Brazilian-Style Grilled Chicken Wings: Drumettes, Flats and a Garlic-Lime Marinade
At a Brazilian churrasco, chicken wings come off the grill early and disappear fast. The secret is a bright garlic-lime marinade and patient, medium heat that renders the skin until it crackles. Here's how.
Know your wing parts
| Part | In Portuguese | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Drumette | Coxinha da asa | Meaty, easy to eat, great on skewers |
| Flat (wingette) | Meio da asa / asinha | More skin, crispiest when grilled |
| Tip | Ponta da asa | Little meat; save for broth |
Buy whole wings and split them yourself to save money, or buy drumettes and flats separately if your crowd has a favorite. Short on time? Our case often has seasoned coxinha da asa ready for the grill.
How many wings per person
- As one meat at a churrasco: 3 to 4 pieces per adult.
- As the main event (game day): 8 to 10 pieces, about ¾ to 1 pound per adult.
Garlic-lime grilled chicken wings
Ingredients
- 3 lb chicken wings, split into drumettes and flats
- 6 cloves garlic, finely minced
- Juice of 2 limes
- 2 tbsp vegetable or olive oil
- 2 tsp kosher salt
- 1 tsp sweet paprika
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp chopped parsley
- Lime wedges, to serve
Instructions
- Mix the garlic, lime juice, oil, salt, paprika, pepper and parsley in a bowl.
- Pat the wings dry, toss them with the marinade, and refrigerate for 2 hours and up to overnight.
- Set up the grill for medium heat with a cooler zone. Thread drumettes on skewers if you like, or lay the pieces directly on the grate.
- Grill with the lid closed for 20 to 25 minutes, turning every 5 minutes and moving pieces away from flare-ups.
- Move the wings over direct heat for the last 2 to 3 minutes to crisp the skin, until they reach at least 165 °F (175 to 185 °F is even better).
- Rest for 5 minutes and serve with lime wedges.
Oven and air fryer
- Oven: 425 °F on a rack set over a sheet pan, 35 to 45 minutes, flipping halfway.
- Air fryer: 400 °F for 20 to 25 minutes in a single layer, shaking the basket halfway.
Safety and doneness
Chicken is safe at 165 °F. Wings have so much connective tissue that they're actually better at 175 to 185 °F, when the meat pulls easily from the bone and the skin is crisp. Keep raw chicken and its marinade away from cooked food, and see our temperature chart for other meats.
Wings are round 3 of a classic churrasco, right after the linguiça.
Quick answers
How long do you grill chicken wings?
About 20 to 25 minutes over medium heat with the lid closed, turning often, then 2 to 3 minutes over direct heat to crisp the skin.
What temperature should chicken wings be cooked to?
At least 165 °F to be safe. For the best texture, many cooks take wings to 175 to 185 °F.
Where can I buy chicken wings in Davenport, FL?
At Costa's Meat Market, 2169 Davenport Blvd. We carry wings and often have seasoned coxinha da asa ready to grill. Call (863) 422-2313.
Shop the counter at Costa's
2169 Davenport Blvd, Davenport, FL, in Webb's Town Center. Open Mon–Sat 8 am–8 pm and Sun 8 am–5 pm. Order online for pickup, call for custom cuts, or join the WhatsApp group for weekly specials.
