Bourbon BBQ Smoked Chicken Wings

🍗 Bourbon BBQ Smoked Chicken Wings

Smoky, tender wings with a rich, bourbon-laced BBQ glaze. Perfect for backyard BBQs, tailgates, or weekend comfort food.

🔥 Quick Overview

• Prep Time: 15 minutes

• Cook Time: 1 hr 15 min

• Yield: 4 servings (12–16 wings)

• Skill Level: Intermediate

📝 Ingredients

For the Chicken Wings:

• 12–16 whole chicken wings (separated into flats and drumettes)
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• Salt and pepper, to taste

For the Bourbon BBQ Sauce:

• ½ cup bourbon
• 1 cup BBQ sauce (your favorite store-bought or homemade)
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• ½ tsp smoked paprika
• ½ tsp ground black pepper
• ½ tsp onion powder
• ¼ tsp chili flakes (optional)

👨‍🍳 Instructions

✅ Step 1: Prep the Chicken Wings

1. Pat wings dry with paper towels. Remove tips if desired.
2. Toss with olive oil, then season generously with salt and pepper.
3. Let rest while the smoker preheats (or marinate for up to 1 hour).

✅ Step 2: Preheat Smoker

• Preheat smoker to 225°F (107°C).
• Add wood chips (e.g., hickory, applewood, or cherrywood).
• Place a drip pan under the grates to catch drippings.

✅ Step 3: Smoke the Wings

• Arrange wings in a single layer on smoker grates.
• Smoke for 45–60 minutes, flipping halfway through.
• Cook until internal temp reaches 165°F (74°C).

✅ Step 4: Make the Bourbon BBQ Sauce

1. In a saucepan, combine all sauce ingredients.
2. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat.
3. Simmer for 10–15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened.
4. Taste and adjust: Add sugar for sweetness, vinegar for tang.

✅ Step 5: Glaze the Wings

• Transfer wings to a bowl or tray.
• Pour warm bourbon BBQ sauce over wings and toss to coat.

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✅ Step 6: Optional – Crisp the Skin

• Place glazed wings on a hot grill or under broiler for 2–3 minutes per side, until caramelized and crispy.

✅ Step 7: Serve

• Let wings rest for 5 minutes.
• Garnish with chopped parsley, green onions, or a squeeze of lime.
• Serve with extra BBQ sauce, pickles, or coleslaw on the side.

💡 Tips & Variations

• No smoker? Use a grill with indirect heat or an oven at 250°F with wood chips in a foil packet.
• Extra crispy? Air-fry or broil wings after glazing.
• Customize your heat: Add cayenne or hot sauce to the sauce mix.
• Double the sauce: It’s great on burgers, ribs, or as a dip for fries.

🥗 Suggested Sides

• Creamy coleslaw
• Grilled corn on the cob
• Mac and cheese
• Baked beans
• Roasted sweet potatoes or brussels sprouts

📦 Storage & Reheating

• Refrigerator: Store cooled wings in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
• Freezer: Freeze for up to 1 month. Reheat in oven at 350°F until warmed through.
• Reheating Tip: Add extra sauce or a splash of broth to keep moist.

🍴 Nutrition Estimate (Per Serving)

• Calories: ~450
• Protein: 30g
• Fat: 28g
• Carbs: 18g
• Sugar: 10g
• Sodium: 600mg

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