Description
This Ultimate Brown Sugar Pineapple Chicken Wings recipe offers a perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors, featuring crispy baked wings coated in a sticky, caramelized pineapple and brown sugar glaze. Ideal for game days or any gathering, these wings combine Asian-inspired ingredients with an American twist for a crowd-pleasing appetizer or main course.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken Wings
- 2 1/2 pounds chicken wings, split and tips removed
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
Sauce
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 cup pineapple juice
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon water (cornstarch slurry)
Garnish
- 2 tablespoons green onions, sliced
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Wings: Preheat your oven to 400°F (204°C) and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and aid cleanup.
- Toss Wings with Seasoning: In a large bowl, toss the chicken wings with olive oil, salt, black pepper, and smoked paprika until evenly coated. This seasoning base creates a flavorful, crispy skin when baked.
- Bake Wings: Arrange the wings in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet, ensuring they are spaced out for even cooking. Bake for 40 to 45 minutes, flipping the wings halfway through to promote even browning, until golden and crispy.
- Make the Sauce: While the wings are baking, prepare the sauce by combining brown sugar, pineapple juice, soy sauce, ketchup, minced garlic, and grated ginger in a saucepan over medium heat. Whisk together and bring to a gentle simmer, cooking for 5 to 6 minutes until flavors meld beautifully.
- Thicken the Sauce: Stir in the cornstarch slurry and continue cooking the sauce for another 1 to 2 minutes until it thickens to a glossy, sticky consistency that will cling perfectly to the wings.
- Coat Wings with Sauce: Remove the wings from the oven and transfer them to a large bowl. Pour the warm pineapple brown sugar sauce over the wings and toss thoroughly to coat each wing evenly with the sticky glaze.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle sliced green onions and sesame seeds over the coated wings for an extra pop of flavor and color before serving immediately.
Notes
- For extra caramelization and a slightly charred finish, broil the coated wings for 2 to 3 minutes before serving—watch closely to prevent burning.
- You can substitute baking with grilling if desired, cooking the wings over medium heat until crisp and cooked through.
- Adjust sweetness according to your taste by slightly reducing the amount of brown sugar used in the sauce.
- Make sure to remove wing tips for easier handling and a better cooking texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Main Course
- Method: Baking and Stovetop
- Cuisine: Asian-Inspired, American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5–6 wings
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 21 g
- Sodium: 720 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 24 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 26 g
- Cholesterol: 105 mg
