Sweet, tart, and undeniably tangy, these Cherry Lime Baked Wings are a flavor explosion that will tantalize your taste buds. Perfectly crispy from the oven and coated in a vibrant, sticky glaze, they are an absolute must-have for any gathering. Be sure to prepare a generous batch, as these wings are guaranteed to be the star attraction at your next game day party, backyard BBQ, or casual get-together!
If you’re a fan of delicious chicken wings, you might also enjoy our Crispy Baked Salt and Vinegar Chicken Wings for another fantastic baked option.
Elevate Your Game Day Feast with Irresistible Cherry Lime Wings
The anticipation for game day is always palpable. Whether it’s the Super Bowl, a crucial playoff match, or just a friendly Sunday afternoon game, everyone looks forward to different aspects. Is it the thrill of the competition, the highly anticipated commercials, the halftime spectacle, or perhaps, like me, you’re mostly there for the incredible food spread? While all four contribute to the excitement, the culinary delights undoubtedly hold a special place in my heart.
There’s something uniquely American about gathering around the television with friends and family, a table laden with delicious appetizers and snacks. Chicken wings are a quintessential game day food, a finger-licking favorite that unites fans across all teams. But why settle for the ordinary when you can serve something truly extraordinary? Our Cherry Lime Baked Wings offer a unique twist on this classic, bringing a burst of fresh, unexpected flavor that will leave your guests raving.
The Journey to the Perfect Baked Wing Recipe
My quest for the ultimate game day appetizer often begins long before the big event. In previous years, our party spreads have featured crowd-pleasers like Chili Cheese Dog Crescent Rings, savory Queso Fundido Totchos, and gourmet Bacon Wrapped Blue Cheese Stuffed Dates. These are all fantastic options, but this year, I craved something different – a classic dish, elevated with an unexpected flavor profile. While I was already planning to make my popular Supreme Pizza Dip and Chicago-Style Hoagie Dip, I felt the party needed a hearty, satisfying centerpiece, and what better choice than baked wings?
The idea struck me while browsing a new issue of Rachael Ray magazine. Rachael has always been a culinary inspiration, the reason I even embarked on my own food blogging journey. I’ve been a devoted subscriber since the magazine’s inception, always finding innovative recipes and fresh ideas. (Rachael, if you’re reading this, a visit to your New York kitchen would be a dream come true!). As I flipped through the pages, a recipe for Cherry Lime Baked Wings caught my eye. It was exactly the kind of unique, yet comforting, dish I was looking for.
The Perfect Blend: Cherries, Limes, and Crunchy Wings
Beyond my incredible family and friends, a few simple pleasures consistently bring joy to my life: my morning coffee (or two!), indulging in all things cheese, and the vibrant flavors of cherries and limes. My day doesn’t truly begin until I’ve had my coffee, and I wholeheartedly believe in the goodness of dairy. If “cherry limeade” appears on a menu, it’s an automatic order for me. So, when I saw the combination of these beloved flavors on chicken wings, it felt like culinary destiny.
The concept of Cherry Lime Baked Wings truly stood out among the eleven other wing recipes in the magazine. It wasn’t just another buffalo wing (though I do love a classic buffalo wing with extra blue cheese!). This was an unusual, intriguing twist: sweet cherries paired with zesty limes, all coated on perfectly baked, not fried, chicken. This innovative flavor profile promised a refreshing departure from the usual, making it a clear winner for my upcoming party.
Crafting the Signature Cherry Lime Glaze: Our Secret Ingredient
While the Rachael Ray recipe provided excellent inspiration, I always enjoy adding my own personal touch. For these wings, I wanted to ensure the perfect balance of sweetness and tang, along with that desirable sticky, caramelized coating. I started by thoroughly testing the base recipe, focusing on achieving perfectly crispy baked wings. After all, the best glaze can only enhance a well-cooked chicken wing.
As the wings baked to golden perfection, I assembled the ingredients for the star of the show: the cherry lime glaze. My main modification to Rachael’s recipe involved one key ingredient: Cherry Coke. The “pop” from the soda introduces a subtle caramel note and helps create an incredibly sticky, glossy, and beautifully caramelized coating on the wings as they finish baking. To further enhance the tartness and prevent the glaze from becoming overly sweet, I opted for a quality tart cherry jam. This combination creates a complex, irresistible flavor profile that is both familiar and exciting.
