BBQ Chicken Wings

BBQ chicken wings are a classic party dish! They’re perfectly crispy outside, juicy inside, and smothered in a tangy, sweet homemade sauce.

They’re the ultimate crowd-pleaser for any occasion. I love serving them for backyard BBQs, on game day, or even on a random weeknight!

And with this recipe, you can make them right in the oven, so you don’t even have to break out the grill. 

Get the napkins ready, and get ready to devour these wings!

Why You’ll Love These BBQ Chicken Wings

Perfect Party Pleaser: These are a guaranteed hit at any gathering. They’re the ideal choice for parties or casual get-togethers. 

Irresistible Taste: The homemade BBQ sauce is sweet and tangy. The smoked paprika, honey, and Worcestershire all lend their unique flavors to the mix.

Easy Prep: BBQ wings are a great choice for newbie chefs and people who aren’t super comfortable in the kitchen. They’re almost entirely stress-free. 

Ingredients

• Chicken Wings: I like fresh wings best. If using frozen, be sure to set them out early to thaw before starting the recipe. 

• Aluminum-Free Baking Powder: Believe it or not, baking powder is the secret ingredient. It’s the easiest way to achieve perfectly crisp wings in the oven. 

• Salt & Pepper: For seasoning. 

• Homemade BBQ sauce: I use a blend of ketchup, white wine vinegar, dark brown sugar, honey, and Worcestershire sauce for the homemade sauce. I also add several spices and seasonings to jazz it up. 

How to Make BBQ Chicken Wings

Although the steps for this recipe are longer than the ingredients list, they’re still pretty straightforward. 

1. Prepare. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a large baking sheet with foil. 

2. Bake the wings. Pat the wings dry with paper towels and toss them with baking powder, salt, and pepper. Then, bake them in a single layer on the baking sheet for 45 to 50 minutes. Turn them once halfway through. 

3. Make the sauce. While the wings are baking, combine the sauce ingredients in a medium saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Finally, reduce the heat to low and simmer for 5 minutes until thickened. 

4. Coat the wings. Remove the wings from the oven and place them in a large bowl. Pour the BBQ sauce over them and toss to coat. 

5. Bake again. Return the wings to the baking sheet and bake for another 6 to 8 minutes. 

6. Serve them hot. Enjoy with extra sauce on the side if desired. 

Tips for the Best BBQ Chicken Wings

A few tips to remember: 

• Get ’em nice and dry. Don’t forget to pat the chicken wings dry with a paper towel! If you don’t, they won’t crisp up as nicely in the oven.

• Give ’em a rub down. These wings taste great with smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. If you want, though, you can dial up the seasonings with a DIY dry rub. Add garlic powder, cayenne, garlic pepper, lemon herb seasoning, etc.

• Save some time! You can save time with store-bought sauce. Just be sure it’s a high-quality sauce whose flavor you enjoy. 

• Dial up the heat. For a spicy kick, add a dash of Tabasco, Sriracha, or a Sriracha substitute to the BBQ sauce.  

• Garnish before serving. I like to sprinkle a handful of diced scallions over mine. Parsley and chives are other good options. 

• Use a meat thermometer. Chicken should be cooked to 165 degrees Fahrenheit before it’s safe to eat. Use a meat thermometer to ensure yours is completely done. 

• Get ’em nice and crispy. Toss the dried wings with baking powder and seasonings. Air fry at 380 degrees for 20 to 25 minutes, tossing once halfway through. Then, toss the wings in the sauce and air fry them for another 2 to 3 minutes. 

What to Serve with BBQ Chicken Wings

BBQ chicken wings taste great with a variety of dipping sauces and sides. Here are a few of my favorites: 

• French fries or sweet potato fries
• Texas Twinkies (stuffed jalapenos)
• Onion rings
• Cornbread
• Mac and cheese

How to Store

Wings always taste best when they’re fresh. The leftovers warm up pretty nicely, though. 

To Store: Transfer cooled wings to an air-tight container within 2 hours of cooking them. Refrigerate for up to 4 days. 

To Freeze: Arrange the wings in a single layer on a baking sheet. Freeze them until solid. Then, transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container and store them for 3 months. 

To Reheat: Let frozen wings thaw in the fridge overnight. Reheat them in the oven at 350 degrees for 10 to 15 minutes or in the microwave for 2 to 3 minutes. If using an air fryer, preheat to 350 degrees and heat the wings for 2 to 4 minutes.