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Crispy Paleo BBQ Chicken Wings

crispy paleo bbq chicken wings - featured image

These crispy paleo BBQ chicken wings are grain-free, flavorful, and perfect for gatherings or a quick weeknight meal. They feature a homemade paleo BBQ sauce and a technique that ensures crispy skin without frying or breading.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 pounds chicken wings, separated into flats and drumettes (organic, free-range preferred)
  • 2 tablespoons avocado oil (can substitute with coconut oil)
  • 1 teaspoon coarse sea salt
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon paprika (smoked paprika preferred)
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • Homemade Paleo BBQ Sauce:
  • ½ cup tomato paste
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons maple syrup (can substitute honey)
  • 1 tablespoon coconut aminos (optional but recommended)
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • ¼ teaspoon chili powder
  • Sea salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Use an oven thermometer if available to ensure accurate temperature.
  2. Pat the chicken wings very dry with paper towels. Optionally, let them sit uncovered in the fridge for 15 minutes to dry further.
  3. In a large bowl, toss the wings with avocado oil, sea salt, black pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder until evenly coated.
  4. Place a wire rack on a rimmed baking sheet and arrange the wings in a single layer without touching to avoid steaming.
  5. Bake the wings for 35-40 minutes, flipping halfway through at about 18 minutes, until the skin is golden and crispy with some charred spots.
  6. While the wings bake, prepare the BBQ sauce: In a small saucepan, combine tomato paste, apple cider vinegar, maple syrup, coconut aminos, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Simmer gently over medium heat, stirring frequently, for 5-7 minutes until slightly thickened. Remove from heat.
  7. Transfer the hot wings to a clean bowl and toss gently with the BBQ sauce to coat evenly.
  8. Serve immediately for best crispiness and flavor.

Notes

Drying the wings thoroughly before baking is crucial for crispiness. Using a wire rack prevents wings from steaming and helps achieve a crispy skin. Flip wings halfway through baking for even crisping. The homemade BBQ sauce can be made ahead and stored in the fridge for up to a week. For extra crispiness, broil wings for 1-2 minutes at the end, watching carefully to avoid burning. Leftovers can be reheated in the oven on a wire rack at 400°F for 8-10 minutes to restore crispiness. Avoid microwaving to keep skin crispy.

Nutrition

Keywords: paleo chicken wings, crispy chicken wings, BBQ chicken wings, grain-free wings, paleo BBQ sauce, healthy chicken wings, gluten-free wings