Smoked Chicken Wings

These are flavorful appetizer or main course that is perfect for any occasion. They are made by smoking Chicken Wings at low temperature for an extended period, resulting in crispy skin and juicy, flavorful meat. Smoke also adds a unique flavor that is unlike anything else.

You will need chicken wings, smoker, spice rub and your favorite barbecue sauce to make smoke chicken wings. First, you must separate chicken wings into drumettes and flats. Then, you must pat them dry and apply spice rub. Once wings are coated in the spice rub, you can place them in the smoker.

Smoked Chicken Wings Recipe

These are easy to make appetizers or main courses. They are made by smoking chicken wings over indirect heat for 2 to 2.5 hours, then brushing them with your favorite barbecue sauce and grilling them until crispy. The smoke gives wings rich, smoky flavor complemented by barbecue sauce’s sweetness.

This recipe is for basic smoked chicken wing rub, but you can customize it to your taste. Some popular additions to rub include garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper and brown sugar. You can also use wood chips to smoke apple, cherry or hickory wings.

What Are Smoked Chicken Wings?

Smoked chicken wings are barbecue friendly preparation of chicken wings cooked over indirect heat in a smoker, charcoal grill or electric smoker. This cooking method infuses wings with rich, smoky flavor, producing golden, crispy skin and juicy, tender meat.

To make smoke chicken wings, you will need the following:

• Chicken wings
• Dry rub or wet marinade
• Wood chips
• Smoker, charcoal grill or electric smoker

The basic process of making crispy smoked chicken wings! 

These are steps in more detail:

Apply the rub: This is where you can customize flavor of your wings by adding your favorite spices and herbs. Some popular smoked chicken wing rub ingredients include paprika, chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper and brown sugar.

Smoke the wings: This is where magic happens! Smoke will infuse wings with rich, smoky flavor. You will want to smoke the wings for 2 to 2.5 hours or until they reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

Eat! Once wings are done smoking, they are ready to be enjoyed. You can brush them with your favorite barbecue sauce before serving or enjoy them plain.

Why Smoked Wings Are the Best

There are many reasons why smoked wings are best. These are few of the most popular reasons:

• Smoked wings have rich, smoky flavor. Smoke from wood chips infuses wings with delicious flavor simply unmatched by other cooking methods.
• Smoked wings are juicy and tender. Low and slow cooking method used to smoke wings allows meat to cook evenly and retain moisture. This results in juicy and tender wings, not dry and tough.
• Smoked wings are easy to make. The only equipment you need to smoke wings is a smoker, charcoal grill or electric smoker. Once you have smoker going, process is straightforward. Just rub wings, place them in the smoker and let them cook for few hours.
• Smoked wings are versatile. Smoked wings can be enjoyed as an appetizer, main course or snack. They are also perfect for parties, barbecues and potlucks.

How To Prepare Your Chicken Wings

These are steps on how to prepare your chicken wings for smoking:

• Remove wing tips. This is not necessary, but it will make wings easier to eat and cook evenly.
• Wash wings under cold running water. Be sure to rinse off any visible dirt or debris.
• Pat wings dry with paper towels. This will help rub adhere to the wings and prevent them from becoming soggy.

How to Get Crispy Smoked Chicken Wings

These are some tips on how to get crispy smoked chicken wings:

• Use high heat smoker. The higher heat, crispier skin will be. However, you want to cook wings sparingly or they will dry out.
• Take your time with wings. Overcooked wings will be challenging and dry. The ideal internal temperature for smoked chicken wings is 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Pat wings dry before smoking. This will help skin to crisp up.
• Use baking sheet or wire rack to smoke wings. This will help prevent wings from sticking to smoker grates and help to crisp up the skin.
• Brush wings with little bit of oil before smoking. This will help to keep the skin from drying out.
• Smoke wings for 2 to 2.5 hours or until the skin is crispy and internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Grill wings for few minutes after smoking. This will help to crisp up the skin even more.

