Indian Chicken Wings
These masala chicken wings are easy to marinate with simple Indian spices. The perfect flavor packed chicken wings for every flavor loving being (seriously). They can be oven baked, air fried, or grilled for your next gathering or game day.

TRUTH- I wanted to keep this Indian chicken wings recipe to myself. However, a few of my friends who tasted these wings wanted me to share it here. With their advice, here I am sharing my Indian inspired Masala Chicken Wing recipe. Pair it with a delicious potato salad recipe or Indian fried rice.
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Ingredients
- chicken party wings (flats and/or drumettes)
- hot sauce
- dried thyme
- grated fresh garlic
- high heat cooking oil
- grated fresh ginger
- turmeric powder
- coriander powder
- red chili powder
- ground black pepper
- table salt
- lemon slices
- finely chopped cilantro for garnishing (TIP: How to Keep Cilantro Fresh)
Instructions
Combine the chicken wings with hot sauce, garlic, ginger, oil, salt, turmeric powder, coriander powder, red chili powder, thyme, and black pepper.
Marinate the chicken for about 30 minutes or longer.
If cooking in an oven, then spread the chicken out on a crisper pan and bake. Flip the chicken half way through and cook until internal temperature reaches 165 degrees.
Enjoy these wings hot with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice and fresh chopped cilantro as a garnishment. Take it a step further and dunk them in homemade buttermilk ranch or a jalapeno cilantro sauce.
Substitutions
- Vegetarian - Try this recipe with paneer or cauliflower
- Lemon- Feel free to use lime wedges
Variations
- Air Fry-spray oil over the chicken wings and air fry them at 400 degrees until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees
- Bake- uncovered at 400-425 degrees until internal temperature reaches 165 degrees
- Grill- until internal temperature reaches 165 degrees
Equipment
- large bowl
- grater to grate garlic and ginger
- glove to mix (optional)
- tongs to transfer
- crisper tray or oven proof tray
- oven mit
Storage
Store the marinated chicken wings in a ziplock bag for up to a few days.
The marinated chicken wings that have not been cooked yet can be frozen for up to 3 months.
Once the chicken wings are cooked, store in the fridge for up to 3 days and warm in the air fryer for crisp and juicy chicken wings.
Top Tips
- Use this Indian chicken wing masala recipe to marinate chicken legs or chicken thighs.
- Spray high heat cooking oil on the wings before and during the cooking process to prevent drying.
- Grilled wings have a delicious char flavor but you can grill indoors on a cast iron grill to get a similar taste.
📖 Recipe
Masala Chicken Wings
Ingredients
- 15 chicken winglets or 6 drumsticks (skin-on)
- ¼ cup buffalo or hot sauce
- ¼ teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 tablespoon fresh grated ginger (more or less)
- 1 teaspoon fresh grated garlic (more or less)
- 2 tablespoon oil
- ⅛ teaspoon turmeric
- 1 tablespoon coriander powder
- red chili powder
- black pepper
- salt
- lemon slices
- finely chopped cilantro for garnishing
Instructions
- Mix the hot sauce, oil, thyme, turmeric, ginger, garlic, red chili powder, black pepper, and salt together.
- Combine the marinade mixture with the chicken and let it marinate for at least 30 minutes.
- Let the chicken sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes before beginning to cook.
COOKING INSTRUCTIONS (pick 1)
- Grill on indirect heat until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees.
- Bake uncovered at 400-425 degrees until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees.
- Air Fry at 400 degrees until cooked thru.
SERVE
- Top with chopped cilantro and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.
- Dip in my ranch dressing or cilantro sauce recipe and ENJOY HOT!
Food Safety
- Cook chicken until it reaches at least 165 degrees
- It is best not to wash the chicken before cooking per CDC guidelines.
- Wash hands with antibacterial soap after touching raw meats
- Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
FAQ Questions
I like to use a spicy variation such as Nando's xx spicy, Frank's Buffalo Sauce, or a variation of Wing Sauces.
Yes! I recommend spraying them with oil a few times during the cooking process.
I don't recommend it. The natural flavors from ginger, garlic, and coriander powder go a long way.
If you want to make this with boneless chicken, then use bone in chicken thighs with the skin.