Glazed Wings with Mezcal, Honey and Pasilla Chili

Gina Whitley
By
Gina Whitley
Gina Whitley, private chef with 25+ years of experience, creator of "Sabores de mi Cocina", mother and gastronomic entrepreneur. Specialist in traditional and contemporary Mexican cuisine,...
9 Min Read

Recipe for Mezcal, Honey, and Pasilla Chile Glazed Wings

The mezcal wings glazed with honey and pasilla chile are a dish that combines sweetness and a smoky touch to create a unique and delicious experience at home. Their blend of flavors invites you to enjoy a sweet and spicy bite, ideal for those who love the contrast of ingredients in their dishes.

Preparation time

Neither too complicated nor too slow, ideal for a casual gathering or to treat yourself to a special dish.

  • Preparation: 15 minutes
  • Cooking: 40 minutes
  • Total: 55 minutes
  • Servings: 4
  • Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients

For the wings

  • 1 tray of chicken wings
  • 3 tablespoons of potato starch
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon of garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon of onion powder
  • ¼ teaspoon of paprika
  • Cooking spray

For the glaze sauce

  • ½ cup of honey
  • 1 lemon (zest)
  • ¼ cup of lemon juice (or more to taste)
  • 1 tablespoon of minced garlic
  • 1 tablespoon of butter
  • 1-2 teaspoons of ground pepper
  • 1 pinch of salt

If you can't find potato starch, you can substitute it with cornstarch, which serves a similar function in the crispy texture of the wings.

Utensils we will use

  • Mixing bowl
  • Baking tray
  • Parchment paper for lining
  • Grater for the lemon
  • Knife and cutting board
  • Wooden spoon or spatula for mixing
  • Small pot for the sauce

Preparation

1. Prepare the wings and seasonings

  1. Dry the wings: Wash the wings if necessary and dry very well with paper towels to remove moisture. This will help them become crispy when baked.
  2. Mix the seasonings: In a bowl, add the potato starch, baking powder, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika. Stir well so that the ingredients are evenly distributed over the wings.
  3. Coat the wings: Add the wings to the bowl and mix until they are well coated with the dry mixture.

2. Bake the wings

  1. Prepare the tray: Line the baking sheet with parchment paper and spray it with cooking oil to prevent the wings from sticking.
  2. Arrange the wings: Place the wings in a single layer, making sure they are not overlapping so that the heat reaches them evenly.
  3. Spray the wings: Apply a little more cooking oil spray over the wings to help them brown.
  4. Bake: Preheat the oven to 450 °F (232 °C). Bake the wings for 20 minutes, then lower the temperature to 425 °F (218 °C), flip them, and continue baking for another 15-20 minutes or until golden and crispy. During baking, you can spray a little more oil to keep them juicy and crispy.

3. Prepare the glaze sauce

  1. Cook the ingredients: In a small pot, place the honey, lemon juice and zest, minced garlic, butter, salt, and ground pepper.
  2. Cook over medium-low heat: Cook the mixture for 3 to 5 minutes, stirring constantly until you get a homogeneous and shiny sauce. The mixture should have a texture that can coat the wings without dripping too much.
  3. Reserve some sauce: Save a small portion to accompany the wings when serving, so that whoever wants can dip more.

4. Glaze and serve

  1. Mix the wings with the sauce: Once the wings are ready and golden, place them in a large bowl and pour the glaze sauce over them.
  2. Combine well: Gently stir the wings so they are completely covered with the glaze pasilla honey.
  3. Serve: Serve hot, spreading the wings on a large plate or tray. Optionally, you can accompany them with a traditional soup or a fresh dip.

This process ensures that the wings have a shiny glaze and a texture sweet and spicy that will balance the subtle smokiness of the mezcal and the intensity of the pasilla chili.

Nutritional Information

  • Calories: 400 kcal
  • Proteins: 25 g
  • Fats: 20 g
  • Carbohydrates: 30 g
  • Fiber: 2 g

These values are approximate estimates per serving and may vary depending on the size of the wings and the exact amount of glaze used.


