Beautifully crisp skin, tender and juicy on the inside, and deliciously seasoned—that’s perfectly crispy grilled chicken wings. This recipe adds the awesomeness of a smoky flavor from the grill for some of the best-tasting wings you’ve ever had.
I don’t know about you, but I love to grill almost everything. Being out in the beautiful outdoors surrounded by close friends is always a blast. And grilling up these tasty wings only adds to the fun.
This simple grilled chicken wing recipe is so good, with endless possibilities. Super spicy, sweet, or tangy, however you like to eat your wings! The smoky flavor from the grill takes it over the top. And they pair perfectly with cold beer or cocktails when you’re ready to party.
Super Crispy Grilled Chicken Wing Appetizers
Crispy grilled chicken wings make the perfect finger food. Plus, you’ll be amazed at how crispy these wings get without a fryer in sight. They come out perfectly seasoned and delicious on their own, but they’re also tasty dipped in your favorite sauce.
Don’t let the ease of preparation fool you because the flavor and juiciness just might blow your mind. Add two or three different dipping sauces, and you’ve got the party started.
How to Make Crispy Chicken Wings on the Grill
- Prep Wings – Pat dry with a paper towel or kitchen towel. Dry chicken skin = crispy chicken wings.
- Season – In a small bowl, combine the spices and coat the wings thoroughly. You can add some oil to the chicken to help prevent sticking on the grill. Set chicken aside.
- Grill – Clean your grill and preheat it for about 20 minutes at medium heat, then place the wings on the grill. Let them cook for 30 minutes, flipping every 5 minutes until golden brown and crispy. Watch the grill and move the wings around if you notice flare-ups.
Recipe Tips & Variations
- For extra crispy chicken wings, add one teaspoon of baking powder per pound to your spice mix. Then, leave them on a wire rack uncovered in the fridge overnight.
- To increase the wings’ smokiness, add a chunk of hickory wood to your grill.
- Experiment with different spice mixes and sauces to change up this incredible recipe. I love to combine taco seasonings with chimichurri and all-purpose seasoning with Peruvian green sauce.
- You can make this recipe paleo- and keto-friendly by omitting the sugar. How easy is that?
Make-Ahead and Storage Instructions
You can marinate the chicken wings the day before and keep them in the fridge. Take them out 30 minutes before you want to grill them so they return to room temperature.
These guys also freeze well for 2-3 months, already seasoned and ready to go, in a freezer ziplock bag. Thaw them overnight in the fridge, let them come to room temperature for 30 minutes while the grill preheats, and grill away.
Storing these wings is simple. Just toss leftovers in a Tupperware or airtight container with a lid. They will stay delicious for about four days in the fridge.
When you’re ready to finish off those leftover chicken wings, reheat them in the oven, air-fryer, or the grill. You could even heat them in a skillet on the stove. Microwaving will work but don’t expect them to get as crispy as before.
FAQs
You can lightly oil the grate on your grill and add a touch of oil to the chicken before putting it on the heat. Friends from Latin America clean the hot grill with half an onion. Its acidity does a fantastic job of getting gunk off.
Of course! Chicken wings are great at absorbing marinade flavors. You can marinate your wings with a dry rub or a sauce, but the dry rub will give you crispier grilled wings.
High heat helps to get crispy chicken skin. But please be careful not to burn them before the inside cooks (165℉/75℃ internal temperature). Heat the grill to 450℉/230℃ and put the wings directly on the grate. Flip them every 5-10 minutes for about 30 minutes.
Perfect Pairings for Crispy Grilled Chicken Wings
If you’re grilling with friends, you’ll want some delicious sides to serve with your wings. Try my broccoli mac and cheese and an Asian pea sprout salad for the ultimate comfort-food meal. Of course, the sides for Black History Month are guaranteed winners.
Now for the sauces! Homemade Buffalo sauce, your own hot sauce, and mayonnaise mixed with your favorite seasonings make wings taste even better. Feel free to use store-bought sauces in a pinch, like blue cheese or ranch.
More Incredible Grilling Recipes to Try
By Imma
Watch How to Make It
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This blog post was originally published in June 2018 and has been updated with additional tips, new photos, and a video.
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