Smoked chicken wings is THE best way to serve them. The smoked flavor can’t be replicated any other way and the flavor is just heavenly. These wings are juicy, tender, and tossed with an addicting sweet garlic chili glaze that goes great with the smoky flavors.
Glazed Smoked Chicken Wings
Once you go smoked, no other wings will be good enough! There is something about the smoky flavor that’s combined with the juicy, tender chicken meat that is pure heaven.
Smoked chicken wings are great with most sauces too. Of course, there are some sauces where its flavor clashes with the smoky flavor but some people still love it. For us, I like to experiment with different glazes for the wings.
One of our favorite glazes is one that combines the sweet, spicy, salty, and citrusy, flavor notes in one. This garlic sweet chili sauce is awesome! It goes great with the smoke and the chicken. Make sure to have extra wet naps because you will get sticky with these wings!
How To Make Glazed Smoked Chicken Wings
Ingredients you need:
For the wings:
Chicken wings – use a whole wing or ones broken into drumettes and flats. Just remember to use a grill basket so you don’t lose the wings through the grate.
Seasoning – keep it simple with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, grated ginger powder, and chili powder.
Oil – a little mild oil to rub the wings.
For the glaze:
Oil – mild like canola, vegetables, or avocado will be good.
Soy sauce – use low sodium soy sauce or gluten free soy sauce if needed, like tamari.
Honey
Chili paste – make sure to use chili paste, not powder.
Garlic – use fresh garlic and press it.
Lime – you will be using juice and zest
Ginger – use fresh ginger for the best flavor.
How To Smoke Chicken Wings:
Season: dry wings with a paper towel and place them into a mixing bowl. Toss the wings with a couple tablespoons of oil and add seasoning. Toss the wings again until they are evenly covered in seasoning.
Smoke: start the smoker and heat it to 225°. Place wings on the mesh grill basket and onto the grill. Make sure to place the wings next to each other but not touching.
Close the lid and let them cook for 2-2 1/2 hours, depending on how large they are. Use an instant read thermometer to check the temperature. Insert it into the thickest part of the wings towards the center but not touching the bone. Wings are done at 165° internal temperature.
Glaze: start preparing the glaze when the wings have about 20 left to cook. Combine all the ingredients for the glaze in the sauce pot and whisk well. Bring it to a simmer, and lower the heat to medium-low. Simmer, stirring often, for about 15 minutes, or until the liquid is reduced by about half and thickened more like a glaze.
Crisp the wings if you wish, either over the grill or under the broiler in the oven.
Toss smoked wings with the glaze in a large mixing bowl and serve.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the smoker temperature for the chicken wings: the magic 225°. For the gas and electric smokers, set it to 225°. If you’re using a charcoal and wood smoker, maintain the temperature of 225°-250°. (Of course, you want to try and keep it closer to 225°.)
What types of wood to use for smoking chicken: apple, pecan, maple are all nice and mild for chicken.
How Long Does It Take To Smoke Chicken Wings: It will take 2 to 2 1/2 for chicken wings to cook. But, the most reliable way to tell when your meat is done is always an instant read digital thermometer. Chicken wings should cooked to at least 165°.
How Do I Know When Wings Are Done: The best way to tell if the wings are done is always to check the internal temperature. Insert it into the thickest part of the wing, towards the center, not touching the bone. Chicken wings are done when they reach 165° internal temperature.
How to Crisp The Smoked Wings:
You can get the wings crispy after smoking them either on the grill or in the oven.
On The Grill – If you have the ability to use the grill right after smoking, set it on high and crisp up the wings just until crispy, flip and crisp the other side.
In The Oven – Turn on the broiler on high and set the rack in the middle. Place smoked wings on a large baking sheet in one even layer and place it under the broiler. Keep an eye on it because the skin will get crispy pretty quick.
Sweet Garlic Chili Glazed Smoked Chicken Wings
Ingredients
Chicken:
- 3 lbs chicken wings
- 2 tbsp canola oil
- 1 1/2-2 tsp coarse salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 2 tsp garlic powder
- 2 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp ground ginger
- 1 tsp chili powder
Glaze:
- 2 tbsp canola oil
- 1/2 cup low sodium soy sauce
- 1/2 cup honey
- 4 tsp chili paste
- 4 garlic cloves
- 1 zest from 1 lime
- 2 tbsp fresh lime juice
- 2 tsp fresh ginger grated
Instructions
Prepare the wings:
- Take the wings out of the package and dry them with a paper towel.
- Place them into a mixing bowl. Toss the wings with a couple of tablespoons of oil and add seasoning. Toss until all the wings are covered in seasoning.
Smoke the wings:
- Start the smoker and heat it to 225°. Place wings on the mesh grill basket and onto the grill. Make sure to place the wings next to each other but not touching.
- Close the lid and let them cook for 2-2 1/2 hours, depending on how large they are. Use an instant read thermometer to check the temperature. Insert it into the thickest part of the wings towards the center but not touching the bone. Wings are done when they reach 165°.
Crisp the wings (optional):
- On The Grill – If you have the ability to use the grill right after smoking, set it on high and crisp up the wings just until crispy, flip and crisp the other side.
- In The Oven – Turn on the broiler on high and set the rack in the middle. Place smoked wings on a large baking sheet in one even layer and place it under the broiler. Keep an eye on it because the skin will get crispy pretty quick.
Glaze:
- Combine all the ingredients for the glaze in the sauce pot and whisk well. Bring it to a simmer and lower the heat to medium-low.
- Simmer, stirring often, for about 15 minutes, or until the liquid is reduced by about half and thickened more like a glaze. Take off heat.
- Place smoked wings into a large mixing bowl and toss them with the glaze.
Nutrition
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