This post is sponsored by 7UP®. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Spicy, sticky Baked Honey Lime Chicken Wings use real limes, honey, and 7UP for a bright citrus bite with a touch of honeyed sweetness. Oven-baked until crispy and tossed in a fresh, zesty sauce, these wings are an easy family favorite that might change how you flavor wings forever.
Baked Honey Lime Chicken Wings for Family Game Night
Winter cabin fever led us to revive a favorite tradition: family game night. It’s an inexpensive way to bring everyone together and it works for kids and adults alike. We rotate snacks each week, and this time we tried Baked Honey Lime Chicken Wings—perfectly paired with cold 7UP.
We usually pick up supplies at Dollar General on the way home from school. The kids love 7UP for its fizzy lemon-lime taste, and I appreciate that it’s caffeine-free. It’s also handy for making punch when we want to stretch our budget: 7UP plus juice and a scoop of ice cream or sherbet is always a hit. Right now Dollar General often runs a 3 for $10 deal on 12-packs, so stocking up is smart for the week.
For these wings we grabbed honey, baking powder, hot sauce, limes, and of course 7UP. We skipped the punch this time because plain 7UP was a refreshing complement to the sticky, spicy-sweet wings.
Making the wings is straightforward. Pat thawed wings dry, then toss them in a gallon bag with baking powder and salt to coat. Spread the wings out on a foil-lined baking sheet—placing them on a metal cooling rack speeds crisping, but it’s optional. Bake on the lower rack at 250°F for 30 minutes, then move the sheet to the top quarter of the oven, increase to 425°F, and bake another 40–50 minutes until the wings reach 165°F internally and are no longer pink.
While the wings finish baking, make the honey lime sauce. Melt butter in a saucepan, then whisk in hot sauce, 7UP, honey, chopped cilantro, lime zest, lime juice, and garlic powder. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook about 15 minutes so the flavors meld and the sauce thickens slightly. To thicken more, mix 2 tablespoons 7UP with 1 tablespoon cornstarch until smooth, then whisk it into the sauce and cook until glossy.
When wings and sauce are ready, toss the wings in a large bowl with the sauce until fully coated. Serve immediately; ranch dressing is a great dip alongside cold 7UP.
We set the snacks out in the living room and played on the floor. The wings disappeared quickly—tangy, sticky, with heat and honey balancing the citrus. The kids insisted on pizza too, because pizza, wings, and 7UP make a classic combo.
For a sweet finish, try making 7UP cupcakes or another soda-inspired treat to round out your game night menu.
Find a Dollar General near you to pick up 7UP and ingredients for this recipe.
Baked Honey Lime Chicken Wings Recipe
Baked Honey Lime Chicken Wings
Ingredients
- 2 pounds chicken wings (thawed if frozen)
- 2 tablespoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
For the Honey Lime Sauce
- 1/2 cup butter
- 3/4 cup hot sauce
- 1/2 cup 7UP
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 2 tablespoons cilantro, finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon lime zest
- Juice from 1 lime (about 1–2 tablespoons)
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 tablespoons 7UP (for cornstarch slurry)
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
Instructions
- Move an oven rack to the top quarter and another to the bottom. Preheat oven to 250°F. Pat wings dry.
- In a gallon bag, add wings, baking powder, and salt. Shake to coat.
- Line a large rimmed baking sheet with foil. If you have metal cooling racks, place them on the sheet and spray with oil.
- Arrange coated wings on the baking sheet or rack. They can touch slightly.
- Bake on the lower rack at 250°F for 30 minutes.
- Raise oven to 425°F, move wings to the higher rack, and bake 40–50 minutes more until cooked through (165°F internal).
- While wings cook, melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat.
- Add hot sauce, 1/2 cup 7UP, honey, cilantro, lime zest, lime juice, and garlic powder. Stir to combine.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook about 15 minutes to meld flavors.
- Whisk 2 tablespoons 7UP with 1 tablespoon cornstarch until smooth, then stir into the sauce until thickened.
- Place baked wings in a large bowl, pour the sauce over them, and toss to coat.
- Serve immediately with ranch and a cold 7UP.
Nutrition
Want a sweet finish? Try 7UP cupcakes to end your game night on a bright note.
