Description
These Pineapple Cowboy Candy Chicken Wings combine sweet and spicy flavors with a tangy pineapple marinade. Baked to golden perfection and finished under the broiler for extra crispiness, these wings are packed with bold flavors and a delightful kick from jalapeños, making them a perfect appetizer or game day treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken Wings
- 1.5 lbs chicken wings
Marinade
- 1/2 cup pineapple juice
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 2 jalapeños, finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
For Cooking
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (for greasing)
Instructions
- Prepare the Wings: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Rinse the chicken wings under cold water and pat them dry thoroughly with paper towels. Place them in a large mixing bowl to prepare for marinating.
- Make the Marinade: In a separate bowl, combine pineapple juice, brown sugar, finely chopped jalapeños, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, soy sauce, and black pepper. Whisk everything together until the brown sugar is fully dissolved and the marinade is well blended.
- Marinate the Wings: Pour the marinade over the chicken wings in the mixing bowl. Toss the wings so that each piece is evenly coated with the marinade. Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 2 hours for enhanced flavor infusion.
- Prepare for Baking: Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and place a wire rack on top. Lightly grease the wire rack with olive oil to prevent sticking and promote even cooking.
- Arrange the Wings: Remove the wings from the marinade, allowing excess liquid to drip off. Place the wings in a single layer on the prepared wire rack. Set aside the leftover marinade for basting later in the cooking process.
- Bake the Wings: Place the baking sheet with wings in the preheated oven. Bake for 25-30 minutes, until the wings are golden brown and cooked through. Halfway through baking, brush the wings with some of the reserved marinade to enhance flavor and moisture.
- Broil for Crispiness (Optional): For extra crispy skin, switch the oven to the broil setting during the last 3-5 minutes of cooking. Keep a close eye to avoid burning.
- Serve: Once cooked, remove the wings from the oven and let them rest for a few minutes. Serve warm, garnished with additional chopped jalapeños if you like a fresh spicy kick.
Notes
- Marinating the wings for longer (up to 2 hours) will deepen the flavor.
- Use a wire rack to allow air circulation and even cooking for crispier wings.
- Broiling at the end is optional but recommended for extra crispiness.
- Adjust the number of jalapeños based on your spice preference.
- Ensure wings are patted dry before marinating to help the marinade adhere better.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30-35 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: chicken wings, pineapple, cowboy candy, spicy wings, baked wings, jalapeño, appetizer, sweet and spicy