Best Sauce for Smoked Chicken Wings

These are delicious appetizers or main courses that can be enjoyed with various sauces. The best sauce for smoke chicken wings depends on your personal preference and flavor of wings. These are some possible options:

Barbecue sauce: This is a classic choice that pairs well with smoky taste of wings. You can use your favorite store bought barbecue sauce or make your own with ketchup, brown sugar, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce and spices.

Buffalo sauce: This spicy and tangy sauce adds some heat to the wings. You can make it with hot sauce, butter, vinegar, garlic and salt. You can also adjust spiciness by adding more or less hot sauce.

Honey mustard sauce: This sweet and savory sauce complements the wings with hint of mustard. You can make it with honey, mustard, mayonnaise, vinegar and salt. You can add some sauce or spices for extra flavor.

Ranch dressing: This creamy and refreshing sauce cools down wings. You can use your favorite store bought ranch dressing or make your own with sour cream, mayonnaise, buttermilk, garlic, onion, parsley, dill and salt.

Teriyaki sauce: This sweet and salty sauce adds some Asian flair to the wings. You can use your favorite store bought teriyaki chicken wings sauce or make your own with soy sauce, brown sugar, honey, ginger, garlic and cornstarch.

Best Wood for Smoking Chicken Wings

Best wood for smoking chicken wings depends on your preference and flavor profile you want. Most popular choices are hickory, apple, cherry, mesquite and oak. Each wood has its characteristics and imparts different taste to the meat. These are some tips to help you choose suitable wood for your chicken wings:

• Hickory is a classic wood for smoking, with strong and slightly sweet flavor. It works well with any meat, but especially with chicken. Hickory can overpower delicate flavors, so use it sparingly or mix it with a milder wood.
• Apple is mild and fruity wood that subtly sweetness chicken wings. It pairs well with herbs and spices and enhances the meat’s natural flavor. Apple is a good choice for beginners, as it is easy to use and does not produce too much smoke.
• Cherry is another mild and fruity wood that gives chicken wings reddish color and sweet and tangy flavor. It complements sauces and glazes well and can be mixed with other woods for more complexity. Cherry is also suitable for beginners, as it burns slowly and evenly.
• Mesquite is a strong and intense wood that adds distinctive smoky flavor to chicken wings. It is best used for short smoking sessions, as it can become bitter if used too long. Mesquite is a good choice for adventurous smokers who like bold and intense taste.
• Oak is versatile and balanced wood that adds rich and nutty flavor to the chicken wings. It burns hot and long and produces moderate amount of smoke. Oak is a good choice for experienced smokers who can adjust temperature and time for the best results.

How Long To Smoke Chicken Wings

Smoking chicken wings is a delicious way to enjoy this popular appetizer. Smoke adds rich flavor and low and slow cooking method makes meat tender and juicy. Cooking time for chicken wings depends on several factors, such as size of the wings, temperature of the smoker and how crispy you want skin to be. A general rule of thumb is to smoke chicken wings at 225°F (107°C) for about 2 to 2.5 hours or until internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). You can also increase temperature to 275°F (135°C) for 30 minutes to crisp up the skin. You can use wood chips, but some common choices are hickory, apple, cherry or mesquite. Don’t forget to season your wings with your favorite rub or sauce before and after smoking them.

How do you make smoked chicken wings?

