This crispy oven-baked chicken wing recipe uses shawarma spices for a unique Middle Eastern flair. Served with my favorite garlicky lemon coriander sauce. These mild wings are perfect for game day or an easy weeknight dinner.
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Over the last few
This recipe is also naturally gluten-free and the sauce can be made dairy-free.
📖Why My Recipe Works
- Mild but Flavorful- This recipe is full of spices but not spicy! The best mild chicken wing recipe around.
- Super Crispy Skin- Baking powder trick to get the wings nice and crispy without frying them.
🧾Ingredient Notes
- Chicken Wings- You can use this recipe to make chicken drumsticks or chicken lollipops.
- Dry Spice Rub- Cumin, coriander, turmeric, garlic powder, cinnamon, clove (just a pinch), and black pepper.
- Baking Powder- There is no substitute, leave it out if you prefer.
- Greek Yogurt- You can also substitute sour cream.
- Shallot- Or substitute green onions.
- Cilantro - aka coriander.
- Lemon Juice- Fresh or bottles is fine.
Spice Rub Notes
There is a lot of debate about what is traditional in shawarma. A Middle Eastern spice blend, of course, has many of the spices you might associate with Turkish or Arab foods. Cumin, coriander, and turmeric. And that is where recipes deviate.
It is also common to see allspice, cayenne, or paprika. I find the allspice gives too much 'pumpkin pie spice' feeling when combined with cinnamon. And the paprika turns the chicken orange while being overwhelmed by the stronger turmeric and coriander flavors so I skip it.
⏲️How to Make Crispy Middle Eastern Wings
Making crispy oven-baked wings is easy, but preparing the chicken properly is the most important part of the process.
Brine Your Chicken Wings
While not technically required, I highly recommend that you brine your chicken wings. Brining ensures the meat stays juicy, which is important when cooking such small pieces at high temperatures.
Thoroughly Dry for Crispy Skin
Next, line a sheet pan with paper towels and lay out the drained wings. Gently pat them dry. I recommend giving them a few extra minutes to dry out. Even if you skip the brine you need to pat the wings dry.
Crispy wings start with dry skin. Additionally, the spice rub will adhere better to dry chicken skin.
Prepare the Dry Rub
Combine the dry spices with the baking powder (NOT baking soda!) in a Ziploc-style bag or a large mixing bowl. Thoroughly coat the chicken wings with the dry rub. Discard any excess rub.
Bake the Chicken Wings
Preheat the oven to 450 F degrees. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment (or foil) spread the wings evenly on the sheet and bake for 25-35 minutes. Turning halfway through.
The baking powder in the dry rub begins the break down the peptide bonds on the skin and jumpstart the browning process, meaning the wings will get crispier faster.
Wings are done when they reach an internal temperature of 165 F and the outside is brown and crispy.
Make Your Dipping Sauce
While the chicken wings are baking, make the dipping sauce. The sauce gets better over time so making it in advance is also an option.
Combine all ingredients in a food processor. Spin for 60-90 seconds. Add salt and pepper to taste.
Should You Bake Wings on a Wire Rack or Directly on the Pan?
I tested this recipe with the chicken wing on a wire rack and directly on the baking sheet. I found that when coated with baking powder direct contact with the baking sheet creates the crispiest chicken skin.
There has been a lot of information lately on Pinterest and around the internet saying that baking on a wire rack yields a crispier baked wing.
Also, the parchment paper isn't necessary it makes the clean up the turmeric from the dry rub much easier. It doesn't affect the crispiness of the wing.
🥗What to Serve with Wings
In addition to serving with the lemon and coriander yogurt dipping sauce, I like to add pickled watermelon radishes and carrot sticks to the mix.
Looking to serve this for dinner? My recommended side dishes are this Persian saffron rice and garlic green beans.
To round out a game day party try serving with chips and this easy salsa you can make from canned tomatoes, beef nachos supreme, corn ribs, and deviled eggs (no mustard!).
👩🏻🍳 Expert Tip
Layout the wings on a baking sheet and dry out (uncovered) overnight in the fridge for extra crispy skin.
More Chicken Wing Recipes
🌡️Storing Leftovers
Your chicken wing leftovers can stay in the fridge for three to four days when kept in an airtight container. You can freeze chicken wings in a ziptop bag for up to two months.
