Roasted Smoky Chicken Wings with Chipotle Aioli

Some dishes are made for game day. Others are meant to be savored slowly, with a cold drink and lots of napkins. These roasted chicken wings? They’re both.

This recipe was born from a craving for bold flavor without the mess (or smoke) of deep frying. I wanted wings that could deliver on heat, smokiness, and caramelized glaze, all from the oven — no fryer required. After testing different sauces, this smoky-spicy blend became my go-to. I pair it with a cool, creamy chipotle aioli that balances the heat and adds serious dipping satisfaction.

They’re now a staple at our weekend gatherings — and every time they hit the table, they vanish.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe:

• Crispy & caramelized from the oven – No deep fryer needed

• Smoky-spicy glaze – Just the right kick with layers of bold flavor

• Fresh finish – Sea salt and parsley make each bite pop

• Crowd-pleaser – Perfect for game day, parties, or casual dinners

• Customizable – Easy to adjust heat level or swap sauces

Ingredients List:

• chicken wings

• olive oil

• salt

• black pepper

• garlic powder

• smoked paprika

• Optional: baking powder

• BBQ Sauce (Store Bought or Homemade)

• hot sauce

• honey or brown sugar

• apple cider vinegar

• ground cumin

• chili powder

• sea salt flakes

• fresh parsley

For the Chipotle Aioli:

• mayonnaise

• chipotles in adobo or chipotle paste

• lime juice

• garlic powder

• Salt

There are 5 Steps To Making These Wings:

Step 1: Preheat & Prep

Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or foil. Pat chicken wings dry with paper towels. In a large bowl, toss them with olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and baking powder (if using).

Step 2: Roast The Wings

Arrange wings in a single layer on the baking sheet. Roast for 40–45 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden, crispy, and cooked through (internal temp should be 165°F).

Step 3: Make The Glaze

While the wings bake, whisk together BBQ sauce, hot sauce, honey, vinegar, cumin, and chili powder in a small saucepan. Heat over low for 3–4 minutes until warm and slightly thickened. Remove from heat.

Step 4: Make the Chipotle Aioli

In a small bowl, stir together mayo, chopped chipotle, lime juice, and garlic powder. Taste and add salt or more lime as needed. Chill until serving.

Step 5: Toss & Serve

Once wings are done, transfer to a large bowl and toss with the smoky glaze until coated. Arrange on a platter or baking tray. Garnish with sea salt flakes and chopped parsley. Serve immediately with chipotle aioli and lemon wedges on the side, if desired.

Tips to Make This Recipe Your Own:

• Turn up the heat: Add cayenne or extra chipotles to the glaze.

• Go sweet & smoky: Swap honey for maple syrup or molasses.

• Add citrus: A squeeze of fresh lemon or lime over the finished wings brightens everything up.

• Use different sauces: Try Korean gochujang glaze, buffalo sauce, or garlic parmesan.

• Air fry it: Wings can be cooked in an air fryer at 400°F for 22–25 minutes, flipping halfway.

Storage Tips:

• Leftovers: Store wings in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

• Reheat: Re-crisp in the oven at 375°F for 8–10 minutes or air fryer for 5 minutes.

• Chipotle aioli: Store in a sealed jar for up to 1 week. Great on sandwiches, burgers, or roasted veggies!

Substitution Tips:

• Chicken alternatives: Try boneless wings, drumsticks, or cauliflower florets for a veg-friendly version.

• Mayo swaps: Use Greek yogurt or vegan mayo for a lighter aioli.

• BBQ sauce: Use homemade or any store-bought version — hickory or chipotle-flavored work best.

• Glaze too spicy? Dial it back with extra honey or brown sugar and reduce chili powder.

Final Thoughts:

These roasted chicken wings hit every note — crispy, saucy, smoky, spicy, and a little sweet. The coarse salt flakes and parsley take the presentation to the next level, while the creamy chipotle aioli adds richness and cools the heat just enough. Whether you're making these for a party, game night, or a weekend indulgence, they’re bound to be a crowd favorite.

And the best part? You don’t need a fryer, fancy tools, or even a grill. Just one sheet pan and a love of bold flavor.

Looking for more Easy Chicken Recipes? Try my popular recipes below:

• Moroccan Baked Chicken

• Chicken Enchiladas Verdes

• Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup

• Crispy Chicken Tostadas

Yield: 4 servings

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Roasted Chicken Wings with Smoky-Spicy Glaze and Chipotle Aioli

Prep time: 15 MinCook time: 40 MinTotal time: 55 Min

Oven-roasted until golden and crispy, these wings are coated in a smoky, spicy glaze, finished with sea salt flakes and fresh parsley, and served with a cool chipotle aioli on the side.

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Ingredients

For the Wings

• 2 lbs chicken wings, split and tips removed
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• Optional: ½ teaspoon baking powder (for extra crispiness)

For the Smoky-Spicy Glaze

• ⅓ cup BBQ sauce (preferably smoky-style)
• 1 tablespoon hot sauce (like Frank’s or chipotle Tabasco)
• 1 tablespoon honey or brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
• ½ teaspoon ground cumin
• ¼ teaspoon chili powder (or more to taste)

For the Garnish

• Coarse sea salt flakes
• Chopped fresh parsley

For the Chipotle Aioli

• ½ cup mayonnaise
• 1–2 chipotles in adobo, finely chopped (or 1 tablespoon chipotle paste)
• 1 teaspoon lime juice
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• Salt to taste

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or foil.
2. Pat chicken wings dry with paper towels. In a large bowl, toss them with olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and baking powder (if using).
3. Arrange wings in a single layer on the baking sheet.
4. Roast for 40–45 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden, crispy, and cooked through (internal temp should be 165°F).
5. While the wings bake, whisk together BBQ sauce, hot sauce, honey, vinegar, cumin, and chili powder in a small saucepan.
6. Heat over low for 3–4 minutes until warm and slightly thickened. Remove from heat.
7. In a small bowl, stir together mayo, chopped chipotle, lime juice, and garlic powder.
8. Taste and add salt or more lime as needed. Chill until serving.
9. Once wings are done, transfer to a large bowl and toss with the smoky glaze until coated.
10. Arrange on a platter or baking tray. Garnish with sea salt flakes and chopped parsley.
11. Serve immediately with chipotle aioli and lemon wedges on the side, if desired.

Notes

Chicken alternatives: Try boneless wings, drumsticks, or cauliflower florets for a veg-friendly version.

Mayo swaps: Use Greek yogurt or vegan mayo for a lighter aioli.

BBQ sauce: Use homemade or any store-bought version — hickory or chipotle-flavored work best.

Glaze too spicy? Dial it back with extra honey or brown sugar and reduce chili powder.

Nutrition Facts

Calories

557

Carbs

15 g

Cholesterol

106 mg

Fat

44 g

Fiber

1 g

Net carbs

14 g

Protein

23 g

Sat. Fat

9 g

Sodium

1335 mg

Sugar

11 g

Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.