If you're looking for the ultimate crowd-pleasing appetizer that doubles up as a killer main dish, these Sweet Chili Mango Chicken Wings are your next obsession. Glazed with a sticky homemade sauce that marries tropical mango with sweet chili heat, these wings are crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, and finger-licking good all around. Whether you’re planning a game-day snack, hunting for new chicken wing ideas for dinner, or just need a flavorful break from your usual chicken breast dinner ideas, this is a wings recipe baked to perfection. And yes—these are not your average store-bought wings. These are homemade chicken wings, packed with bold flavor and a satisfying crunch.
Sweet Chili Mango Chicken Wings
Prep Time 20 minutes mins
Cook Time 45 minutes mins
Total Time 1 hour hr 5 minutes mins
Course Appetizer, Snack
Cuisine Caribbean
Servings 4 4–5 as a main dish, 6–8 as an appetizer
Baking sheet A large rimmed baking sheet helps the wings cook evenly. Line it with parchment paper or foil and place a wire rack on top to allow air to circulate.
Wire Rack Essential for achieving chicken wings in the oven crispy and golden-brown without frying.
Blender or food processor To puree the mango and blend the sauce into a smooth consistency.
saucepan Needed for simmering the sauce so it thickens into a sticky glaze.
Tongs Handy for flipping wings and tossing them in sauce without getting messy.
Mixing bowl For tossing wings in seasoning before baking.
For the Chicken Wings
- 2.5 pounds of chicken wings drumettes and flats, or whole wings split at the joint
- 1 tablespoon baking powder aluminum-free
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
For the Sweet Chili Mango Sauce
- 1 ripe mango peeled and diced
- 1/2 cup sweet chili sauce store-bought or homemade
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes optional for extra heat
- Juice of 1 lime
Garnish
- Sliced green onions
- Chopped cilantro
- Sesame seeds
- Extra lime wedges for serving
Step 1: Prep the Wings
Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Pat the chicken wings dry with paper towels—this is crucial to get crispy skin. In a large bowl, combine the baking powder, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Toss the wings in this dry rub until they’re fully coated.
Step 2: Bake for Crispiness
Arrange the wings in a single layer on the wire rack over your baking sheet. Bake for 25 minutes, then flip each wing. Bake for another 20 minutes until they’re golden and crisp. This method is a fantastic wings recipe oven style that delivers fried-like results.
Step 3: Make the Sauce
While the wings are baking, add the mango, sweet chili sauce, honey, rice vinegar, soy sauce, ginger, garlic, lime juice, and red pepper flakes to a blender. Blend until smooth. Pour into a saucepan and simmer over medium heat for about 10–12 minutes until thickened. Stir occasionally.
Step 4: Toss and Glaze
Once wings are out of the oven, let them cool for 5 minutes. Transfer to a large mixing bowl and pour over the sticky mango chili sauce. Toss until every wing is glistening.
Step 5: Garnish and Serve
Plate the wings and sprinkle with sesame seeds, green onions, and cilantro. Serve with lime wedges for a zesty final touch.
Pairings That Pop
These wings go great with a tangy mango slaw, cilantro-lime rice, or crispy sweet potato fries. For drinks, you can't go wrong with an ice-cold lager, a tropical mango mojito, or a chilled glass of sparkling water with a splash of lime. Want to turn this into a complete chicken wings dinner? Add grilled corn, a green salad, and warm dinner rolls to round things out.
FAQs
1. Can I use boneless wings or chicken breast instead?
Absolutely. If you’re leaning toward boneless chicken breast recipes, cube boneless skinless breasts or thighs and follow the same baking and saucing method. They won’t have that finger-holding wing vibe, but they'll still deliver all the flavor.
2. What type of wings should I buy?
Use a mix of flats and drumettes for a nice texture variety. You can buy party wings (pre-cut and trimmed), or whole wings and split them yourself.
3. Can I fry these instead of baking?
Definitely! If you’re going for a fried wings recipe, deep-fry the seasoned wings at 375°F until golden and crispy (about 10–12 minutes). Then toss in the mango chili sauce.
4. How do I store leftovers?
Place leftover wings in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven or air fryer for best results—this keeps them crispy.
5. Is there a way to make the sauce spicier or milder?
Yes! For more heat, add extra chili flakes or a dash of hot sauce. For less heat, use more mango and a touch of extra honey to mellow it out.
6. Can I prepare these ahead of time?
You can bake the wings a day ahead and refrigerate. Reheat at 375°F for 10–12 minutes, then toss in the freshly warmed sauce before serving.
7. What other wing sauce recipes would pair well with these wings?
This mango chili glaze is tropical and tangy, but if you want to mix it up, honey garlic wings, classic buffalo, or a soy-garlic glaze are also great chicken wing sauce ideas. Browse wing sauce recipes based on your mood or spice preference!