To reheat chicken wings place them on a baking sheet and warm in a 350 F degree oven until they reach an internal temperature of 165 F degrees.
Did you enjoy making this recipe? Show it some love with ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ and leave a comment! Hungry for more? Get more flavorful recipes!
📖 Recipe Card
Crispy Shawarma Chicken Wings
Ingredients
Chicken Wings
- 2 lb chicken wings
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 2 teaspoons cumin
- 2 teaspoons turmeric powder
- 2 teaspoons ground coriander
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ pinch ground clove
Lemon & Coriander Dip
- 1 cup greek yogurt
- 2 tablespoon shallot chopped
- 1 clove garlic chopped
- 2 tablespoon cilantro chopped
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- kosher salt and pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 450 F degrees. (see notes for grilling instructions).
- Using a paper towel blot chicken wings dry. Combine baking powder and spices in a ziploc bag or large bowl. Toss chicken wings in spice mixture to coat evenly.2 lb chicken wings
- Prepare a large sheet pan by covering with foil and spraying with cooking spray. Place chicken on a sheet pan and bake 25-35 minutes turning halfway through. The chicken should reach 165 degrees and be crispy on the outside.2 teaspoons baking powder, 2 teaspoons cumin, 2 teaspoons turmeric powder, 2 teaspoons ground coriander, 2 teaspoons garlic powder, 1 ½ teaspoon kosher salt, 1 teaspoon black pepper, ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon, ¼ pinch ground clove
Lemon & Coriander Dip
- Combine all ingredients in a food processor. Spin for 60-90 seconds. Add salt and pepper to taste.1 cup greek yogurt, 2 tablespoon shallot, 1 clove garlic, 2 tablespoon cilantro, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, kosher salt and pepper
Serving
- Place chicken wings on a platter. Serve with dip on the side.
Video
Notes
- Preheat a gas grill to medium-high heat
- Place chicken on the grill and turn it down to medium
- Cook chicken, flipping halfway through until chicken reaches 165 degrees (about 12-14 minutes)
- Substitute dairy-free (plain unsweetened) yogurt
Pauline toh says
Can I ask if half the recipe , cooking time i reduce ok? Then do I have to kinda marinate for an hour or so? Mine doesn’t turn out as crispy as I only use about 15-18mins. Could it be my timing or my baking powder not as fresh ? Overall it was tasty
Jen says
Fresh baking powder does matter. Cooking time will be the same regardless of the batch size.
Jen says
Made these the other day & they were FABULOUS!! We grilled them & so I didn't add the baking powder. I also changed up some of the spices due to what I had on hand. Bottom line is that this is an amazingly versatile recipe that we are going to ear again & again!! Thanks for sharing!!
Jen says
Thanks for commenting. So glad you enjoyed them!!!
Jo says
That is by far the most delicious chicken wings I've seen in some time! Shawarma flavors are amazing and love how crispy those wings turn out!
Lori | The Kitchen Whisperer says
These look INCREDIBLE! I love shawarma flavors so much but I rarely make it as it's just me who likes it. I have all of the ingredients on hand and am making these tomorrow. They look crazy good!
Jen says
We hope you enjoy them!
Marisa F. Stewart says
Lucky for us we have two bags of chicken wings in the freezer. We didn't want to fry them so this recipe is ideal for them. Love the shawarma spice - it will go perfectly with that creamy dip.
Pam Greer says
These wings are so delicious! We also use the flavorful dipping sauce for everything!
Jen says
Glad you enjoyed!
Kelly Anthony says
Baked wings are one of our favorite meals to make at home. I'm excited to try a new spice blend and sauce to dip these delicious wings in.
Jacque Hastert says
These look fantastic! I love how crispy they turn out and are loaded with flavor!
Bernice Hill says
Wow!! As I read your description, my mouth automatically started drooling! Love all these flavours and if I can get my hands on some wings, I'm definitely going to give this recipe a try. Pinning for later.
Swathi says
Chicken wings looks crispy and delicious I love those spice rub so much versatile.
Cheese Curd In Paradise says
The spice mixture sounds amazing and these wings look so crisp and delicious. I love the sound of that sauce with the citrus as well!
Pavani says
Wow, your chicken wings look so crispy and love that spicy and delicious looking crust. Shawarma spice blend sounds flavorful and exotic 🙂 Beautiful recipe!!
Jen says
Thanks so much!