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    You are here: Home / Recipes / Baked Chicken Wings with Pomegranate Glaze

    Baked Chicken Wings with Pomegranate Glaze

    Published on Oct 9, 2018 · Last updated on Aug 24, 2021 ·

    602 shares
    Jump to Recipe

    Finger lickin' good oven baked chicken wings covered in a sticky pomegranate glaze made with four simple ingredients: pomegranate juice, orange juice, garlic and a little bit of vinegar. That's it. Perfect for parties! Paleo, Whole30 and gluten free.

    Baked chicken wings with pomegranate glaze in a container with brown paper

    Just a warning before we get started: do have some family members or friends to share these baked chicken wings with because otherwise... you might end up eating the whole batch to yourself (oopsy oops!). They are that good!

    They are...

    • crispy
    • sweet
    • sticky
    • juicy
    • healthier than most chicken wings
    • addictive
    • so pretty!

    A pomegranate glazed chicken wings held by fingers

    Let's see how we make these! Hint: it's easy!

    How to make baked chicken wings with pomegranate glaze – step by step

    We start with the glaze first.

    In a medium pot, combine pomegranate juice – 100% pomegranate juice only! – (step 1) and orange juice (step 2).

    Pomegranate juice and orange juice over a pot - step by step recipe instructions

    Grate garlic cloves (I used my beloved Microplane for that) and add to the juice mixture. (step 3).  Season with salt.

    Bring to a gentle boil and cook for 30 to 40 minutes, until it has reduced to about ½ cup and it coats the back of the spoon as shown in the picture (step 4). 

    Garlic grated with a microplane and the back of a spoon coated with pomegranate glaze

    While the glaze is reducing, prepare the chicken.

    Pat dry the chicken wings (the drier the skin, the crispier!), place them on a baking sheet lined with foil. Bake for 15 minutes and up to 30 minutes (depending on your oven) (step 5)

    Brush the wings generously with pomegranate glaze and broil for a minute or so to finish cooking (step 6). 

    Top with fresh cilantro leaves and pomegranate arils and...enjoy!

    raw chicken wings placed on a baking sheet, then baked with pomegranate wings

    The glaze does take a while to reduce, but other than that, it's a pretty straightforward recipe.

    What to serve with chicken wings?

    If you're not planning to serve these as appetizers but want to turn them into a meal instead, you perfectly can. Here are a few healthy side dish ideas that would go well with these chicken wings:

    • A big green salad
    • Quinoa or couscous
    • Baked potatoes
    • Mashed potatoes or cauliflower
    • Oven baked fries (sweet potatoes or potatoes)
    • Grilled veggies (like asparagus or eggplant, if they are in season)

    Baked chicken wings glazed with pomegranate glazed, arranged on a baking tray with coriander and pomegranate arils

    A few cook's tips to make these baked chicken wings!

    • If possible, try to make these at the last minute. You can prepare the glaze, keep it warm, and bake the chicken separately, and then assemble and broil when you're ready to serve. The leftovers will still be good, but not as delicious because the glaze won't be as sticky and a bit runnier.
    • Before baking the chicken, pat dry the skin with paper towel. Humidity is the enemy of crispness!
    • At first, it may seem like the juice with never thicken. But be patient! It will eventually turn into a beautiful, glossy and sticky glaze. Resist the temptation to cook the mixture on very high heat to speed up the process, you might just end up burning the glaze!

    pomegranate glazed chicken wings with cilantro leaves and pomegranate arils

    If you tried these baked chicken wings, don’t forget to rate the recipe below and let me know how it went in the comments – I love hearing from you! You can also follow me on Instagram, Pinterest and Facebook for more deliciousness and behind-the-scenes!

    Baked chicken wings with pomegranate glaze in a container with brown paper
    4.67 from 6 votes
    Print

    Baked Chicken Wings with Pomegranate Glaze

    Finger lickin' good chicken wings baked in the oven and covered in a sticky pomegranate glaze made with four simple ingredients: pomegranate juice, orange juice, garlic and a little bit of vinegar. That's it. Perfect for parties! Paleo, Whole30 and gluten free.

