Grilled Mango Habanero Wings Recipe

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This Grilled Mango Habanero Wings Recipe features smoked chicken wings seasoned with a citrus honey spice rub and tossed in a sticky mango habanero glaze. Cooking them over the grill gives the wings an irresistible smoky flavor, and the seasonings and glaze create a perfect “sweet with heat” combination we all love. Easy to make, these grilled mango habanero wings are perfect for weeknight meals, backyard barbecues, tailgating or anytime. Trust me when I tell you that these wings are so easy to make and addictive to eat, they will make it to your regular wing rotation!

Homemade Mango Habanero Wings So Good You’ll Never Order Takeout Versions Again 

Grilled chicken wings deserve to be placed in a category of their own, apart from fried chicken wings. Whether you’re making my Sriracha honey chicken wings recipe, cilantro lime grilled chicken wings, or these sweet with heat mango habanero chicken wings on the grill, the smoky flavor is truly unmatched. 

When thinking about mango habanero wings, most people’s minds go straight to Wingstop. Of course, their mango habanero wing sauce is delicious, but I promise these homemade mango habanero wings are even better! Not only are they quick to make, but they come together with just five ingredients and have the most incredible savory, smoky, sweet, and spicy flavor. 

Adjust the ingredients to suit your flavor preference, prepare a whole batch in about 30 minutes, and I guarantee you’ll never order takeout or restaurant versions again! 

Recipe Ingredients 

• Chicken Wings – You’ll need two pounds of chicken wings for this recipe. 
• Baking Powder – This is my secret weapon to achieving a crispy exterior when using the grill! 
• BBQ Rub – I use the Sunshine State of Mind Craft BBQ Rub, but you can use any citrusy barbecue rub you like best. 
• Mango Habanero Preserveres – Melinda’s Mango Habanero Preserves are my go-to for these wings. Sweet, spicy, and sticky, it’s an excellent substitute for Wingstop’s sauce and tastes even better, if you ask me! 
• Rice Wine Vinegar – This enhances the sweet, tangy flavor of the sauce and helps create a thinner consistency. 
• Honey – Include this in the sauce for added sweetness and a sticky consistency that helps it cling to the wings. 
• Oil – Use avocado oil to grease the grill grates and prevent the wings from sticking.

• Wood chips – I prefer Barrel Proof Bourbon chunks. 
• Meat Thermometer – the thermapen is the gold standard for digital meat thermometers! I don’t cook without one!
• Grill – I used my kettle grill for this recipe – You can also make these in your oven though the smoke flavor from the grill really takes the flavor over the top on these wings

How to Make Mango Habanero Chicken Wings

** Full printable instructions at the recipe card at the end

Grill the Mango Jalapeño Chicken Wings

• Rinse the chicken wings with water, and pat them dry with a paper towel. 
• Coat the dry chicken wings in baking powder. Then, add a generous amount of BBQ rub. 
• Set your LoCo kettle to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. After the charcoal is lit, add your wood chunks. 
• Once the wood chunks begin to smoke, add your heat shield open halfway. 
• Place the seasoned chicken wings on the part of the heat shield that is closed to protect them from the flame. 
• Add the chicken wings to the part of the grill over the heat deflector, and let them grill until the internal temperature reaches 155 degrees Fahrenheit. 
• Transfer the wings to the direct side, and let them grill until they reach an internal temperature of 170 degrees Fahrenheit as tested with your thermapen. Be careful not to let them burn! 
• Remove the mango habanero chicken wings from the grill, and tent them with foil to keep them warm. 

Prepare the Glaze

• While the wings are smoking, make your glaze by combining the mango habanero preserves, rice wine vinegar, and honey in a sauce pot. 
• Bring the mixture to a low simmer on the stove, and simmer until it is reduced by half. 
• Drizzle the glaze over the grilled wings, and serve warm with additional sauce on the side. 

Tips for Success

• Make sure to remove all moisture from the wings before you begin. Otherwise, the seasonings won’t stick, and the wings won’t get as crisp. 
• Coat the grill grates with a bit of avocado oil (dip into a paper towel, and brush onto the grates) before placing the chicken wings on the grates so they do not stick.
• Keep a close eye on your wings, and use a meat thermometer to ensure they cook perfectly. 
• Don’t skip letting the grilled mango habanero wings rest before glazing and serving. This allows the natural juices to redistribute, keeping the wings tender and juicy. 
• Add more or less BBQ rub and glaze as desired to suit your flavor preferences.

Can I Bake Mango Habanero Wings Instead? 

You won’t get the same smoky taste, but you can bake these wings if grilling isn’t an option. To do so, preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit, and prepare the wings as normal. Then, arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet, and bake for about 40 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit. 

While the wings bake, simmer the glaze on the stovetop. Then drizzle it over the chicken, and enjoy! 

How to Store

• Store leftover wings in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. 
• Freeze cooked mango habanero wings without the glaze for up to 3 months. To do so, allow the wings to cool completely. Then, flash freeze them on a baking sheet, and transfer them to a sealable bag to store. 
• Reheat directly from frozen at 350 degrees Fahrenheit until warmed through, and toss in warm sauce. 

Frequently Asked Questions 

How spicy are mango habanero wings? 

These wings provide a pretty good kick. However, I wouldn’t say they’re overly spicy thanks to the use of the sweeter sauce. That said, you can easily adjust the ingredients, using more or less spice rub, mango preserves, and honey to suit your preferences. 

What is mango habanero sauce made of? 

For this recipe, we use a homemade sauce that is made with mango habanero preserves, rice wine vinegar, and honey. 

Is habanero spicier than jalapeño? 

Yes, habanero peppers are significantly spicier than jalapeño peppers. Using the Scoville Heat Scale, jalapeños measure around 2,500-8,000 SHU while habaneros range from 100,000 to 350,000 SHU. 

More Wing Recipes to Try

Chicken wings are truly my one of my favorite things to grill. I think they are the perfect vehicle for flavor! Try these wings and leave me a comment and below and let me know what you think! Tag me on instagram or facebook when you try this recipe, I love hearing from you!

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