Cilantro Lime Chicken Wings are packed with bold, zesty flavor and baked to crispy perfection, making them a must-try for game day or any gathering. With a tangy marinade made from fresh cilantro, lime juice, and taco seasonings, and a touch of caramelized sweetness, these wings are guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser.

London’s Tips to Make It a Winner: Reserve some of the marinade before tossing the wings to use as a zesty dipping sauce later. For ultra-crispy skin, broil the wings for the last 3-5 minutes of baking—just keep an eye on them to prevent burning!

A bowl full of cilantro lime chicken wings that have been oven-baked sits on a wooden cutting board with cilantro sauce on the side.
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Whether it’s the College National Championship, the Super Bowl, or just a laid-back Friday night, one thing is always a game day essential—chicken wings!

I’m a big fan of the classics, like my Baked Buffalo Wings and Lemon Pepper Wings, but sometimes you’ve got to mix things up. That’s how these Cilantro Lime Chicken Wings were born, and let me tell you—they were an instant hit!

These crispy baked wings are marinated in a zesty blend of lime juice, fresh cilantro, oil, and taco seasonings, then baked to crispy perfection.

But the best part? Reserve some of that lime and cilantro marinade to use as a dipping sauce—it takes these wings to a whole new level of deliciousness. Trust me, everyone is going to want you to make this easy appetizer recipe on repeat!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Bold, Zesty Flavors: The tangy lime, fresh cilantro, and savory taco seasonings create a flavor-packed wing that’s anything but boring.
  • Extra Crispy without Deep Frying: These wings bake up perfectly crispy, so you can skip the hassle of frying.
  • Double Duty Marinade: Part of the marinade doubles as a dipping sauce, adding an extra layer of flavor with zero extra effort.
  • Perfect for Any Occasion: Whether it’s game day, a party, or a simple Friday night dinner, these wings are always a crowd-pleaser.
  • Easy to Make: With minimal prep and hands-off baking, you can whip these up without breaking a sweat.

Ingredients You’ll Need

For the exact measurements and detailed instructions, you can jump to the recipe.

Chicken wings, cilantro, lime, garlic, oil, and seasonings are the main ingredients for cilantro lime chicken wings.
  • Chicken Wings: Use fresh wing portions for the best results. Both drumettes and flats (or wingettes) work well, but make sure they’re patted dry so the marinade sticks and the skin crisps up in the oven.
  • Cilantro: Fresh cilantro is a key ingredient in both the marinade and as a garnish. Chop it coarsely for blending and reserve a little for topping the finished wings.
  • Lime Juice & Zest: Freshly squeezed lime juice is essential for bold, citrusy flavor. Avoid using the bottled kind as it will be too pungent.
  • Avocado Oil: A neutral, high smoke-point oil helps the wings cook evenly and crisp up beautifully in the oven. Olive oil can work in a pinch but may alter the flavor slightly.
  • Brown Sugar: Just a touch helps the wings caramelize in the oven, giving them a subtly sweet, irresistible finish.
  • Spices (Cumin, Paprika, Chili Powder): This trio adds smoky, savory warmth to balance the bright lime and fresh cilantro. Adjust the chili powder for more or less heat or even add a pinch of cayenne pepper to make them spicy.
  • Garlic: Fresh minced garlic packs more punch than powdered and blends seamlessly into the marinade for bold, savory flavor.
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How to Make Cilantro Lime Chicken Wings

Jump to the recipe for the full instructions, ingredient amounts, and a printable recipe.

  • Make the marinade. The easiest way to whip up the sauce for these wings is in a food processor. Simply add the cilantro, oil, lime juice, brown sugar, cumin, paprika, chili powder, garlic, salt, and black pepper to the bowl, then process until smooth. Save ¼ cup of the sauce to dip later.
  • Season the wings. Pour the rest of the prepared sauce into a large bowl. Add the chicken wings and carefully toss to combine. Let the chicken chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes, but you can leave it for up to 24 hours.

Recipe Tip

Save time by marinating these wings the day before! They’ll also have max flavor.

  • Bake in the oven. When you’re ready to bake the wings, preheat the oven to 400°F. Spread the chicken across a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and topped with a wire rack. Bake for 40 to 45 minutes. Halfway through, flip the wings and baste with any remaining marinade from the bowl. For a crispy bite, broil for an additional 3 to 5 minutes.
  • Serve the wings with the reserved sauce for dipping along with cilantro and lime wedges.
Cilantro lime wings are served with fresh lime wedges.

