Smoked Chicken Wings Recipe (Crispy & Delicious)

These smoked chicken wings feature delicious, crispy skin and a mouthwatering Raspberry Chipotle BBQ sauce. It’s our best chicken wings recipe and it’s perfect for your next game day or cookout!

Whether it’s grilling season or football season, it’s always a good time to elevate your barbecue spread with irresistible eats and tailgating treats. Marrekus has made these smoked wing recipe several times, and he finally decided to share it on the blog for Super Bowl Sunday! He paired it with one of my personal favorite sauce recipes – raspberry chipotle BBQ sauce. You can also serve this chicken wings recipe “naked” or with buffalo sauce, a side of hot sauce, etc. It’s a winning dish that will have your friends cheering for more and is easily one of the best wing recipes we’ve ever made!

Ingredients

• Whole chicken wings 
• Granulated garlic
• Granulated onion
• Ground black pepper
• Ranch dressing, celery sticks, carrot sticks (optional, for serving)

Smoked Chicken Wings Brine (Recommended)

• 4 cups water
• 1/4 cup Diamond Crystal Kosher Salt 
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 4 cups ice

Raspberry Chipotle Sauce (Optional)

• Raspberries (fresh or frozen)
• Chipotle peppers in adobo sauce 
• Lemon juice

Note: This recipe uses a basic salt, sugar, and water brine that will infuse your smoked chicken with a nice balance of flavor while helping to retain moisture during cooking. It’s the same brine we use for fried chicken wings, fried chicken and fried pork chops. If you choose not to do a brine, feel free to use a homemade dry rub like our soul food seasoning or whatever is your personal preference).

Tools You’ll Need

To prepare this smoked chicken wing recipe, you’ll need the following special equipment and tools:

• Smoker or Grill (i.e. pellet smoker, offset smoker, grill etc.)
• Wood (i.e. pellets, wood chips, chunks, or splits, depending on your type of smoker) – we like oak, pecan, or cherry wood.
• Meat thermometer to check the temperature of the cooked wings
• Blender for making the sauce
• Fine mesh sieve for straining the sauce

How to Brine Chicken Wings

This recipe uses a basic salt, sugar, and water brine that will infuse your smoked chicken wings with a nice balance of flavor while helping to retain moisture during cooking.

1. Bring 4 cups water to a boil in a pot.
2. In the same pot, add 1/4 cup kosher salt and 1/4 cup sugar to the boiling water. Stir until completely dissolved.
3. Remove the pot from heat and let the brine cool slightly.
4. Add 4 cups ice to the pot, stirring until the ice is mostly melted, and the brine reaches room temperature.
5. Place wings in a large bowl, container, or resealable plastic bag.
6. Pour the brine over chicken, ensuring they are fully submerged. If using a bag, remove excess air before sealing.
7. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or overnight for maximum flavor absorption.
8. Remove wings from the brine, rinse, and pat dry with paper towels, Then, proceed with smoking the wings.

Crispy Smoked Chicken Wings Recipe

1. Preheat your pellet grill (or other type of smoker or grill) to 325°F (163°C). 
2. Add wood pellets to your pellet smoker (or logs/splits, wood chips, chunks, etc. depending on your smoker). If using a grill, see FAQ section for how to set it up for indirect heat.
3. Place seasoned wings on the hot grill and close the lid.
4. Smoke wings for about 2 hours or until they reach an internal temperature of 190°F (88°C).
5. Transfer smoked chicken wings to a large mixing bowl and pour sauce on top. Toss wings until they are fully coated.
6. Serve wings on their own or with ranch dressing, celery, and carrot sticks.

Raspberry Chipotle Sauce

1. In a saucepan over medium heat, combine raspberries, 1 cup of sugar, 2 tablespoons finely chopped chipotle peppers, and lemon juice. Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring occasionally, until the sugar is completely dissolved.
2. Reduce the heat to low, cover the saucepan, and simmer for 10 minutes. Taste and adjust heat with additional chipotle, if desired. You can even chop up one of the peppers and add it if you want. Don’t forget to stir occasionally to ensure even cooking and flavor distribution.
3. After simmering, carefully transfer to a blender. Blend the ingredients until smooth, which typically takes 2-3 minutes.
4. For a refined texture, strain through a fine mesh sieve. This step ensures a velvety consistency by removing any seeds or pulp, resulting in a smoother finished product.
5. Once strained, set aside. Allow it to cool to room temperature.

