Smoked chicken wings are a delicious way to enjoy the smoky flavor of wood and the crispy texture of chicken skin. They are easy to make and perfect for any occasion, whether it’s a game day, a picnic, or a family dinner. Here are some simple steps to make your own smoked chicken wings at home. Here is a simple recipe for smoked chicken wings with an ingredient list for 4 people.
Ingredients:
- 3 pounds of chicken wings, separated into drumettes and flats
- 4 Tablespoons Oil
- 1 teaspoon of salt
- 1/4 cup of your favorite Dry Rub (optional)
- 1/4 cup of your favorite barbecue sauce (optional)
Directions:
1. Prepare your chicken wings. You can buy them whole or already cut into drumettes and flats. (If you buy them whole, you need to separate them by cutting through the joints with a sharp knife. You can discard the tips or save them for making stock.) Pat the wings dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture.
2. Season your chicken wings. You can use any dry rub that you like, or make your own by mixing spices such as salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper. Toss the wings with some oil and then coat them evenly with the rub. Refrigerate them for at least an hour or up to overnight to let the flavors penetrate.
3. Preheat your smoker or grill. You can use any type of smoker or grill that can maintain a low and steady temperature of 225-250°F and produce smoke. You can also use any type of wood that you prefer, such as hickory, pecan, apple, or cherry. If you are using a grill, set it up for indirect heat by placing the coals or burners on one side and leaving the other side empty. I prefer a pellet smoker with a wood blend for consistent quality.
4. Smoke your chicken wings. Place the wings on the smoker or grill over indirect heat and close the lid. Add more wood chips or chunks as needed to keep the smoke going. Smoke the wings for about two hours, flipping them halfway through for even cooking and browning.
5. Crisp up your chicken wings. After two hours of smoking, you can either increase the temperature of your smoker or grill to 425°F, or transfer the wings to a preheated oven at the same temperature. Cook them for another 15-20 minutes, until they are golden and crispy on the outside and reach an internal temperature of 165°F.
6. Enjoy your smoked chicken wings. You can serve them plain or toss them with your favorite sauce, such as barbecue, buffalo, honey mustard, or teriyaki. Serve them with some celery sticks and blue cheese or ranch dressing on the side.