Get ready to fire up your taste buds with these Smoky BBQ Bacon-Glazed Chicken Wings! As your creative, warm, and adventurous guide, I’m thrilled to share this flavorful recipe that’s perfect for any BBQ, game day, or casual gathering. Prepare to be wowed by the perfect balance of sweet, savory, and smoky flavors that will have your guests coming back for more.
Why You’ll Love This Smoky BBQ Bacon-Glazed Chicken Wings
Tender, juicy chicken wings are coated in a rich, smoky BBQ glaze and crisped to perfection for an irresistible texture. The addition of crispy bacon takes these wings to the next level, adding a salty, savory element that complements the barbecue flavors beautifully. This recipe is easy to make yet delivers the wow factor, making it a crowd-pleasing favorite that’s sure to become a new go-to.
Ingredients
This recipe calls for a few simple, yet high-quality ingredients that come together to create a truly epic flavor experience. You’ll need chicken wings, bacon, brown sugar, chili powder, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
Ingredient Substitutions
- Meat: You can try using drumsticks or a combination of wings and drumsticks (adjust cooking time as needed).
- Spicy Kick: Add a touch of cayenne pepper or your favorite hot sauce to the glaze for a spicier version.
How to Make Smoky BBQ Bacon-Glazed Chicken Wings
Prepare to be wowed by the perfect balance of sweet, savory, and smoky flavors that will have your guests coming back for more.
Step 1: Prep Work
Begin by patting the chicken wings dry with paper towels and seasoning them generously with salt and pepper. In a large mixing bowl, combine the brown sugar, chili powder, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder to create the flavorful BBQ glaze.
Step 2: Main Cooking Process
Preheat your oven or grill to 400°F. Arrange the seasoned wings on a baking sheet or grill grates and roast or grill them for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through, until they’re golden brown and nearly cooked through. Meanwhile, cook the bacon in a skillet until crispy, then chop it into small pieces.
Step 3: Final Steps/Assembly
Add the partially cooked wings to the bowl with the BBQ glaze and toss to coat them evenly. Return the wings to the oven or grill and continue cooking for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the glaze has thickened and the wings are cooked through. Sprinkle the crispy bacon pieces over the top of the glazed wings.
Step 4: Finishing Touches
For an extra layer of flavor, you can brush the wings with a bit of the reserved bacon grease before serving. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley or green onions for a pop of color and freshness.
Recipe Variations & Tips
- Sweet Twist: Try using honey or maple syrup in the glaze for a sweeter flavor profile.
- Extra Crispy: Toss the wings in a bit of cornstarch or baking powder before cooking for an even crispier texture.
- Saucy Wings: Double the glaze recipe and serve the wings with the extra sauce on the side.
- Spicy Kick: Add a touch of cayenne pepper or your favorite hot sauce to the glaze.
Serving & Storage
Serve with: creamy coleslaw, crispy fries, or a fresh, crunchy salad.
Storage: Leftover wings can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheat: Reheat the wings in the oven or air fryer until heated through.
Make-Ahead: You can prepare the wings up to the glazing step a day in advance and store them in the refrigerator until ready to bake or grill.
Nutrition Information
These Smoky BBQ Bacon-Glazed Chicken Wings provide a satisfying dose of protein, with a balance of carbohydrates and fats. While they’re considered an indulgent treat, the recipe can be enjoyed as part of a well-rounded diet when consumed in moderation.
- Serving Size: 4-5 wings
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Protein: 32 g
- Carbs: 21 g
- Fat: 27 g
- Sodium: 770 mg
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make these wings in advance?
Yes, you can prepare the wings up to the glazing step a day in advance. Simply store the seasoned, uncooked wings in the refrigerator until ready to bake or grill, then proceed with the recipe.
How can I make the wings extra crispy?
For extra-crispy wings, try tossing them in a bit of baking powder or cornstarch before cooking. You can also broil the wings for the last few minutes to help them get that irresistible crunch.
Can I use a different type of meat?
While chicken wings are the traditional choice, you can certainly experiment with other cuts of chicken, such as drumsticks or a combination of wings and drumsticks. Just adjust the cooking time as needed.
How do I reheat leftovers?
Leftover wings can be reheated in the oven at 350°F until heated through, about 10-15 minutes. You can also pop them in an air fryer for a few minutes to help restore the crispy texture.
Can I make these wings in the air fryer?
Absolutely! Air frying is a great way to achieve crispy, evenly cooked chicken wings. Adjust the cooking time as needed, as air fryers can vary in their cooking times.
Try These Next
- smoky bbq bacon wrapped chicken skewers for game day
- smoky bbq bacon wrapped chicken skewers
- smoky maple bacon bbq chicken sandwich
Smoky BBQ Bacon-Glazed Chicken Wings
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: 🔥 BBQ, Grilling & Smokehouse
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Smoky BBQ Bacon-Glazed Chicken Wings are the perfect combination of sweet, smoky, and savory flavors. Perfect for your next BBQ or game day!
Ingredients
– 2 pounds chicken wings
– 1/2 cup BBQ sauce
– 1/4 cup maple syrup
– 1/2 cup cooked bacon, crumbled
– 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
– 1 teaspoon garlic powder
– 1 teaspoon onion powder
– Salt and pepper to taste
– Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
1.
2. Preheat your grill to medium heat (about 350°F or 175°C).
3. In a large bowl, mix together the BBQ sauce, maple syrup, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
4. Add the chicken wings to the bowl and toss until they are well coated in the sauce.
5. Place the wings on the grill and cook for about 20-25 minutes, turning occasionally, until they are crispy and cooked through.
6. In the last few minutes of cooking, sprinkle the crumbled bacon over the wings.
7. Remove the wings from the grill and let them rest for a few minutes.
8. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired, and serve hot.
9.
Notes
For extra smoky flavor, consider adding a few wood chips to your grill.
You can also bake the wings in the oven at 400°F (200°C) for about 40 minutes if grilling is not an option.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4 wings
- Calories: 300 kcal
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: chicken wings, BBQ, grilling, smoky, bacon