken out 15-30 minutes before cooking so it isn’t cold, and make sure you don’t overcrowd the oil. Cook in batches if necessary.
Wings are best fresh, but frying to order at a party is no fun for the host. Heat your oven to 200°F when you start frying wings. Place an oven-safe cooling rack on top of a baking sheet and place it in the warm oven. When your wings are cooked, blot them gently to remove excess oil, and lay them in a single layer on the cooling rack. Keep them in the oven until you’re ready to serve. Then toss with glaze and serve hot.
I hope you wind up licking gooey tequila lime sauce from your fingers like we do whenever I make a batch of these drunken chicken wings! It’s a great recipe for a casual lunch or as a game day appetizer, Superbowl Sunday, anyone?
Love this recipe? Please consider leaving a 5 star rating in the recipe card below, or a comment to share your experience with fellow home cooks. I hope you enjoy and as always, Happy Eating!
Tequila Lime Wings
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup tequila* 3/4 cup
- 6 tbs lime juice 3 limes, juiced
- 4 tbs orange juice 1/2 to 1 orange, 1/4 cup
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1 medium jalapeno optional
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 12-14 chicken wings
- 8 cups grapeseed oil canola or vegetable work too
Instructions
- Combine the tequila, lime juice, orange juice, sliced jalapeno, honey, and salt in a saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a rapid simmer.
- Cook sauce, stirring occasionally until reduced by 2/3 and thickened to a syrup.
- Meanwhile place oil in a large, heavy bottom pot with a deep fry thermometer. Heat over medium high heat until oil reaches 375°F.
- Lay wings out on a paper towel and gently pat dry. Lay out a plate with clean paper towels for after cooking as well.
- When oil is up to temp, fry wings. Be careful not to overcrowd in pot, frying in batches if necessary*. Fry for 8 minutes or until golden brown and crispy and the juices run clear.
- Remove cooked wings from the oil and set briefly on paper towels to blot excess oil then move quickly to a bowl and toss with sauce.
- Serve immediately!
Notes
- Anejo or reposado tequila is my recommendation.
- Swap honey for agave or maple syrup.
- Use cauliflower or tofu to make this vegetarian/began.
- Bring chicken out of fridge 15-30 minutes before cooking so the cold chicken doesn’t drop your oil temperature.
- Pat chicken wings dry before frying to reduce spitting.
- Place cooked wings briefly on a paper towel to remove excess oil after cooking.
- If frying in batches, place cooked wings on a cooling rack set over a baking sheet in a low 200°F oven to keep warm.
- Air Fryer – Preheat air fryer to 400°F. Place wings in a lightly oiled basket in a single layer. Cook for 8 minutes per side.
- Oven – Toss wings in a tablespoon of baking soda. Place on a baking sheet in a single layer and bake for 20-30 minutes at 400°F, or until 165°F internally.
Nutrition
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Nutrition information and cooking times are provided as a best estimate. Values may vary based upon ingredients and equipment.
Making these today for our superbowl party!
Awesome! I made some myself yesterday, I’d love to hear how it went for you!
Oh my! I would love these wings right now – they look amazing and I will definitely make them for my weekend gathering – mmmm, so yummm .
I hope you enjoy them Ramona, I’d love to hear what you think!
These wings have such great flavor and are perfect for the upcoming Superbowl too!
My husband is definitely begging for these for the Superbowl! It works out being so close to citrus season!
I can’t say that I have chicken wing cravings often, but you have got me craving this. I mean, tequila lime? You have me hooked 😉
This sauce might be just the ticket to get you craving wings regularly ;). I hope you enjoy!
These tequila lime wings look positively delightful. We are huge fans of chicken wings at my house and I think it is so much more enjoyable to make them at home so I can get a bit more crisp on the wings than restaurants offer. The tequila lime flavor combination you’ve used here is such a fun way to mix up our regular wing choice.
Home fried really is the best right? I hope next time you’re whipping them up you give the sauce a try Jenni, I do love a good buffalo wing, but this sauce is pretty hard to beat too!
Oh my goodness, I like the flavor of this recipe and its really makes my mouthwatering. I will make this for our dinner, tonight and I am sure that it will be a hit for my family.
I hope you and your family enjoy!
I am loving the citrusy flavour in this dish from orange and lime juice, will add so much of flavour to the chicken. Looks irresistible.
Thanks Renu! I hope you enjoy them!
I was looking for recipes for upcoming game day appetizers and your Tequila Lime Wings look easy to make and delicious. So funny, I have the same Local Hive honey
That honey is good stuff! I hope these satisfy your game day crowd, enjoy!
I love wings, and lemony, lime wings are my fave! Love the heat from the jalapenos! Going to make for Super Bowl!
I admit, even though you can leave the jalapenos out, it really amps up the sauce! I hope you guys enjoy!
I am craving these chicken wings right now. I love the flavor that comes with these. Perfect for game days!
I couldn’t agree more, a good game day food!
I made these in the air fryer (because it’s new and I keep putting everything in it!) and they were delicious! We made them for game day, and they were crispy sticky beautifulness!
That’s fantastic Jacqui! The air fryer is great for quick fried foods if you have one (I haven’t taken the plunge yet!), I’m so glad they turned out for you, thanks for letting me know!
Those chicken wings look so sweet and sticky – my fave! I’m intrigued by the reduced tequila, I can’t wait to try it.
I hope you enjoy them Stine! I’m a fan of sweet and sticky wings too, so I think these will be a hit for you 🙂