Spicy Peri Peri Chicken Wings - Little Sunny Kitchen

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 40

Marinating Time 2

Total Time 2 45

▢ 3-4 red chili peppers seeds removed
▢ 3 cloves garlic peeled
▢ ¼ cup fresh cilantro
▢ 1-2 lime juiced
▢ ½ teaspoon dried oregano
▢ 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
▢ 1 tablespoon olive oil not extra virgin
▢ 2 teaspoons kosher salt or 1 teaspoon table salt
▢ 2 pounds (900 grams) chicken wings drumettes and flats separated and wing tips cut off

To make the marinade, in a food processor, combine red chili peppers, garlic, cilantro, lime, oregano, smoked paprika, olive oil and salt. Blend the mixture until you get a marinade that is smooth but with some texture still.
Add chicken wings to a bowl, and pour the marinade over the chicken. Stir to coat the chicken in the marinade, cover with plastic wrap and allow to marinate in the fridge for at least 2 hours and preferably overnight.
Preheat the oven to 425°F/220°C. Line a half sheet size baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
Arrange the wings on the sheet pan leaving some space between each wing. Bake for 30 minutes, then flip and bake for 10 more minutes. Remove from the sheet pan, and serve with lime wedges.

Air fry 400°F/200°C for 20 minutes, shaking or flipping the wings once or twice, until they are cooked through.
Remove from the air fryer and serve.

I removed the seeds from the peppers before adding them to the food processor, and ended with wings that were equivalent to Nando's medium style chicken. If you want yours to be hotter, leave the seeds in!
You can taste the marinade to decide how hot you want to go, but keep in mind that it will taste hotter fresh than it will once it's baked into the wings.
Marinate overnight if at all possible. You can shorten the marinade time if you're in a rush, but I highly suggest planning ahead and letting these wings soak up all of that flavor in the fridge overnight.
Parchment paper is key to easy clean up! You'll barely need to wash the pan if you line it with parchment paper, plus the paper will keep the wings from sticking.
To Store: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.