Smoked chicken wings are delicious and easy way to enjoy barbecue flavor without grill. You will need smoker, some wood chips, baking sheet, wire rack and your favorite seasonings and sauces to make them. These are basic steps to follow:

• Rinse and pat dry the chicken wings. Cut off wing tips and discard them or save them for stock. Cut the wings into drumsticks and flats.
• Season wings with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika and any other spices you like. You can also marinated chicken wings them in ziplock bag with some barbecue sauce, vinegar, honey or soy sauce for a few hours or overnight in the refrigerator.
• Preheat your smoker to 225°F and add wood chips to the tray. You can use any wood you prefer, such as hickory, apple, cherry or mesquite. The wood chips will give wings smoky flavor and aroma.
• Arrange wings on baking sheet with wire rack on top. This will allow excess fat to drip off and prevent wings from sticking to the pan. You can also spray rack with some cooking spray for easier cleanup.
• Place baking sheet in smoker and close lid. Smoke wings for about 2 to 3 hours, depending on the size of wings and how crispy you want them. You can check internal temperature of wings with meat thermometer to ensure they are cooked through. It should reach at least 165°F.
• If you want to add sauce to wings, you can brush them with barbecue sauce, buffalo sauce, honey mustard sauce or any other sauce you like in the last 15 minutes of smoking. This will give them nice glaze and extra flavor.
• Enjoy your smoked chicken wings with celery sticks, carrot sticks, ranch dressing, blue cheese dressing or any other dip you like. You can also sprinkle chopped parsley, cilantro or green onions on top for freshness and color.

Leftovers & Reheating

Smoked chicken wings can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat them, you can either:

• Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Place chicken wings on a baking sheet and bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until heated.
• Heat skillet over medium heat. Add chicken wings to the skillet and cook for 5 to 7 minutes per side or until heated.

You can also freeze it for up to 3 months. To thaw them, place them in the refrigerator overnight. Once they are thawed, you can reheat them using methods described above.

What to Serve with Smoked Chicken Wings

These delicious and versatile dishes can be paired with many different sides. These are some ideas for what to serve with smoked chicken wings:

Coleslaw: A classic side dish for barbecue, coleslaw adds crunchy and creamy contrast to smoky and spicy wings. You can make your coleslaw with shredded cabbage, carrots, mayonnaise, vinegar, sugar, salt and pepper or buy ready made one from store.

Cornbread: Another barbecue staple, cornbread is a sweet and moist bread that complements savory wings. You can bake your cornbread from scratch or use mix and add some cheese, jalapeños or honey for extra flavor.

Baked beans: Baked beans are hearty and satisfying side dish that goes well with it. You can use canned beans or make your own from dried beans, bacon, onion, brown sugar, molasses, mustard, ketchup, vinegar and spices. You can also add some chopped smoked chicken wings to the beans for more protein and smokiness.

Potato salad: Potato salad is a simple and refreshing side dish that can balance out richness of the smoked chicken wings. You can boil some potatoes and toss them with mayonnaise, mustard, celery, onion, pickle relish, hard boiled eggs, salt and pepper or use your favorite potato salad recipe.

Macaroni and cheese: Macaroni and cheese is a cheesy and comforting side dish that pairs well with crispy smoked chicken wings. You can make your macaroni and cheese with cooked pasta, butter, flour, milk, cheese, salt and pepper or use boxed mix for convenience. Add some smoked chicken wings recipe to the macaroni and cheese for more texture and flavor.

Tips for smoking chicken wings

• Use fresh chicken wings. Frozen chicken wings will cook evenly or have less flavor.
• Pat chicken wings dry before applying rub. This will help rub adhere to the wings and prevent them from becoming soggy.
• Use a variety of wood chips to create different flavors. Apple, cherry and hickory wood chips are all popular option for smoking chicken wings.
• Take your time with wings. Overcooked chicken wings will be dry and tough.
• Brush wings with barbecue sauce before serving. This will add touch of sweetness and tanginess to the wings.

Conclusion 

Smoked chicken wings are delicious and easy way to enjoy barbecue flavor without spending hours at grill. They are perfect for parties, picnics or any occasion that calls for finger food. Smoke chicken wings can be seasoned with different rubs, sauces or marinades to suit your taste buds. You can also adjust the cooking time and temperature to achieve the desired level of doneness and crispiness. Smoked chicken wings recipes are versatile and satisfying dishes you can make at home with minimal effort and maximum results.