BBQ Chicken Wings are a party favorite, known for their crispy texture and smoky, sweet flavor. This BBQ Chicken Wings Recipe shows you how to make perfectly seasoned wings, baked or grilled to golden-brown perfection, and coated in a sticky BBQ sauce. They’re easy to make and customizable, perfect for any occasion. Follow this recipe to serve up a batch of finger-licking, crowd-pleasing wings.
Finger-Licking BBQ Chicken Wings Recipe

BBQ Chicken Wings are a must-have for any party or gathering. These crispy, saucy wings deliver the perfect balance of smoky, sweet, and tangy flavors, making them an irresistible treat for everyone. This BBQ Chicken Wings Recipe is quick and easy to prepare, ensuring that your wings are perfectly cooked and coated in a sticky, delicious BBQ sauce. Whether you’re baking or grilling them, these wings are sure to be a hit at your next gathering.
What Makes BBQ Chicken Wings So Delicious?
The key to perfect BBQ Chicken Wings lies in the balance between crispiness and sauciness. The wings are seasoned with simple spices like smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper to create a savory base flavor. Once baked or grilled to crispy perfection, they’re tossed in a rich BBQ sauce that gives them a sticky, flavorful glaze. Whether you like your wings sweet, tangy, or spicy, this recipe can be easily customized to suit your taste.
How Should BBQ Chicken Wings Taste?
A perfectly cooked BBQ Chicken Wing should have a crispy, golden exterior that’s been caramelized with BBQ sauce, while the inside remains juicy and tender. The BBQ sauce should coat the wings evenly, creating a slightly sticky texture with a balance of smoky, sweet, and tangy flavors. Each bite should offer a satisfying crunch followed by the rich taste of BBQ spices, with just the right amount of sauce that doesn’t overwhelm the natural flavor of the chicken.
Achieving Perfectly Crispy BBQ Wings
There are a few tricks to getting the crispiest wings in this BBQ Chicken Wings Recipe:
- Pat the Wings Dry: Before seasoning, make sure to pat the chicken wings dry with paper towels. This removes excess moisture, helping the wings crisp up during cooking.
- Season Before Cooking: The spice mix of garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper adds flavor and helps create a crust on the wings, giving them an extra crunch when baked or grilled.
- Bake or Grill at High Heat: Whether you’re baking or grilling the wings, cooking them at high heat ensures that the skin crisps up nicely without overcooking the inside.
Customizing Your BBQ Chicken Wings
This BBQ Chicken Wings Recipe is versatile, and you can easily adjust the flavors to suit your preferences:
- Make Them Spicier: If you like your wings with a kick, add hot sauce or cayenne pepper to the BBQ sauce.
- Sweeten It Up: For a sweeter flavor, mix a tablespoon of honey or brown sugar into the BBQ sauce. The sugar will caramelize during the cooking process, giving the wings a delicious, sticky glaze.
- Experiment with BBQ Sauces: There are endless variations of BBQ sauce, from sweet and tangy to smoky and spicy. Feel free to try different store-bought sauces or make your own homemade version to coat the wings.

BBQ Chicken Wings Recipe
Equipment
- Baking sheet
- Tongs
- Mixing bowl
- Grill or oven
- Basting brush
Ingredients
- 2 Ibs chicken wings
- 1 cup BBQ sauce store-bought or homemad
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp smoked pepper
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp honey optional
- fresh parsley
Instructions
- 1. Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) or heat the grill to medium-high. If baking, line a baking sheet with foil for easy cleanup.2. Season the Wings: In a mixing bowl, toss the chicken wings with olive oil, garlic powder, smoked paprika, black pepper, and salt. Coat the wings evenly with the seasoning.3. Bake or Grill the Wings: Oven Method: Arrange the seasoned wings in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 25-30 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the wings are crispy and golden. Grill Method: Place the wings on the grill and cook for about 6-7 minutes on each side until they are cooked through and crispy.4. Toss with BBQ Sauce: In a bowl, mix the BBQ sauce with honey (if using). Once the wings are cooked, toss them in the BBQ sauce until they’re fully coated.5. Finish on Grill or Broil: For an extra caramelized glaze, return the wings to the grill for 2-3 minutes, or place them under the broiler in the oven for 2-3 minutes, keeping a close watch to prevent burning.6. Serve: Garnish with fresh parsley if desired and serve hot with extra BBQ sauce on the side.
Notes
- For extra crispy wings, pat the chicken wings dry with paper towels before seasoning.
- You can make this recipe spicier by adding cayenne pepper or hot sauce to the BBQ sauce mixture.
- Feel free to experiment with different flavors of BBQ sauce, from tangy and sweet to smoky and spicy.
Conclusion
BBQ Chicken Wings are the ultimate crowd-pleaser, whether you’re serving them at a game-day party or a summer barbecue. This BBQ Chicken Wings Recipe delivers wings that are crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, and packed with smoky, sweet, and savory flavors. The best part? They’re incredibly easy to make, whether you prefer to bake or grill them. With just a few simple ingredients and a bit of time, you can enjoy delicious wings that are sure to impress.