How Long Does It Take to Grill Chicken Wings with Charcoal? The Ultimate Guide
Chicken wings are a barbecue staple that everyone loves. When cooked over charcoal, they develop an irresistible smoky flavor and crispy skin. But getting the cooking time right can be tricky. Undercook them and the meat will be rubbery, overcook and they’ll dry out. So how long should you grill chicken wings for the perfect texture and taste?
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about grilling chicken wings with charcoal, including:
- Ideal grill temperature
- Cooking times for different wing types
- Tips for crispy skin and juicy meat
- How to check for doneness
- Flavor enhancements like sauces and rubs
Follow these tips and you’ll be serving restaurant-quality charcoal grilled chicken wings in your own backyard. Let’s get started!
Set Up Your Charcoal Grill for Success
Achieving the ideal temperature is key for crispy, properly cooked wings. Aim for a grill temperature of around 350°F to 375°F. This allows the fat under the skin to render slowly so the wings get crispy without burning.
Use a charcoal chimney starter to evenly light your briquettes. Once the coals are ashed over and hot, spread them out in a single layer for direct grilling. You can also setup a two-zone fire by piling coals on one side only. This gives you a hot zone for searing and a cooler zone for indirect cooking.
Leave the grill grate oiled and over the hot coals for at least 10 minutes before cooking. This allows it to preheat so the wings sear quickly when added. Now your charcoal grill is ready for some mouthwatering wings!
How Long to Grill Different Wing Types
Cooking times can vary based on the size and cut of your wings
- Whole wings: 24-30 minutes
- Drumettes only: 20-25 minutes
- Wingettes only: 15-20 minutes
- Boneless wings: 12-15 minutes
For food safety, always use a meat thermometer to confirm wings reach an internal temperature of 165°F. Let’s look at some tips for each wing type.
Whole Wings
These take the longest to cook since you’re dealing with multiple wing sections. Grill for 24-30 minutes, flipping occasionally for even cooking. The drumette and wingette will finish around the same time.
Drumettes
The “drumstick” section of the wing contains the most meat. Grill drumettes for 20-25 minutes until the juices run clear. Their higher fat content means they can pick up lovely smoky notes from the charcoal.
Wingettes
These are the middle wing section. Grill wingettes for 15-20 minutes, flipping once. Don’t rush the cooking or they can overcook and dry out.
Boneless Wings
Since there’s no bone, these pieces cook fastest. Grill for 12-15 minutes, turning frequently. Watch closely to avoid overcooking.
For any wing type, sear over direct heat before moving to indirect heat to finish cooking. This helps render the fat and crisp the skin.
Tips for Perfectly Cooked Wings Every Time
Follow these handy tips and tricks for finger-licking good charcoal grilled chicken wings:
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Pat wings dry before seasoning – this helps them get extra crispy.
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Use indirect heat to cook wings through without burning.
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Flip wings frequently while grilling for even cooking.
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Brush wings with sauce only during the last few minutes of grilling so it doesn’t burn.
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Transfer cooked wings to a baking sheet, don’t pile them up or steam will make the skin soggy.
Your wings are done when the juices run clear and they reach an internal temp of 165°F. Now it’s time for flavors!
Add Delicious Flavor to Your Wings
A good marinade or spice rub before grilling adds tons of flavor. For marinades, buttermilk and hot sauce are a classic combo. Spice rubs with chili powder, cumin, brown sugar, and paprika are always a hit.
After grilling, you can toss the wings in flavorful sauces. Try buffalo, barbecue, lemon pepper, garlic Parmesan, teriyaki, honey mustard – the options are endless. Don’t forget sides like crispy celery and carrot sticks and dipping sauces like ranch or blue cheese.
With the ideal charcoal grill setup and cooking times, you’ll be amazed at how quick and easy it is to make restaurant-worthy wings at home. Just be prepared for the whole neighborhood to start showing up when that irresistible aroma begins wafting from your backyard. Enjoy your new status as the destination for the best charcoal grilled chicken wings around!
How to Make Charcoal Grilled Chicken Wings
- Wash your chicken wings (if thats what you do), pat them dry thoroughly with paper towels.
- Season them generously with dry rub.
- Preheat your charcoal grill.
- Place wings on grill grates.
- Close lid
- Flip wings over, close lid, and continue to grill other side
- After 25 minutes, flip the wings over and continue grilling for an additional 20 minutes or until the internal temperature has reached between 165°. The wings will be beautifully caramelized with charred bits and a smokey flavor.
- If you want to add BBQ sauce, slather on the sauce with a basting brush a few minutes before removing the wings, close the lid, and grill for an additional few minutes until the sauce is heated through and slightly sticky.
- Remove the wings from the grill and place on a serving tray for your family and friends to enjoy.
Dont be afraid to get creative with some of your favorite spice blends.
Teriyaki inspired wings: Combine coco aminos which is a soy sauce substitute which is a tad bit sweet, along with water, fresh garlic cloves and fresh ginger. Use this as a marinade and a glaze. For inspiration check out my Grilled Teriyaki Pork Ribs Recipe
Cilantro lime wings: Blend together avocado oil or grapeseed oil with kosher salt, garlic powder, onion powder, fresh cilantro, fresh lime juice, fresh garlic, and the green parts of green onion. Use this as your marinade.
