Get ready to elevate your appetizer game with these truly irresistible **Grilled Cherry Chipotle Chicken Wings**. Combining the luscious sweetness of cherries with the subtle smoky kick of chipotle, these wings are more than just a snack; they’re a flavor sensation designed to be the star of any gathering. Imagine perfectly grilled chicken, kissed by flames, enveloped in a sticky, caramelized sauce that’s both vibrant and deeply satisfying. This recipe promises not only incredible taste but also a surprisingly straightforward cooking process, making it perfect for your next barbecue, game day, or casual get-together. With just a few simple ingredients and a good quality cherry preserve as our not-so-secret weapon, you’ll be serving up restaurant-quality wings in under an hour.
The Magic of Grilling Chicken Wings
Just take a moment to admire these beauties: those enviable grill marks, that glistening, saucy coating. While there are countless ways to prepare chicken wings, grilling undoubtedly stands out as my absolute favorite. It’s not just about the ease of preparation, although that’s a huge bonus. There’s a distinctive magic that happens when chicken wings meet the open flame. The high heat of the grill renders the fat, resulting in incredibly crispy skin, while the smoky char imparts an unparalleled depth of flavor. This perfectly contrasts with the sticky, sweet, and spicy barbecue sauce we’re creating, making for a truly unforgettable culinary experience. Every bite offers that delightful crunch followed by tender, juicy chicken, all coated in a rich, complex glaze that will have everyone reaching for more.
Crafting the Irresistible Cherry Chipotle Barbecue Sauce
Now, let’s talk about the star of the show: this quick and utterly delicious homemade barbecue sauce. The secret to its incredible flavor and perfectly sticky texture lies in one simple, yet brilliant ingredient: high-quality cherry preserves. You might think fruit preserves are just for toast, but I’ve long incorporated jams and jellies into savory dishes, from vibrant vinaigrettes to glazes for roasted meats. When added to barbecue sauce, cherry preserves infuse it with a natural sweetness and a beautiful fruitiness that’s simply unmatched by refined sugars. Paired with the smoky heat of chipotle powder and a few other pantry staples, it creates a barbecue sauce that’s perfectly balanced, tantalizingly sticky, and incredibly addictive. It’s a win-win situation: a complex flavor profile achieved with minimal effort.
One of the best things about this recipe is how quickly these wings cook up on the grill. This means less time fussing in the kitchen and more time enjoying the beautiful weather and good company. Whether you’re hosting a backyard barbecue or simply craving a delicious snack, these wings offer a quick turnaround without compromising on flavor. The efficient grilling process allows the sauce to caramelize beautifully, creating that coveted sticky exterior that is the hallmark of truly great chicken wings.
Essential Ingredients for Your Cherry Chipotle Sauce
To create this dynamic and flavorful Cherry Chipotle barbecue sauce, gather these simple yet powerful ingredients:
- 3 cloves fresh garlic, minced
- 2 teaspoons light olive oil
- 1 cup ketchup
- 1/2 cup cherry preserves (ensure it’s a good quality one for best flavor!)
- 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1-1/2 teaspoons ground chipotle powder (adjust to your preferred spice level)
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Explore More Homemade Sauce Creations
If you’re a fan of crafting your own sauces, here are some other fantastic recipes to try that will surely impress:
- Honey Whiskey Barbecue Sauce: A smooth, rich, and slightly boozy sauce perfect for ribs or chicken.
- Sweet Barbecue Sauce: A classic, crowd-pleasing barbecue sauce that’s wonderfully versatile.
- Classic Buffalo Wing Sauce: The timeless, tangy, and spicy staple for any wing lover.
- Spicy Garlic Sauce: For those who love a pungent garlic punch with a fiery kick.
- Spicy Citrus Sauce: A bright and zesty option that’s both refreshing and exciting.
Preparing Your Signature Cherry Chipotle Barbecue Sauce
Begin by adding 2 teaspoons of light olive oil to a heavy-bottomed saucepan. Over medium-low heat, add your 3 cloves of freshly minced garlic and a pinch of kosher salt. Stir continuously and gently sauté for about 2 minutes, or until the garlic becomes soft, translucent, and wonderfully fragrant. Be careful not to let it brown, as burnt garlic can impart a bitter taste to your sauce.
Next, introduce the rest of your liquid ingredients and seasonings to the saucepan. Pour in 1 cup of ketchup, followed by 1/2 cup each of cherry preserves and apple cider vinegar. Add 1-1/2 teaspoons of ground chipotle powder for that signature smoky heat, and 2 teaspoons of Worcestershire sauce to deepen the savory notes. Finally, season generously with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Stir all the ingredients together thoroughly until they are well combined. Increase the heat slightly to medium and bring the sauce to a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally, until it begins to bubble and thickens slightly. This simmering process allows the flavors to meld beautifully and the preserves to fully integrate.
Once your luscious cherry chipotle barbecue sauce has achieved its perfect consistency and flavor, carefully pour a portion of it into a separate jar or bowl. This will be your basting sauce for the wings during grilling, helping to prevent cross-contamination with the sauce you’ll serve later. Keep the remaining sauce warm over very low heat on the stovetop; this will be for dipping and serving with your finished wings. Having a warm, fresh batch of sauce ready makes all the difference when it comes to serving.
Preparing the Chicken Wings for Grilling
Now it’s time to prepare the star protein: the chicken wings. If your wings are whole, you’ll want to separate them at the joints, creating drumettes and flats. The wing tips typically have very little meat and can be discarded or saved to make homemade chicken stock, adding extra flavor to future dishes. Arrange the separated wings onto a large rimmed metal baking sheet; this makes them easy to handle and transport to the grill.
