Broiled Spicy Cumin Chicken Wings

Prep: 20 minCook: 20 min4 servingsmediumWestern
Broiled Spicy Cumin Chicken Wings

Crispy broiled chicken wings coated in a fragrant cumin-chili marinade with warm spice and citrus brightness. Ground cumin, chili flakes, and lime juice create bold, savory-spiced wings that are crispy outside and juicy within. Perfect for game day, casual entertaining, or spicy appetizer cravings. Quick broiler method delivers restaurant-style results without deep frying.

Ingredients

4 servings
  • ¼ cup cooking oil
    avocado oil1/4 cupsmoke point

    higher heat tolerance

    Full guide →
  • 1 tablespoon ground cumin
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon chili flakes
    cayenne pepper1/2 teaspoonheat

    milder option

  • 1 lime, juiced
    lemon juice1citrus

    no flavor change

    Full guide →
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 ¼ pounds chicken wings

Instructions

  1. 1

    Whisk together oil, cumin, brown sugar, garlic powder, chili flakes, lime juice, salt, and pepper in a large bowl until combined.

  2. 2

    Add chicken wings and toss thoroughly until evenly coated. Let sit for 15 minutes.

  3. 3

    Heat broiler to high heat.

  4. 4

    Arrange wings spaced apart on a foil-lined tray over a wire rack.

  5. 5

    Broil for 10 minutes until browned.

  6. 6

    Flip wings and broil another 10 minutes until cooked through and golden.

  7. 7

    Serve hot.

Tips

Tip 1

Pat wings dry before marinating for maximum browning and crispier skin under the broiler.

Tip 2

Arrange wings in a single layer without crowding for even heat circulation and consistent cooking.

Good to Know

Storage

Refrigerate cooked wings in an airtight container up to 3 days. Reheat in a 190C oven for 5-7 minutes until warmed through.

Make Ahead

Marinate wings up to 2 hours ahead. Assemble on tray just before broiling.

Serve With

Serve immediately while hot and crispy. Pair with cooling sides like ranch dip, coleslaw, or tzatziki.

See pairing guide →

Common Mistakes

Watch

Crowd wings on tray to avoid uneven cooking; space them out for direct broiler exposure.

Watch

Skip wing-flipping to avoid one side remaining undercooked or pale.

Substitutions

lime juice
lemon juice1citrus

no flavor change

Full guide →
chili flakes
cayenne pepper1/2 teaspoonheat

milder option

Full guide →
cooking oil
avocado oil1/4 cupsmoke point

higher heat tolerance

Full guide →
Find more substitutions →

FAQ

Can I make these wings ahead of time?

Yes, marinate wings up to 2 hours in advance and refrigerate. Broil them fresh when ready to serve for optimal crispiness. Cooked wings stay fresh refrigerated for 3 days.

What if my broiler doesn't get very hot?

Increase cooking time by 5 minutes per side. Wings may take 30 minutes total instead of 20. Monitor closely to prevent burning.

Can I freeze these wings?

Freeze cooked wings up to 2 months in an airtight container. Reheat in a 190C oven for 8-10 minutes until heated through and crispy.