Smoked BBQ Chicken Wings

How long to smoke chicken wings

How to long to smoke chicken wings is one of the most common questions I receive. Smoking chicken wings is very easy and seriously rewarding. The flavour of a smoked wing is so bold, smokey and great for game day snacks and party food.

Over the years I have smoked wings using all kinds of different seasoning. Usually I toss them in a dry rub and then smoke them until they are cooked through. There are all kinds of rubs I have used with great success. Curry, jerk, cajun, herb and garlic are just a few of the kinds of seasoning that works great with smoked chicken wings.

Once they come out of the smoker, I sometimes toss them in a sauce prior to serving. On occasion, I will coat them in the sauce midway through the smoking session and then continue smoking (actually, this is what I did in the recipe below). Smoking first with the dry rub allows the smoke to penetrate the meat and then smoking some more after tossed in the sauce adds an even greater depth of smoke.

How long to smoke chicken wings

The recipe below and in the wings in the photos are some classic smoked BBQ wings. The seasoning for these wings is all about creating a classic BBQ flavour. The dry rub has a little bit of sweetness from the sugar and hint of heat from the chipotle powder. Toss the wings in the rub and smoke them at 275F for 2 hours.

Regarding wood choice, there are many types that are excellent for chicken. Personally, I love using pecan for chicken wings, which provides such a nice earthy smoke. Hickory, maple, apple and cherry are all great choices for wood as well.

Once the wings have smoked for 2 hours, I toss them in BBQ sauce and then put them back in the smoker for another hour or until they are cooked through and the skin is starting to crisp and render.

I like to use a BBQ sauce that is sweet and does not have a smoke flavour added since the wings are being smoked.

How long to smoke chicken wings

275F is a higher temperature for the smoker than normally use. I find that this temperature helps to render the skin and will start to crisp it up.

That’s what we want in a wing – right?!?!

These wings are so addictive.

Sweet – smokey – meaty – delicious!!!

Smoked BBQ Chicken Wings

5 from 1 vote
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How long to smoke chicken wings using electric smoker, pellet smoker, charcoal or other wood smoker. Dry rub and glazed with BBQ sauce.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 3 hours
Total Time: 3 hours 15 minutes
Servings: 4 people

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds chicken wings
  • 1 tbsp ground chipotle powder
  • 1 tbsp paprika
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 2 tbsp brown sugar
  • 1 cup BBQ sauce

Instructions

  • If desired, cut each chicken wing into three portions: drumette, middle portion and tip. Discard the tip of the wings and place the other portions in a large bowl.
  • Mix together the chipotle powder, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, salt and brown sugar together. Toss the wings in the seasoning so they are evenly coated.
  • Set up smoker for 275F using wood of choice.
  • Lay the seasoned wings on smoker racks and smoke for about 2 hours
  • Toss the wings in the BBQ sauce and place back on the smoker racks. Smoke for another hour, or until cooked through and the skin is crisped up.
  • Remove wings from the smoker and serve.

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How long to smoke chicken wings

Did you try this recipe?

Leave a comment and let me know how it turned out. Or, take a picture to share on Instagram and tag me @theblackpeppercorn.

5 from 1 vote

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9 comments

  • 5 stars
    Made these this morning for the bills game (won) they were really good and everyone enjoyed them.

    • Reply
    • That was a great Bills game!! Glad you enjoyed the wings.

  • Can this recipe me made on a gas BBQ using a smoker box, and placing the wings on indirect heat. I would assume the rest of the instructions are the same. OR, should the wings be place higher up on the warming rack? Thank you, I look forward to your response.

    • Reply
    • Using indirect heat and a smoker box should work great. I think that it may not take as long on the gas grill. Just monitor it. Imagine it will work very well that way. I have done wings using indirect heat before and they have come out quite tasty

      • Reply
      • WOW thank you so much for your quick response! I want to invest in a good smoker, but maybe next year. In the meantime I am going to try it this way. I assume the same holds true for a whole bird! Thanks again!!

        • Reply
        • No problem David! Smokers are so great and provide many options that gas grills can’t fully match. You will love it when you get one. But yes, this method should work on the grill in the meantime. For a whole chicken, have you tried beer can chicken? It is my favourite way to cook on a gas grill and throwing a smoker box in the grill will give them a nice smokey flavour. I have a recipe on my site for beer can chicken. I can add the link to these comments if you like.

          • Reply
          • Thank you Steve, would love to see that recipe. I have done beercan in the oven, but never on the grill and adding the smoker box to it sounds great!

          • Here is the recipe – Beer Can Chicken.

            Hope you enjoy it!!

          • Steve, thank you very much. Gonna make it this weekend.

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