For truly crispy skin, a crucial step is to thoroughly pat the chicken wings dry using paper towels. Moisture on the skin creates steam when cooking, which prevents it from crisping up effectively. Spend a minute ensuring each wing is as dry as possible. This simple step makes a significant difference in the final texture of your grilled wings, setting the stage for that satisfying crunch.
Once dry, lightly spray both sides of the chicken wings with olive oil spray. This helps the seasonings adhere and promotes even browning on the grill. Then, season generously with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. These basic seasonings enhance the natural flavor of the chicken and create a delicious base before the sauce is applied. Don’t be shy with the seasoning; it adds depth to every bite.
While you’re prepping the wings, make sure to preheat your grill to medium heat. You’re aiming for a temperature range of about 400-450℉ (or 200-230℃). This ensures a hot cooking surface for crispy skin and thorough cooking.
Grilling to Perfection: Achieving Crispy, Glazed Wings
Once your grill is properly preheated, carefully place the seasoned chicken wings directly onto the hot grates. Arrange them in a single layer, ensuring there’s enough space between each wing for even cooking. Close the lid of the grill to allow the heat to circulate and cook the wings through. Let them cook undisturbed for about 5 minutes on the first side. This initial sear helps to crisp the skin and create those beautiful grill marks. After 5 minutes, flip the wings over and continue cooking with the lid closed, turning them occasionally every 5 to 8 minutes, until they are cooked through and the skin is visibly crispy and golden brown.
Once the wings are mostly cooked and nicely browned, it’s time for the magic of the sauce. Begin to generously brush the wings with the reserved cherry chipotle barbecue sauce. After applying the sauce, turn the wings over to coat all sides evenly. Close the lid for a minute or two to allow the sauce to heat up and begin caramelizing. Repeat this basting and turning process 2 to 3 more times, ensuring each wing is thoroughly coated and develops a sticky, glorious glaze. This layering of sauce is key to building that deep, rich flavor and irresistible texture.
Continue to repeat the basting process several times, flipping and turning the wings to ensure they get completely coated and the sauce reduces and caramelizes into a beautiful, sticky glaze. The goal is to achieve a deep, glistening finish that practically begs to be eaten. Watch them closely during this stage, as the sugar in the sauce can burn quickly. You want a deep caramelization, not charring.
When the wings are perfectly sticky, caramelized, and cooked through (the internal temperature should reach 165°F or 74°C), they are ready to come off the grill. The skin should be crispy, the meat tender, and the sauce a beautiful, deep reddish-brown hue.
Once fully cooked and exquisitely glazed, transfer your mouthwatering wings from the grill to a clean rimmed baking sheet or a large serving platter. It’s always best to use a clean surface to avoid any raw chicken cross-contamination.
There truly is nothing quite like freshly grilled chicken wings. The skin, with its perfect flecks of char and satisfying crispness, melds seamlessly with the vibrant sweet and smoky notes of the cherry chipotle sauce. This combination creates a flavor profile that is utterly addicting and, in my humble opinion, one of the finest things to ever come off my grill. It’s a testament to how simple ingredients, carefully prepared, can lead to extraordinary results.
Serve these incredible wings warm, with extra of that delicious cherry chipotle sauce on the side for dipping, and be sure to have lots of napkins handy. They are gloriously messy and absolutely worth every finger-licking moment!
Enjoy! We hope you love these Grilled Cherry Chipotle Chicken Wings as much as we do. If you give this recipe a try, please let us know! We’d love to see your creations. Snap a photo and share it with us by tagging us on Twitter or Instagram!
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6
servings
Grilled Cherry Chipotle Chicken Wings
5
20
25
Ingredients
FOR THE CHERRY CHIPOTLE BARBECUE SAUCE:
-
2
teaspoon
olive oil,
extra light -
3
cloves
garlic,
minced -
1
cup
ketchup -
1/2
cup
cherry preserves -
1/2
cup
apple cider vinegar -
2
teaspoons
Worcestershire sauce -
1½
teaspoons
chipotle powder -
kosher salt,
to taste -
black pepper,
freshly ground, to taste
FOR THE CHICKEN WINGS:
-
4
pounds
chicken wings,
separated at the joint and tips discarded - olive oil spray
-
pinches
kosher salt -
black pepper,
freshly ground
Instructions
-
In a heavy-bottomed saucepan, add olive oil and minced garlic. Heat over medium-low heat and sauté for 2 minutes or until soft and fragrant.
-
Add in ketchup, cherry preserves, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, and chipotle powder. Season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Stir until all ingredients are well combined and simmer gently until the sauce begins to bubble and slightly thickens.
-
Pour some of the prepared sauce into a jar or separate bowl to use for basting the wings. Keep any remaining sauce warm on low heat on the stovetop; this will be for serving with the finished wings.
-
Place the separated chicken wings onto a rimmed metal baking pan. Using paper towels, thoroughly pat the chicken wings dry to ensure crispy skin.
-
Lightly spray both sides of the dry wings with olive oil spray, then season generously with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper.
-
Meanwhile, preheat your grill to medium heat, aiming for approximately 400-450℉ (or 200-230℃). Once the grill is hot, place the seasoned wings skin-side down on the grates and close the lid. Grill the wings for 5 to 6 minutes before flipping. Close the lid again and grill for an additional 6 minutes, turning occasionally to ensure even cooking and crisping.
-
Once the wings are mostly cooked and browned, begin to generously brush them with the reserved basting sauce. Turn the wings and repeat the basting process several times until the wings are fully cooked, beautifully glazed, and wonderfully sticky. This creates a delicious caramelized coating.
-
Transfer the cooked wings to a clean platter and serve immediately with the remaining warm sauce on the side for dipping.
Laurie McNamara
Appetizers & Snacks
American