1-First Step: Prepare the Chicken Start by gathering your ingredients and marinating the chicken, which is crucial for that deep, juicy taste. Combine 2 ½ pounds of organic chicken drumettes or wings with 2 tablespoons soy sauce, 3 cloves pressed garlic, and 1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger in a bowl. Let it marinate for at least 2 hours, or overnight if you can I promise it makes a big difference in flavor. For adaptations, if you’re diet-conscious, use low-sodium soy sauce to cut back on salt without losing that savory edge.

2-Second Step: Make the Spicy Orange Sauce While the chicken marinates, focus on the sauce that gives these spicy chicken wings their signature zing. In a small saucepan, mix together ¼ cup soy sauce, ¼ cup freshly squeezed orange juice, ¼ cup plus 1 tablespoon honey, 2 tablespoons rice vinegar, ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes, 3 cloves pressed garlic, ½ teaspoon freshly grated ginger, and 1 tablespoon cornstarch. Whisk everything well to dissolve the cornstarch, then heat over medium until it thickens and turns glossy. This step is where the magic happens, and you can adjust the red pepper flakes for a milder version if needed.

3-Third Step: Preheat and Bake the Wings Once your sauce is ready, preheat your oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit and line a baking sheet with foil for easy cleanup. If you have a rack, place it on top to let air circulate around the wings for extra crispiness. Arrange the marinated chicken pieces on the rack, spacing them out so they cook evenly, and bake for 28 minutes on the middle or lower rack. This high-heat method gets them charred and crispy, and for variations, try linking to another chicken recipe like our stuffed chicken recipe for more ideas on oven baking.

4-Fourth Step: Broil for Extra Crispiness After baking, turn your broiler to high and broil the wings for 2 minutes to add that golden-brown char. Keep a close eye to avoid burning, as this quick step enhances the texture. Once done, remove them from the oven and let them rest briefly these spicy orange chicken wings will be irresistible at this point. If you’re making this for a crowd, consider how dietary needs might play in, like using gluten-free options here.

5-Fifth Step: Coat and Serve Now for the fun part: Toss the baked wings in the prepared spicy orange sauce until they’re fully coated. Transfer them to a serving dish and garnish with sesame seeds and sliced scallions for a fresh finish. Serve hot, and pair with something simple like rice for a complete meal. I’ve found that this step really ties everything together, and it’s a great time to link to tips on related dishes for more inspiration.