Achieving Perfectly Crispy Baked Chicken Wings
The secret to truly amazing baked wings lies in achieving that coveted crispy skin without the mess and added fat of deep frying. Here are a few essential tips to ensure your Cherry Lime Baked Wings come out perfectly every time:
- Pat them Dry: Before seasoning, thoroughly pat your chicken wings dry with paper towels. Excess moisture is the enemy of crispy skin.
- Even Coating: Toss the wings with a bit of oil, salt, and pepper until each piece is evenly coated. This helps the skin render and crisp up.
- Single Layer on a Rack: Arrange the wings in a single layer on a wire rack set over a foil-lined baking sheet. This allows air to circulate around each wing, promoting even cooking and maximum crispiness. The foil below catches any drips, making cleanup a breeze.
- High Heat is Key: Baking at a high temperature (450°F / 230°C) initially helps to achieve that crispy exterior quickly.
- Glaze at the End: Add the glaze towards the end of the baking process. If you add it too early, the sugars can burn, and the glaze might prevent the skin from crisping. A final bake after tossing in the glaze allows it to caramelize beautifully.
Just look at that glistening, caramelized glaze clinging to the perfectly crispy skin! Whether you’re a devoted drumette fan or you enjoy the entire wing, these are utterly irresistible. I hope you’ll add these Cherry Lime Baked Wings to your game day spread or any occasion that calls for delicious, crowd-pleasing food. And if wings aren’t entirely your preference, explore some of our other fantastic appetizer recipes. Whatever you choose, it’s sure to be a winner!
6 votes
Cherry Lime Baked Wings
Prep
Cook
Total
Author Strawberry Blondie Kitchen
Yield 8 (approx. 3 wings each)
Sweet, tart and tangy, these Cherry Lime Baked Wings are delicious and addictive. Be sure to make a big batch, they’re sure to be the hit of your next game day party!
Ingredients
4 lbs chicken wings
2 tablespoons canola oil
1 tablespoon salt
1 tablespoon pepper
Cherry Lime Glaze
1 cup cherry jam, I used Smucker’s Natural Red Tart Cherry Spread
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
2 tablespoons Cherry coke
Topping
1/2 tablespoon lime zest
Instructions
Preheat oven to 450°F (230°C).
Cover a large sheet pan with aluminum foil and place a wire rack inside. Coat the wire rack generously with cooking spray. Set aside.
In a spacious bowl, combine the chicken wings with canola oil, salt, and pepper. Toss thoroughly until all wings are evenly coated.
Arrange the seasoned wings in a single layer on the prepared wire rack. Bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes, or until the wings are crispy and golden brown.
While the wings are baking, prepare the glaze: In a separate large bowl, whisk together the cherry jam, fresh lime juice, and Cherry Coke until well combined. Transfer about 1/4 cup of this glaze to a small separate bowl for basting later.
Once the wings are crispy, carefully remove them from the oven. Transfer the hot wings into the large bowl with the majority of the glaze and toss gently to ensure every wing is coated evenly.
Return the glazed wings to the wire rack on the baking sheet and bake for an additional 10 minutes, allowing the glaze to caramelize and become sticky.
Remove the wings from the oven. Using a pastry brush, liberally brush the wings with the remaining 1/4 cup of glaze. If desired, sprinkle with fresh lime zest before serving for an extra burst of citrus flavor.
Notes
Slightly Adapted from Rachael Ray’s Cherry Lime Baked Wings.
*Nutritional data is an estimate for the entire glaze recipe. Approximately 3 ounces of glaze remained after basting the wings twice, so actual consumption may vary.
Courses Appetizer
Nutrition Facts
Serving Size approx. 3 wings each
Amount Per Serving | ||
|---|---|---|
Calories 463 | ||
% Daily Value | ||
Total Fat 26 g | 40% | |
Saturated Fat 7 g | 35% | |
Cholesterol 130 mg | 43% | |
Sodium 400 mg | 17% | |
Total Carbohydrates 21 g | 7% | |
Sugars 21 g | ||
Protein 30 g | 60% | |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
These Cherry Lime Baked Wings were an absolute revelation – so simple to make, yet incredibly flavorful and deeply satisfying. The subtle sweetness from the cherry jam, perfectly balanced by the tartness and zest of fresh lime, creates an addictive taste sensation. Discovering how easy it is to achieve such crispy, delicious baked wings means they’ll be a regular feature on my menu from now on.
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