Coffee-Marinated Chicken Wings

🕒 Prep: 16 min
🔥 Cook: 40 min
🍽 Serves: 4
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Get ready to transform your chicken wing game with a unique twist — Coffee-Marinated Chicken Wings! This recipe brings together the deep, robust notes of coffee with savory spices, creating a tantalizing dish that’s perfect for any gathering.

Ingredients for Coffee-Marinated Chicken Wings

Chicken wings are the star of this recipe, offering a juicy, tender base for our flavorful marinade. The brewed strong coffee imparts a rich depth, cutting through the meat’s natural fattiness. Soy sauce adds a salty umami punch, while brown sugar balances with its molasses-like sweetness. Olive oil ensures the wings stay moist and helps the marinade cling to every nook and cranny. Apple cider vinegar provides a slight tang, brightening the overall flavor profile. Smoked paprika infuses a smoky warmth, and ground cumin adds an earthy spice. Minced garlic enhances with its aromatic pungency. Finally, a bit of salt and black pepper rounds everything out, enhancing each ingredient’s natural taste.

Tips & Tricks

  • For extra crispy wings, pat them dry with paper towels before marinating.
  • If you’re in a hurry, a quick 30-minute marinade will still impart good flavor.
  • Using a wire rack helps the wings cook evenly and prevents soggy bottoms.

Serving Suggestions

These wings pair wonderfully with a cool, creamy dipping sauce like ranch or blue cheese. For a complete meal, serve alongside a fresh coleslaw or a simple green salad to balance the bold flavors. A side of roasted sweet potatoes would also complement the smoky, sweet notes of the marinade beautifully.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use chicken drumsticks instead of wings?
Yes, you can! Just adjust the cooking time as drumsticks are larger and may take a bit longer to cook through.
What if I don’t have apple cider vinegar?
You can substitute with white vinegar or even lemon juice in a pinch. The idea is to add a bit of acidity to balance the flavors.

Coffee-Marinated Chicken Wings Recipe Walkthrough

Start by grabbing a large bowl, which gives you plenty of room to whisk together your marinade. Combine the strong coffee, soy sauce, brown sugar, olive oil, apple cider vinegar, smoked paprika, cumin, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper. Whisk until the sugar is dissolved and everything is well mixed. It’s a bit of an arm workout, but trust me, it’s worth it!

Next, toss in the chicken wings. Make sure each one is fully coated in that delicious marinade. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and pop it in the fridge. The longer you let them marinate, the better — aim for at least four hours, but overnight if you can swing it.

When you’re ready to cook, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with some aluminum foil for easy cleanup, and place a wire rack on top. This setup allows the heat to circulate all around the wings, giving them a nice, even crispiness.

Remove the wings from the marinade and let the excess drip off before arranging them on the wire rack. Spread them out a bit to ensure even cooking. Slide the tray into your preheated oven and bake for 35-40 minutes. Flip the wings halfway through to ensure they cook evenly and get that lovely crispy skin we all adore.

Finally, serve your wings hot. They’re best enjoyed fresh from the oven, crispy and full of flavor. Enjoy!

Why You'll Love This Recipe

  • Bold and unexpected flavor combination.
  • Simple ingredients with a gourmet feel.
  • Perfect for impressing guests at parties or barbecues.
  • Easy preparation with just a bit of patience for marinating.

Ingredients

2 lbs chicken wings
1 cup brewed strong coffee
1/4 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup brown sugar
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
1 tsp smoked paprika
1/2 tsp ground cumin
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper

Step-by-step Instructions

Step 1: In a large bowl, whisk together the coffee, soy sauce, brown sugar, olive oil, apple cider vinegar, smoked paprika, cumin, garlic, salt, and black pepper until well combined.
Step 2: Add the chicken wings to the marinade, ensuring they are fully coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight.
Step 3: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and place a wire rack on top.
Step 4: Remove the wings from the marinade, letting the excess drip off, and arrange them on the wire rack.
Step 5: Bake for 35-40 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the wings are crispy and cooked through.
Step 6: Serve hot with your choice of dipping sauce and enjoy!

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