Name: BBQ Grilled Chicken Wings
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 2 lbs chicken wings; ½ cup barbecue sauce (homemade); ¼ cup barbecue sauce reserved for basting

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Get ready to savor the flavor explosion of these BBQ chicken wings. Grilled to perfection and coated with our secret sauce, these wings are a must make!

Saucy barbecue grilled chicken wings on a white plate.

Who doesn’t love chicken wings? Especially when they’re grilled to crispy perfection and coated with a mouthwatering BBQ sauce that hits all the right notes.

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Whether you’re firing up a gas grill or going old-school with charcoal, this recipe is the easiest way to make a ton of tasty wings for game day. These smoky, saucy wings will have everyone coming back for seconds (and thirds).

And trust me, you’re going to want to keep these wings on repeat all summer long.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

These BBQ chicken wings bring together smoky, charred goodness with sticky, sweet-and-savory sauce. The indirect heat ensures crispy skin, without drying out the meat, and the recipe’s simplicity makes it foolproof. Perfect for feeding a crowd or just satisfying your own cravings, these wings are the ultimate crowd-pleaser with maximum flavor.

We prefer to cook these wings on the smoker, because the indirect heat is the best way to cook whole wings evenly and quickly. This cooking method also adds extra flavor to these BBQ chicken wings.

Looking for more chicken wing recipes? Be sure to check out these teriyaki wings too!

Grilled chicken wings coated in barbecue sauce.

We love to grill just about anything, but especially chicken! Check out these delicious recipes.

More Chicken Recipes

How Long Does It Take to Grill Chicken Wings?

Chicken wings typically take 25-30 minutes to cook on the grill. Be sure to flip them every five minutes, so that they cook evenly and develop crispy skin.

Grilled chicken wings with barbecue sauce.

Grilling chicken wings on an outdoor grill is a great way to cook a large number of wings quickly. This easy recipe is perfect for any gathering and your friends and family are sure to love it!

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Supplies

Traeger 780 Pro Smoker Grill – This is our Traeger model. It’s the perfect size for families who like to entertain! Be sure to check out all of our must have Traeger products.
Meater Thermometer – We love this wireless meat thermometer. It connects to an app that tells you exactly when your meat is done!
BBQ tongs – These are my favorite tongs for grasping grilled meat.
Basting brush – This one is great for coating the wings in BBQ sauce.
Paper towel – A must for cleanup!
Aluminum foil – Used to wrap and transport the chicken.

Grilled Chicken Wings

Ingredients

Chicken wings – These tender little gems soak up all the smoky flavor and become irresistibly crispy.
BBQ sauce – You can use your favorite store-bought sauce, but we love this homemade BBQ sauce for all of our grilling. It combines brown sugar, ketchup, and seasonings in a way that our whole family loves.
BBQ sauce, reserved for basting – The extra sauce adds that glossy, finger-licking finish.

Barbecue sauce coating raw chicken wings in a glass bowl.

Instructions

1. In a large bowl, toss raw chicken wings in BBQ sauce.

2. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for an hour.

3. Preheat your grill to medium heat (350°F). If using charcoal, push coals to one side for indirect heat cooking.

4. Place the wings in a single layer on the grill. Baste with the reserved 1/4 cup of BBQ sauce.

Chicken wings on the grill being basted in barbecue sauce.

5. Flip the wings every 5 minutes, basting as you go.

Grilled chicken wings coated in barbecue sauce on the grill.

6. Cook for 25-30 minutes, or until the wings reach an internal temperature of 170°F when measured with a meat thermometer.

Serve hot with your favorite dipping sauce (hello, ranch dressing!) and a side of French fries or dill & Dijon potato salad.

Tips and Tricks

For extra flavor, sprinkle a little onion powder, chili powder, garlic powder, black pepper, or cayenne onto the coated chicken before grilling.
You could coat the wings with a spice rub before basting with BBQ sauce. We make our own dry rub for all of our smoked recipes.
Cooking on the hot side of the grill first can give the wings a great char before moving them to the cooler side.
Keep a close eye on hot spots to avoid burning the wings.
Any leftover cooked wings can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week.

A close up of a grilled chicken wing coated in barbecue sauce.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to grill chicken wings?
Wings take 25-30 minutes on the grill, flipping every 5 minutes for even cooking and to get that nice crispy skin.

Can I use a gas grill instead of charcoal?
Absolutely! Just preheat to medium-high heat and follow the same instructions for flipping and basting.

What’s the best way to keep wings from sticking to the grill?
Season the grates with olive oil or line them with aluminum foil for a hassle-free cook.

What’s the secret to getting extra crispy wings?
Use indirect heat and flip frequently. A spice rub before basting with sauce also helps achieve that crisp skin.

Can I use store-bought BBQ sauce?
Of course! Use your favorite BBQ sauce, whatever that might be. Any sauce will work, but making your own takes it to the next level.

Close-up of barbecue grilled chicken wings, glistening with a charred, caramelized glaze. The texture appears crispy and flavorful, with visible grill marks.

Let these BBQ wings be the highlight of your next game day party or backyard cookout. Let’s get grilling!

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