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Spicy Mango Habanero Chicken Wings - Sweet Heat With a Kick

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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 6 servings
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • Chicken wings (2–3 lb, split into flats and drumettes)
  • Fresh mango (2 ripe mangos, peeled and diced) or 2 cups frozen mango chunks
  • Habanero peppers (1–2, stemmed and seeded for less heat)
  • Garlic (3 cloves)
  • Fresh ginger (1-inch piece, peeled)
  • Lime (1–2 limes, for juice and zest)
  • Honey (2–3 tbsp)
  • Brown sugar (1–2 tbsp, optional for extra caramelization)
  • Apple cider vinegar (2 tbsp)
  • Soy sauce or tamari (1–2 tbsp)
  • Salt and black pepper
  • Baking powder (1 tbsp, for crispiness)
  • Neutral oil (1–2 tbsp)
  • Unsalted butter (2 tbsp)
  • Optional: orange juice (2–3 tbsp), ground cumin (1/2 tsp), smoked paprika (1/2 tsp), fresh cilantro, sesame seeds, green onion

Method
 

  1. Prep the wings: Pat the wings dry with paper towels. Toss with 1 tbsp baking powder, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Add 1 tbsp oil and mix until coated.
  2. Choose your cooking method: Bake: Arrange on a wire rack over a sheet pan. Bake at 425°F (220°C) for 40–45 minutes, flipping at 25 minutes, until deeply golden and crisp.
  3. Air-fry: Air-fry at 400°F (205°C) for 18–22 minutes, shaking or flipping halfway.
  4. Grill: Grill over medium heat 18–22 minutes, turning often until charred and cooked through.
  5. Make the sauce base: In a small pot, add diced mango, 1–2 habaneros, garlic, ginger, 2 tbsp honey, 2 tbsp vinegar, 1 tbsp soy sauce, zest of 1/2 lime, and 2 tbsp water (plus optional 2–3 tbsp orange juice). Simmer on medium for 6–8 minutes until the mango softens.
  6. Blend it smooth: Transfer to a blender and blend until silky. Return to the pot. Taste and adjust: add more honey for sweetness, vinegar for tang, or a pinch of salt. For smokiness, add 1/2 tsp smoked paprika; for warmth, add 1/2 tsp cumin.
  7. Finish the sauce: Simmer 2–3 minutes to thicken slightly. Whisk in 2 tbsp butter off heat for a glossy, clingy finish.
  8. Sauce the wings: Toss hot wings in a large bowl with the warm mango habanero sauce until coated. Reserve extra sauce for dipping.
  9. Garnish and serve: Squeeze fresh lime over the wings. Top with chopped cilantro, sliced green onion, or sesame seeds if you like. Serve immediately.