Glorious 4-Step Honey BBQ Grilled Chicken Wings

Who doesn’t love that sticky, smoky, slightly sweet flavor explosion that only truly great BBQ brings? If you’re dreaming of the perfect summer cookout food, stop right there! We’re making the absolute best Honey BBQ Grilled Chicken Wings today. Seriously, these are game-changers for any backyard party menu. They hit all the savory, sweet notes without any fuss once they hit those hot grates.

I remember the first time I made these wings. It was during a summer barbecue with my friends, and I was determined to impress everyone with a dish that felt totally indulgent but still fit my balanced lifestyle goals. As I mixed the spiced rub and that sweet glaze together, the sizzle of the wings hitting the grill instantly brought everyone closer. That first bite—tender chicken coated in a sticky, glorious glaze—had my friends raving! I knew right then that healthy eating didn’t mean sacrificing big flavor. That day, it reignited my passion for making food that satisfies everyone at the table.

Why You Will Love These Honey BBQ Grilled Chicken Wings

Honestly, sometimes you just need a classic crowd-pleaser, and this recipe delivers every single time. Forget babysitting an oven or worrying about limp skin. When you make these fantastic Honey BBQ Grilled Chicken Wings, you get pure summer joy!

• The flavor is completely unmatched—that smoky char from the grill mixes perfectly with sweet honey. It’s just heaven!
• Cleanup is surprisingly easy! Since everything happens right on your grill grates, your kitchen stays cool and tidy.
• These make the absolute best summer cookout food; seriously, the smell alone brings people running from three houses away.
• The dual-saucing method keeps the chicken incredibly moist inside while building a fantastic, sticky caramelization on the outside.
• They are sturdy enough for dipping! We always serve ours with a cool ranch or blue cheese dip—perfect for piling onto your backyard party menu.
• You can find tons more amazing, easy-to-make grilled chicken recipes over on my main recipe index right here: Check Out More Favorites!

Essential Ingredients for Perfect Honey BBQ Grilled Chicken Wings

You know I’m all about making things simple, but for amazing grilled chicken recipes, you can’t skimp on quality ingredients. The flavors here are bold, smoky, and that sweet glaze—oh, that glaze! Getting these components just right ensures your wings aren’t just good; they’re legendary. We need two main ingredient piles: what goes on the bird, and what you dip it into later. Trust me on the seasoning brand, too; it makes a huge difference in the final result!

For the Honey BBQ Wings

• You’ll need 4 pounds of chicken wings, and this is important: make sure they’re broken down into the drummettes and the flats. It cooks them much more evenly on the grill!
• Grab 1 tablespoon of Head Country BBQ Championship Original Seasoning for the dry rub. This is what gets that first layer of smoky flavor locked in.
• You’ll need 1 full cup of Head Country Honey BBQ Sauce. We use some of this during cooking and the rest for the final sticky toss.

For the Creamy Dipping Sauce

This sauce cools down the heat just perfectly and adds a nice tang. It’s so easy, you’ll be whipping it up while the grill is heating up.

• Start with 1/2 cup of good quality mayonnaise.
• Add an equal amount: 1/2 cup of sour cream.
• You only need 2 tablespoons of milk to help thin it out just enough for dipping.
• And finally, another 1 tablespoon of Head Country BBQ Championship Original Seasoning to tie the dip flavor back to the wings!

Step-by-Step Instructions for Honey BBQ Grilled Chicken Wings

Okay, get excited! This is where the magic happens, turning simple seasoned wings into sticky, glorious barbecue masterpieces. Following these steps means you’ll get that perfect crispy skin without fighting flare-ups or ending up with burnt sauce. Remember that dual-saucing technique we talked about? That’s my secret weapon for incredible texture, and it’s key to making these some of the best grilled chicken recipes you’ve tried!

Preparing the Grill and Seasoning the Wings

First things first: you need heat! Get your grill preheated up to high heat—we are aiming right around 400˚F. Give those grates a good, firm scrubbing and an oil brush down so nothing sticks when things get caramelized later. While that’s heating, dump your beautiful, divided wings into a big bowl. Sprinkle over that tablespoon of Head Country seasoning and toss them around like you mean it. You want every single piece coated evenly before they even think about seeing the flame.

Grilling Techniques for Crispy Honey BBQ Grilled Chicken Wings

Lay those seasoned wings right onto the hot grates. Close the lid and let them cook for a full 30 minutes. This slow and steady approach helps render out the fat and crisp up the skin. Make sure you flip them once halfway through so they brown nicely on both sides. You have to check that internal temperature—we are looking for 165˚F before we add any extra sugars! Once they hit that temp, brush on about a third of your cup of BBQ sauce. Close the lid for just 5 more minutes to let that glaze set up before pulling them off.

