Crispy Smoked Chicken Wings on a Pit Boss (In 7 Simple Steps)

My crispy skin smoked chicken wings are perfect for weekend cookouts, watching the game, or a quick weeknight dinner.

I love pairing my chicken wings with my favorite hot sauce, and an ice-cold beer!

When I am feeling lazy I have them with some crusty fresh bread.

Or if I have time, I have them with my EPIC smoked mac and cheese and corn on the cob!

Jump Straight To The Crispy Smoked Pit Boss Chicken Wings Recipe
Pellet Grill Chicken Wings

What to Look for When Buying Your Wings

Look for big fleshy wings. It will ensure the meat is juicy and moist.

The fat will help melt during smoking and prevent the skin from drying out.

As a result, you will get yummy crispy smoked chicken wings that won’t be dry over slow cooking.

Crispy Smoked Pit Boss Chicken Wings Recipe

Taking your chicken wings to the next level is as easy as smoking them on the pit boss pellet grill.

Most pellet smoker grills give you the flexibility for smoking, grilling or using the rotisserie.

This makes it the perfect cooking gadget for chicken wings.

You can smoke chicken wings whole or cut into three parts – the drumette, the flat, and the tip.

Step 1: Pre-heat The Grill

Preheat grill on medium heat (around 350-375F) for 6-8 minutes.

Heating The Pit Boss Grill

Top up with your desired flavor of wood pellets, ensuring there’s enough for the full cook.

During the cooking, running out partway will give inconsistent temperatures and rubbery wings.

Step 2: Prepare The Chicken

Blot the wings with paper towels to remove excess moisture on the skin.

Note: You can brine your chicken wings for that little extra moisture.

Brush olive oil over the entire skin, this will help tenderize the chicken.

Preparing Chicken Wings

Step 3: Season The Wings

Mix the baking powder and seasoning for the chicken rub in a bowl or sealed bag.

The baking powder gives a wonderfully crispy skin. You can also use the baking powder on turkey skin to get it crisp!

But make sure it’s baking powder as the soda will leave an unpleasant metallic taste.

Throw in the dry chicken wings and coat with seasoning.

Also, ensure that a thick layer covers all the surfaces. You should do this before cooking.

Step 4: Place In The Grill

Spread the wings out on the grill plate.

Wings On Pellet Grill

The secret to a consistent cook is to have enough space between the wings for the smoke to circulate, both for an even smoky flavor and more efficient cook time.

Step 5: What Temperature Should You Smoke Wings At?

You want to smoke wings at a temperature between 225°F-250°F.

The lower the temperature, the more smoke you’ll produce.

So set it at a temperature you’re comfortable with and whatever your time limit permits.

The beauty of a pellet grill is that it cooks at a consistent temperature.

Take care when opening and closing the grill lid, not to let too much heat escape.

How Long Does it Take to Cook Chicken Wings in The Pit Boss? (Simple Time Frame)

It takes 2 hours to cook chicken wings in a pellet smoker at 225°F

However, the cooking times will vary, depending on the size of the wings and the grill temperature.

With the grill around 225°F, you want to cook the wings for 2 hours or until the wings have an internal temperature of 165°F

At the higher temperature of 350°F, you’re looking at around 15 minutes to get them crispy

Step 6: How to Know When The Wings are Ready?

When the internal temperature of the chicken wings reaches 165°F-175°F, the wings will be ready to eat

However, It can be tricky to tell when chicken wings are cooked!

Especially when they are covered in a rub and sauce!

The best and safest way to check is to use a meat temperature probe rather than a specific time.

Make sure you probe away from the bone, as this will give a differing result to the flesh.

Pellet Grill Wings

Step 7: Serve It Up

Remove from the wings grill when the internal temperature reaches the 165°F

Take care to check each one, as the size is often inconsistent, and cooking times vary.

Wings On Pit Boss

What Sides Are Good With Chicken Wings?

Chicken wings are great on their own as finger food.

Or turned into a meal when dressed up with a fresh salad, cooked vegetables, fresh corn, or potato dishes.

We love ranch dressing on our wings or a hot sauce goes perfectly on smoked wings too!

So experiment with new sides to complement your chicken wing recipe.

Should You Spritz Chicken Wings?

Yes you can spritz chicken wings.

See the delicious liquids you can use to spray your chicken wings here.