FAQs

Can I use frozen chicken wings?

Yes, but be sure to fully thaw them first and pat them dry to ensure the marinade sticks and the wings crisp up properly in the oven.

How long should I marinate the wings?

For the best flavor, marinate the wings for at least 2 hours. If you’re short on time, 30 minutes will work, but longer marinating yields more flavorful wings.

How do I get extra crispy wings?

Make sure the wings are patted dry before marinating and bake them on a wire rack to allow air to circulate. For extra crispiness, broil them for the last 3-5 minutes of cooking.

Can I make these wings ahead of time?

You can marinate the wings up to 24 hours in advance and bake them just before serving. Reheating is best done in the oven to maintain crispiness.

What to Serve with Cilantro Lime Chicken Wings

These Cilantro Lime Chicken Wings make a great game-day or party appetizer, but they’re also hearty enough to serve as a main dish for an easy weeknight dinner. Pair them with one of these simple sides to round out your meal:

More Game Day Recipes

When the game is on, these snacks will keep stomachs happy, even if the home team loses!

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5 from 1 vote

Cilantro Lime Chicken Wings

Cilantro Lime Chicken Wings are packed with bold, zesty flavor and baked to crispy perfection, making them a must-try for game day or any gathering. With a tangy marinade made from fresh cilantro, lime juice, and taco seasonings, and a touch of caramelized sweetness, these wings are guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser.
A bowl full of cilantro lime chicken wings that have been oven-baked sits on a wooden cutting board with cilantro sauce on the side.
Yield 16 wings
Prep 40 minutes
Cook 50 minutes
Total 1 hour 30 minutes
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Ingredients 

  • ½ cup coarsely chopped cilantro plus more for garnish (optional)
  • ¼ cup avocado oil
  • ¼ cup fresh lime juice from 2-3 limes, plus lime wedges for serving (optional)
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 2 garlic cloves minced
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 pounds chicken wing portions

Instructions 

  • In a blender or food processor, combine the cilantro, oil, lime juice, brown sugar, cumin, paprika, chili powder, garlic, salt, and black pepper. Blend until smooth. Reserve ¼ cup of the sauce for dipping and pour the remaining sauce into a large bowl.
    ½ cup coarsely chopped cilantro, ¼ cup avocado oil, ¼ cup fresh lime juice, 1 tablespoon brown sugar, 1 teaspoon cumin, 1 teaspoon paprika, 1 teaspoon chili powder, 2 garlic cloves, 1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • Add the chicken wings to the bowl with the marinade and toss until evenly coated. Marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes or up to 2 hours.
    2 pounds chicken wing portions
  • When ready to bake, preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper and place a wire rack on top.
  • Arrange the wings in a single layer on the wire rack, skin-side up. Bake for 40-45 minutes, flipping halfway through and basting with any remaining marinade, until the wings are crispy and fully cooked. For extra crispy wings, broil for 3-5 minutes more.
  • Serve the wings with the reserved sauce for dipping and garnish with additional fresh cilantro and lime wedges, if desired.
Last step! If you make this, please leave a review letting us know how it was!

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5 from 1 vote

Notes

  • Air Fryer Instructions: Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (or 380°F) for at least 3 minutes. Place the wings in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Cook for 16-18 minutes, flipping halfway through and brushing with some of the reserved marinade. Check often to prevent burning.
  • Marinade Tip: For the best flavor, marinate the wings in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours.
  • Adjust the Spice: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper for extra heat, or reduce the chili powder for a milder flavor.

Nutrition

Calories: 104kcal, Carbohydrates: 1g, Protein: 6g, Fat: 8g, Saturated Fat: 2g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g, Monounsaturated Fat: 4g, Trans Fat: 0.1g, Cholesterol: 24mg, Sodium: 171mg, Potassium: 66mg, Fiber: 0.2g, Sugar: 1g, Vitamin A: 181IU, Vitamin C: 2mg, Calcium: 8mg, Iron: 0.5mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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Come join me as we turn everyday dinners into Weeknight Winners with simple and downright delicious recipes, made mostly from scratch, that will make everyone at the table smile!

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    1. Yay! So happy to hear you enjoyed the recipe, Rebecca! Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a comment and rating!