Honey Garlic Chicken Wings Recipe

Name: Delicious Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 35 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 3 lbs. chicken wings (drums and wingettes) – approximately 12 wings and 12 drums; Salt and pepper, to taste; 1 Tbsp. olive oil; 1/2 cup honey (153g); 6 cloves garlic, minced; 2 Tbsp. coconut aminos (30g); 1 Tbsp. apple cider vinegar; 1/2 tsp. red pepper flakes (optional, but recommended); 1/4 Tbsp. arrowroot powder; 1 Tbsp. water

Honey Garlic Chicken Wings Recipe that hits all the right notes—sweet, garlicky, with just a hint of heat. These wings are crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and the sauce clings perfectly. You’ll want to make these for every game day and casual dinner.

A pile of glazed chicken wings sits on parchment paper, each wing covered in a shiny, dark brown sauce with a sticky texture. The wings have charred edges, adding blackened spots that give a grilled look. Light-colored sesame seeds are sprinkled on top along with small green herb pieces, scattered evenly across the chicken. The parchment paper sits on a flat surface with a white marbled texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Honey Garlic Chicken Wings Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Honey Garlic Chicken Wings Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Delicious Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I’ve made so many chicken wing recipes over the years, but this Honey Garlic Chicken Wings Recipe stands out because it’s simple, flavorful, and reliable. Honestly, the balance of sticky sweetness with garlicky depth just gets me every time.

Perfectly balanced sauce: Honey’s natural sweetness pairs flawlessly with garlic and a little kick of red pepper flakes.
Simple ingredients: You probably already have everything in your kitchen, no fancy sauces or hard-to-find stuff.
Great texture: The wings get crisped on the stove and baked to juicy perfection with a luscious coating.
Versatile and crowd-pleasing: Perfect for game nights, casual dinners, or even party appetizers—you can’t go wrong.

Ingredients & Why They Work

This recipe uses straightforward ingredients that come together beautifully. Each plays a key role to create that classic honey garlic glaze that clings just right and enhances the wings without overpowering them.

Flat lay of fresh raw chicken wings, whole uncracked brown eggs, a small bowl of golden honey, a small bowl of minced garlic cloves, a small bowl of dark brown coconut aminos, a small bowl of apple cider vinegar, a small bowl of bright red pepper flakes, a small bowl of fine arrowroot powder, a small bowl of clear water, a small white ceramic dish with golden olive oil, all arranged symmetrically on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Chicken wings: I recommend buying fresh whole wings and cutting them into drums and wingettes for even cooking and the perfect bite.
Salt and pepper: Simple seasoning brings out the natural flavor without competing with the sauce.
Olive oil: Used to brown the wings, adding a subtle layer of flavor and crispness before baking.
Honey: The backbone of the sauce, giving sweetness and a sticky finish that makes these wings irresistible.
Garlic: Fresh minced garlic tops the flavor charts, adding brightness and a little punch.
Coconut aminos: This is a great substitute for soy sauce with less sodium and a hint of sweetness; it deepens the umami.
Apple cider vinegar: Adds a touch of tang to balance the honey—and gives the sauce a nice complex flavor profile.
Red pepper flakes: Optional but highly recommended for that subtle kick that wakes up your taste buds.
Arrowroot powder: A natural thickener that helps the sauce cling perfectly after baking for that glossy finish.
Water: Just enough to help dissolve the arrowroot and make a smooth thickening slurry.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

This Honey Garlic Chicken Wings Recipe is all about making it your own. I often tweak the heat level or swap coconut aminos for soy sauce if that's what I have on hand. Don’t hesitate to make small adjustments—the best recipes have some room to breathe.

Spicier wings: When I’m craving heat, I add an extra pinch (or two) of red pepper flakes—it really wakes up the flavor.
Make it gluten-free: Keep coconut aminos and arrowroot powder, and you’re covered! Perfect if you’re cooking for friends with gluten sensitivities.
Sticky glaze variation: Sometimes, I’ll toss the wings in a little extra honey just before serving for a thicker, stickier coat.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Honey Garlic Chicken Wings Recipe

The image shows a clear glass bowl with a dark brown sticky sauce inside, coating several pieces of cooked chicken wings. The sauce looks thick and shiny with sesame seeds scattered throughout. The chicken pieces are arranged in the center of the bowl with sauce marks around the sides. The bowl is placed on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Prep and separate the wings

First things first: if your wings aren’t pre-separated, take a sharp knife and cut them into drumettes and wingettes, discarding the tips. I always pat them dry with paper towels right after—this helps the wings brown nicely instead of steaming.

