These balsamic and hot honey chicken wings are the perfect blend of sweet, tangy, and spicy flavors - all from just a few pantry staples. Whether baked or grilled, they come out crispy, sticky, and completely delicious. Ideal for game day, summer cookouts, or quick weeknight dinners, this easy chicken wing recipe will earn a permanent spot in your rotation!
🕒 Prep Time: 5 mins | ⏳ Cook Time: 1 hour | 🍗 Serves: 4-6 | 🔥 Cook Method: Bake or Grill | 🌶️ Flavor: Spicy, Sweet & Tangy
Why You'll Love Hot Honey Chicken Wings
I've loved hot wings as long as I can remember. I make so many versions of them (and we've got some must-try chicken wing flavors)!
You know I almost always go for the simple recipes with minimal ingredients. I cook often with both balsamic and hot sauce, both of which can benefit from a little sweetness at times. Mixing them together was natural for me but I felt it needed a little extra something.
For me, that extra sweet something was adding a little honey. And here's why I know you'll love these hot honey chicken wings:
Bold Flavor Combination: The spicy balsamic and honey glaze creates a perfect balance of sweet, tangy, and spicy flavors that coat the chicken wings, making every bite incredibly flavorful and satisfying.
Simple Preparation: With just a few basic ingredients, these wings are easy to prepare, making them an ideal option for busy weeknights or lazy weekends. The sauce comes together quickly, and then it's just a matter of baking or grilling the wings to perfection.
Versatile Dish: These chicken wings are perfect for various occasions, whether you're hosting a game day party, a backyard barbecue, or simply craving a delicious appetizer or main course. They're sure to be a hit with guests of all ages.
Hot Honey Chicken Wings Ingredients
- Chicken Wings: Grab a 4-pound bag of frozen chicken wings, or a package of fresh chicken wings and legs from the meat section.
- Vegetable or Canola Oil: Helps promote browning and crispiness during cooking and ensures that the marinade adheres well to the wings.
- Balsamic Vinegar: Adds depth of flavor and a tangy kick to the marinade, balancing the sweetness of the honey and the heat of the hot sauce.
- Hot Sauce: Provides the spicy element of the dish, infusing the chicken wings with heat and flavor. Whether you prefer Tabasco or another variety, the hot sauce adds complexity and a fiery kick.
- Honey: Offers sweetness to the marinade, creating a delicious glaze that coats the chicken wings. Honey balances out the tanginess of the balsamic vinegar and the spiciness of the hot sauce, resulting in a perfect blend of flavors. We mostly buy local honey but Savannah Bee is reliable if you can't get it locally where you are.
Find the complete Hot Honey Chicken Wings ingredients list with measurements in the recipe card below.
How To Make Hot Honey Chicken Wings
I like to make these Hot Honey Wings using the same method as my other wings - in the oven, on high heat until the wings are crispy, then toss with the sauce. But you can also make them on the grill, as I did for the photos. Either way they are crazy good!
- Toss & Bake: Put the chicken wings in a large bowl and toss with the oil, coating evenly. Bake or grill until golden brown and crispy (about 50 minutes in the oven) or until cooked through. You can also use an air fryer, and can even make air fryer wings from frozen!
- Make the Glaze: In a small bowl, mix together balsamic vinegar, hot sauce, and honey.
- Coat the Wings: When chicken is done, remove from the oven or grill and coat generously with the glaze. If any sauce is left over, serve it on the side.
- Serve: Place chicken on a platter and enjoy!
Variations, Substitutions & Cooking Tips
Citrus Twist: Add a squeeze of fresh lemon, lime, or orange juice to the marinade for a citrusy kick.
Asian Fusion: Incorporate ingredients like soy sauce, ginger, and garlic for an Asian-inspired flavor profile.
Garnish with Green Onions: Finely chop green onions and sprinkle them over the wings before serving for a pop of color and freshness.
Maple Syrup: Replace honey with maple syrup for a slightly different sweetness and flavor profile.
Sriracha: Substitute hot sauce with sriracha or your favorite chili sauce for a unique twist on the heat level and flavor.
Use a Rack: Place the chicken wings on a wire rack on top of the baking sheet to allow air to circulate evenly around the wings, resulting in crispier skin.
Serve with Dipping Sauce: Accompany the balsamic & honey chicken wings with a dipping sauce such as ranch, blue cheese, or a yogurt-based sauce for added flavor and creaminess.
One of my other favorite wing recipes are these super simple crispy lemon pepper chicken wings (they really do get nice and crispy!). If I'm craving something a little different, this Korean sticky chicken wing recipe always does the trick. Or I'll just toss them in garlic and parmesan mixed with melted butter occasionally (those are my 9-year-old's favorite).
But these Hot Honey Chicken Wings are their own kind of delicious and I hope you give them a try!
Spicy Balsamic & Honey Chicken Wings
Pick up a pack of wings, throw together a quick 3-ingredient sauce and you've got delicious Spicy Balsamic & Honey Chicken Wings that everyone will love!
Ingredients
- 4 pounds chicken wings
- ¼ cup vegetable or canola oil
- ¼ cup balsamic vinegar
- ¼ cup hot sauce, I like Tabasco and have used several flavors for this recipe
- ¼ cup honey
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400F.
- Toss chicken wings and oil. Place wings on a wire rack set on a baking sheet, taking care not to crowd wings. Bake for 50-60 minutes or until golden brown and crispy (alternatively, you can do this step on the grill).
- Meanwhile, mix together vinegar, hot sauce and honey in a small bowl. Set aside.
- Remove wings from oven and brush sauce liberally onto wings. Serve any leftover sauce on the side.
- Place on platter and serve immediately.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 6 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 1070Total Fat: 76gSaturated Fat: 26gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 43gCholesterol: 248mgSodium: 1217mgCarbohydrates: 45gFiber: 2gSugar: 14gProtein: 51g
This data was provided and calculated by Nutritionix.
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Abby says
I didn’t have regular Tabasco sauce or trivia but I had garlic Tabasco and maple syrup .... yummmmm! Elevated my chicken up a notch! Will definitely make this again
Kristy Bernardo says
That sounds delicious! Thanks, Abby, so glad you enjoyed them. 🙂