Smoked Chicken Wings

Also, make sure you check out how to grill chicken drumsticks.

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Smoked Chicken Wings

You can buy your wings whole and separate the wing and drumette at home if you like.

Or, you can purchase just the drumette and start there. It does save a few minutes of time in meal preparation.

To be honest, the easiest way to make smoked wings is to buy a big bag of party wings that are already cut.

However, if you want to make smoked chicken drumsticks, you can certainly do that as well. You will need to adjust the time you cook it to account for a larger size.

Best type of wood for smoked chicken wings

I like to use cherry or applewood chunks when I make this smoked chicken recipe. I love the flavor it gives the meat when it’s done.

Any fruitwood is always great with chicken, and pork ( grilled ribs for example).

But, you can certainly use pecan, hickory, or any other flavor you have available.

Shop wood chunks here on Amazon.

If you use a stronger wood like hickory or mesquite, it may change how the barbecue sauce tastes.

If you want extra smoke flavor, I suggest using an A-MAZE-N smoker tube with pellets.

I use a smoker tube on my grill quite often to get that awesome smoked flavor on literally any cut of meat.

Before we get to the recipe, let’s talk about a few common questions you might have about smoked chicken wings.

Still thinking about getting a smoker? Check out these ones.

Why are my smoked wings not crispy?

To get that crispy skin everyone loves, you have to pat dry the wings before putting on the grill. Also, you need to turn the temperature up to 350F for the last 30 minutes.

If you skip these steps, the skin won’t be crispy.

Can you air fry wings after smoking?

Yes, if you didn’t get the crispy wings you desire or just wish to warm leftovers, you can toss them in the air fryer.

Put them in the air fryer at 360F for about 5 minutes on each side.

New to air frying? Check out my post on how to use an air fryer.

What is the best BBQ sauce to use?

You can use any commercially prepared barbecue sauce in the grocery store. This recipe will work well with any flavor.

Or, if you have a homemade barbecue sauce that you really like, you can use that as well. This soda BBQ sauce recipe is definitely one of my favorites.

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Best dip for smoked chicken wings

Everyone has their favorite dipping sauce for wings. So, you can eat them as is and enjoy the taste of the smokey flavors, or you can add BBQ sauce.

Also, you can try dipping them in one of these:

• Blue cheese
• Ranch dressing
• Garlic parmesan sauce
• Honey mustard sauce

What to serve with smoked chicken wings

Easy grilled corn on the cob makes the perfect side dish for these smoked wings. Cooking corn on the grill is simple and delicious.

Try this delicious southern macaroni salad with ham and cubes of fresh vegetables today. It makes a delicious side dish to go with any grilled or smoked meat.

This tomato salad recipe is one of my favorite summer salads. Try this mixed tomato salad with Italian dressing for dinner soon.

Now that we’ve answered those questions, let’s talk about the recipe and how easy it is to make these delicious wings.

Do you flip chicken wings when you smoke them?

Do you flip chicken wings in the smoker?

I do not flip them, I let them ride for the entire smoke session.

However, I do flip them at the very end, after adding BBQ sauce so the BBQ sauce gets a little char from the grill grates.

Smoked Chicken Wings

Let’s get to the recipe and smoke those chicken wings!

Ingredients

• Chicken wings, drumettes, and/or flats
• Salt and Pepper
• Smoking Wood or Pellets
• BBQ Sauce

Start the smoker

First, fire up your smoker and get the smoke started. A thin blue smoke is ideal for imparting flavor. While, thick white smoke can leave a bitter taste on your food.

Season chicken wings

Next, pat your chicken wings dry with a paper towel and season them with salt and pepper.

Smoke the chicken wings

Now, place the wings in your smoker and smoke them for 1 hour at 225 degrees. After 1 hour, raise the temperature in your smoker to 350 degrees for 30 minutes. Raising the temperature will give you nice crispy skin.

Add BBQ Sauce

If desired, you can add BBQ sauce towards the end of the cook.

Once the chicken has reached an internal temperature of above 165 degrees, add your favorite BBQ sauce. Then, continue cooking for a few extra minutes.

This is the only time I flip them, to get BBQ sauce all around and let it char a bit on the grates.

How long to smoke chicken wings

Smoke your chicken wings for a total of 90 minutes. This is 225F for one hour and then 350F for 30 minutes. This will result in crispy skin.

Of course, the size of the wings will make this variable.

It’s important to always check the internal temperature of the chicken with a meat thermometer. Internal temperature should be at least 165 degrees F.

How do I store leftover chicken?

If you don’t eat all of these smoked chicken wings in one sitting, you can save them for another meal.

Place them in an air-tight container with a lid and put them in the refrigerator.

Use them within three to five days. You can eat them cold right out of the refrigerator. Or, you can heat them up for a few minutes in the air fryer or microwave until they are warm.

Or, remove the chicken from the bones and add it to your favorite garden salad recipe. There isn’t a lot of chicken on the wings but what’s there is absolutely delicious.

To keep the chicken for longer than a few days, you will need to put it in the freezer. It’s easiest to freeze it in a freezer bag. Then, use it within two months.