Description
These Grilled Chicken Wings are super crispy, smoky, and juicy with a perfectly seasoned blend of spices. This foolproof grilling method uses a two-zone cook on the charcoal grill to develop tender meat and beautifully crisp skin, finished with your favorite sauce for an irresistible taste.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken Wings
- 3 lbs chicken wings
Seasonings
- 1 tablespoon Kosher Salt
- 1/2 tablespoon Black Pepper
- 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
- 1 teaspoon Onion Powder
- 1 teaspoon Paprika
- ½ teaspoon Cayenne Pepper
- ½ teaspoon Brown Sugar
- 2 tablespoons aluminum-free baking powder
Optional
- 2 chunks smoking wood (apple, cherry, pecan, or oak wood)
Instructions
- Prepare Wings: Pat the chicken wings dry thoroughly to remove any excess moisture. Toss the wings evenly in the seasoning mix, including salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, cayenne pepper, brown sugar, and aluminum-free baking powder for optimal crispiness.
- Heat Grill: Light charcoal in the grill and arrange coals to create two zones: direct heat and indirect heat. Add smoking wood chunks if desired for enhanced smokey flavor. Preheat grill until it reaches 400°F.
- Cook Wings Indirectly: Place the seasoned chicken wings on the indirect heat side of the grill. Close the lid and cook for 45 minutes to 1 hour, maintaining the temperature around 400°F, until the internal temperature of the wings reaches 165°F.
- Crisp Skin Over Direct Heat: Transfer the wings to the direct heat area over the charcoal. Grill for 2-3 minutes, turning frequently, until the skin is blistered, crispy, and golden brown.
- Toss in Sauce: Remove wings from direct heat and toss in your favorite barbecue sauce or hot sauce. Place wings back on the indirect side of the grill and let them sit for 5 minutes to allow the sauce to thicken and adhere to the wings.
Notes
- This foolproof grilling method produces the best crispy, juicy, smoky chicken wings possible at home.
- Using aluminum-free baking powder helps achieve the signature crispy skin without altering flavor.
- Two-zone cooking preserves wing juiciness while getting the perfect char on the skin.
- Adding smoking wood adds delicious smokey undertones but is optional.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure the wings are cooked safely to 165°F.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 281 kcal
- Sugar: 0.4 g
- Sodium: 1569 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 3 g
- Fiber: 0.4 g
- Protein: 23 g
- Cholesterol: 94 mg
