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    Home » Recipes » Chicken Recipes

    Tequila Lime Drunken Chicken Wings Recipe

    Published: Apr 1, 2021 · Modified: Aug 7, 2022 by Chef Dennis Littley

    5.4K shares
    • Facebook3.4K
    • Yummly
    4.87 from 43 votes
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    Pinterest image for drunken chicken wings

    My Tequila Lime Drunken Chicken Wings are not only incredibly delicious, they’re also quick and easy to make.

    So if you’re looking for a delicious snack for your next get-together or a monotony breaker for a fun family dinner give this recipe a try! 

    Updated from original post January 30, 2015

    Tequila Lime Drunken Chicken Wings on a white platter next to a kitchen towel

    I love buffalo wings and my recipe is the standard I judge all others by. But man (and woman) cannot live by Buffalo Wings alone so I’m always thinking of new and delicious ways to serve them.

    What Ingredients do I need to make Drunken Chicken Wings?

    overhead view of ingredients to make drunken chicken wings

    Let’s start by gathering the ingredients we need to make my Drunken Chicken Wings. In Chef Speak this is called the “Mise en Place” which translates to “Everything in its Place”.

    Not only does setting your ingredients up ahead of time speed the up cooking process, but it also helps ensure you have everything you need to make the dish.

    Do I have to use Tequila to make these wings?

    No, you do not. You can leave it out altogether or replace it with Vodka, Rum or Gin.

    How do I make Drunken Chicken Wings?

    chicken wings in a ziplock bag maninating next to measuring cups and lime halves

    Start by combining all the ingredients to make the marinade in a small bowl, mixing well.

    Place the chicken wing sections in a large bowl or large ziplock bag, then the marinade. Mix the wings in the marinade so they all get coated.

    Cover the bowl or seal the ziplock bag and refrigerate for 4-6 hours. You can marinate the wings overnight if needed. (bone-in and skin-on chicken is okay to marinate overnight)

    marinated wings on a sheetpan

    Preheat the oven to 400. Line a baking pan with foil and arrange the chicken wings in a single layer on the pan. Pour the marinade evenly over all the wings.

    baked drunken chicken wings on a sheet pan

    Bake until meat is well browned and pulling away from the bone, about 1 hour to 1 hour and 15 minutes.

    Tequila Lime Drunken Chicken Wings on a white bowl next to a kitchen towel

    These wings get that lovely caramelization from the sugar in the marinade and the lime and tequila give it that margarita flavor that you love. But don’t worry all the alcohol burns off when you cook the wings. If you’d rather not use the tequila that’s not a problem, you can substitute your favorite lemon-lime soda.

    My drunken chicken wings go great with sriracha or your favorite hot sauce for your friends that want to bring the heat. Just make sure to print out a few extra copies of the recipe if you serve it to your friends because they’re going to be begging for the recipe!

    More Chicken Wing Recipes You’ll Love!

    • The Most Ah-Mazing Buffalo Chicken Wings
    • Garlic Ginger Chicken Wings
    • Chinese Sticky Wings
    • Honey Lime Buffalo Wings

    Did you make this? Please RATE THE RECIPE below!

    Please SUBSCRIBE and FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOK, TWITTER, INSTAGRAM and PINTEREST!

    Tequila Lime Drunken Chicken Wings on a white platter next to a kitchen towel
    Print Recipe Save Saved!
    4.87 from 43 votes

    Drunken Chicken Wings

    Everyone loves wings and this recipe for my Drunken Chicken Wings is a delicious new way to enjoy one of America’s favorite dishes.   In an untraditional sort of way.
    Prep Time15 mins
    Cook Time1 hr 15 mins
    Total Time1 hr 30 mins
    Course: Appetizer
    Cuisine: American
    Servings: 8
    Calories: 253kcal
    Author: Chef Dennis Littley

    Ingredients

    • 2 ½ pounds chicken wings tips trimmed off saved for soup.
    • ⅔ cup tequila
    • ½ cup fresh lime juice
    • 3 tablespoons sugar
    • 1 tablespoon olive oil
    • 2 teaspoon sea salt
    • ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
    • ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes or hotter if you like
    US Customary – Metric
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    Instructions

    • Start by combining all the ingredients to make the marinade in a small bowl, mixing well.
    • Place the chicken wing sections in a large bowl or large ziplock bag, then the marinade. Mix the wings in the marinade so they all get coated.
    • Cover the bowl or seal the ziplock bag and refrigerate for 4-6 hours. You can marinate the wings overnight if needed. (bone-in and skin-on chicken is okay to marinate overnight)
    • Preheat oven to 400°.
    • Line a baking pan with foil.
    • Arrange the chicken wings in a single layer in the pan, and pour the marinade evenly over all the wings
    • Bake until meat is well browned and pulling away from the bone, about 1 hour to 1 hour and 15 minutes.
    • Any marinade that is on the tray with the fully cooked chicken wings is safe to use since its been a subjected to a high temperature.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 253kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 14g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 58mg | Sodium: 639mg | Potassium: 137mg | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 155IU | Vitamin C: 5.1mg | Calcium: 11mg | Iron: 0.7mg
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @askChefDennis or tag #askChefDennis!
    Pinterest image for drunken chicken wings

