Bourbon BBQ Smoked Chicken Wings
User Reviews
4.8
Bourbon BBQ Smoked Chicken Wings
Description
The chicken wings are patted dry and tossed in vegetable oil before being massaged with a sweet and smoky chicken rub. Hickory wood pellets provide a smoky aroma when the wings are placed in the smoker set to the SMOKE setting. The wings absorb the wood smoke flavor as they cook. Meanwhile, the bourbon BBQ sauce is prepared by sautéing minced onion and garlic in olive oil, then simmering with bourbon, tomato paste, ketchup, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, liquid smoke, and spices until thick and flavorful. The sauce is then strained for smoothness.
The combination of smoking and coating the wings in this sauce gives them a balanced sweet-and-smoky taste with a rich, sticky finish. The wings develop a tender inside with a flavorful exterior crust from the rub and smoke. They are great for gatherings or casual meals.
For extra crispy skin, wings can be dried uncovered in the refrigerator before cooking or broiled briefly after smoking. Leftover sauce stores well refrigerated for several weeks.
Ingredients
WINGS
- 4 lbs chicken wings patted dry
- chicken rub or your favorite store-bought rub, sweet and smoky
- 2 Tbsp vegetable oil
- hickory wood pellets
BOURBON BBQ SAUCE
- 1/2 medium onion finely minced, sweet yellow
- 5 cloves garlic , finely minced
- 1/2 cup bourbon use a good quality
- 1/4 cup tomato paste
- 2 cups ketchup
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar packed
- 1/3 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
- 2 Tbsp liquid smoke
- 1/2 Tbsp kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
- hot sauce optional, a few dashes
Instructions
BOURBON BBQ SAUCE
- Add a drizzle of olive oil to a saucepan over MED heat. Add onion and garlic and cook about 5 minutes. Add in bourbon and continue cooking about 3 minutes.
- Add tomato paste and whisk to break it up. Add all remaining sauce ingredients and whisk to combine. Increase heat to MED-HIGH and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to MED-LOW or LOW and simmer for about 15-20 minutes.
- Pour sauce through a fine mesh sieve to strain out onion and garlic pieces if you like a smooth, glossy sauce. Set aside and cool. Store leftover bbq sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2-3 weeks.
SMOKE CHICKEN WINGS
- Pat chicken wings dry with a clean paper towel. Add wings to a large mixing bowl and toss with vegetable oil. Add rub and massage into the wings, making sure each wing is coated.
- Add hickory wood pellets to hopper. Turn on smoker, open lid and set to the SMOKE setting. Heat on SMOKE, with the lid open, for 5-10 minutes, until very smoky. Add chicken wings to oiled grill grates, set smoker to 250 F degrees. Close smoker lid and smoke for 2 hours 30 minutes, or until chicken wings reach an internal temperature of 165 F degrees. Use an instant read meat thermometer to insure accurate cooking temperatures.
- Change smoker setting to HIGH and baste chicken wings on both sides with bourbon bbq sauce. Cook wings for 5 minutes, then flip them over and cook 3-5 minutes on the other side.
- Select SHUT DOWN on smoker and remove chicken wings to a foil or parchment lined plate or baking sheet. Let rest 5-10 minutes. Turn smoker off and unplug it.
- Eat wings as is, or brushed with additional bbq sauce. Dip in blue cheese or ranch dressing and serve with celery and carrots for a traditional experience.
Notes
- Dry uncooked wings uncovered in the refrigerator for several hours or overnight to help crisp the skin when cooked.
- If using a smoker brand other than Traeger, adjust settings accordingly as times and temperatures may vary.
- For extra crispiness, broil cooked wings on high for a few minutes before serving.
- Store leftover bourbon BBQ sauce in an airtight container refrigerated for up to 2-3 weeks.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 6servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 631 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 631kcal | 32% |
| Carbohydrates | 44g | 15% |
| Protein | 31g | 62% |
| Fat | 30g | 46% |
| Saturated Fat | 11g | 55% |
| Cholesterol | 125mg | 42% |
| Sodium | 1642mg | 68% |
| Potassium | 753mg | 16% |
| Sugar | 37g | 74% |
| Vitamin A | 855IU | 17% |
| Vitamin C | 9.1mg | 10% |
| Calcium | 68mg | 7% |
| Iron | 3mg | 17% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.8
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