Recipe Tips & Tricks

• Brine the Wings: Consider brining the chicken wings before smoking to enhance flavor and juiciness.
• Use the Right Wood: Choose a wood that complements smoked chicken well. Oak, pecan, or cherry wood are popular choices.
• Rotate the Wings: Rotate the wings occasionally for even smoking. This ensures that each wing receives an equal amount of smoke.
• Check Internal Temperature: Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the wings. They are done when the temperature reaches 190°F (88°C).
• Rest Before Saucing: Allow the smoked wings to rest for a few minutes before tossing in the sauce. This helps the juices redistribute within the meat.
• Adjust Heat Level Gradually: Add chipotles gradually, tasting along the way. It’s easier to add more heat than to reduce it.

What to Serve with Smoked Chicken Wings

• Fried Pickles: Include pickles for a tangy and zesty element that balances the richness of the wings.
• Celery Sticks: Serve crisp celery sticks on the side for a refreshing crunch that complements the heat of the wings.
• Blue Cheese or Ranch Dressing: Provide a dipping sauce like blue cheese or ranch for those who enjoy a cool contrast to the spicy and flavorful wings.
• Carrot Sticks: Add carrot sticks for a sweet crunch.
• Coleslaw: A cool and crisp coleslaw complements the richness of smoked chicken wings.
• Potato Salad: A hearty potato salad makes for a satisfying side dish. 
• Baked Beans: Smoky baked beans are a classic barbecue side dish that pairs well with smoked chicken wings. 
• Beer or Soda: Pair the wings with your favorite beer or soda to refresh your palate.

More Delicious Chicken Wings

Garlic Parmesan Boneless Wings

Lemon Pepper Chicken Wings

Hot Honey Old Bay Chicken Wings

Air Fryer Chicken Wings

Planning for a Crowd

People often ask, how many chicken wings are in a pound? On average, there are about 4 to 5 whole wings per pound. When planning for a crowd, estimate 1 pound per person if it’s a main course and 2 to 3 whole wings per person if you’re offering them as part of a larger spread with other appetizers.

FAQ

Summary

These smoked wings are made with an easy brine and a raspberry chipotle sauce. Adjust the heat level to your liking and serve with cool ranch, celery, and carrot sticks.

Smoked Chicken Wings Recipe (Crispy & Delicious)

cooks with soul

These Smoked Chicken Wings feature delicious, crispy skin and a mouthwatering Raspberry Chipotle BBQ sauce. It’s our best chicken wings recipe and it’s perfect for your next cookout or game day get together!

4.94 from 16 votes

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Prep Time 30 minutes mins

Cook Time 2 hours hrs

Total Time 2 hours hrs 30 minutes mins

Course Appetizer

Cuisine American, Barbecue

Servings 6 servings (1 pound per person)

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 6 pounds whole chicken wings
• Ranch dressing celery sticks, and carrot sticks (optional, for serving)
• Brine Recommended
• 4 cups water
• 1/4 cup Diamond Crystal Kosher Salt
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 4 cups ice

Raspberry Chipotle Sauce

• 1 pound fresh or frozen raspberries 1 pound is about 3 3/4 cups
• 2 tablespoons finely chopped chipotle peppers in adobo sauce plus more to taste
• 3 tablespoons lemon juice

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.
• Prepare Sauce: In a saucepan over medium heat, combine raspberries, 1 cup of sugar, 2 tablespoons finely chopped chipotle peppers, and lemon juice.
• Bring mixture to a boil, stirring occasionally, until sugar is completely dissolved.
• Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Taste and adjust if desired.
• Carefully transfer to a blender and blend until smooth, about 2-3 minutes.
• Strain through a fine mesh sieve; set aside and let cool to room temperature.
• 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).
• Transfer smoked chicken wings to a large mixing bowl and pour raspberry chipotle sauce on top. Toss wings until they are fully coated.
• Serve wings on their own or with ranch dressing, celery, and carrot sticks.

Keyword raspberry chipotle sauce, smoked chicken wings, traeger smoked chicken wings

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