Description
These Grilled Chicken Wings are juicy and flavorful on the inside with perfectly charred, crispy skin on the outside. Seasoned with a smoky garlic spice blend and finished with your favorite BBQ sauce, they’re an easy choice for summer grilling, game days, and backyard gatherings.
Ingredients
Chicken Wings
- 3 lbs chicken wings, split into flats and drumettes
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Spices
- 1½ tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp chili powder
- ½ tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
Finishing
- ½ cup BBQ sauce, for brushing
- Fresh parsley, optional
- Lemon wedges, for serving
Instructions
- Dry the Wings: Pat the chicken wings very dry with paper towels to ensure the skin will brown and crisp up nicely on the grill.
- Season the Wings: Place the wings in a large bowl and toss them thoroughly with olive oil, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper to evenly coat.
- Preheat the Grill: Heat your grill to medium, about 375–400°F (190–200°C). Clean and lightly oil the grill grates to prevent sticking.
- Cook Over Indirect Heat: Arrange the wings on the grill away from direct flames for even cooking. Close the grill and cook for approximately 15–20 minutes, turning occasionally to ensure even heat distribution.
- Finish Over Direct Heat: Move the wings over direct heat and grill for an additional 5–10 minutes, turning frequently until the skin becomes browned, crispy, and has nice char marks.
- Brush with BBQ Sauce: During the last 2–3 minutes of grilling, brush the wings with BBQ sauce to add a flavorful glaze without letting the sugars burn.
- Check Temperature and Rest: Use a meat thermometer to ensure the thickest part of the wings reaches 165°F (74°C). Remove from the grill and let them rest for 5 minutes.
- Serve: Garnish with fresh parsley and serve with lemon wedges or extra BBQ sauce as desired.
Notes
- Patting the wings dry is crucial for achieving crispy skin and better browning.
- Start cooking over indirect heat to cook wings evenly, then finish over direct heat to get the perfect char.
- Try alternative sauces such as buffalo, honey garlic, or spicy BBQ for different flavor profiles.
- For even crispier skin, add 1 tablespoon of baking powder to the dry seasoning mix before grilling.
- Avoid brushing BBQ sauce too early in the cooking process to prevent the sugars from burning and creating bitterness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Main Course, Game Day
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: American