Need a Wing Alternative

Looking for an alternative for chicken wings? Sometimes the price for wings is outrageous

See some substitutes for chicken wings here

What Wood Flavor Pellets To Use for Chicken Wings?

Our favorite wood pellets for chicken wings is cherry wood or apple wood.

There is a huge variety of wood pellets available these days, from individual wood flavors to mixed blends.

The sweeter, fruitier flavors combine well with the delicate flavors of the chicken

Apple, maple, and cherry will give the flavor of smoke without overpowering the chicken’s natural goodness.

The stronger bolder flavors are much better suited to red meats.

But depending on the taste you want to achieve.

But these stronger flavors can also make for used for mouth-watering wings.

In no time, you’ll have tasty finger food or a new favorite family dinner.

You can prepare the wings evening before and throw in the smoker for those nights when you are short on time.

pit boss smoked chicken wings

Side Dishes for Smoked Chicken

Secret Sauce Baked Beans

Smoked Cream Cheese

Smoked Mac & Cheese

Click here for more smoked chicken sides.

How To Make Crispy Smoked Pit Boss Chicken Wings Recipe

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3.67 from 3 votes

Crispy Smoked Pit Boss Chicken Wings Recipe

I love making smoked crispy chicken wings. There are a few reasons why this is my favorite dish to cook. First, the flavor is amazing. The smoky taste of crispy coating on the chicken combined with my favorite sauce creates a delicious flavor that is hard to beat. Second, they are really easy to make and don't take much time and effort.
Prep Time15 mins
Cook Time45 mins
Resting Time10 mins
Total Time1 hr
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: grill
Servings: 5 People
Calories: 325kcal
Author: Charlie
Cost: 8

Equipment

  • Grill

Ingredients

  • Chicken wings – source from a butcher for the biggest, juiciest wings.
  • BBQ Seasoning – chicken and poultry rub is perfect.
  • Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • Dash of Salt and Black Pepper to season
  • Baking Powder (NOT baking soda!)

Instructions

  • Preheat grill a medium heat (around 350-375F) for 6-8 minutes. Top up with your desired flavor wood pellets, ensuring there's enough for the full cook.
  • Blot the defrosted wings with paper towels to remove excess moisture on the skin. Brush olive oil over the entire skin.
  • Mix the baking powder and seasoning in a bowl or clip seal bag because the baking powder gives a crispy skin. Throw in the dry chicken wings and coat with seasoning. Also, ensure that a thick layer covers all the surfaces.
  • Spread the wings out on the grill plate. To get a consistent cook, make sure there is enough space between the wings for the smoke.
  • Close the grill cover and cook at a steady temperature range of anywhere to between 225-250F. The lower the temperature, the more smoke you'll produce. So set it at a temperature you're comfortable with and whatever your time limit permits.
  • The cooking times will vary, depending on the size of the wings and the grill temperature. When running the grill at 225°F, it'll take 2 hours to an hour to cook. At the higher temperature of 350°F, you're looking at around 45 minutes. Flip the wings halfway through the cook for an even crisp.
  • When the internal temperature reaches 165°F-175°F, the wings will be ready to eat.
  • Remove from the grill when the internal temperature reaches the right range. Take care to check each one, as the size is inconsistent, and cooking times vary.

I absolutely love smoked crispy chicken wings!

They are one of my favorite dishes to cook because of the amazing flavor and the easy preparation.

I highly recommend giving this recipe a try if you are looking for an amazing and healthy dish to cook up.

Smoke On!

Charlie

Author: Charlie Reeves
Hi, I’m Charlie, I am head taste tester at Simply Meat Smoking! I love it grilling, smoking, and getting out in the yard with the kids! The family also love to test all my recipes (especially my EXTRA CRISPY pulled pork, smoky pork loin, and ANY SEAFOOD I grill)

You will usually find me playing with the kids, perfecting my brisket bark, or sipping beers with boys around the fire. Can’t wait to share all my delicious smoking and grilling adventures with you!

You can read more on our About Us page.

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9 thoughts on “Crispy Smoked Chicken Wings on a Pit Boss (In 7 Simple Steps)”

  1. Charlie, In the previous comment you stated 1 part baking powder to 3-4 parts salt !? …Don’t you mean 3-4 parts RUB?
    Thanks in advance…

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