Making the Dipping Sauce While Grilling

Aren’t you glad we prepped ahead? While those wings are doing their thing, grab a small bowl. Just quickly stir together that mayonnaise, sour cream, milk, and the final tablespoon of seasoning. Mix it until it looks perfectly creamy and uniform. Pop that dipping sauce into the fridge right away. It needs a little chill time, and who wants a warm dip with hot wings, anyway?

Final Glaze and Serving the Honey BBQ Grilled Chicken Wings

Once the wings come off the heat after that five-minute glaze, toss them immediately into a final clean, large bowl. Introduce them to the rest of that glorious, sweet BBQ sauce. Toss them gently until every wing is fully dripping and glistening. Find the recipe for my favorite crispy baked wings if you ever need an indoor backup plan! Serve these sticky beauties right away with that chilled dip. You can peek at some other great ideas for homemade grilled sauce at this recipe as well!

Expert Tips for Perfect Honey BBQ Wings Every Time

If you want truly standout wings, a few little tricks make all the difference. Since we are grilling, high heat is your friend, but watch that sugar! Because BBQ sauce has a lot of sugar, it burns fast. That’s why we only brush on the first layer close to the very end of the cook time.

Never skip oiling those grates—it’s non-negotiable for releasing perfectly caramelized wings! Also, make sure your wings are totally dry before you rub them down with the seasoning. Dry skin equals crispy skin, which is essential for these grilled chicken recipes. Trust me, taking an extra two minutes for drying pays off massively with the final texture!

Ingredient Notes and Substitution Options

Let’s talk sauce for a minute! We are using Head Country BBQ Championship Original Seasoning and their Honey BBQ Sauce because, honestly, they are fantastic and they provide that robust, smoky flavor I love. I find them reliable every single time I’m throwing something on the keto pantry staples list.

But I always hear from folks who are watching their sugar intake, and that’s totally fair! Since barbecue sauce is naturally high in sugar thanks to that honey component, if you are aiming for a very low-carb meal, you can totally swap it out.

What works really well is using a sugar-free BBQ sauce alternative. Most of those use erythritol or monk fruit extract instead of real sugar to sweeten things up. You might need to add a little extra liquid or a tiny splash of apple cider vinegar to the sugar-free sauce to thin it down to the right consistency, since they don’t caramelize exactly like the real stuff.

For the dry rub, if you can’t find that specific brand, just look for a savory, smoky blend. Paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, a little salt and pepper—mix up your own favorite all-purpose rub! The key is that savory base layer before the sticky sweet glaze goes on.

Serving Suggestions for Your Honey BBQ Grilled Chicken Wings

Okay, you’ve got these glorious, dripping Honey BBQ Grilled Chicken Wings hot off the grill. Amazing! But the feast isn’t complete without the perfect supporting cast. When you’re throwing together a killer backyard party menu, you need sides that balance that rich, sticky sweetness. Nobody wants three heavy dishes; we want crisp, fresh, and easy sides that everyone will actually eat!

Since these wings are the main event for your summer cookout food spread, think cool and bright. I love anything grilled alongside them, but nothing too saucy, as these wings are already packing all the flavor punches. If you need a quick veggie idea that requires minimal effort, check out my recipe for 5-Ingredient Caprese Skewers; they are just the pop of fresh tomato and mozzarella you need!

For something crunchy and cool to cut through the BBQ richness, you simply must have a big bowl of slaw—maybe a vinegar-based one that isn’t too rich. And if you’re serving these as an appetizer before the main meal, pair them with some classic, smoky additions to create a full plate of grilled chicken recipes appetizers. A bowl of chips and homemade dip is always a winner, but honestly, once these wings are out, people tend to focus only on those!

Storage and Reheating Honey BBQ Grilled Chicken Wings

Listen, if you somehow have leftovers, which I honestly doubt because these disappear fast, you need to store them correctly! The biggest enemy of leftover wings is sogginess—we worked so hard getting that perfect sticky glaze on the grill, we aren’t going to lose it in the fridge!

First, let them cool down completely on a wire rack if you can—don’t just throw that steamy bowl right into the fridge. Once they are totally cooled (this prevents condensation build-up), transfer them into an airtight container. They should easily last safely in the refrigerator for about three to four days. Any longer than that, and I’d start worrying about freshness, but usually, they are long gone by day two!

