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Smoked Chicken Wings Recipe

4.7 from 77 reviews

Deliciously smoky and crispy chicken wings seasoned with a flavorful chicken rub, slow-smoked at low heat and finished with a high-temperature crisp to lock in the juices and deliver the perfect texture.

Ingredients

Scale

Seasoning

  • 1 tablespoon chicken rub (such as McCormick Chicken Seasoning)

Chicken

  • 2 pounds chicken wing portions

Instructions

  1. Preheat the smoker: Preheat your Traeger grill or any smoker with a smoker box to 275ºF. Allow the grill to stabilize at this temperature for about 30 minutes to ensure consistent heat for an even smoke.
  2. Season and smoke the wings: Toss 2 teaspoons of chicken rub with the wing portions to evenly coat them. Arrange the wings on the smoker grate, making sure they are spaced out for proper smoke circulation. Smoke the wings at 275ºF for 30 minutes to infuse them with a rich smoky flavor.
  3. Increase heat to crisp the wings: After the initial smoke, raise the grill temperature to 400ºF and continue cooking the wings for an additional 40 minutes. This step crisps the skin to a golden brown while cooking the wings through. Ensure the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165ºF for safe consumption.
  4. Final toss and serving: Using tongs, transfer the wings to a heat-proof bowl. Toss them with the remaining chicken rub to enhance flavor. Serve the wings as is or toss with your favorite wing sauce. Accompany with bleu cheese or ranch dip if desired.

Notes

  • Using a meat thermometer helps guarantee wings are cooked to a safe and juicy internal temperature.
  • For extra flavor, marinate wings with the rub a few hours before smoking.
  • Choose a mild wood like apple or cherry for a subtle smoky aroma or hickory for a stronger smoke flavor.
  • Serving with dips like bleu cheese or ranch adds a creamy balance to the smoky wings.
  • Adjust cook times slightly based on wing size and grill temperature accuracy.

Keywords: Smoked chicken wings, crispy wings, smoked appetizer, grilled chicken wings, wing recipe, finger foods, game day recipe