5 keys to perfect Mezcal, Honey, and Pasilla Chile Glazed Wings

For your glazed wings to have the ideal balance between texture, flavor, and presentation, here are the essential keys:

1. Complete drying and uniform coating

Moisture is the enemy of crispy wings. Therefore, drying them well with towels and uniformly coating them with the starch and spice mixture will ensure that the heat browns them well and that the glaze adheres in place.

2. Oven temperature and time

Starting at 450 °F provides a heat shock that helps seal the skin. Then lowering to 425 °F and continuing to bake allows the inside to remain juicy and the skin golden without burning. Monitor the baking to prevent them from drying out or burning.

3. Bake in a single layer

Placing the wings without overlapping ensures that all receive the necessary air and heat to become crispy. Do not pile them on the tray.

4. Careful preparation of the glaze

Gently cooking the mixture to integrate the flavors and achieve a texture that is neither liquid nor thick is key for it to shine and stick well to the wings.

5. Delicate final mix

Coating the wings with the glaze without undoing the crispy skin is important. Use gentle, enveloping movements to coat them, respecting their texture.


When is it ideal to enjoy Mezcal, Honey, and Pasilla Chile Glazed Wings?

This dish is ideal for sharing at gatherings with friends or family due to its flavor and striking presentation. It also works excellently as a snack at informal celebrations or parties, especially in warm seasons when something sweet and sour and spicy that refreshes the palate is desired. These smoked wings are a hit for times when you want to impress without complicating things in the kitchen.


Comparative table between Mezcal, Honey, and Pasilla Chile Glazed Wings and similar recipes

RecipeKey ingredientsDifference/advantage
Glazed Wings with Mezcal, Honey and Pasilla ChiliMezcal, honey, pasilla chiliCombines smoky flavor with sweetness and spice
Honey and Soy RibsHoney, soy sauce, garlicUses soy sauce for a more umami flavor
Miner's enchiladas GuanajuatoPasilla chili, cheese, tortillasTraditional dish with pasilla chili flavor but without chicken
Short rib in tamarind and pasilla sauceBeef, tamarind, pasilla chiliChange of protein and acidic tone contrast with sweet
Brisket in WineBrisket, red wine, spicesMore intense and spiced flavor, not spicy
Black mole from OaxacaChiles, chocolate, spicesMore complex and with deep flavor, without mezcal
Thai Sauce sweet and chiliSugar, chili, vinegarSweeter and more acidic, without the smokiness of mezcal

Share your experience

The preparation of the mezcal wings it's an opportunity to experiment at home with classic flavors and original touches. Comment on how they turned out, if you made any adjustments, or what combinations you paired with this dish. Cooking is for sharing and enjoying, don't hesitate to leave your opinion or your variations of this recipe.


Culinary glossary

  • Glaze: Shiny and sticky layer that forms when food is covered with a mixture of sugar or honey and other liquids.
  • Potato starch: Starch extracted from potato, used to give a crispy texture when cooking food.
  • Paprika: Powder made from dried peppers, can be sweet or spicy, used to add flavor and color.
  • Lemon zest: The thin skin of the lemon used to flavor and provide a fresh taste.
  • Bake: Cooking in an oven with dry heat, ideal for dishes that need to brown and cook evenly.

The sweet and spicy wings combine perfectly with the type of nuances provided by the pasilla glaze, an ideal ally to enhance the smoky flavor of the mezcal and fire in this preparation that pays homage to the flavors of mezcal. That's why these wings have become the star dish for those looking for a meal with character in The Mezcal Corner.

Share this article
Gina Whitley, private chef with 25+ years of experience, creator of "Flavors of my Kitchen", mother and gastronomic entrepreneur. Specialist in traditional and contemporary Mexican cuisine, with international recognition.
No Comments

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

👩‍🍳 Recipes, tips, and more direct to your inbox 🍲Never miss a recipe!

Be part of my community and receive irresistible recipes, cooking techniques, and exclusive content to add more flavor to your days. It's free and delicious!