These ultra-juicy wings are the best Grilled Chicken Wings you’ll ever make! They’re packed with flavor and couldn’t be easier to make.

This is a dry-rubbed grilled chicken wing recipe, but you can also brush them with your favorite sauce. The secret ingredient? Pickle juice in the brine! The salt and sugar makes these wings extra plum so they don’t dry out on the grill.

Perfect for summer parties, backyard BBQs, and game days–this is the only wing recipe you’ll ever need!

Juicy Grilled Chicken Wings

When it comes to wings, I’m definitely a bit of a snob! I have high standards for wings of all kinds and I’m not lying when I say this is the only grilled chicken wing recipe you’ll ever need. This is another grilling recipe from my Summer Grilling Series!

These wings have a great charred flavor from the grill and the spice blend! I always serve them with lemon or lime wedges on the side and some homemade basil ranch.

Grilled chicken wings can be really easy to dry out so there are two key elements to this recipe:

• The Brine. Since chicken is lean and the wings don’t have a ton of meat, they always benefit from a brine or a marinade. In this instance, we’re using a brine that’s half beer and half pickle juice. While the pickle juice angle may sound wild, TRUST ME HERE. The pickle juice adds flavor (don’ worry, the wings don’t end up pickled!) and ensures that they’re plump with liquid so they don’t dry out when cooking.
• Zone cooking. This is so important for grilling wings (and often just grilling in general!). If you use high heat on the grill, you’re likely to end up with charred, dried out wings. The trick is to use two different temperature zones. One side of the grill is medium-high heat and the other side is very low (or off!) if you have a high-powered grill. The wings start on the cooler side to cook through and finish on the hot side to get a bit of color and char.

Using these two tricks ensured the best, juiciest grilled chicken wings every time! For more easy summer bbq recipes, check out my Grilling Recipes.

Reasons to Love this Recipe

Quick & Easy: This is a great recipe to throw together any night of the week! While you want to brine the wings several hours in advance, the cooking process is super quick. Grilled chicken wings only take about 20-25 minutes on the grill!

Cheaper than take-out: Have you noticed how expensive wings have gotten when you order out? I’m floored every single time! Making your own grilled chicken wings is budget friendly and I love the control I have over what goes into my food.

Crispy and Juicy: These wings maintain their juicy flavor and texture while still embracing crispy skin! They’re honestly so good and you’ll be shocked at how easy they are to make.

How to Make Juicy Grilled Chicken Wings

Grilled chicken wings are an easy summer staple in our household. It’s a quick and easy dinner option when I’m short on time and it’s too hot inside to turn on the oven.

Tools Needed

• 9 x 13 Baking Dish
• Mixing Bowl
• Grill or Grill Pan

Ingredients and Substitutions

• Wings. I always opt for fresh wings, but you can definitely use frozen! Just make sure to defrost them overnight in the fridge before using.
• Beer. Go for whatever you like here! Beers with big flavor are great and since we aren’t cooking the brine, you don’t have to worry about using a hoppy beer. Use whatever you have on hand!
• Pickle juice. This is the secret ingredient to keeping grilled chicken wings extra juicy. I like a dill pickle juice, but use any that you like.
• Spice rub. You can use a pre-made grilling rub but I like to make my own. I use a mix of paprika, smoked paprika, onion, pepper, and cayenne for a little spice.
• Fresh garlic. Grating a couple of fresh garlic cloves into the rub mixture adds so much flavor.
• Lemon zest. Add a touch of citrus to your wings with just a little lemon zest. I also serve lemon wedges on the side for squeezing!
• Sauce. I went sauceless here, but you can brush your flavor sauce onto the wings as they finish cooking!

