Grilled chicken wings are a great choice for any occasion. The crispy skin, juicy meat, and smoky flavour from the grill make them delicious. If you want to impress people at a barbecue or serve a tasty snack at dinner, try these easy grilled chicken wing recipes.
General Grilled Chicken Wings Tips:
- Preheat the Grill: Always preheat your grill to ensure even cooking and to get those perfect grill marks. A properly heated grill also helps to prevent the wings from sticking.
- Marinate for Flavour: Allow the wings to marinate for at least 30 minutes, or overnight for deeper flavour penetration. This helps to infuse the wings with a rich taste and tenderise the meat.
- Use Indirect Heat: If using a charcoal grill, arrange the coals to create a hot and a cooler zone. Start cooking on the hot zone to sear the wings, then move them to the cooler zone to finish cooking through without burning. This method ensures juicy and well-cooked wings.
- Turn Frequently: Turn the wings frequently to ensure they cook evenly and don’t burn. This also helps to achieve a crispy and evenly browned exterior.
- Baste with Care: If using a sugary marinade or sauce, apply it in the last few minutes of grilling to prevent it from burning. This will give the wings a perfect caramelised finish.
- Pat Wings Dry: Before marinating, pat the wings dry with paper towels. This helps the marinade to adhere better and results in crisper skin.
- Season Generously: Don’t be afraid to use ample seasoning. A well-seasoned wing is flavourful even without a dipping sauce.
- Oil the Grill Grates: Before placing the wings on the grill, brush the grates with oil to prevent sticking and to achieve those desirable grill marks.
- Check for Doneness: Use a meat thermometer to ensure the wings are cooked to an internal temperature of 75°C (165°F). This ensures they are safe to eat and perfectly cooked.
- Rest Before Serving: Allow the wings to rest for a few minutes after grilling. This helps to lock in the juices and makes for a more succulent bite.
Here are five methods for grilling chicken wings that will leave your taste buds craving for more:
1. Classic BBQ Grilled Chicken Wings
Grilling chicken wings with BBQ sauce is a straightforward method that yields tender meat with a smoky, sweet flavour.
Ingredients
- 1 kg chicken wings
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Sauce:
- 200 ml BBQ sauce (store-bought is fine)
Directions
- Preheat the grill to medium-high heat.
- In a large bowl, mix olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Add chicken wings and toss until coated.
- Place wings on the grill and cook for about 20 minutes, turning occasionally.
- Brush wings with BBQ sauce in the last 5 minutes, turning to ensure they are well coated and slightly charred.
- Serve hot with extra BBQ sauce on the side.
2. Spicy Buffalo Grilled Chicken Wings
Buffalo wings offer a spicy kick that pairs perfectly with a cool dip.
Ingredients
- 1 kg chicken wings
Sauce:
- 100 ml hot sauce
- 50 g unsalted butter
- 1 tbsp vinegar
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp garlic powder
Directions
- Preheat the grill to medium heat.
- Melt butter in a saucepan over low heat. Add hot sauce, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, and garlic powder, stirring to combine.
- Grill wings for about 20 minutes, turning occasionally.
- Brush the wings with the hot sauce mixture in the last 5 minutes.
- Serve with blue cheese dressing and celery sticks.
3. Honey Soy Grilled Chicken Wings
Honey soy wings offer a perfect balance of sweet and savoury flavours.
Ingredients
- 1 kg chicken wings
Marinade
- Soy and Honey Marinade
Directions
- Preheat the grill to medium-high heat.
- Mix soy sauce, honey, garlic, and ginger in a bowl. Marinate wings for at least 30 minutes.
- Grill wings for about 20 minutes, turning occasionally.
- Brush with the remaining marinade during the last 5 minutes.
- Garnish with sesame seeds and chopped spring onions before serving.
4. Lemon Herb Grilled Chicken Wings
Lemon herb wings are fresh and fragrant, perfect for a summer barbecue.
Ingredients
- 1 kg chicken wings
Marinade
- Lemon Herb Marinade
Directions
- Preheat the grill to medium-high heat.
- Mix olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, lemon zest, oregano, thyme, salt, and pepper in a large bowl. Marinate wings for at least 15 minutes.
- Grill wings for about 20 minutes, turning occasionally.
- Serve with lemon wedges.
5. Smoky Paprika Grilled Chicken Wings
Smoky paprika wings have a deep, rich flavour that’s enhanced by grilling.
Ingredients
- 1 kg chicken wings
Marinade
- Smoky Paprika Marinade
Directions
- Preheat the grill to medium-high heat.
- Combine olive oil, smoked paprika, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Toss wings in the marinade to coat.
- Grill wings for about 20 minutes, turning occasionally.
- Serve hot with your favourite dipping sauce.
Now that you’ve mastered these grilled chicken wing recipes, why not try something new? Check out our 8 Oven Baked Chicken Wings Recipes for more delicious and easy-to-make options.
Don’t settle for undercooked or overdone chicken wings! Invest in a reliable meat thermometer to ensure your chicken is cooked to perfection every time.
Happy cooking!
