Smoked Chicken Wings

Smoked Chicken Wings – chicken wings coated in a sweet and spicy rub and then smoked until they are tender, juicy, and delicious! Brush with your favorite barbecue sauce or hot sauce to make them extra delicious.

As soon as it gets nice out, I am all about firing up the grill or smoker and cooking everything I can on it. One thing we have discovered that is over the top amazing on the smoker, is chicken wings! It is not the traditional way to cook them, but they get so much flavor and extra delicious when smoked.

The first time we tried smoked chicken wings was from the take out place It’s Just Wings. They were so good, but I knew that I could make them at home and they would be even better.

Smoked Chicken Wings

Chicken Wings are a classic, and there are a million different ways you can make them. You can do Baked Chicken Wings or Air Fryer Chicken Wings or you can throw them on the smoker.

The nice thing about making them at home is you control the spices, seasonings, and sauces. So if you like it spicy you can add more cayenne, you can cut down on the salt if you want to etc.

What You’ll Need

• Chicken Wings
• Oil
• Dry Rub
• Barbecue/Buffalo Sauce

You really can use any rub or spice combination you like! I like this Best Dry Rub because it is super versatile for any cut of meat. But you could use a lemon pepper seasoning for something different. Or this Pork Chop Seasoning is really good too!

Smoked Chicken Wing Rub

The options are endless for what you rub on your chicken wings. You really just want to make sure you season them well. It doesn’t matter what you season them with, but you really don’t want to skip this step. It will flavor the meat as it cooks. Yes the sauce adds flavor as well, so you want the flavors to work well together, but not seasoning the chicken first will make them a little boring and just one note, not delicious and drool worthy wings.

What Temperature Do You Smoke Chicken Wings

Chicken wings cook between 225º and 250º F. This gives plenty of time for the smoke flavor to really penetrate the chicken and get them tender and juicy.

How To Smoke Chicken Wings

Be sure to scroll down to the recipe card to get the measurements and full instructions!

1. Make sure your chicken wings are nice and dry before you add your rub. Use a paper towel to pat dry each chicken wing so your seasoning really sticks.
2. In a large bowl or on a baking tray toss the wings with just a little bit of oil.
3. Sprinkle seasoning over the wings and use your hands to toss it together and rub the spice mixture into the the wings.
4. Let the wings sit in the fridge for 2 hours before you put on the smoker. This allows the spices to really adhere, and the chicken to dry out before you cook them.
5. Arrange the chicken in an even layer on the smoker and cook for about 2 1/2 hours. During the last 15 minutes of cook time, brush with sauce if desired.
6. The wings are done when they read 180º F when you insert a meat thermometer.
7. Remove from the smoker and serve with your favorite sauces.

How Long To Smoke Chicken Wings

To ensure that the chicken is cooked the whole way through and tender, you want to cook chicken wings to 180º F. That will take about 2 1/2 hours at 225º – 250º F.

Each smoker is a little different, so the best way to know if they are cooked is to use a thermometer.

I use the Thermapen Mk4 to check the temperature of the meat throughout the cooking process. It is the most accurate thermometer I have found and have been using it for years!

What Type Of Wood Is Best For Smoking Chicken

I like to use a sweeter or more mild wood. Apple, Maple, Hickory or Cherry are great choices. I also like to use a blend that has some of those woods in there.

If you haven’t tried smoking chicken wings yet, be sure to pick up some at the store next time you are there. It will definitely change the way you think about chicken wings!

More Recipes For Your Smoker

• Smoked Chicken Breast
• Smoked Pork Belly
• Smoked Country Style Ribs
• Smoked Baby Back Ribs
• Smoked Turkey Breast
• Smoked Pork Loin
• Poor Man’s Burnt Ends

Continue to Content

Yield: 10

Smoked Chicken Wings

Print

Smoked Chicken Wings - chicken wings coated in a sweet and spicy rub and then smoked until they are tender, juicy, and delicious! Brush with your favorite barbecue sauce or hot sauce to make them extra delicious.

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 2 hours 30 minutes

Additional Time 2 hours

Total Time 4 hours 40 minutes

Ingredients

• 4 pounds chicken wings
• 2 Tbsp vegetable oil
• 1/4 cup Best Dry Rub or favorite spice blend
• 1 cup barbecue sauce

Instructions

1. Pat chicken wings dry with a paper towel.
2. If using Best Dry Rub, mix together all of the spices.
3. Add oil to chicken wings and toss to coat.
4. Sprinkle dry rub over the wings, and use your hands to make sure everything is well coated and the spices are rubbed into the meat.
5. Arrange chicken in a single layer on a baking sheet and place in the fridge for 2 hours to let them dry out before cooking.
6. Preheat smoker to 225º - 250º F.
7. Arrange chicken in a single layer and cook for 2 1/2 hours. During the last 15 minutes of cooking, brush with barbecue sauce.
8. Remove from the heat once chicken reaches 180º F and serve with your favorite sauce.

Notes

Best Dry Rub Recipe Here

Nutrition Information

Yield

10

Serving Size

1
Amount Per Serving Calories 667Total Fat 47gSaturated Fat 16gTrans Fat 1gUnsaturated Fat 27gCholesterol 149mgSodium 1003mgCarbohydrates 29gFiber 1gSugar 10gProtein 31g

Nutrition Disclaimer: All information presented on this site is intended for informational purposes only. I am not a certified nutritionist and any nutritional information shared on dinnersdishesanddesserts.com should only be used as a general guideline.

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Erin S

Welcome to Dinners, Dishes, & Desserts where my love of food meets my busy life. My name is Erin and I’m a casual home cook who loves to feed people. On this blog, you’ll find hundreds of quick and easy recipes made mostly from scratch. My days are spent in the kitchen, creating new recipes to share with family and friends.

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