When it comes to holiday gatherings, there’s always room on the table for something a little unexpected — and these Maple-Cranberry Glazed Wings with Smoked Paprika are exactly that. Tangy, sweet, smoky, and just a little bit sticky, these wings are a festive upgrade from your standard game-day fare. Whether you’re putting together a platter for a Thanksgiving appetizer, jazzing up your christmas chicken wings spread, or just looking for a unique way to use up leftover cranberry sauce, this recipe delivers big-time flavor with very little fuss.
These aren't your average wings. This is a cranberry chicken wings recipe that fuses sweet-tart cranberry, rich maple syrup, and the earthy depth of smoked paprika for a truly unforgettable bite. Serve them up for a holiday party, or keep them all to yourself (we won't tell). Either way, they hit that perfect sweet-heat note that keeps people coming back for more.
Maple Cranberry Glazed Wings with Smoked Paprika
Prep Time 15 minutes mins
Cook Time 45 minutes mins
Total Time 1 hour hr
Course Appetizer
Cuisine American
Baking sheet A sturdy rimmed baking sheet is essential for roasting the wings evenly.
Wire Rack This allows air to circulate around the wings, helping them get crispy. No rack? Line your pan with foil and spray generously with oil.
Small saucepan For simmering the glaze until thick and syrupy.
Mixing bowls One large bowl for tossing wings and a small one for mixing your dry rub.
Tongs For flipping wings and coating them in the glaze.
Whisk To ensure the glaze ingredients are well combined.
For the Wings
- 2 ½ pounds of chicken wings drumettes and flats separated
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 ½ teaspoons smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
For the Maple-Cranberry Glaze
- 1 cup whole berry cranberry sauce homemade or canned
- ¼ cup pure maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 clove garlic finely minced
- Pinch of cayenne pepper optional, for heat
Step 1: Prep and Season the Wings
Start by patting your chicken wings dry with paper towels. This helps them crisp up in the oven. Add them to a large mixing bowl and toss with olive oil.
In a small bowl, combine salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder. Sprinkle the spice mix over the wings and toss until evenly coated.
Step 2: Roast Until Golden and Crispy
Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Place a wire rack on top of a foil-lined baking sheet and arrange the wings in a single layer. Roast for 40-45 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the wings are crispy and golden.
Step 3: Make the Maple-Cranberry Glaze
While the wings roast, make your glaze. In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine cranberry sauce, maple syrup, balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, soy sauce, smoked paprika, garlic, and cayenne pepper. Bring to a simmer, stirring occasionally. Let it bubble gently for 8-10 minutes, or until slightly thickened. Set aside.
This glaze doubles as an incredible cranberry wing sauce — perfect for dipping or brushing on other proteins.
Step 4: Glaze and Broil
Once the wings are golden and cooked through, remove them from the oven. Brush them generously with the maple-cranberry glaze and return to the oven under the broiler for 2-3 minutes. Keep a close eye — the sugars in the glaze can caramelize quickly.
Want them extra sticky? Toss them in a bowl with more glaze right before serving.
Pairings
These wings are bold and festive, and pairing them with the right sides or drinks makes the experience even better.
Sides
- Roasted Brussels sprouts: Their bitterness contrasts perfectly with the sweet glaze.
- Creamy mashed sweet potatoes: They echo the holiday vibes with a smooth texture and natural sweetness.
- Cranberry coleslaw: A tangy slaw made with cranberry juice in the dressing makes a fresh and crunchy companion.
Drinks
- Sparkling apple cider: A kid-friendly option that complements the sweet-tart profile of the glaze.
- Cranberry bourbon cocktail: Cranberry and bourbon pair beautifully, enhancing the smoky and sweet notes in the wings.
- Dry Riesling or Pinot Noir: These wines cut through the richness while enhancing the glaze’s fruitiness.
FAQs
1. What kind of chicken should I use for cranberry glazed chicken wings?
For best results, use split chicken wings that include both flats and drumettes. They cook evenly and hold onto the glaze well. You can also use boneless chicken wings if preferred, but they may need slightly less time in the oven.
2. Can I use frozen wings?
Yes, but make sure to thaw them completely and pat them dry before seasoning. Excess moisture prevents the skin from crisping and the glaze from sticking properly.
3. Is this recipe good with homemade cranberry sauce?
Absolutely. In fact, using a homemade whole berry cranberry sauce adds more texture and a richer cranberry flavor to your glaze. It’s a great way to repurpose leftover holiday sauce into something exciting like cranberry sauce chicken wings.
4. Can I make these wings ahead of time?
Yes! Roast the wings and prepare the glaze ahead. Store separately, then reheat the wings at 375°F for about 10 minutes, brush with glaze, and broil briefly to finish. This makes them perfect for entertaining or prepping your thanksgiving chicken wings menu.
5. Can I turn this into a cranberry BBQ sauce chicken wings recipe?
Definitely. Add 2 tablespoons of your favorite BBQ sauce into the glaze, or swap the balsamic vinegar for apple cider vinegar and add a pinch of brown sugar. This gives you a killer cranberry BBQ sauce chicken wings version with even more depth.