The Process

1. Brine the wings. Place the wings in a large baking dish or mixing bowl. Mix together the beer and pickle juice and pour over the wings. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, up to 8 hours.
2. Pat the wings dry. Remove the wings from the brine and pat them dry with paper towels.
3. Toss with the rub. Toss the wings with the olive oil, garlic, spices, lemon zest, salt, and pepper until they’re really well coated. You can let them sit in the rub for another couple of hours, if desired.
4. Prep your grill. Before using your grill, make sure to clean the grates of any food and debris. Lightly grease the grates with nonstick spray. Preheat your grill to where one side is medium-high heat and the other side is very low heat (or off if you have a high-powered gas grill). If you’re using charcoal, move all the hot coals to one side. Close the lid and wait until the temperature reaches 450 F.
5. Grill the wings. Start the wings on the cooler side of the grill, cover, and grill for about 15-20 minutes, turning twice, until they’re cooked through. Transfer to the hot side of the grill and cook for another 4-5 minutes, just until the outside is charred and crispy. Remove from the grill and tent lightly with foil and rest for 5 minutes before serving.
6. Serve. Serve with lemon wedges and ranch for dipping!

Recipe Tips & Tricks

Grilled chicken wings are one of my favorite summer grilling recipes and can be enjoyed as an appetizer or a main! Here are all my best tips & tricks to make delicious wings every time:

• Don’t skip the brine: If you want juicy wings that aren’t dry, do not skip the brine! It’s an integral part of the recipe and ensures that your wings don’t dry out on the grill.
• Oil the grill grates: To prevent the chicken wings from sticking to the grill, lightly oil the grates before grilling. You can use a brush or folded paper towel dipped in oil to coat the grates.
• Embrace indirect heat: Wings can easily burn on the outside while remaining undercooked on the inside. To avoid this, start by cooking the wings using indirect heat. Place them on the cooler side of the grill and close the lid. Once the wings are cooked through, move them to the hot side for crispy skin and a bit of char.
• Let them rest: Once the wings are cooked, remove them from the grill and let them rest for a few minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in more flavorful and tender wings.

Remember, grilling times can vary depending on the size of the wings and the heat of your grill, so keep an eye on them and adjust the cooking time as needed.

What to Serve with Grilled Chicken Wings

Grilled chicken wings are the main event, but what’s a great recipe without sides? Here are some of of my favorite sides to pair with these juicy grilled chicken wings:

• Hawaiian-style Mac Salad
• Dressed-up Baked Beans
• Sweet Potato Fries
• Creamy Pesto Pasta Salad
• Lemon-Dill Rice
• Creamy Spinach and Feta Orzo

Storage & Reheating Instructions

1. Storing Grilled Chicken Wings:
   • Allow the grilled chicken wings to cool down to room temperature before storing them.
   • Place the wings in an airtight container or wrap them tightly with plastic wrap to prevent air exposure and moisture loss.
   • Store the wings in the refrigerator. They can typically be stored for up to 3-4 days.
2. Reheating Grilled Chicken Wings:
   • It’s best to reheat grilled chicken wings in the oven or on a grill for the best results. Avoid using the microwave, as it can make the wings rubbery.
   • Preheat your oven to around 350°F. If using a grill, heat it to medium heat.
   • Place the wings on a baking sheet or grill grate, ensuring they are evenly spaced.
   • Reheat the wings in the oven for about 10-15 minutes or on the grill for 5-7 minutes, flipping them once halfway through. This will help crisp up the skin and heat the wings through.

Additional Tips:

1. If you’ve got an air fryer, that’s my favorite way to reheat wings! Set the temperature to 425 F and cook in a single layer for 5-7 minutes.
2. If the wings appear dry after reheating, you can brush them with a little sauce or melted butter to add moisture and enhance flavor.

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These ultra-juicy and flavorful Grilled Chicken Wings are a must at your next backyard BBQ! They’re also perfect for a quick and easy weeknight meal or game day appetizer. If you do give them a try, be sure to let me know! Leave a comment with a star rating below. Be sure to subscribe to my weekly newsletter and never miss a new recipe! You can also snap a photo & tag @JENNYGOYCOCHEA on Instagram. I LOVE hearing about & seeing your SMF creations!

More Summer Grilling Recipes to Try Now

Grilled Coffee-Rubbed Tri-Tip
Grilled Beer Brats
Best Beer Can Chicken
Grilled Ribeye with Shishito Salsa
Grilled Pork Tenderloin with Chimichurri

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