Spicy Lime and Honey Wings

Here we are on Day 3 of Cinco Recipes for Cinco de Mayo!  If you've missed Days 1 or 2, no worries, I'll be posting a recap recipe roundup on Thursday which is the day of celebration :).

I'm not sure that chicken wings are exactly Mexican but it does have some Mexican-inspired flavors.  Besides, with the culinary melting pot that is America, everything's a bit fusion nowadays anyway.  The adobo sauce gives it great heat (omit it if you can't handle it) while the lime provides a good sour note (can you say Margaritas?!).  Finally, the honey balances the tartness but watch it on the grill because it will burn more easily.  Oh and don't do like my husband did and throw away the marinade before serving...otherwise you'll have to be flexible and glaze yours with bottled BBQ sauce in a hurry like I did.  Or end up with dry, unappetizing looking wings.  Oops.  Live and learn.

This was the first time that I ever dissected chicken wings.  It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be so that was a pleasant surprise.  Just cut where the joints are and with a good sharp knife, it cuts almost like butter.  I made these as part of my Dinner Club's Tapas themed dinner club.  To be honest, that particular dinner club is the only reason that I have enough recipes to have "planned ahead" and share with you!  Pfft like I'm ever that organized and ahead of the game haha :).  Thank you Emily for taking a picture of my wings since I clearly forgot to take one of my own in my panic to find a quick makeshift glaze.

One Year Ago: Summer Corn and Vegetable Soup
Two Years Ago: Szechwan Chicken...I can't get enough of spicy foods!

Spicy Lime and Honey Wings
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Ingredients

For the chicken

• 3 pounds chicken wings/chicken drummettes
• Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
• 3 cloves minced garlic
• 2 tablespoons olive oil

For the sauce

• 1 teaspoon grated lime zest (preferably organic)
• 1 cup fresh lime juice
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon adobo sauce (from a can of chipotle peppers in adobo sauce - optional)
• Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
• Chopped fresh cilantro, for garnish (optional)

Directions

1. To prepare the wings in the oven: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Toss the wings in a bowl with salt, pepper, minced garlic and olive oil. Arrange on a baking sheet in a single layer. Cook until just cooked through, about 30 minutes. 
2. Make the sauce: Combine the lime zest and juice, honey, cumin, adobo sauce, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/2 tablespoon pepper in a bowl. Pour over the warm wings and let marinate at least 30 minutes.
3. To prepare the wings on the grill: Preheat a grill to high. Grill the wings until marked, 10 to 15 minutes, turning as needed. Transfer the marinade to a saucepan and cook until slightly thick, about 8 minutes (you can do this on the grill as well). Drizzle or brush the wings with the sauce and top with cilantro, if desired.  Note: If you don't have a grill, you can use a grill pan indoors, bake them in the oven or saute in a little butter in a skillet until warmed through. 

Source: Joelen's Culinary Adventures as adapted from Guy Fieri