These crispy smoked chicken wings on the pellet grill are perfect for your next game day or cookout! They're brined and smoked, and have crispy skin with smoky flavor. Be sure to also check out our smoked and fried wings recipe if you like extra crunch!
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Whether it’s grilling season, football season, or just a random Tuesday, it’s always the perfect time to step up your barbecue game with crispy smoked chicken wings!
Marrekus whips up these smoked wings on the regular, and he’s finally giving away his secret recipe just in time for the Super Bowl.
If you’re wing-obsessed like us, you might also want to check out our lemon pepper wings or hot honey Old Bay chicken wings. Wings for days! 🐓🔥
What you'll love about this recipe
- Smoky flavor you’ll love: Smoking chicken wings makes them super tasty with a rich, smoky flavor. The slow cooking process makes the wings extra juicy and full of flavor.
- Perfect for game day: Smoked chicken wings are always a hit for game days or chill hangouts with friends and family.
Ingredients
A full ingredient list with exact amounts can be found in the recipe card below.
- Whole chicken wings: We used whole chicken wings, but you can also use drums, flats, etc.
- Seasonings: Granulated garlic, granulated onion, and ground black pepper is our go-to. No added salt required if you're making a brine (see below).
- Condiments: Ranch dressing, blue cheese, barbecue sauce
- For serving: Celery sticks, carrot sticks, etc.
Brine
This is a basic salt, sugar, and water brine that will infuse your smoked chicken wings with extra flavor and moisture. It's the same brine we use for fried chicken and fried pork chops.
- Water
- Diamond Crystal Kosher Salt
- Granulated sugar
- Ice
Equipment and Tools
To make this smoked chicken wing recipe, you'll need:
- Smoker or Grill: A pellet smoker, offset smoker, grill etc.
- Wood: Pellets, wood chips, chunks, or splits, depending on your type of smoker. Marrekus likes oak, pecan, or cherry wood.
- Meat thermometer: To check the temperature of the cooked wings
Chicken Wing Brine
- Boil water in a pot.
- Add kosher salt and sugar, stirring until dissolved.
- Remove from heat.
- Add ice and stir until the brine cools to room temperature.
- Place chicken wings in a large bowl or container.
- Pour the brine over them, fully submerging the wings.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.
- Remove wings from the brine, rinse, and pat dry with paper towels.
How to Make Smoked Chicken Wings
- Pat the brined chicken wings dry with paper towels.
- Season them with granulated garlic, granulated onion, and black pepper, or use your favorite dry rub.
- Preheat your pellet grill (or smoker) to 325°F (163°C).
- Add wood pellets to your smoker (or wood chips, chunks, or logs based on your equipment). If using a regular grill, set it up for indirect heat (check the FAQ for details).
- Place the seasoned wings on the grill and close the lid.
- Smoke the wings for about 2 hours, or until their internal temperature reaches 190°F (88°C).
- (Optional) Transfer the wings to a large bowl and toss them in wing sauce until fully coated.
- Serve smoked wings as-is or with ranch dressing, celery, and carrot sticks on the side.
How to Get Crispy Skin on Smoked Chicken Wings
The best way to get crispy skin on smoked chicken wings is to brine the chicken wings first! After brining, be sure to pat the wings dry with paper towels to remove as much moisture as possible. Excess moisture can prevent the skin from crisping up.
Recipe Tips
- Brine chicken wings before smoking to enhance flavor and juiciness.
- Choose a wood that complements the smoked chicken. Oak, pecan, or cherry wood are popular choices.
- Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the wings. They are done when the temp reaches 190°F (88°C).
- Allow smoked wings to rest for a few minutes to help the juices redistribute.
What to Serve with Smoked Chicken Wings
- Dipping sauces: We love blue cheese or ranch for these smoked chicken wings.
- Side dishes: Smoked wings go great with our Southern potato salad, baked beans with ground beef, or BBQ coleslaw. Trust us, these sides will take your meal to the next level.
- Crunchy veggies: Don’t forget the carrot and celery sticks on the side. They add a refreshing crunch and pair perfectly with the wings!
Commonly Asked Questions
There are about 4 to 5 whole chicken wings per pound.
When planning for a crowd, plan for 1 pound per person if it's a main dish or 2 to 3 whole wings per person if you're offering them as part of a larger spread with other appetizers.
We recommend oak, cherry, or pecan wood for smoking chicken wings.
If using a charcoal grill, set your coals and smoker wood to one side for a hot and cool zone. Set the wings over the cool zone. If you are using a gas grill, you only have to worry about maintaining the temperature throughout the cooking process. Turn on the burners furthest away from where you set the wings, if possible.
📖 Recipe
Smoked Chicken Wings Recipe
Ingredients
- 6 pounds chicken wings
- Ranch dressing celery sticks, and carrot sticks (optional, for serving)
Chicken Wing Brine (for 6 lbs of Chicken) - Recommended
- 16 cups water
- ¾ cup Diamond Crystal Kosher Salt
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- Ice
Instructions
Brine Chicken Wings (Recommended)
- Bring water to a boil with kosher salt and sugar. Stir until completely dissolved. Remove from heat and let cool. Add ice, stirring until mostly melted and brine reaches room temperature.
- Place wings in a large bowl, container, or resealable plastic bag. Pour over chicken, ensuring wings are fully submerged. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or overnight. Remove chicken from brine, rinse, and pat dry with paper towels.
Smoke Wings
- Preheat smoker or grill to 325°F (163°C); add wood (e.g. logs/splits, chips, pellets, chunks).
- Place wings on the smoker rack and close the lid.
- Smoke wings for about 2 hours or until they reach an internal temperature of 190°F (88°C).
- Serve wings on their own or with ranch dressing, celery, and carrot sticks.
Andrea says
Yum! So good. I had never brined wings before but will be doing from now on!
Giangi Townsend says
I am so in love with this recipe. My husband loves it even more and requested to have it for the Super Bowl Sunday party.
Love the crispiness and the chipotle sauce. Just amazing,
Thank you!
Jenny says
You can't go wrong with wings as an appetizer. Your recipe deserves extra recognition because the sauce is absolutely delicious and makes these wings addictive! Thank you!
Bernice says
Came here to say these chicken wings taste as good as they look. The sauce is fabulous and I can't wait to make it again. PS they've already been requested for our super bowl party!
Jerri L Wilson says
Had these a few times at a restaurant.. They were to die for! They quit making them.. I can't wait to try this recipe!
Christy Hoover says
This sauce is food for the chicken wing lover's soul. Thank you for this recipe and showing how simple it can be.
Eden says
Made these for family game night and they were AMAZING! A flavor combination that's totally unexpected but goes so well together. I'll be making them all football season, too!
Immaculate Ruému says
Delicious chicken wings to share with friends on a night in. So good!
Katrina Adams says
I love chicken and this is the perfect remix for to spice it up a little!
Chenée says
I LOVE sweet and spicy wings. Definitely putting this on the menu for my next game day!
Marta says
I can smell the sauce on these wings and know I'm in for a treat. I love the smokey chipotle and the sweet berry combo.