Lemon pepper wings: Coat your wings generously with lemon zest, garlic powder, onion powder, kosher salt, black pepper, red pepper flakes and dried parsley (optional). I like to use parsley to add a pop of color.
For this charcoal grilled chicken wings recipe I used:
- A charcoal grill
- Charcoal
- Lighter fluid
- A lined baking sheet with either parchment paper or foil for easy cleanup for prepping the chicken wings and for transferring the wings to and from the grill
- Tongs for flipping the wings on the grill
Follow these simple tips for storing and reheating your charcoal grilled chicken wings.
To store, place any leftover chicken wings in an airtight container with a tight fitting lid or in a ziploc bag and store them in the fridge for up to 3 days.
To warm the wings, preheat the oven to 375 degrees F, and heat them until they are warm throughout.
- Season liberally with the dry rub and a good amount of kosher salt for maximum flavor.
- When making the dry rub, do not add salt as this will allow you to control the salt content later.
- If adding BBQ sauce, slather it on the chicken wings at the end and heat until warm or wings are slightly sticky.
- If wings are frozen, defrost them in the fridge overnight or place them in a large bowl of cold water and allow them to sit in the cold water for about 45 minutes or until they are completely defrosted.
- Its beneficial to create 2 zones when grilling, a direct heat zone and an indirect heat zone.
- Heat Zones: 1) Direct heat zone is the side of the grill directly over the lit coals and 2) Indirect heat zone is the cooler side or the unlit side which is the side that will prevent your food from charring or cooking too fast.
- If unsure, use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature. This is done by inserting the meat thermometer into the thickest part of the chicken without hitting the bone. When the chicken wings have reached an internal temperature of 165°F theyre done.
Grill chicken wings between 40 to 45 minutes at 300°F on a charcoal grill until no longer pink. The most accurate way to check for doneness is to insert a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the wing avoiding the bone. The USDA suggests an internal temperature of 165 degrees. But, if you feel your wings needs a few extra minutes, continue to grill.
Yes, its important that wings are dried before grilling. This will ensure that 1) the seasoning adheres to the wings really well; 2) the wings are able to get the beautiful grill marks; 3) the wings get nicely charred. Use clean paper towels to pat dry chicken wings thoroughly.
Make sure the chicken wings are dried thoroughly, your grill is set to the proper temperature before placing the wings on the grill grates, grill with the skin-side down, and do not sauce the wings before grilling.
For a well-rounded dinner menu, serve your wings with these easy side dishes.
Looking for a refreshing option to add to your dinner menu try this:
Looking for easy dessert options? These are sure to be a hit:
Did you make this recipe?
If so, let me know how it went. Leave a Star Rating within the recipe card down below and/or TAG @cookingwithbliss on Instagram. I cant wait to see how it turned out.
How to Grill CRISPY Wings over Charcoal
FAQ
How long do I cook chicken wings on a charcoal grill?
How long should chicken take on a charcoal grill?
How long to cook chicken on a charcoal grill? It generally takes 12-15 minutes to cook chicken on a charcoal grill. You’ll flip it every three minutes, until it reaches an internal temperature of 165F degrees and the juices run clear.
How often should I flip wings on a charcoal grill?
Season your wings liberally with BBQ rub. Place them in a single layer on the grill and cook with the lid closed, turning them every 4 minutes. (Use an Extra Big & Loud Timer to keep track of the time.)
How do you know when chicken wings are done on the grill?
Place the lid on the grill and let them finish cooking through. Depending on the size of the wings, they should take about 8 to 10 minutes to finish cooking. Use your digital meat thermometer to make sure they’ve hit the internal temperature of 175°F.
Can you cook chicken wings on a charcoal grill?
Cooking chicken wings on a charcoal grill offers exciting methods to achieve smoky, flavorful results. Employing direct and indirect heat techniques will enhance your grilling expertise. Direct heat cooking involves placing wings directly over the heat source. This method produces a nice char and crispy skin. Here are the steps:
How long do you cook chicken wings on the grill?
Place chicken wings onto grill, skin side up, and cook for about 10-15 minutes. Turn chicken wings and cook until internal temperature registers about 180º F, about another 10 minutes.
How to cook chicken wings on a gas grill?
It takes about 20 minutes to cook chicken wings on a gas grill on direct medium-high heat flame or 425 degrees F. Grill the chicken wings and serve them instantly by squeezing some grilled lemons on their top, if desired.
How long does it take to cook chicken wings?
Another method is to observe the wings; fully cooked wings pull away from the bone more easily. Cooking time typically ranges from 20 to 30 minutes, depending on heat levels and wing size. Let the wings rest for a few minutes before serving, allowing juices to redistribute. To achieve that crispy skin you crave, follow these steps.
What temperature do you cook wings on a grill?
Check for Doneness: Use a meat thermometer to ensure that the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Direct heat cooking is fantastic for quick bites and maximum crispiness. Indirect heat cooking utilizes the grill’s perimeter, allowing wings to cook slowly, resulting in juicy meat and a smoky flavor. Here’s how to do it:
How long do you cook chicken wings in a crock pot?
Prepare the Wings: Season your wings with your preferred rub or marinade. Place the Wings: Position the wings over the hot coals. Cook for 10-15 minutes, turning frequently for even cooking. Check for Doneness: Use a meat thermometer to ensure that the internal temperature reaches 165°F.