    Course Appetizer
    Cuisine American, Mediterranean
    Keyword #appetizerrecipe, #bakedchickenwings, #chickenwingsrecipe, #footballrecipe
    Prep Time 5 minutes
    Cook Time 40 minutes
    Total Time 45 minutes
    Servings 4 people
    Calories 543 kcal

    Ingredients

    Pomegranate Glaze

    • 2 cup pomegranate juice 100% pomegranate juice without added sugar
    • 1 cup orange juice
    • 3 garlic cloves grated
    • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
    • 2 tsp red wine vinegar or rice wine vinegar

    Chicken Wings

    • 5.5 lbs / 2.5 kg chicken wings about 8 whole chicken wings, cut into pieces (16 pieces once separated)
    • cooking spray

    To serve (optional)

    • ½ cup pomegranate arils
    • ½ cup fresh cilantro roughly chopped

    Instructions

    Pomegranate Glaze

    1. Start with the glaze first. In a saucepan, combine orange juice, pomegranate juice and garlic. Season with salt. 

    2. Bring to a boil, and cook uncovered with a gentle boil for about 40 minutes (from the moment it starts boiling), until it's reduced to about ½ cup, whisking for time to time. 

      Towards the end, pay close attention to the glaze to make sure it doesn't burn (it can happen quickly). Reduce the heat if it's boiling too much.

      The glaze is ready when it's thick enough to coat the back of a spoon and you can run your finger through it to make a line and it's doesn't fill in (see picture #4 above). It will be a little too thick as it cools down, but perfect when you add in the vinegar. 

    3. Stir in vinegar and keep on very low heat (just to keep it slightly warm and prevent it from hardening) while you prepare the wings.

    Chicken Wings

    1. While the glaze is reducing, prepare the chicken. 

      Preheat oven to 400F/200C and line a baking sheet with aluminum foil. Spray with a little bit of cooking spray.

    2. Pat dry the chicken with paper towels to make sure the skin is really dry (for a crispy skin!). Arrange the wings on the baking sheet. 


    3. Bake between 15 to 30 minutes (depending on the size of the wings and your oven) or until golden cooked through.

    4. Remove from the oven and brush the wings generously on all sides with pomegranate glaze. 

    5. Return to the oven and broil on high for about one minute, paying close attention not to burn the wings. 

    6. Serve hot with cilantro leaves and pomegranate arils. 

    Recipe Notes

    Glaze recipe adapted from Marta Stewart 

    • MAKE AHEAD: If possible, try to make these at the last minute. You can prepare the glaze, keep it warm, and bake the chicken separately, and then assemble and broil when you're ready to serve. The leftovers will still be good, but not as delicious because the glaze won't be as sticky and a bit runnier.
    • FREEZING: not recommended because the glaze won't stay thick and sticky.
    Nutrition Facts
    Baked Chicken Wings with Pomegranate Glaze
    Amount Per Serving (4 wings (separated))
    Calories 543 Calories from Fat 279
    % Daily Value*
    Fat 31g48%
    Saturated Fat 8g50%
    Cholesterol 148mg49%
    Sodium 444mg19%
    Potassium 758mg22%
    Carbohydrates 27g9%
    Fiber 1g4%
    Sugar 23g26%
    Protein 36g72%
    Vitamin A 540IU11%
    Vitamin C 35.6mg43%
    Calcium 48mg5%
    Iron 2.1mg12%
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

    More recipes you might like:

    • Oven Baked Crispy Chicken Wings
    • Pomegranate Hummus
    • Pear and Pomegranate Crumble
    • Quinoa Salad with Spinach and Pomegranate

    UPDATE NOTE: This post was originally published on September 9, 2013 and republished in October 2018 with an updated recipe, new photos and more tips.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Cathy

      September 10, 2013 at 3:50 pm

      Marie,

      The Pomegranate-Glazed Chicken Wings calls for adding the vinegar to the glaze, but does not have it in the ingredients. Could you please update it? This looks amazing! I would try it with skinless boneless breasts though ... I think it would work well.

      Thanks so much ... love your blog!

      Cathy

      • marie

        September 12, 2013 at 3:55 am

        Oops, sorry about that! I updated the recipe. Thanks for letting me know Cathy!
        I'm sure it would be great with breasts too! But I guess I would just cook them in a skillet (or even slightly undercook them) while the glaze is reducing, transfer them to a baking dish, brush with glaze and broil a minute or two. You just want to make sure the breasts don't get too dry. I'd be curious to know how it turns out!

