Description
Bourbon BBQ Smoked Chicken Wings bring smoky, tangy magic to your backyard grill, delivering a flavor-packed punch that will have your guests craving more. Perfectly seasoned and glazed with a rich bourbon-infused sauce, these wings turn an ordinary meal into a seriously delicious experience.
Ingredients
Scale
Primary Ingredients:
- 2 pounds chicken wings
Dry Rub Seasonings:
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
Sauce and Liquid Ingredients:
- 1 cup bourbon
- 1 cup barbecue sauce
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
Instructions
- Blend 1 teaspoon each of salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika in a large mixing bowl for your wing seasoning.
- Thoroughly coat 2 pounds of chicken wings with the spice mixture, ensuring every surface is evenly seasoned.
- Heat your smoker precisely to 225°F, preparing the cooking surface with a clean rack.
- Arrange seasoned wings on the smoker rack, positioning them without touching each other for optimal smoke circulation.
- Smoke wings for 1.5 to 2 hours until the internal temperature reaches exactly 165°F, developing a deep smoky essence.
- Create the bourbon sauce by combining 1 cup bourbon, 1 cup barbecue sauce, 2 tablespoons honey, 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, and 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar in a saucepan.
- Simmer the sauce over medium heat for 10 minutes, stirring periodically until it slightly thickens and reduces.
- Remove wings from the smoker and generously toss them in the prepared bourbon BBQ sauce.
- Return sauce-coated wings to the smoker for an additional 15-20 minutes to caramelize and intensify the flavor.
- Plate the wings immediately while hot, optionally garnishing with chopped green onions or sesame seeds for extra visual appeal.
Notes
- Pat the wings completely dry before seasoning to help the spices stick and create a crispy exterior.
- Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature for perfectly cooked wings every time.
- If bourbon isn’t your thing, swap it with apple juice or chicken stock in the sauce for a similar depth of flavor.
- Let the wings rest for 5-10 minutes after smoking to help the juices redistribute, ensuring each bite stays tender and moist.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours 30 minutes
- Category: Chicken
- Method: Smoking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 290 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 560 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 23 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg