chipotleMexican cremaqueso fresco

Chipotle Agave Chicken Wings

Chipotle Agave Chicken Wings

Alitas de Pollo con Chipotle y Agave

Recipe Yield

6 servings

Cooking time

2 hours 40 minutes

Rate this recipe

4.13 from 8 votes

Ingredients

To make the marinade for the wings:

  • 2 cups buttermilk
  • 3 cloves garlic minced or pressed
  • 2 chipotle chiles from chipotles chiles in adobo sauce seeded and minced
  • 1 tablespoon sauce from chipotle chiles in adobo sauce
  • 1/4 cup orange juice
  • Zest of an orange
  • 1 tablespoon kosher or coarse sea salt
  • 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 3 pounds chicken wings

To make the chicken wing sauce:

  • 4 tablespoons agave syrup or maple syrup
  • 1 garlic clove minced
  • 1 teaspoon Tabasco sauce
  • 2 tablespoons sauce from chipotle chiles in adobo sauce
  • 1 1/2 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1/4 teaspoon kosher or coarse sea salt or to taste

To make the dipping sauce:

  • 1 cup Mexican crema crème fraiche or sour cream
  • 1/2 cup crumbled queso fresco or a mild feta cheese
  • 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice
  • 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro leaves and upper parts of stems
  • 2 tablespoons chopped chives
  • kosher or coarse sea salt to taste
  • freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • Carrot and celery sticks to eat along with the wings and dip in the dipping sauce

To Prepare

  • In a large bowl or baking dish, add all the ingredients for the wing marinade: buttermilk, garlic, chipotle chiles, sauce from chipotles in adobo, orange juice, orange zest, salt and pepper, mix to combine. Add the chicken wings and mix well to make sure all of the wings are coated. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for a couple hours or overnight.
  • Preheat oven to 450°F. Place a cooling rack onto a lined (with aluminum foil or parchment paper) rimmed baking sheet and brush the cooling rack with vegetable oil. Remove the wings from the marinade and place them directly onto the cooling rack. Bake for 40 to 45 minutes, flipping once after 25 minutes, until crisp and browned on all sides.
  • While the wings are baking, place a small saucepan over medium heat and add all of the ingredients for the chicken wing sauce: agave syrup, garlic, Tabasco sauce, sauce from chipotles in adobo, vinegar, olive oil and salt, bring to a simmer. Whisk to emulsify and combine. Turn off the heat and set aside.
  • In a small bowl, combine the crema, queso fresco, lime juice, cilantro, chives and salt and pepper to taste. Stir well and set aside.
  • Once the wings are ready, place them in a large bowl. Whisk the agave wing sauce once more with a fork or whisk, then pour it over the wings and toss well so that all the wings are coated. Serve with the crema dipping sauce on the side.

Comments

40comments inChipotle Agave Chicken Wings

  1. Gina M.

    Dec 01

    Wow. Wow. Wow. I always make a half batch of most new recipes just to make sure I like them. What a mistake. These wings were the best wings my fiancé and I have ever had. I have made several recipes from your site, I don’t understand how you’re sooooooo gooooood at making EVERYTHING!!

    Thank you for the time you take to share your recipes and culture. You are responsible for making people believe I can cook.

    1. Pati Jinich

      Dec 08

      Aww, this is so sweet of you Gina, thanks so much!

  2. Michael Whitehouse

    Feb 17

    Cooked the wings, recipe x3 for my fire hall. Now the firearm rescue staff demand them once every tour, which is 2 to 3 times a week. Food Lion loves ❤️ my business, my wallet says otherwise. Thank you so much for something outside the box.

    1. Pati Jinich

      Mar 09

      So glad everyone is enjoying the wings Michael, yay!

  3. Christine

    Jan 20

    For years I have been buying whole chickens from a friend of mine and breaking them down so I can use every last delicious bit of them. I love to freeze the wings and wow my family and friends with this recipe! I’m now getting requests for them at every family gathering!

    1. Pati Jinich

      Jan 29

      Yay, enjoy the wings Christine!

  4. Kristen

    Jun 19

    I have made these wings several times and they are always a big hit. We love wings and like to try all different kinds. I am making these tomorrow for a Father’s Day barbeque. Love your show! Every recipe I have tried is awesome. Thank you for sharing your culture and food.

    1. Pati Jinich

      Jun 20

      Thanks so much Kristen! Hope all the dads in your family have a great Father’s Day and enjoy the wings 🙂

  5. Joanne Wazny

    Dec 03

    We made these last night—we decided they are the best we ever made! We were so excited we forgot to take a photo for Instagram! Sami’s Smashed Potatoes were great on the side. Thank you for another fantastic recipe!!!

    1. Pati

      Dec 04

      Oh next time a photo please, Joanne….would love to see it!