    2. Erin | The Law Student's Wife

      September 10, 2013 at 11:14 pm

      Waiting to eat while you take pics is such torture! These look absolutely worth it though. YUM!

      • marie

        September 12, 2013 at 3:45 am

        You know what I'm talking about Erin!! But most of the time it's worth it, so we just endure and try to be as quick as possible haha

    3. Ashley

      September 11, 2013 at 11:09 am

      Oh man, these look absolutely amazing. That glaze! My husband has been asking me for months to make chicken wings ... I don't know why but I just haven't. I really need to go for it!

      • marie

        September 12, 2013 at 3:48 am

        Thanks Ashley!! My boyfriend loves wings and 'request' some very often too 😉

    4. laurasmess

      September 12, 2013 at 6:04 am

      I hardly ever cook chicken wings. Love the look of these though... I am a big fan of pomegranate molasses so I'm sure I'd adore this pomegranate glaze. Thanks Marie!

      • marie

        September 12, 2013 at 6:48 am

        I've never tried pomegranate molasses but I like the sound of it! If wings are not your thing I'm sure you could use the glaze on another cut. Thanks for stopping by Laura 🙂

    5. carrian

      September 13, 2013 at 9:43 am

      Those look incredible! Pinning!

      • marie

        September 15, 2013 at 7:18 pm

        Thanks Carrian!!

    6. Ayla

      November 24, 2013 at 6:00 pm

      the glaze didn't thicken At all. highly disappointed however will try it to brush it on anyways and see it turns out. in process right now

      • marie

        November 24, 2013 at 6:53 pm

        I'm sorry about that Ayla! It can take quite some time before the glaze thickens. How long did you cook it?

    7. jeana

      February 06, 2014 at 3:08 am

      Tried this today, loved them! The glaze did take a long time to thicken.

      • marie

        February 12, 2014 at 3:23 pm

        I'm so glad you liked this recipe Jeana! Thanks for letting me know 🙂

    8. Mary Bostow

      October 09, 2018 at 7:27 pm

      Oh God, these chicken wings really impress me !!! Love Love Love this recipe! This is absolutely fantastic! So YUMMY! Is good food and this looks like one of the BEST!

    9. Suzy

      October 09, 2018 at 8:01 pm

      Love the pomegranate twist!

    10. Krissy Allori

      October 09, 2018 at 8:07 pm

      I love the flavor of pomegranate. So smart of you to combine them with a chicken wing. YUM!

    11. kim

      October 09, 2018 at 8:28 pm

      Yum! This looks fabulous and I can't wait to give this recipe a try!

    12. Lauren Vavala @ DeliciousLittleBites

      October 09, 2018 at 9:53 pm

      When we were in Disney, my son ordered a pomegranate chicken dinner and I was so jealous when it came out. I totally forgot about it until now and can't wait to try your recipe and finally have a taste myself!

    13. Shanna Jones

      October 09, 2018 at 11:19 pm

      This glaze has peaked my interest! Wow, these look so good. If I am going to make these, I am not sharing! LOL!

    14. Pat @ Wholesome Kitchen

      October 10, 2018 at 4:44 am

      Oh, these look so delicious! I will definitely gonna try this!

    15. Jason

      October 15, 2018 at 10:51 pm

      These look such a great treat. That sauce is so thick!

      • Marie

        November 18, 2018 at 12:22 pm

        So thick and delicious! Hope you try them Jason! 🙂

    16. Fiona Manoon

      January 31, 2019 at 6:57 am

      It looks very yummy.
      Thanks for sharing such a delicious recipe with us.

      • Marie

        February 05, 2019 at 9:47 am

        Thank you Fiona!

    17. Christopher

      December 02, 2019 at 1:17 am

      I didn’t really like the combination of the pomegranate reduction and the red wine vinegar. It felt like the recipe was trying to be sweet and savoury and the combination didn’t work to me.

      • Marie

        December 12, 2019 at 8:24 am

        I'm sorry to hear you didn't like it Christopher. It is indeed a sweet and savory combo and it's not for everyone 🙂

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