Introduction to BBQ Chicken Wings
Here at Dizzy Spit Roasts, we’ve known for some time that chicken wings are the ultimate BBQ starter. They are crispy, they are smoky, and they are full of flavour. Whether you’re hosting a summer barbecue, serving up a sharing platter for a party, or just enjoying a game-night snack, these wings are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
This simple recipe delivers deliciously spiced wings every time. To serve, we like finishing it with a fiery kick from Sunshine Sauce’s ‘Oh Carolina’ Sauce. Of course, you can use any of your favourite hot sauces to suit your taste, but we know what we like, and why mess with the best?!
Why BBQ Chicken Wings?
Perfect for BBQs
- These are quick to cook and pair well with other grilled meats.
- The tender meat means marinating is not required, doubling down on speed.
- The smoky char from the grill enhances the wings’ flavour, bringing all those little crispy corners to life.
- They are pretty difficult to mess up! Perfect for your livelier events when you don’t want to concentrate on the BBQ all the time.
Great for Sharing
- You can dress these up or down as needed.
- Ideal for parties, family gatherings, and casual get-togethers. They are very quick to reheat if you’re bringing them along to someone else’s party.
- They can hold their own as finger food or you can incorporate them into a heartier side dish with some classic sides, depending on what part of the globe you want to draw inspiration from. You could go to American classics, Asian, or Indian warmth.
Other Occasions
- These little bundles of fun would also be great for game nights; I wonder how many chicken wings America consumes on Super Bowl Sunday. They’d be great at summer picnics when you don’t want to deal with knives, forks, and plates.
Ingredients (Serves 4 People)
For the Wings:
- 1 kg chicken wings
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper
For the Final Toss:
- Sunshine Sauce Oh Carolina Sauce (Extremely Hot) or the OG Habanero Sauce (or your favourite hot sauce, depending on the level of heat you require).
For Garnish:
- 1 tbsp fresh coriander (cilantro), finely chopped
- 1 tbsp spring onions, finely sliced
Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions
1. Prepare the Wings
We always recommend that you pat the chicken wings dry with kitchen paper. You’ll find that this helps them crisp up, and nobody wants soggy skin. Mix the wings with olive oil, garlic powder, smoked paprika, onion powder, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper in a large bowl. Ensure you get the wings evenly coated all over with the mixture.
2. Preheat the BBQ
Once you’ve got your wings ready for action, set up your BBQ. We recommend indirect grilling at around 180-200°C (350-400°F). If you plan on using a charcoal BBQ, push some of the coals to one side. This will help you create a cooler zone for cooking.
3. Cook the Wings
Arrange your wings on the grill, away from direct heat, and close the lid. If you’ve got a grilling basket, all the better for ease of turning. You want to cook these for about 25-30 minutes, turning them occasionally, until they are golden brown and crispy. If you’re looking for extra crispiness, you can finish off the wings on direct heat for the last few minutes.
4. Toss in Sauce
Once your wings are thoroughly cooked through, transfer the wings to a large bowl. Pour over some Sunshine Sauce Oh, Carolina, or OG Sauce (or your chosen hot sauce) and toss to coat them evenly.
5. Garnish and Serve
Once you’re satisfied that the wings are well-coated, transfer the wings to a serving dish. Before serving, sprinkle with fresh coriander, spring onions, and toasted sesame seeds. These help to add an extra pop of flavour, colour and texture. You could add some finely sliced red chilli if you like your wings competitive!
Serving Suggestions
The beauty of chicken wings is their versatility. If you’ve gone to a specific part of the world for inspiration, why not follow it up with a classic side serve?
- Serve with a cooling dip like blue cheese dressing, and baby roasted potatoes for an American-style bar snack.
- You can get some garlic aioli on the go if you want a range of flavours and textures.
- Of course, you can always offer extra hot sauce on the side for those who love an extra kick. Why not try a few?
- If you’re looking for something cooling, and you’ve gone to southeast Asia for flavour profile, a quick cucumber, mint, chilli, spring onion (scallion) and peanut salad would pair wonderfully. This one made our taste buds water just reading it.
Final Tips & Variations
Adjust the Heat
- You can reduce the quantity of cayenne pepper in the initial mixture or use a milder hot sauce if you prefer less spice. Having some sriracha and mayo on hand to whip up for a quick emergency sauce is always a useful go-to if you have a range of different chilli tolerances to cater for.
Crispier Wings
- If you add 1 tsp of baking powder to the spice rub, you’ll get extra crunch.
Sauce Variations
- If you’re looking for something a bit sweeter that still packs a punch, try honey sriracha for a sweet heat.
- Buffalo sauce is a classic that has a lovely tangy twist.
- You can’t ignore the OG. Try sticky BBQ glaze for a smoky-sweet finish—a sure-fire crowd-pleaser.
Drinks to Pair With Spicy Chicken Wings
Depending on where you see your BBQ chicken wings getting used, there are a number of different drink pairings that work. The obvious choice is a crisp pale ale with enough sweetness to complement the wings but enough citrus to cut through the fatty element. A dry Riesling would be a great choice if you’re looking for a more refined option. For non-alcoholic options, some light and refreshing, like a homemade lemonade or a ginger ale, would really get the tastebuds tingling. And if you’ve gone all-out on the hot sauce – maybe now would be a good time to try out the old wives’ tale of milk helping to calm things down.
Conclusion
BBQ spicy chicken wings are an easy, flavour-packed dish that never disappoints. Whether you like them fiery hot or mildly spiced, you can tweak the recipe to suit your taste. Fire up the grill, get the wings sizzling, and enjoy a plate of finger-licking goodness!
