Chicken wings are a quintessential BBQ food. When cooked right, they offer the perfect balance of crispy skin and juicy meat that makes them irresistible. While grilling wings can seem intimidating, it’s actually quite simple if you follow a few tips. In this detailed guide, you’ll learn everything you need to know to get restaurant-quality wings off your grill every time.
Choose High-Quality Wings
The first step is selecting great wings. Opt for fresh, meaty wings without any blemishes or discoloration. Both drumettes and flats work well, so mix up the two for variety. Allow 1.5 to 2 pounds of wings per 3-4 people. Keeping the wings whole results in juicier meat, but you can slice the tips off for neater eating. Avoid pre-cut wings, as they dry out on the grill.
Season Well for Flavor
Chicken wings need robust seasoning to shine on the grill. A simple dry rub of salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika, and a dash of cayenne packs a flavor punch without obscuring the wings. Let the seasoned wings sit for 10-15 minutes so the seasoning permeates the meat.
You can also marinate the wings in a blended mix of olive oil, vinegar, garlic, and herbs for up to 8 hours for a bolder flavor profile. Just pat the wings dry before grilling so the skin crisps up.
Use Direct Heat for Crispiness
The key to crispy grilled wings is maintaining a hot direct heat. Preheat your gas or charcoal grill to medium-high, around 400°F. Place the wings skin-side down directly over the heat. Resist the urge to flip them too soon. Keep the lid closed and let them sear for 8-10 minutes undisturbed. The high heat helps render the fat and crisp the skin.
Flip and Cook Through
After searing one side, flip the wings and cook for another 8-10 minutes, adjusting the temperature as needed to prevent burning Use tongs to flip the wings a couple more times, cooking for about 25 minutes total until the juices run clear and the wings reach an internal temperature of 165°F
The last few flips help brown the wings evenly while bringing them up to the safe temperature. If flare-ups occur, move the wings to a cooler area of the grill.
Add Sauce for Extra Flavor
Once cooked, transfer the wings to a bowl and toss them with your favorite sauce. Barbecue, buffalo, and garlic Parmesan all pair well with grilled wings. The sauce adds another layer of moisture and flavor. Apply it in the last 5 minutes of grilling if you want the sauce to caramelize.
Indirect Heat Prevents Drying
If you prefer smoky, slow-cooked wings, use indirect heat. Set up a two-zone fire in your charcoal grill or turn off one gas burner. Place the wings on the cooler side, away from direct heat. Close the lid and grill for 35-40 minutes, flipping occasionally, until cooked through.
The indirect heat cooks the wings gently so they stay tender and juicy. You can crisp them at the end by searing over direct heat for just a couple minutes per side.
Add Smoky Flavor with Wood Chips
Soaking wood chips in water prevents them from burning up too quickly on the grill. Try apple, cherry, hickory, or mesquite varieties. Scatter the drained wood chips over the hot coals or place them in a smoker box or foil pouch with holes. As the chips smolder, they infuse the wings with sweet, smoky nuances.
Let the Wings Rest Before Serving
Once grilled to perfection, transfer the wings to a platter and let them rest for 5 minutes before serving. This allows the juices to reabsorb so you don’t lose moisture when biting into the wings. Serve with crispy celery and carrot sticks and dipping sauces on the side.
With these tips, you’ll become a true grill master when cooking chicken wings. Getting the right balance of crispy exterior and moist interior takes a little practice, but the rewards are well worth it. Adjust the heat and flip frequency based on your specific grill. In no time, you’ll be hosting backyard barbecues focused around your signature grilled wings.
Why This Recipe Works
There are so many ways to make chicken wings, that’s what makes them so fun to cook. This recipe focuses on cooking indirectly to add smoke flavor and finishing them over high heat.
Homemade dry rubs are delicious too. Our classic Signature Sweet & Smoky Rub will give you that sweet heat, pairing with just about any barbecue flavor. If you’re looking for something less sweet, try Smoky Southwest Rub.
- Charcoal grill – You’ll need a grill, and I highly recommend using a charcoal grill for grilled wings. This is key for building that smoky flavor with crispy skin, making the best grilled chicken wings possible.
- Meat thermometer – Having one on hand ensures that the wings hit that perfect internal temperature every time.
- Wood Chips or Chunks – This is the key to the puzzle, the extra fuel that will add more smoky flavor and color to the wings. Adding some hardwood to the coals will create some additional smoke, adding both color and taste to the wings. The flavor and amount completely depend on your tastebuds.
- Gas grills can work, but you’ll need to use wood chips on a burner to replicate the indirect smoking phase. Check out this tutorial on How to use Wood Chips on your Gas Grill.
Step 1: Preparing the Wings
Make sure the chicken wings are thawed. Pat the wings dry with a paper towel once you remove them from the packaging.
Place the wings in a large resealable plastic bag, or another large container that can be sealed. Pour in a few tablespoons of oil and mix up the wings, coating them evenly.
Add in your preferred seasoning next, mixing up the bag again to coat the wings. Allow them to rest for at least 2 hours, up to overnight.
Mixing up the wings in this way is easier with a bag, rather than using a large bowl. You can see the wings easier and also lay the bag flat down in the fridge.
Kick up the flavor by adding a few dashes of hot sauce during the seasoning phase, as the wings are being tossed around. Pour a few drops in with the oil, and add the dry rub after they are mixed around. You’ll still have crispy skin, just with some extra flavor.
How to Make Grilled Chicken Wings | Weber Genesis Gas Grill | Barlow BBQ
FAQ
How long does it take to grill chicken wings?
Remove chicken wings from marinade and pat dry; discard any remaining marinade. Cook on the preheated grill, turning occasionally, until chicken is golden brown and no longer pink inside, 25 to 30 minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted near the bone should read 165 degrees F (74 degrees C).May 2, 2025
What is the secret to grilling wings?
The trick with grilling wings is to cook them at a high enough heat to crisp the skins, but a low enough heat that you don’t burn the skins in the time it takes to cook the meat. BBQ-great, Malcom Reed uses the Weber Vortex to cook his grilled wings.
Should you coat wings in oil before grilling?
Oil is crucial when prepping chicken wings. It works as a binding agent but more importantly the fat helps crisp up the skin on the grill. I like using olive oil but any type here will work.