Chicken Wings Smoker Recipe for Perfectly Tender Wings

There’s something truly irresistible about smoked chicken wings. The smoky aroma, the tender meat falling off the bone, and the crispy skin make for an unforgettable flavor experience.

Whether you’re preparing for a weekend barbecue, a game day party, or just craving a delicious snack, smoking your wings adds a depth of flavor that frying or baking simply can’t match. This chicken wings smoker recipe will guide you through the process to get perfectly tender, juicy, and flavorful wings every time.

Smoking chicken wings might sound intimidating at first, but with the right technique and a little patience, you’ll be rewarded with wings that boast a mouthwatering smoky crust and a juicy interior. Plus, it’s a great way to impress your friends and family with your culinary skills.

Ready to dive into the world of smoked wings? Let’s fire up that smoker!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This smoked chicken wings recipe is a game changer for several reasons. First, it combines the best elements of slow smoking and a quick finish to crisp up the skin.

You get that perfect balance of tender meat and crispy, flavorful skin.

Second, it’s incredibly versatile. You can customize your rubs and sauces to suit your taste—from spicy and tangy to sweet and smoky.

The recipe is straightforward, making it accessible for beginners and seasoned pitmasters alike.

Finally, it’s perfect for gatherings. Wings are a crowd-pleaser, and smoked wings bring an elevated flavor that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Whether it’s a casual family dinner or an outdoor party, this recipe fits every occasion.

Ingredients

• 3 pounds chicken wings, tips removed and wings separated into flats and drumettes
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons paprika (smoked paprika adds extra depth)
• 1 tablespoon garlic powder
• 1 tablespoon onion powder
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for heat)
• Wood chips for smoking (hickory, apple, or cherry wood recommended)
• Your favorite wing sauce (buffalo, BBQ, or honey garlic)

Equipment

• Smoker (electric, pellet, charcoal, or gas smoker)
• Meat thermometer (preferably digital probe style)
• Mixing bowl for seasoning the wings
• Aluminum foil (to catch drips)
• Grill tongs or heat-resistant gloves
• Basting brush (for applying sauce)
• Wire rack or smoker grate

Instructions

1. Prepare the chicken wings: Rinse the wings under cold water and pat dry with paper towels. Removing moisture is key to getting crispy skin later.
2. Make the dry rub: In a mixing bowl, combine paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, brown sugar, chili powder, black pepper, salt, and cayenne pepper. Mix well.
3. Coat the wings: Drizzle olive oil over the wings and toss to coat. Then sprinkle the dry rub evenly over the wings, making sure each piece is well coated. You can let them sit for 30 minutes to overnight in the refrigerator for deeper flavor.
4. Preheat your smoker: Set your smoker to 225°F (107°C). Add your wood chips of choice to the smoker box or directly to the coals.
5. Smoke the wings: Arrange the wings on the smoker grate in a single layer. Insert the meat thermometer probe into one of the larger drumettes to monitor temperature. Smoke for about 1.5 to 2 hours, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
6. Crisp up the skin: Increase the smoker temperature to 275°F (135°C) or transfer wings to a preheated grill set to medium-high heat. Cook for an additional 10-15 minutes, turning occasionally, until the skin is crispy and golden.
7. Apply sauce: If desired, brush your favorite wing sauce on the wings during the last 5 minutes of cooking. This allows the sauce to caramelize slightly without burning.
8. Rest and serve: Remove wings from the smoker or grill and let them rest for 5 minutes before serving. This helps juices redistribute and improves flavor.

Tips & Variations

“Patience is key when smoking wings. Low and slow ensures juicy meat, while the final crisp-up step gives you that perfect bite.”

• Brine your wings: For extra juicy wings, soak them in a simple brine (water, salt, sugar) for 2 hours before seasoning.
• Try different woods: Apple and cherry wood give a sweeter smoke, while hickory adds a stronger, savory flavor.
• Spice it up: Add cayenne or chipotle powder to your rub for a smoky heat kick.
• Dry rub only: Serve wings with dipping sauces on the side for guests to customize their flavor.
• Make it sticky: Toss smoked wings in a honey garlic or maple BBQ sauce for a sweet, sticky finish.

Nutrition Facts

Serving Suggestions

Smoked wings are incredibly versatile when it comes to serving. Pair them with classic sides like celery sticks and blue cheese or ranch dressing for dipping.

For a hearty meal, serve alongside baked beans, coleslaw, or cornbread.

If you want to keep the party vibe going, set up a wing bar with different sauces—buffalo, BBQ, garlic parmesan, and spicy mango. Add some crisp vegetable sticks and chips, and you have a perfect game day spread.

Don’t forget cold beverages! A chilled beer or homemade lemonade complements the smoky flavor beautifully.

Conclusion

Smoking chicken wings is a rewarding way to elevate a beloved classic. With just a few simple ingredients and your trusty smoker, you can create wings that are bursting with smoky flavor, tender on the inside, and crisp on the outside.

The process may take a bit of time, but the results are well worth the wait.

Whether you’re a backyard grill master or just beginning to explore smoking techniques, this recipe offers a foolproof path to delicious smoked wings. Experiment with rubs, sauces, and woods to find your perfect flavor combination.

So fire up that smoker, invite friends over, and enjoy a feast of unforgettable smoked chicken wings!

{“@context”: “https://schema.org/”, “@type”: “Recipe”, “name”: “Chicken Wings Smoker Recipe”, “image”: [], “author”: {“@type”: “Organization”, “name”: “GluttonLv”}, “description”: “Deliciously smoky and tender chicken wings cooked low and slow in a smoker. Perfect for gatherings or a flavorful snack.”, “prepTime”: “PT15M”, “cookTime”: “PT1H30M”, “totalTime”: “PT1H45M”, “recipeYield”: “4 servings”, “recipeIngredient”: [“2 lbs chicken wings”, “1 tbsp olive oil”, “1 tbsp smoked paprika”, “1 tsp garlic powder”, “1 tsp onion powder”, “1 tsp salt”, “1/2 tsp black pepper”, “1/2 tsp cayenne pepper”, “1/4 cup BBQ sauce (optional)”, “Wood chips for smoking (hickory or applewood)”], “recipeInstructions”: [{“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Preheat smoker to 225\u00b0F (107\u00b0C).”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Toss chicken wings with olive oil and spices.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Place wings on smoker rack in a single layer.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Smoke wings for 1 hour 30 minutes, adding wood chips as needed.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Optional: Brush wings with BBQ sauce during last 15 minutes.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Remove wings and let rest 5 minutes before serving.”}], “nutrition”: {“calories”: “320”, “proteinContent”: “28g”, “fatContent”: “22g”, “carbohydrateContent”: “3g”}}