How Long Does It Take to Barbecue Chicken Wings: The Complete Guide

People love chicken wings as a snack for a good reason: when cooked right, they’re crispy, juicy, and full of flavor. But it can be hard to get the grilling just right. Undercook them and you’ll end up with chewy, flabby wings. If you cook them too long, the wings will be dry, blackened, and tough. How long does it take to grill chicken wings just right? Read on for the full story.

Average Grilling Times for Chicken Wings

• Whole wings take around 20-25 minutes to grill over direct medium heat, flipping halfway.
• Using indirect heat first then direct heat yields juicy, tender wings in 30-40 minutes.
• Larger drumettes and wingettes may need 5 minutes more than smaller wings.
• Parcooking via baking or boiling reduces grilling time by 5-10 minutes.

Most of the time, cooking chicken wings over direct medium heat for 20 to 25 minutes gets the skins crispy and the wings are cooked through. Using indirect heat on a gas or charcoal grill for most of the cooking time and then finishing over direct heat takes 30 to 40 minutes more but makes the meat very tender and juicy.

Proper Internal Temperature

The safest way to ensure chicken wings are fully cooked is to check the internal temperature in the thickest part with an instant read thermometer. Chicken should reach 165°F internally for food safety For crisper skin and texture, cook up to 175-180°F.

Visual Doneness Cues

In addition to temperature, check for these signs of perfectly barbecued wings

• Skin is crispy and golden brown
• Meat has shrunk back from the ends of the bones
• Juices run clear when pierced
• Wings easily twist apart at the joints

Tips for Perfect Wings Every Time

Follow these tips for flawless wings off the grill every time:

• Dry wings thoroughly and coat with oil for crispy skin
• Use indirect heat for most of the cook time
• Flip frequently, every 5-7 minutes
• Move over direct heat at the end to crisp skin
• Brine or marinate for extra juicy, seasoned meat
• Apply sauce glaze just at the end to avoid burning or sogginess

Key Factors in Grilling Time Variations

Several factors can increase or decrease the time it takes to grill chicken wings to perfection:

• Temperature of grill: Hotter grills will cook wings faster than lower heat.
• Direct vs indirect heat: Direct heat crisps the skin faster than indirect.
• Whole vs cut up: Whole wings take longer than separated drumettes and flats.
• Size of wings: Larger wings need more time than smaller wings.
• Pre-cooking: Parboiling or baking first reduces grill time.
• Macerating: Marinating in an acidic liquid tenderizes, reducing grill time slightly.

To get crispy skin and juicy meat, chicken wings need to be cooked over both direct and indirect heat at the same time. Cooking times depend on things like temperature and how the wings were prepared, but 20 to 40 minutes is a good range for wings that are done. With these grilling tips and a thermometer, you can always make wings that make your mouth water. You can grill chicken wings like a pro in no time if you know how!