These Mediterranean chicken wings are a winner! A very quick and easy recipe of baked chicken wings with very flavorful Mediterranean spices will win you over thanks to its ease of making and mind-blowing taste!
My quest for new and exciting chicken wings recipes never stops! After sharing tons of recipes of incredible chicken wings, I am yet again here with my latest offering – Mediterranean chicken wings!
This is an unbelievably swift recipe which you will see for yourself when you watch the recipe video below; but that doesn’t mean at all that the flavors and taste are compromised even a tiniest bit!
On top of it, these Mediterranean chicken wings are baked, not fried! So absolutely win-win! You can devour them guiltfree!
These are the types of recipes I look forward to these days as I too am guilty of counting my calories while eating (not sure if it is right or wrong, but it has become an irresistible habit of mine!)
What is Mediterranean chicken wing?
Mediterranean cuisine is one of the most popular global cuisines which is followed by a large population especially in the European continent. This cuisine majorly boasts of fresh ingredients with an emphasis on local produce.
This cuisine was originally developed along the Mediterranean region i.e. the population along the Mediterranean sea which spans from Spain to Morocco through Italy, Greece, Tunisia and other countries.
You can read more on Mediterranean cuisine here! They have very good details on the food from the Mediterranean region.
Now, coming to why my chicken wings are called Mediterranean chicken wings – it’s simply because these chicken wings are infused with all the fantastic flavors from Mediterranean school of cooking!
Herbs are a critical element in Mediterranean food and we have used loads of basil and thyme to spice our chicken wings. A good quality olive oil, which is another common ingredient, transports all the amazing flavors to the chicken wings making them absolutely addictive!
Ingredients for Mediterranean chicken wings
Let’s see what all you need to make these mind blowing Mediterranean chicken wings!
Chicken wings: First & foremost, let’s talk about chicken wings. You may get the full chicken wings from your local meat shop and then cut each wing into 3 portions – drumette, wingette and wingtip. Usually drumettes and wingettes are used or served in any chicken wings recipe and wingtips are discarded. You can save them for chicken stock.
Olive oil: A good quality olive oil is needed for coating the chicken. Do note that olive oil does not only act as a fat but also as a flavor bearer, so using a good quality extra virgin olive oil will make your wings extra-tasty!
Dry spice Mix: For making the Mediterranean seasoning, you will need the key herbs which are frequently used in Mediterranean cooking and we will be using them in dried form as getting these fresh herbs might be a little challenging here.
Dried thyme and dried basil are the primary herbs to flavor these Mediterranean chicken wings. Along with that, we will be using aromatics like ginger powder and a generous amount of garlic powder.
To add a small amount of kick, add paprika (which you can substitute with red chilli powder), chilli flakes and freshly crushed black pepper. Using three different types of sources for heat will create the perfect balance without making anything overpowering.
Finally season your spice mix with the right amount of salt.
How to make Mediterranean chicken wings?
This is a very quick and easy recipe and can be a perfect party snack or for your pot luck!
Step1: Preheat your oven to 200 C / 400 F and keep the rack on the upper level, one below the top most level.
Step 2: Now we will make the Mediterranean spice mix which is the star of this recipe. Drop all the spices one by one into a medium mixing bowl – garlic powder, ginger powder, dried basil, dried thyme, paprika (you can easily replace it with red chili powder), chilli flakes, freshly crushed black pepper and salt. Take your time to whisk the powdered spices to mix everything evenly.
Step 3: It’s time to prepare the chicken wings. Wash and pat dry the chicken wings, take them in a large mixing bowl.
Tip: If you have got full wings, cut each into 2 pieces – drumette and wingette. You may or may not snip out the wing tips; I sometimes leave them as is or sometimes snip them off.
Step 4: Drizzle olive oil over the wings and give a good mix using a spatula. Drizzling oil first will create a sticky coating on the wings and help the dry spice mix adhere to them.
Step 5: First, sprinkle half of the spice mix over the chicken wings and give a good mix making sure each wing is coated thoroughly. Do not add all the spice mix at one go as it may clump giving you a hard time distributing it evenly.
Step 6: Once the first half is thoroughly mixed, sprinkle the remaining half and give it another good mix. Each chicken wing must be coated deeply with the dry spice powder.
Step 7: Now it’s time to bake! Line a baking tray with aluminum foil and place a grilling rack on top of it (any dripping from chicken wings will get collected on the foil leaving your oven clean and also easy cleanup of the tray).
Step 8: Arrange the chicken wings on the grilling rack in a single layer i.e. do not put one wing on top of another.
Step 9: Bake the chicken wings in the preheated oven for 35 to 40 minutes or until they are crispy and cooked through.
Tip: You would not need to turn the wings over if you use a grilling rack as the hot air will keep circulating around the wings. But if you use a baking tray instead to arrange your chicken wings, then you will have to flip them over halfway through; else they will not cook evenly.
Tip: While baking your Mediterranean chicken wings, choose that setting of your oven which keeps both top and bottom heating elements on. Note that I have asked to set your oven rack at the upper level so the direct heat from the top heat source would directly reach the chicken wings from a very near distance; this arrangement will cook them fast and make them super crispy!
Step 10: Your Mediterranean chicken wings are ready! Serve them immediately with your favorite dip! Enjoy!
More delicious chicken wings recipe from flavor quotient
- Oven Baked Chili Ginger Chicken Wings
- Lemon Pepper Chicken Wings with Homemade Lemon Pepper Seasoning
- Epic Dry Rub Baked Chicken Wings
- Chicken wings - 1 kg
- Olive oil - ¼ cup
- For Dry Spice Mix:
- Garlic powder - 2 tsp
- Ginger powder - ½ tsp
- Dried basil - 1 tsp
- Dried thyme - 1 tsp
- Paprika - 2 tsp
- Chilli flakes - 1 tsp
- Black pepper - ½ tsp
- Salt - 1 tsp or to taste
- Make the dry spice mix by mixing all ingredients listed under the dry spice mix in a bowl. Take your time to whisk the powdered spices to mix everything evenly.
- Preheat your oven to 200 C / 400 F and keep the rack on the upper level, one below the top most level.
- Wash and pat dry the chicken wings, take them in a large mixing bowl.
- Drizzle olive oil and give a good mix using a spatula.
- Sprinkle half of the spice mix over the chicken wings and give a good mix making sure each wing is coated thoroughly.
- Sprinkle the remaining half and give it a good mix. Adding spice mix in 2 installments will ensure even coating of chicken wings.
- Arrange the chicken wings on a wire rack set on a baking tray lined with aluminum foil for easy cleanup.
- Bake the chicken wings in a preheated oven for 35 to 40 minutes or until they are crispy and cooked through.
- Serve immediately with your favorite dip! Enjoy!
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Oven Fried Chicken Wings | Crispy Baked Chicken Wings Recipe
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Indian Spiced Roasted Chicken Wings | Easy Chicken Wings Recipe
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