Chicken wings are a classic appetizer and tailgating food, and cooking them on the grill gives them a delicious smoky, charred flavor. Grilling wings is easy, but there are some tips and techniques to get them just right. Here is a complete guide on how to cook bbq chicken wings on the grill or smoker so they come out juicy, tender and bursting with finger-licking barbecue flavor.
Ingredients for BBQ Chicken Wings
- Chicken wings – You can use a mix of drumettes and flats or all drums or all flats. Get them plain rather than coated in flour or batter.
- BBQ rub – A dry rub adds tons of flavor. Use your favorite barbecue blend or make your own.
- BBQ sauce – The sauce provides that sticky coating. Use your desired brand.
- Butter or oil for grilling
- Wood chips or chunks (optional) – Soak wood chips in water before using to get smoke flavor. Chunks don’t need soaking.
BBQ Rubs for Wings
You can buy pre-made barbecue rubs, but making your own lets you control the flavors. Basic rubs include:
- Brown sugar rub – 1/2 cup brown sugar, 2 tablespoons each garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Spicy rub – 2 tablespoons each brown sugar, chili powder, cumin, salt, pepper, cayenne pepper, oregano.
- Kansas City rub – 1/4 cup each brown sugar and smoked paprika, 2 tablespoons each salt, garlic powder, ground mustard, onion powder, and black pepper.
Experiment with your own blends too. Store extra rubs in airtight containers.
Sauces for Grilled Wings
Use your favorite pre-made barbecue sauce or whip up a homemade sauce. Some popular regional styles include:
- Kansas City: Molasses, tomato sauce, vinegar, spices. Thick, sweet, spicy.
- Memphis: Tomato sauce, vinegar, lots of spice. Usually tangy, spicy, thin.
- Carolina: Mustard base with vinegar, spices. Tangy and mildly spicy.
- Alabama white: Mayonnaise, vinegar, lemon juice, spices. Tangy and creamy.
You can also make sweet chili, bourbon, teriyaki, or other flavored sauces for wings.
How to Prepare Wings for Grilling
Proper prep ensures tender and juicy wings:
- Remove tip: Use kitchen shears to cut off and discard the small wing tip section.
- Cut wings: Separate wings at the joints into drumettes and flats if desired.
- Wash and dry: Rinse wings and pat very dry with paper towels. Wet wings won’t brown well.
- Apply rub: Coat wings all over with dry barbecue rub. Rub it into the skin.
- Refrigerate: Let wings marinate in the fridge for at least 2 hours or up to 12. The rub flavors permeate the meat.
Starting with room temperature wings helps them cook evenly. Take them out of the fridge while you prep the grill.
Grilling Methods for Perfect BBQ Wings
There are two main techniques for grilling wings – direct or indirect heat.
Direct Grilling
This method cooks the wings directly over the heat source. It gives great char but requires close monitoring to avoid burning.
- Oil the grill grates well. Use high heat with all burners on full blast.
- Place wings skin-side down directly over the flames. Grill for 8-12 minutes until browned.
- Flip and grill another 6-8 minutes until cooked through.
- Move wings to a cooler side of the grill. Brush with sauce. Grill 1-2 minutes just to tack up the sauce.
Indirect Grilling
Indirect heat gently cooks the wings with the burners on just one side of the grill.
- Use a 2-zone fire, with one side hot and one side low heat.
- Or place a drip pan with water under the wings to act as a heat diffuser.
- Cook wings skin-side up over indirect heat with the lid closed as much as possible.
- Grill for 25-45 minutes depending on size until cooked through.
- Move wings over direct heat. Grill 2-3 minutes per side to crisp the skin.
- Brush with sauce and grill just to caramelize the sauce, 1-2 minutes.
Indirect grilling takes longer but frees you up to man the grill less. It works well for smoking wings too.
Smoking Wings on a Grill or Smoker
For serious barbecue flavor, try smoking wings low and slow. Any grill can be used for smoking with a few tweaks:
How to Smoke on a Gas Grill:
- Add soaked wood chips to smoker box or foil pouch over the flame.
- Use indirect heat with outside burners on low. Keep temp 225-250°F.
- Place wings skin-side up on cool side. Smoke 1-1.5 hours until almost cooked through.
- Move over direct heat to finish as above.
How to Smoke on a Charcoal Grill:
- Arrange coals on one side. Add wood chunks to the fire.
