Spicy Cumin Chicken Wings Recipe

Some pieces of meat are more or less highly prized than others, and that is often reflected in their price at the supermarket. Often considered to be a cheaper cut of meat, we believe that chicken wings are a highly underrated ingredient. They are super simple to prepare as well as being utterly delicious, not to mention their affordability. So, if you always find yourself reaching for chicken breasts during your weekly shop, why not try something different and go for the wings instead?

This recipe for spicy cumin chicken wings, created by Recipe Developer Jennine Rye, uses a few simple spices: cumin, garlic, and chili flakes, along with some brown sugar and lime, to give this already tasty protein a real kick of flavor. Wings are typically very succulent, and cooking this cut of meat under a hot broiler keeps the chicken deliciously juicy, as well as creating a wonderfully crispy golden skin. Although, if you happen to have the barbecue going, this versatile and quick-to-prepare recipe works just as well when grilled.

Perfect on their own, paired with your favorite dip, as a starter, or as part of a larger potluck meal or barbecue, these spicy cumin chicken wings are sure to be a hit. Make a change from the similarly delicious, but definitely more traditional buffalo wings. Read on to find out how simple it is to prepare and cook this recipe.

To begin this spicy cumin chicken wings recipe, first you will need to gather the ingredients. You won't need too many things, making this a relatively affordable recipe from start to finish. For the marinade, you will want cooking oil, ground cumin, brown sugar, garlic powder, chili flakes, lime, and salt and pepper, to taste. You will also need the star of the show: the chicken wings.

One of the absolute best ways to make the most out of chicken wings is by smothering them in delicious spices or marinades. A good marinade provides a real punch of flavor and can also help to make the meat extra succulent. Contrary to popular beliefs, it really isn't necessary to marinade meat for longer than 15 to 20 minutes; that is the perfect amount of time for the meat to take on all the flavors of the mixture. For this marinade, simply mix together cooking oil with ground cumin, brown sugar, garlic powder, chili flakes, salt, and pepper.

For this recipe you can either use the chicken wings whole, or, if you prefer, you can cut them into segments. If you choose to do this, you will be cutting the wing into the drumstick, the wingette, and the wing tip. To easily separate the pieces of the chicken wings, simply find the joints using your fingers and then gently rock a knife back and forth to cut through them, discarding the wing tip. However, this is entirely a preference and not necessary for this recipe. 

To marinade the chicken wings, simply add them to the cumin marinade and mix them by hand until thoroughly coated, before setting them aside for 15 minutes while the broiler heats up.

Once the broiler is preheated, it's time to cook the chicken wings. Place them onto a wire rack above a cooking tray, well spaced out to allow the heat to circulate around each one. Then, let them cook, undisturbed, for 10 minutes. Turn them over and allow them to cook for another 10 minutes, and then remove them from the oven when they are cooked through and the skin is golden and crispy. 

Eat them straight away to enjoy them at their best. If you happen to have any leftovers, the best way to reheat them is by bringing them up to room temperature and then cooking them in the oven for around 10 minutes.