Description
Tender and juicy smoked chicken wings with a crispy skin and rich smoky flavor, perfect for snacks or meals.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 pounds chicken wings, split into flats and drumettes
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon black pepper, freshly ground
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for heat)
- Wood chips for smoking (hickory, applewood, or cherry wood recommended)
Instructions
- Prepare the wings: Rinse the chicken wings under cold water and pat dry thoroughly with paper towels. Removing moisture helps achieve a crispier skin.
- Make the dry rub: In a small bowl, combine kosher salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne pepper if using.
- Coat the wings: Toss the wings in olive oil, ensuring they are evenly coated. Then sprinkle the dry rub over the wings, massaging it in so every piece is well seasoned.
- Prepare your smoker: Preheat the smoker to 225°F (107°C). Soak your wood chips for at least 30 minutes if using a charcoal or pellet smoker to provide steady smoke and rich aroma.
- Smoke the wings: Place the wings on the smoker grates in a single layer, leaving space between each piece. Smoke for about 1.5 to 2 hours, turning halfway through to ensure even smoke and heat. Look for a golden-brown exterior and an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C).
- Crisp the skin: For extra crispy skin, increase smoker temperature to 375°F (190°C) or transfer wings to a preheated grill or oven for 10-15 minutes. Watch closely to prevent burning while achieving crunch.
- Rest and serve: Remove wings from heat and let rest for 5 minutes. This helps juices redistribute for juicy, tender bites.
Notes
- Pat wings dry to eliminate moisture for crispy skin.
- Apply rub evenly to balance flavors.
- Maintain consistent smoker temperature to ensure even cooking.
- Use your preferred wood chips to customize smoke flavor.
- Check internal temperature to ensure safety and doneness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Smoking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 3g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
Keywords: smoked chicken wings, crispy chicken wings, smoked wings recipe, barbecue wings, juicy wings