Step 2: Season and brown the wings

Season the wings generously with salt and pepper, then heat up olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet. I cook the wings over medium heat until they get a lovely golden brown on all sides, about 10 minutes. This step adds great flavor and texture—don’t skip it!

Step 3: Mix and toss with sauce

While the wings are browning, whisk together honey, garlic, coconut aminos, apple cider vinegar, and red pepper flakes in a bowl. When the wings are done browning, pour this sauce over them and toss to coat. At this stage, the sauce is thin but don’t worry—it thickens up during baking.

Step 4: Bake to perfection

Pop the skillet into your 400°F oven for 15 minutes. After that, take it out, give the wings a good toss in the sauce again, then bake for another 5 minutes. You want the wings fully cooked and the sauce bubbling and getting sticky.

Step 5: Thicken and coat

Remove the wings onto a plate, then put the skillet back on medium-high heat. Bring the remaining sauce to a boil and whisk in the arrowroot slurry (arrowroot powder mixed with water). It will thicken quickly. Toss the wings back in so every bite is glossy and richly coated.

Step 6: Serve it up!

Sprinkle on some extra red pepper flakes if you like, and get ready to dig in. These are best enjoyed warm, so gather your friends or family and let the feasting begin.

Top Tip

Over the years, I’ve found a few little tweaks that make this Honey Garlic Chicken Wings Recipe even better—especially when you aim for crispy yet juicy wings with a perfectly sticky sauce.

Pat dry thoroughly: I can’t stress this enough—dry wings brown better and the sauce sticks more.
Brown before baking: Gives you that extra depth and tasty crust that baking alone can’t achieve.
Toss halfway through baking: This simple step ensures an even coverage of sauce and avoids any burnt spots.
Use arrowroot for thickening: It thickens quickly and gives the sauce a wonderful glossy shine without cloudiness.

How to Serve Honey Garlic Chicken Wings Recipe

A white plate filled with a stack of crispy golden-brown chicken wings coated in a shiny sauce, sprinkled generously with white sesame seeds and scattered with fresh, bright green chopped scallions, all set on a white marbled surface with a blue cloth partially visible around the plate, photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

I usually sprinkle on some extra red pepper flakes for color and a little kick. Fresh chopped green onions or a sprinkle of sesame seeds also add a nice touch and make the wings look irresistible.

Side Dishes

Celery and carrot sticks are classic sides for a reason—they add crunch and bring balance. I like pairing these wings with a creamy blue cheese or ranch dressing on the side to cool everything down.

Creative Ways to Present

For parties, I arrange the wings on a platter lined with lettuce, drizzle some extra sauce over the top, and add little bowls of dips around. You could also skewer them for a fun finger-food presentation that guests love.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover wings in an airtight container in the fridge. They stay flavorful for about 3 days, which is perfect for quick snacks or a second dinner.

Freezing

If you want to freeze leftovers, I recommend flash-freezing the wings first on a baking sheet, then transferring them to a freezer-safe bag. They keep well for up to 2 months and thaw quickly in the fridge.

Reheating

To reheat, I pop the wings in a hot oven (around 375°F) for 10-12 minutes to crisp them back up without drying them out. Microwaving tends to make them soggy, so I avoid that when I can.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use frozen chicken wings for this recipe?

Absolutely! Just make sure to thaw and pat them dry thoroughly. This helps achieve the crispy skin and ensures the sauce sticks well.

What can I substitute for coconut aminos if I don’t have any?

Soy sauce is a great substitute if you’re not avoiding gluten or soy. If you want to keep it gluten-free, tamari works well too. The key is to maintain that umami depth.

Can I make this recipe spicy?

Definitely! Adding extra red pepper flakes or even a dash of hot sauce to the honey garlic sauce before baking will spice things up nicely without overpowering the sweetness.

How do I reheat these wings without losing their crispiness?

The best way is reheating in the oven at about 375°F for 10-12 minutes. This refreshes the crispiness without making them dry. Avoid microwaving if crispy skin is what you want!

Final Thoughts

This Honey Garlic Chicken Wings Recipe holds a special place in my kitchen rotation because it never disappoints. If you’re looking for a dish that’s straightforward, tasty, and fun to make (with minimal fuss), this is it. I encourage you to give these wings a try—you’ll be surprised how quickly they disappear, and I’m confident they’ll become a favorite for you and everyone you share them with.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Ingredients & Why They Work

Make It Your Way