Giada’s Margarita Chicken Wings are a little zesty, a little smoky, and completely irresistible. Marinated in fresh lime and orange juices with a splash of tequila, these wings are bursting with flavor.

The sticky glaze adds just the right touch of sweetness to balance the heat—perfect for those who love a bold, cozy dish. Whether it’s a summer patio party or a holiday get-together, these wings are a total hit.

Pair them with crunchy tortilla chips and a salsa dip, or serve them solo as the meal’s star. You can even prep them in advance for stress-free entertaining. They’re the ultimate comfort food, any season!

Recipe Ingredients

• 1 pound of chicken wings, tips removed, and wings split
• ½ cup of silver tequila
• 1 teaspoon of grated orange zest
• ¼ cup of fresh orange juice (from about 1 orange)
• ½ teaspoon of grated lime zest
• 3 tablespoons of fresh lime juice (from about 2 limes)
• 2 teaspoons of agave syrup
• ¼ teaspoon of kosher salt
• 4 to 6 pequin chiles, crushed, or ⅛ teaspoon of smoked hot paprika
• Vegetable oil cooking spray

How To Make Giada Margarita Chicken Wings

1. Marinate Your Wings: Place the chicken wings into a resealable plastic bag, ensuring they’re evenly spread out for maximum flavor absorption.
2. Mix the Marinade: In a small bowl, whisk together the tequila, orange zest, orange juice, lime zest, lime juice, agave syrup, salt, and crushed chiles or smoked paprika.
3. Combine and Chill: Pour the marinade over the wings, seal the bag tightly, and gently turn it upside down a few times to coat the chicken evenly. Place the bag in the refrigerator and let the wings marinate for 2 to 4 hours.
4. Preheat Your Oven: Set your oven to 450ºF so it’s piping hot and ready for baking.
5. Prepare the Baking Sheet: Spray a small, rimmed baking sheet with vegetable oil cooking spray to prevent sticking.
6. Dry and Arrange: Remove the wings from the marinade, pat them dry with paper towels, and arrange them on the prepared baking sheet, ensuring they don’t touch each other. Save the remaining marinade in the bag for later.
7. Bake to Perfection: Bake the wings for 25 to 30 minutes, flipping them halfway through (at about 12 to 15 minutes) to ensure even browning. They’re ready when the skin is crisp and golden.
8. Grill for Crispiness: Heat a grill pan over medium-high heat. Once hot, transfer the baked wings to the grill pan and cook for 5 minutes, turning occasionally, until the wings develop a crispy, golden exterior.
9. Reduce the Marinade: Pour the reserved marinade into a small saucepan and bring it to a simmer over medium-high heat. Allow it to simmer for 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens into a sticky glaze.
10. Toss and Serve: Place the crispy wings in a shallow, heat-proof dish. Pour the glaze over the wings and gently toss them to coat each one evenly. Serve immediately while they’re hot, sticky, and delicious.

Recipe Tips

• Marinate for Maximum Flavor: Let the wings marinate for at least 4 hours or overnight to ensure they soak up all the citrus, tequila, and spice flavors.
• Adjust the Heat: For milder wings, reduce the amount of pequin chiles or replace them with smoked paprika for a subtle smoky flavor without too much spice.
• Grill Instead of Bake: Skip the oven and grill the wings entirely for a smoky, charred flavor. Cook them on medium heat for about 20 minutes, flipping occasionally.
• Double the Glaze: If you love extra sauce, double the marinade recipe and reduce half of it separately for a richer, stickier glaze to coat the wings.
• Try Different Citrus: Swap out the orange juice for grapefruit or even blood orange juice for a unique, tangy twist on the classic marinade.

Recipe FAQs and Variations

Check out More Recipes:

• Giada Mediterranean Chile Chicken Wings
• Giada Deconstructed Clams “Casino”
• Giada Mini Eggplant Parmesan