- Keep temp between 225-275°F, adjusting vents as needed.
- Smoke wings skin-side up over indirect heat for 1-2 hours until nearly cooked through.
- Move wings over direct heat to finish.
Using a Smoker:
- Get smoker to 225-250°F. Use your desired wood for flavor.
- Smoke wings skin-side up for 1.5-3 hours until fully cooked and tender.
- Optional: Finish on a hot grill or broiler to crisp skin.
The longer smoke time infuses the wings with delicious smoky barbecue flavor.
How to Tell When Wings are Done
Chicken wings are fully cooked when they reach an internal temperature of 165°F. The juices should run clear when pierced.
Signs they’re done:
- Meat is opaque throughout when cut into.
- Skin is crispy and dark golden brown.
- Bones wiggle freely when lifted.
- Meat near bones pulls back from tips.
Use an instant read thermometer to check doneness, especially for larger pieces. Cook a few minutes more if needed.
Serving BBQ Chicken Wings
Pile wings on a platter and serve immediately once they’re cooked. Accompaniments like celery, carrots, and dipping sauces make them a full meal.
- Provide plenty of napkins and wet wipes for messy fingers.
- Serve with extra sauce on the side for dipping.
- Chilled cooked wings can be refrigerated up to 4 days. Reheat gently before serving.
Grilled wings also shine on hearty sandwiches piled high on soft buns. Don’t forget to add pickles!
Keep reading for answers to common questions about making perfect barbecue wings at home.
Frequently Asked Questions About Grilling Chicken Wings
What is the best way to cook chicken wings on a grill?
Indirect grilling works wonderfully for wings. Arrange coals or burners for low heat on one side. Place wings skin-side up over indirect heat, close the grill, and cook 25-45 minutes until done. Finish over direct heat to crisp the skin. The two-zone setup gives you juicy meat and crispy skin.
How long does it take to grill chicken wings?
Cooking time can vary from 15 minutes for direct high-heat grilling to 1-3 hours for low, slow smoking. Smaller wings may cook faster. The indirect method takes 25-45 minutes. Cook until wings reach an internal temperature of 165°F.
Should you flip chicken wings when grilling?
Yes, flip the wings at least once during grilling. If direct grilling over high heat, flip once halfway through to prevent burning. For indirect grilling, you can periodically flip the wings for even cooking but it’s not required.
What temperature do you grill chicken wings?
For direct grilling, use high heat between 450-550°F. Indirect grilling and smoking are best at lower temps of 225-275°F. Higher heat crisps the skin while lower temps cook the meat gently without drying it out.
Should you grill chicken wings skin side up or down?
Start wings skin-side down over direct heat to crisp the skin. Cook skin-side up for indirect grilling or smoking so the meat faces the heat source. Finish over direct heat skin-side down again to finalize crisping.
How can you keep chicken wings moist when grilling?
- Brine wings in saltwater before grilling for extra juicy meat.
- Grill over indirect heat rather than direct to prevent drying out.
- Use a barbecue mop sauce to keep wings moist while cooking.
- Avoid overcooking. Check for doneness at 165°F internal temperature.
What wood is best for smoking chicken wings?
Fruit woods like apple, cherry, peach, and pear give wings a nice mild smoke flavor. Oak, hickory, and mesquite impart a stronger smoke taste. Use milder woods like alder if you want just a hint of smoke.
Can you grill frozen chicken wings?
No, grilling wings straight from frozen causes unsafe, uneven cooking. Always thaw wings fully in the refrigerator before grilling. Cook frozen wings in the oven until thawed and warmed through, then finish on the grill if desired.
Grilled BBQ Chicken Wings Enjoy Success From Planning
Juicy barbecue chicken wings coated in sticky sweet sauce are an irresistible treat. With proper preparation, rubs, and grilling technique, you can achieve crisp, succulent wings full of smoky barbecue flavor in your own backyard. Master indirect heat for tender results. Add smoke with wood chips or chunks for extra aroma. Brush with sauce near the end to caramelize it without burning. Serve piles of finger-licking wings along with cooling sides and plenty of napkins. Your crowd will devour these savory, saucy wings fresh off the grill!
When you follow these tips on how to cook bbq chicken wings, you’ll end up with irresistible results full of barbecue goodness. Happy grilling!