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These grilled BBQ chicken wings are coated in barbecue sauce and cooked until the sauce caramelizes around the edges. They're sticky, slightly charred, and packed with smoky barbecue flavor. Best of all, they're ready in less than 30 minutes!
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Chicken wings on the grill
I love making chicken wings, whether they're baked in the oven or cooked on the grill. They're perfect for sharing, and there's plenty of surface area for seasoning and sauce.
During the summer, I'd much rather fire up the grill than heat up my kitchen. These BBQ wings are one of my favorites because they're so easy to make. I season the wings first, grill them until they're cooked through, and then brush on several layers of barbecue sauce. The sauce caramelizes on the grill, giving the wings a delicious, slightly sticky coating.
When grilling isn't an option, my oven-baked honey BBQ wings are another great choice.
Ingredients for BBQ wings
- Chicken wings: Use whole wings or wings that have already been separated into drumettes and wingettes. I usually buy a package of party wings because they're ready to season and grill.
- BBQ sauce: Use your favorite barbecue sauce. I often use my homemade BBQ sauce, but store-bought works just as well.
- Seasonings: Salt, pepper, and garlic powder add flavor to the wings before the sauce goes on.
How to make BBQ wings
- Pat wings down with a paper towel, removing any excess moisture.
- Sprinkle wings with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
- Place wings on a preheated and seasoned grill and cook over medium to medium-high heat.
- Cook for 3–5 minutes per side, continuing to turn as needed until the wings reach an internal temperature of at least 165°F.
- Baste BBQ sauce over the top of the wings. Flip over and place sauce on the other side. Close lid and cook for 2-3 minutes, letting the sauce begin to cook and caramelize.
- Flip wings and apply another layer of sauce. Close lid and cook for 2-3 minutes.
- Apply at least 2 coats of sauce to each side.
- Remove from heat and eat hot or while still warm.
Recipe tips
- Dry the wings: Pat the wings dry with paper towels before seasoning. This helps remove excess moisture.
- Preheat the grill: Give your grill plenty of time to heat up before adding the wings. Aim for a grill temperature of 415–450°F.
- Flip often: Turn the wings every 3–5 minutes to help prevent burning. Move the wings around if your grill has hot spots so they cook evenly.
- Check the temperature: Use a digital meat thermometer to make certain the wings reach an internal temperature of at least 165°F.
- Add the sauce toward the end: Wait until the wings are cooked through before brushing on the BBQ sauce. Adding it too early can cause the sugars in the sauce to burn. Apply several layers, allowing each one to caramelize before adding the next.
Frequently asked questions
Chicken wings should reach an internal temperature of at least 165°F. Use a digital meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the wing, avoiding the bone.
Allow the wings to cool slightly, then transfer them to an airtight container and refrigerate within two hours. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days.
Add the BBQ sauce toward the end of grilling, once the wings are cooked through. Brush on several layers, allowing the sauce to caramelize between applications. This helps prevent the sugars in the sauce from burning.
Serving suggestions
These grilled BBQ wings are delicious served with homemade blue cheese dressing for dipping. To make them part of a meal, add a fresh Italian chopped salad, deviled egg pasta salad, or sautéed corn with butter. For a refreshing summer side, try my blueberry watermelon salad.
More chicken wing recipes
If you love chicken wings, there are plenty of other flavors to try! My honey garlic wings have a sweet and savory glaze, while these teriyaki wings are another flavorful option. For something different, try garlic parmesan wings, salt and pepper wings, or my dry rubbed wings.
If you make this recipe, I’d love to hear about it! Leave a comment below and snap a picture and tag me on Instagram @beyondthechickencoop
Check out all my delicious grilling recipes!
Grilled BBQ Wings
Ingredients
- 1 ½ - 2 pounds chicken wings
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 cup BBQ sauce
Instructions
- Preheat grill. Scrape down grates and season with a bit of oil. Fold a paper towel into a small square. Dip it into cooking oil and rub paper towel over the top of the grates using tongs to hold the paper towel.
- Pat wings down with a paper towel removing any excess moisture.1 ½ - 2 pounds chicken wings
- Sprinkle wings with salt, pepper and garlic powder.½ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon pepper, ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- Place wings on a preheated and seasoned grill and cook over medium to medium-high heat.
- Cook for 3–5 minutes per side, continuing to turn as needed until the wings reach an internal temperature of at least 165°F.
- Baste BBQ sauce over the top of the wings. Flip over and place sauce on the other side. Close lid and cook for 2-3 minutes letting the sauce begin to cook and caramelize.1 cup BBQ sauce
- Flip wings and apply another layer of sauce. Close lid and cook for 2-3 minutes.
- Apply at least 2 coats of sauce to each side.
- Remove from heat and eat hot or while still warm.
Notes
- Dry the wings: Pat the wings dry with paper towels before seasoning. This helps remove excess moisture.
- Preheat the grill: Give your grill plenty of time to heat up before adding the wings. Aim for a grill temperature of 415–450°F.
- Flip often: Turn the wings every 3–5 minutes to help prevent burning. Move the wings around if your grill has hot spots so they cook evenly.
- Check the temperature: Use a digital meat thermometer to make certain the wings reach an internal temperature of at least 165°F.
- Add the sauce toward the end: Wait until the wings are cooked through before brushing on the BBQ sauce. Adding it too early can cause the sugars in the sauce to burn. Apply several layers, allowing each one to caramelize before adding the next.
Nutritional Disclaimer:
Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and should only be construed as an estimate rather than a guarantee. To obtain the most precise nutritional information in a provided recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the exact ingredients you are using when preparing the recipe using your preferred nutrition calculator.
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