My BBQ chicken wings are cooked then broiled to get that sticky, caramelized and crispy coating. They’re made with just 5 simple ingredients, making them super easy too!
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Getting that Perfect Crispy Skin on BBQ Chicken Wings
There’s nothing worse than biting into BBQ chicken wings with no crispness or tenderness to it. So I tested and tested this recipe until it gave that perfect crispy bite full of BBQ and juicy chicken flavor.
My husband Ben is from Buffalo and one thing Buffalo knows how to do is get that crispy wing. And that holds true not only when making buffalo wings, but when making BBQ wings too.
The crispiness and caramelization is what sets these wings apart. I use a simple marinating trick along with broiling them at the end of cooking that gets them crispier and tastier than any other BBQ chicken wings recipe you’ve ever tried. And, we eat a ton of wings in my house, so I know.
My favorite part? These BBQ chicken wings literally only 5 ingredients. I even use store bought BBQ sauce to make things easier for this delicious game day food and appetizer.
And, if there’s one thing you take away from this to always get an extra crispy wing, it’s to marinate your wings uncovered and broil them at the end. It’s barely any extra work (and no plastic wrap used), and makes the wings 5x better.
If you’re making a super small batch of wings, I recommend using my air fryer bbq chicken wings because air fryer chicken wings can get nice and crispy in less time. Or if it’s the summer, get the chicken wings on the grill if it’s already being used anyway!
Baked BBQ Chicken Wings Ingredients
- Chicken wings – I use 3 pounds of flats and drumettes for this recipe. They have the perfect texture and the best balance of skin, fat, and meat on them.
- Olive oil – Helps the seasoning stick while also allowing the chicken to brown and crisp up beautifully. Any neutral cooking oil will also work.
- Salt – Enhances the natural flavor of the chicken. My preference is Kosher salt as it adds a balanced flavor without being overpowering.
- Black pepper – Adds subtle, peppery warmth and depth to each bite.
- Barbecue sauce – Gives the chicken wings a tangy, smoky, and sweet flavor. I am partial to Sweet Baby Ray’s because I love the sweetness it brings into the BBQ wings too.
How to Make BBQ Chicken Wings
STEP ONE: In a large bowl, toss the chicken with olive oil, salt, and pepper until fully seasoned.
STEP TWO: Next, pour ¼ cup of barbecue sauce over the wings, mix until evenly coated, then arrange the wings in a single layer on a baking sheet. Refrigerate for 1 hour, uncovered.
STEP THREE: While the chicken marinates, preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
STEP FOUR: Bake the wings for 30 minutes, then flip with tongs and brush with ⅓ cup of barbecue sauce. Return the wings to the oven for 30 more minutes, until they have turned golden brown.
STEP FIVE: Remove the wings from the oven, brush them with the remaining ⅔ cup of barbecue sauce, then broil for 2 to 3 minutes until they have a sticky, caramelized finish.
STEP SIX: Allow the BBQ wings to rest for 5 minutes before serving. Serve with sauces or sides and enjoy!
Recipe Tips
- I use a paper towel to pat the wings dry before starting. Removing the excess moisture helps the skin crisp up nicely.
- Don’t skip the oil coating! It not only helps the seasoning stick but also promotes browning.
- Leave the wings uncovered in the fridge while marinating. This is my best tip to dry out the skin and improve crispiness. I use this method in my baked chicken wings recipe.
- I always keep a close eye on the wings as they broil. The sugar in the barbecue sauce can go from caramelized to burnt on the BBQ chicken wings in a quick minute.
Variations and Substitutions
- Use another kind of chicken. Just keep in mind that the cooking time will depend on the size and if they have joints or not. I’ve made BBQ chicken legs, thighs, you name it with great success.
- Make them spicy and sweet. I love adding a little of my hot honey sauce recipe to the recipe toward the end to give the BBQ wings a little kick.
- Use a homemade BBQ sauce. I love using store bought BBQ sauce in a pinch, but when I have a little extra time, I always make my 3 ingredient BBQ sauce.
- Use a different sauce. My honey garlic sauce recipe gets that same sticky and caramelization using this method.
What to Serve with BBQ Chicken Wings in the Oven
I love serving these barbecue wings with jalapeno poppers for a perfectly sweet and spicy combination. Pulled pork nachos and roast beef sliders are great additions for parties or game day, and my kids love their wings with a side of air fryer pizza or air fryer French bread pizza.
And of course, these BBQ chicken wings also taste delicious with French fries, celery, carrots, and blue cheese dressing (which is far superior to wings than with ranch).
BBQ Chicken Wings FAQs
Can I make BBQ wings in the air fryer?
Absolutely! This BBQ chicken wings recipe also turns out incredible in the air fryer. I cook them at 375-400 F for about 20 to 25 minutes, flip them halfway, then add the sauce a few minutes before they’re done. I have a full recipe for air fryer BBQ chicken wings on the site.
How do I know BBQ wings are done?
The bbq chicken wings are ready once it’s turned brown and reached a safe internal temperature of 165 degrees F. I recommend using a meat thermometer to check!
How should I store leftovers?
Leftover bbq chicken wings can be transferred to an airtight container and refrigerated for up to 4 days. If I want to store them any longer, they can be frozen for up to 3 months.
How do I reheat leftovers?
My favorite way to reheat baked BBQ wings is in the oven at 375 F. They’ll be crispy and warm again in about 10 to 15 minutes.
If you’ve made these BBQ chicken wings, I would love to know what you think! Leaving a comment and rating helps others find this recipe too. Thank you!
More Easy Appetizer Recipes
Sticky Baked BBQ Chicken Wings
Ingredients
- 3 pounds chicken wings flats and drumettes
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 1/4 cups BBQ sauce divided
Instructions
- Place the chicken wings in a large bowl and drizzle them with oil, salt, and pepper and toss until they're fully coated.
- Mix in 1/4 BBQ sauce until they're fully coated. Place the wings on a baking sheet lined with foil and spritzed with oil, then let them chill in the fridge, uncovered, for 30 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
- Bake the wings for 30 minutes then flip them and brush on 1/3 cup of BBQ sauce. Bake them for another 30 minutes, until they are cooked through.
- Brush the remaining BBQ on the wings then turn the oven to broil. Let the wings broil for 2-3 minutes, watching them closely, until the sauce is sticky and caramelized.
- Remove them from the oven and let the wings rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Nutrition
This nutrition information is based on the exact products I used in this recipe. Brands and sizes of products could alter exact nutrition and should always be calculated independently.