Now for the reheating part! Please, I beg you—do not microwave them. Microwaves are the absolute quickest way to turn that crispy skin into rubbery sadness. You want to bring back that fresh-off-the-grill texture.

The oven is your best bet for larger batches. Set your oven to about 375°F. Spread the wings out in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with foil or parchment—no overlapping! Pop them in for about 10 to 12 minutes. You might even want to give them a quick spritz of water halfway through to keep the meat from drying out too much.

If you only have a few, the air fryer is a total superhero for reheating wings! Set it to 350°F and cook them for maybe 6 or 7 minutes, shaking the basket once. They come out shockingly crispy, almost like new! It’s the perfect way to enjoy those smoky leftovers the next day.

Frequently Asked Questions About Honey BBQ Grilled Chicken Wings

I always get asked the same few things when people start trying out this recipe for their own summer cookout food adventures, especially when moving from baking to grilling! It’s totally normal to have questions, but trust me, these wings are forgiving. If you’re planning a big backyard party menu, nailing these small details will make sure your wings steal the show.

Can I make these honey bbq wings in the oven?

Oh yes, you absolutely can! While grilling gives us that signature smoky char, the oven works wonderfully if the weather is just not cooperating. For oven cooking, I usually suggest baking them on a wire rack set inside a baking sheet—this allows air to circulate underneath so they crisp up nicely! You’d bake them at about 400˚F until they are nearly done, and then hit them with that sauce glaze in the last 5 to 10 minutes, just like the grilling method. You can find my full indoor instructions if you need a refresher on the baking approach!

What internal temperature should my grilled chicken recipes reach?

This is the most important question for any recipe involving chicken! You absolutely must hit a safe internal temperature. For all poultry, including these flavorful grilled chicken recipes, the magic number is 165˚F. I use an instant-read thermometer inserted near the bone, avoiding touching the grate, of course. That’s when you know they are safe, tender, and ready to be pulled off the heat for that final sticky sauce toss.

How do I prevent the sauce from burning on the grill?

This happens because the sugars in BBQ sauce caramelize fast—too fast if you put the sauce on too early! The trick is exactly what we did in the recipe: use your dry rub first and cook the wings until they are almost done (that 165˚F check). You only brush on that first layer of sauce in the last 5 minutes of direct cooking. After that initial short window, you toss the wings completely off the heat with the rest of the sauce. That way, the heat is setting the glaze, not incinerating it!

If you’re looking for some amazing dips to serve alongside your wings that aren’t chip-based, you have got to try my recipe for wonderful Guacamole with Lime and Cilantro!

Estimated Nutritional Information for Honey BBQ Grilled Chicken Wings

When you’re planning out your day, I always think it’s helpful to have a rough idea of what’s in the amazing food you’re eating! These wings are packed with protein, which is fantastic for feeling satisfied after you demolish a plate or two at your next summer cookout food session.

Here’s the breakdown based on serving four people. Remember, this is always an estimate! The exact numbers can shift a little depending on the specific brand of mayonnaise you use or exactly how much sauce clings to the final pieces. But this gets you close!

• Calories: approximately 625 per serving
• Fat: around 44 grams
• Protein: roughly 32 grams
• Carbohydrates: about 24 grams
• Sugar: around 17 grams
• Saturated Fat: about 12 grams
• Sodium: typically 738mg

Because we are all about transparency here, I just want to remind everyone that these numbers are calculated based on specific product amounts listed in the recipe details. If you heavily modify the sauce or use a lighter sour cream, your results will naturally vary. But hey, the joy these wings bring to our backyard party menu? That’s unmeasurable!

Share Your Perfect Honey BBQ Grilled Chicken Wings Experience

Now that you’ve got your wings grilled up, smoky, sticky, and absolutely devoured—I want to hear all about it! Seriously, there is nothing better than knowing a recipe I poured my heart into made your weekend barbecue a total hit.

Did you manage to keep any for leftovers? Tell me your best reheating trick! Did the kids love them? Did they become the immediate favorite on your next backyard party menu? Don’t be shy! Drop a comment down below with your star rating and any little tweaks you made while you were at the grill. I read every single one, and I love chatting cooking strategy with you all.

If you snapped a picture of those perfect, glistening wings fresh off the heat, I’d be thrilled if you shared it on social media! Tag me so I can see your success. And hey, if you’re looking for something equally amazing to serve alongside these beauties—maybe a warm dip for everyone to graze on—you absolutely must check out my recipe for Stovetop Queso Dip. It’s creamy, cheesy, and pairs flawlessly with sticky BBQ!

Happy grilling, friends! Can’t wait to see what you cook up next!