Dive into the delicious world of sweet and smoky bourbon glazed chicken wings, where the flavors dance on your taste buds and bring people together around the table. As Chef Savori, I’m excited to share this recipe that combines the rich, caramelized notes of bourbon with the perfect balance of sweet and smoky elements. Get ready to savor every bite and create unforgettable memories with your loved ones.
Why You’ll Love This sweet and smoky bourbon glazed chicken wings
Prepare to be captivated by the irresistible combination of sweet and smoky flavors in these bourbon glazed chicken wings. The sticky, glistening glaze coats each crispy wing, creating a mouthwatering masterpiece. The bourbon lends a sophisticated depth of flavor, while the brown sugar and spices add a delightful caramelized finish. Whether you’re hosting a backyard BBQ, game day celebration, or simply craving a comforting, flavor-packed meal, these wings are sure to impress and delight. Get ready to dive in and savor the epic, cozy, and zesty flavors that will have your taste buds dancing.
Ingredients
Gather up the essential ingredients to bring this recipe to life: chicken wings, bourbon, brown sugar, soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, garlic, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. These simple yet impactful components will create a mouthwatering glaze that coats the juicy, crispy wings to perfection.
Ingredient Substitutions
- Bourbon: bourbon-flavored maple syrup or molasses (for a similar rich, caramelized flavor)
- Apple cider vinegar: balsamic or red wine vinegar (for a dietary swap)
How to Make sweet and smoky bourbon glazed chicken wings
Begin by preparing the chicken wings. Pat them dry with paper towels, ensuring they are ready to absorb the delicious glaze. In a large bowl, whisk together the bourbon, brown sugar, soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, garlic, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper to create the flavorful glaze. Preheat your oven or fire up the grill to get ready for the main event. Add the chicken wings to the glaze and toss to coat them evenly. Arrange the wings on a baking sheet or grill grates, making sure they have enough space to crisp up. Bake or grill the wings, turning and basting them with the remaining glaze occasionally, until they are golden brown and the sauce has caramelized. This process will create the perfect balance of crispiness and sticky, flavor-packed goodness. For an extra touch of smoky, charred flavor, you can finish the wings under the broiler for a minute or two, keeping a close eye to prevent burning. This final step will elevate the wings and give them a mouthwatering, lush appearance.
Recipe Variations & Tips
- Spice Level: Add a sprinkle of cayenne pepper or a dash of your favorite hot sauce to amp up the heat.
- Crunchy Texture: Coat the wings in panko breadcrumbs before baking or grilling for an extra crispy finish.
- Substitute Liquor: Try using whiskey, brandy, or even a touch of maple syrup in place of the bourbon.
- Chicken Thighs: Swap out the chicken wings for boneless, skinless chicken thighs for a juicier, more indulgent experience.
Serving & Storage
Serve with: celery sticks, carrot sticks, and your favorite dipping sauces like ranch or blue cheese.
Storage: Store any leftover wings in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheat: Gently reheat the wings in the oven or air fryer until warm and crispy.
Make-Ahead: Prepare the glaze in advance and store it in the refrigerator until ready to toss with the wings and bake or grill.
Nutrition Information
These bourbon glazed chicken wings are a delightful indulgence that can be enjoyed as part of a balanced diet. Each serving provides a hearty dose of protein from the chicken, while the glaze offers a satisfying combination of sweet and savory flavors. Remember to practice portion control and savor every bite to fully appreciate the velvety, lush experience.
- Serving Size: 5 wings
- Calories: 420 kcal
- Protein: 32 g
- Carbs: 22 g
- Fat: 24 g
- Sodium: 890 mg
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use boneless, skinless chicken thighs instead of wings?
Absolutely! Feel free to swap out the chicken wings for boneless, skinless chicken thighs. The cooking time may need to be adjusted, but the same delicious bourbon glaze will work wonders on the juicy, flavorful thigh meat.
How can I make these wings extra crispy?
To achieve an extra crispy texture, consider tossing the wings in a small amount of flour or cornstarch before adding the glaze. You can also try baking them on a wire rack set over a baking sheet, allowing the air to circulate around the wings for maximum crispiness.
Can I make these wings in an air fryer?
Yes, you can definitely make these bourbon glazed chicken wings in an air fryer! Toss the wings in the glaze, then arrange them in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Cook at 400°F for 18-22 minutes, flipping and basting with the remaining glaze halfway through.
Do I have to use bourbon, or can I substitute another type of liquor?
While bourbon provides a unique and sophisticated flavor profile, you can certainly experiment with other types of liquor, such as whiskey, brandy, or even rum. Keep in mind that the final flavor will vary depending on the spirit you choose, so feel free to adjust the other ingredients to complement your preferred liquor.
Can I make these wings in advance?
For best results, it’s recommended to assemble and cook the wings just before serving. However, you can prepare the glaze in advance and store it in the refrigerator until ready to use. When ready to serve, toss the wings in the glaze and bake or grill as directed.
Try These Next
- smoky bbq bacon glazed chicken wings
- sweet and smoky maple bourbon milkshake bliss
- sweet and savory maple glazed chicken skewers
Sweet and Smoky Bourbon Glazed Chicken Wings
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 60 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: 🔥 BBQ, Grilling & Smokehouse
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: American
Description
These sweet and smoky bourbon glazed chicken wings are perfect for your next barbecue. The bourbon glaze adds a rich flavor that will impress your guests.
Ingredients
– 2 lbs chicken wings
– 1/2 cup bourbon
– 1/4 cup soy sauce
– 1/4 cup brown sugar
– 2 tablespoons honey
– 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
– 1 teaspoon garlic powder
– 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
– 1/2 teaspoon salt
– Green onions for garnish
Instructions
1. Preheat your grill to medium-high heat.
2. Prepare the chicken wings by patting them dry with paper towels.
3. In a bowl, mix bourbon, soy sauce, brown sugar, honey, smoked paprika, garlic powder, black pepper, and salt to create the glaze.
4. Coat the wings with the glaze and let them marinate for at least 30 minutes.
5. Place the wings on the grill and cook for about 25-30 minutes, turning occasionally.
6. Brush the wings with more glaze while they cook.
7. Once cooked through and crispy, remove from the grill and garnish with chopped green onions.
8. Serve hot and enjoy!
Notes
For extra flavor, let the wings marinate overnight in the glaze. Adjust the sweetness of the glaze by adding more or less brown sugar and honey to taste.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 wings
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
Keywords: chicken wings, bourbon glaze, BBQ wings, grilled wings