SMOKED to Perfection Crispy Chipotle Agave Wings Recipe
Tired of your smoked wings not being crispy? These Smoked Chipotle Agave Chicken Wings solve that issue!
Things to know:
What are chipotles in adobo?
Chipotles in adobo are smoke-dried jalapeño peppers packed in a tangy, savory, and slightly sweet tomato-based purée. They add a deep, smoky heat to dishes and are a staple in Mexican cuisine. Common uses include blending into sauces, marinades, soups, stews, or mixing into mayo and cream for dips.
What can I replace chipotle in adobo with?
For recipes where there is already tomato replacing the chipotle with smoked paprika is often enough. Start with 1-2 teaspoons smoked paprika and add more as needed. If you want some heat as well, any fresh or dried chilli peppers can be added to taste.
What is agave syrup?
Agave syrup is a natural sweetener from the agave plant, popular as a sugar alternative due to its mild flavor and low glycemic index (GI). It’s used in beverages, baked goods, dressings, and marinades, and dissolves easily in cold liquids, making it versatile for sweetening coffee, tea, smoothies, pancakes, and yogurt. While it has a low GI because it’s high in fructose, its high fructose content is a point of nutritional debate, though it’s generally considered safe and well-tolerated, with potential for mild gastrointestinal side effects like bloating.
What is agave made of?
Agave syrup (or nectar) is a sweetener made from the sap of the agave plant, a succulent native to the arid regions of Mexico and the Southwestern US. It is primarily produced from the core (or piña) of the Agave tequilana (blue agave) and Agave salmiana species. The sap is extracted, filtered, and heated to hydrolize complex carbohydrates into sugar.
What is the internal temperature for smoked wings?
Cook the wings until they reach 175°F (79°C) internal temp. (Wings are high in connective tissue and need to be cooked to a higher temperature than breast meat to become tender and tasty.)
Ingredients
For the marinade:
2 cups buttermilk
6 cloves garlic minced or pressed
3 chipotle chiles from chipotles chiles in adobo sauce seeded and minced
1 T sauce from chipotle chiles in adobo sauce
1/4 cup orange juice
Zest of an orange
1 T coarse sea salt
1 t freshly ground black pepper
3 pounds chicken wings
For the wing sauce:
4 T agave syrup or maple syrup
3 garlic cloves minced
1 teaspoon hot sauce (we used Flavolcano)
2 T sauce from chipotle chiles in adobo sauce
1 1/2 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
3 tablespoons olive oil
1/4 teaspoon kosher or coarse sea salt or to taste
For the dipping sauce:
1 cup Mexican crema or sour cream
1/2 cup crumbled queso fresco
2 T freshly squeezed lime juice
2 T chopped cilantro leaves and upper parts of stems
2 T chopped chives
coarse sea salt to taste
freshly ground black pepper to taste
1. On chicken wing eve, in a large bowl or baking dish, add all the ingredients for the wing marinade: buttermilk, garlic, chipotle chiles, sauce from chipotles in adobo, orange juice, orange zest, salt and pepper, mix to combine.
2. Add the chicken wings to a large ziplock bag, pour in the marinade and mix well to make sure all of the wings are coated. Chuck the bag in the refrigerator overnight.
3. On wing day, preheat your smoker to 450°F.
4. Remove the wings from the marinade and place them directly into the smoker. Smoke for 40 to 45 minutes.
5. While the wings are smoking, place a small saucepan over medium heat and add all of the ingredients for the chicken wing sauce: agave syrup, garlic, hot sauce, sauce from chipotles in adobo, vinegar, olive oil and salt, bring to a simmer. Whisk to emulsify and combine. Turn off the heat and set aside.
6. In a small bowl, combine the crema, queso fresco, lime juice, cilantro, chives and salt and pepper to taste. Stir well and set aside.
7. Once the wings are ready, place them in a large bowl. Whisk the agave wing sauce once more with a fork or whisk, then pour it over the wings and toss well so that all the wings are coated. Serve with the crema dipping sauce on the side. ENJOY!
Equipment used:
Yoder YS640S Smoker
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