  6. Paul

    May 26

    Hey Pati,

    My wife and I made this last night and it was wonderful. We reduced the syrup by 1/2 and it still had a satisfying sweetness. We added a bit of ground chile piquin to the sauce, and will add even more next time to make it even hotter.

    Thank you!

    1. Pati

      May 28

      I’m glad you made the recipe your own, Paul, and that you guys enjoyed it!

  7. Anonymous

    Apr 26

    Gracias Pati por esta Rica receta. Se la hago a mi nietesita cada vez que me visita y queda encantada. Bendiciones para ti y los tuyos.

    1. Pati

      Apr 26

      Uy mil gracias!

  8. Ernie

    Feb 03

    OK first of all let me say I love your show, and I am making these wings as I am typing this to you for Superbowl Sunday, I will post on result

    1. Pati

      Feb 05

      Thank you for tuning in Ernie! I hope you enjoyed the wings!

  9. Stefanie

    Nov 12

    Hi!
    Just Wondering if there is something I can use for a Buttermilk replacement. My family eats Paleo. Thank you!

    1. Pati

      Nov 22

      If you are comfortable with yogurt, you can substitute it with that, otherwise, whatever kind of milk you like (almond, rice even coconut).

  10. Tammi Diaz

    Aug 29

    i love your show . I am married to a man from Mexico and we watch your show together and then I cook something that week . So far everything has been a hit . He is a big food critic and hard to please lol . Thank you for great recipes that ate truly authentic Mexican food . I am making the wings and Mac n cheese tomorrow …wish me luck .

    Ps there is always a bowl of avocados in my kitchen ?

    1. Pati

      Sep 06

      Oh… then we are friends already Tammi! You are making two of my boys favorite dishes there…

  11. Karen Arellano

    Jul 14

    Hola Pati!
    A mi novio y a mi NOS ENCANTA tu programa, el fin de semana pasado hicimos estas alitas y nos gustaron muchisimo! MUY BUENA RECETA! 🙂

    1. Pati

      Jul 14

      Qué gusto oir que les gusta, Karen! Espero que prueben muchas más recetas.

  12. Terrianne

    Jan 31

    Hi Pati,

    I saw the link to these delicious looking wings on your FB page and knew instantly I would make them for super bowl Sunday. I picked up some wings from a local seller at my farmer’s market. so they should be really special. I’m a fan. Thank you.

    1. Pati

      Feb 02

      Awesome! I hope everyone enjoyed them!!

  13. Caris O.

    Aug 31

    My husband loves wings, and these are one of his favorites!! The combination of flavors was new to me but it was amazing. Thanks again Pati!

    1. Pati

      Aug 31

      Thanks for trying out the recipe, Caris!

  14. yadira

    Aug 29

    Would it be ok to substitute the agave syrup with honey instead?

  15. Margaret Torres

    May 05

    I watched this episode and everything looked fantastic. I will try it all but would also like to make the Mexican version of our hot dog. It looked excellent. Where can I get the recipe? Thank you so much!

    1. Pati

      May 05

      Hola Margaret, I hope you try the wings! For the Sonoran Hot Dog, here goes: Wrap a turkey hot dog with bacon and grill. Split the grilled bacon-wrapped hot dog in half lengthwise, add 2 tablespoons grated melty cheese (such as mozzarella or monterey jack), and place back on the grill to melt cheese. Then serve on a buttered hot dog bun that has been toasted on the grill, and top with sausage, a drizzle of mayo, mustard, ketchup, chopped tomato and onion, and a grilled jalapeño chile.

  16. djlawson

    May 04

    made the wings the day I saw the show. they were a hit with the family the will go into my chicken rotation. I love your shows.

    1. Pati

      May 04

      I love it that they will be in your chicken rotations, great news!

  17. Suzy

    May 03

    Chicken wings look good. Thank you – will try !

  18. Sandy

    Apr 25

    I made these wings last Wednesday night and they were delicious! My husband liked them so much that he asked me to make them again this Saturday. They were extremely tasty with a deep and textured flavor. I consider myself a bit of a wings expert, and these were definitely right up there!

    1. Pati

      Apr 25

      I am so happy to get the thumbs up from a wings connoisseur!!

  19. Chris Nicholson

    Apr 15

    Hi Patti,

    I love your show and have tried several recipes that you feature on your show. Thank you so much!!

    1. Pati

      Apr 16

      Thank you, Chris!!

  20. Aastria

    Apr 13

    These chicken wings and macaroni and cheese are me and my husband’s new FAVORITE!!!! They were both soo good that I can’t wait to cook them for someone else!

    1. Pati

      Apr 16

      Hi Aastria, Thrilled to hear your husband enjoys the wings and macaroni! Thank you for making them!!

  21. Mimi Wan

    Mar 30

    I saw Pati make this on TV this weekend and I had to make it as well. Delicious! I love the buttermilk marinade with orange and the glaze is fantastic. Thank you for a wonderful and easy recipe.

    1. Pati

      Mar 31

      So glad you liked it!

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