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West African Suya Spiced Chicken Wings

West African Suya Spiced Chicken Wings - featured image
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These flavorful grilled chicken wings are coated with a vibrant West African suya spice blend, delivering a smoky, nutty, and spicy taste perfect for outdoor gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 pounds chicken wings, fresh or thawed, separated at the joints
  • ½ cup roasted unsalted peanuts (about 75 g), finely ground
  • 2 tablespoons smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust to heat preference)
  • 1 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1½ teaspoons salt (or to taste)
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • Optional: fresh chili flakes for extra heat

Instructions

  1. Prepare the spice mix: In a food processor, pulse the roasted peanuts until fine and sandy in texture. Add smoked paprika, cayenne, ginger, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Pulse to combine evenly (about 5 minutes).
  2. Pat the chicken wings dry with paper towels to help the spice rub stick better. Place wings in a large mixing bowl.
  3. Drizzle vegetable oil and lemon juice over the wings. Toss gently to coat.
  4. Sprinkle the suya spice mix over the wings and toss thoroughly until each wing is evenly covered. Let sit for 15-20 minutes at room temperature to absorb flavors.
  5. Preheat the grill to medium-high heat (about 375°F). For charcoal, wait until coals are covered with white ash; for gas, preheat with lid closed for 10 minutes.
  6. Arrange wings in a single layer on the grill grates. Grill for 20-25 minutes, turning every 5 minutes to prevent burning and ensure even cooking. Use tongs to flip carefully. Cook until internal temperature reaches 165°F.
  7. Remove wings from grill and let rest for 5 minutes to allow juices to redistribute before serving.

Notes

If you don’t have a food processor, crush peanuts in a zip-top bag with a rolling pin. For baking, cook wings at 425°F for 30-35 minutes, flipping halfway. Use indirect heat on the grill to avoid burning. Marinate wings up to 2 hours for deeper flavor. Keep a spray bottle of water handy to control flare-ups.

Nutrition

Keywords: suya, chicken wings, West African, grilled wings, spicy wings, smoky wings, peanut spice, barbecue, outdoor cooking

Find it online: https://sweetstirring.com/west-african-suya-spiced-chicken-wings-recipe-easy-grilled-flavorful-wings/