    More Chicken Recipes

    • Chicken Milanese
    • Three Bean Chicken Chili
    • Slow Cooker Chicken Merlot
    • Easy Honey Garlic Chicken

    About Chef Dennis

    Picture of Chef Dennis

    Chef Dennis is a semi-retired Chef, writer/blogger, photographer, recipe developer and creator of A Culinary Journey with Chef Dennis aka Ask Chef Dennis®. Chef Dennis worked professionally in White Table Cloth Restaurants for 40 years and has been developing easy to make, restaurant-style recipes since 2009. The second phase of his reinvention from chef to blogger has earned him a place at the Worlds Dinner Table. Join him on his Culinary Journey enjoying his easy to make Restaurant Style recipes and travel adventures. For more details, check out his About page.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Jessica Formicola

      April 05, 2021 at 9:23 am

      5 stars
      I am a sucker for a good chicken wing! And tequila and lime sounds like an amazing flavor combo! I will be making these for dinner this week!

      Reply
    2. Sondra

      April 03, 2021 at 2:59 pm

      5 stars
      This sounds perfect for a party!

      Reply
    3. Nora

      April 03, 2021 at 2:24 am

      5 stars
      This looks great! Have to try it out soon!

      Reply
    4. Raquel

      April 02, 2021 at 5:54 pm

      5 stars
      These sound fantastic! Going to make this for the basketball final four games this weekend!

      Reply
    5. Angela

      April 02, 2021 at 3:21 pm

      5 stars
      The tequila lime combination is so amazing on these chicken wings. They are so addicting!

      Reply
    6. Nayomi

      April 02, 2021 at 1:43 pm

      5 stars
      Great recipe, I love chicken wings

      Reply
    7. Luke Ratford

      April 02, 2021 at 12:46 pm

      5 stars
      A superb chicken wing recipe, the family loved it 🙂

      Reply
    8. Emily Flint

      April 02, 2021 at 12:19 pm

      5 stars
      Well, I just found my new favorite way to serve wings…delicious!!!

      Reply
    9. Debra

      April 02, 2021 at 8:55 am

      5 stars
      Excellent recipe…we loved the marinade….I’ll definitely be making these for cinco de mayo this year.

      Reply
      • Sunrita

        April 03, 2021 at 5:41 pm

        5 stars
        Such a fantastic recipe. Love it.

        Reply
    10. Ramona

      November 13, 2020 at 5:58 pm

      5 stars
      Made these for dinner today and they were absolutely delicious. Kids want me to make them again tomorrow and I will! Delicious recipe! Thank you soo much for sharing!

      Reply
    11. Ellen

      December 24, 2019 at 6:02 pm

      5 stars
      My family said they are the best wings they have ever had! Wow.

      Reply
      • Chef Dennis Littley

        December 24, 2019 at 9:35 pm

        Thats what I like to hear! Thanks for the great review and I hope you find more recipes to try !

        Reply
        • Lorie

          June 12, 2020 at 9:43 pm

          I have made these several times absolutely love this recipe!! Any tips on grilling these??

        • Chef Dennis Littley

          June 13, 2020 at 9:33 am

          I would marinate the wings longer, possibly overnight. Place a piece of foil on the grill and lay the wings on the foil to cook. Brush the remaining marinade on the wings and repeat as you turn them. If you want a good char, place them directly on the grates for a minute or so at the end of the cooking process. They should come out pretty tasty that way.

    12. Michelle

      November 25, 2019 at 2:47 am

      5 stars
      These were delicious! I’m going to make these for our next tailgate party to share with my friends

      Reply
    13. Jo

      November 25, 2019 at 12:55 am

      5 stars
      oh my God these chicken wings were so crispy and delicious! That marinade with tequila, lime and chili flakes is mind blowing. I can’t wait to give this a try. Saving it.

      Reply
    14. Sam | Ahead of Thyme

      November 24, 2019 at 11:59 pm

      OMG these chicken wings looks so delicious and crispy. I love how easy it is to make. Can’t wait to try it!

      Reply
    15. Jamie

      November 24, 2019 at 10:06 pm

      5 stars
      I made these last night and they made such a good appetizer! The lime and tequila really gave these wings a lot of flavor!

      Reply
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