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Fabulous, easy Bourbon Spice Grilled Chicken Wings are marinated in a spice rub, then grilled and slathered in a luscious bourbon barbecue sauce.

Delicious Bourbon Spice Grilled Chicken Wings
Are you doing any grilling this summer? Maybe for the 4th of July holiday? If so, I’d like to suggest that you add these amazing Bourbon Spice Grilled Chicken Wings to your menu.
These are very easy to make and delicious to eat! First, coat the wings with our Spice Rub for Chicken and refrigerate overnight so that the flavors can marinate into the chicken.
While the chicken marinates, make a batch of our terrific homemade Bourbon Barbecue Sauce – a zesty sauce that I personally think my husband Jack should bottle and sell – it’s that good.
When you’re ready to eat – grill the wings and once they’re cooked, place them in a large bowl with some of the bourbon barbecue sauce and toss the wings until evenly coated. Then, grill the wings for a just a few more minutes to caramelize that wonderful sauce – and you’re ready to eat. (Be sure to have lots of napkins on hand too!)
Serving Suggestion
These Bourbon Spice Grilled Chicken Wings even taste good with just the spice rub – so adding the sauce is actually optional.
For some variety, you could grill some wings with and without the added bourbon barbecue sauce. Then have some of the sauce in a bowl on the side for dipping.
Why You’ll Love Bourbon Spice Grilled Chicken Wings
- This chicken wing recipe is super easy to make – in fact, most of the prep time is hands-off time spent marinating the chicken in the spice rub.
- The combination of spices in the dry rub and the luscious bourbon barbecue sauce are absolutely fantastic with chicken.
Reader Review
“Most excellent. Made these last night. The dry rub is terrific and finishing the wings off on the grill with the sauce gives a sweetness to the spice. Recommend.” -Carlo
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
- Chicken Wings – We recommend that you buy fresh, plump chicken wings (not frozen) and cut them into drumettes and wingettes yourself. If you can only find frozen chicken wings at the supermarket, be sure they are a quality brand and nice and plump.
- Spice Rub for Chicken – Prepare our homemade spice rub following this recipe.
- Bourbon Barbecue Sauce – Follow this recipe to make your own homemade sauce.
Special Tools You’ll Need
- Cutting Board & Sharp Knife
- Measuring Cups
- 2 Large Bowls
- Gallon Zipper Seal Bag
- Grill
- Paper Towels
- Long-Handled Tongs
How do I make Bourbon Spice Grilled Chicken Wings?
- Cut the tip off each chicken wing, then separate into drumettes and wingettes.
- Place chicken pieces in a large bowl and sprinkle with the spice rub. Toss to evenly coat.
- Place the spice-coated chicken into a large zipper seal bag and refrigerate overnight.
- Prepare the Bourbon Barbecue Sauce.
- When ready to serve, heat the grill to medium-high heat.
- Grill the chicken wings until fully cooked.
- Place in a bowl and coat with the prepared barbecue sauce.
- Return the wings to the grill just long enough to caramelize the sauce.
- Serve immediately with more sauce on the side.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I make Bourbon Spice Grilled Chicken Wings ahead of time? – As part of making this recipe, you will marinate the chicken overnight in a spice rub before grilling them. For the best juicy texture and flavor, you’ll want to grill these wings just before serving.
- Can I bake these chicken wings instead of grilling? Yes, you can bake these. We suggest an oven temp of 425 degrees F (bake not broil) and bake them until cooked through. Then, you can put the wings under the broiler for just a minute to get some caramelization after tossing in the sauce. Keep an eye on the timing – it will likely vary from the grilling instructions in our recipe below.
- How do I store any leftovers? Refrigerate in a covered container for up to three days.
- How do I reheat the leftovers? Warm individual portions in the microwave. Be careful not to over cook as you reheat the wings.
These Bourbon Spice Chicken Wings originally appeared on A Family Feast in 2013. We’ve update the post and photos but the delicious recipe remains the same.
You might like these other Chicken Wing Recipes
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Bourbon Spice Grilled Chicken Wings
Fabulous, easy Bourbon Spice Grilled Chicken Wings are marinated in a spice rub, then grilled and slathered in a luscious bourbon barbecue sauce.
Ingredients
4 to 5 pounds fresh chicken wings (approximately 14–16 wings) – Note: Do not use frozen chicken wings for this recipe
1/3 cup of our Spice Rub for Chicken
1 cup of our Bourbon Barbecue Sauce, plus extra for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Remove wing tips and freeze for stock or other recipes. Remove wingette from drumette by holding the wing like a V with drum portion completely vertical and cutting straight down at base of drumette. The joint will separate without cutting the bone. Or if you prefer whole wings, skip this step and just move to next step.
- Place wing pieces into a large bowl. Pour the Spice Rub over the chicken wings. Toss to coat and place into a gallon zip lock bag and refrigerate overnight.
- Prepare your Bourbon Barbecue Sauce while the chicken marinates.
- Heat half of your grill to medium high heat and leave the other half at a low temperature. Using a vegetable oil-soaked paper towel, oil the grill grates. Place the chicken wings in a single layer over the hot side, cover and cook until char marks occur (4-5 minutes), then flip and continue to cook with the grill cover closed for another 4-5 minutes. Continue to move them around and flip as needed. Once each piece is fully cooked, move them to the cooler side. Continue until all the wings are cooked.
- Once fully cooked, remove wings from the grill and place into a large bowl. Pour one cup of Bourbon Barbecue Sauce over wings and toss to coat.
- Clean the grill grates and again, wipe with an oil soaked paper towel.
- Place the wings back onto the oil rubbed grill grates and cook for 30-60 seconds on each side just to brown and caramelize the sauce – being careful not to burn the sauce.
- Serve immediately. Additional Bourbon Barbecue Sauce may be served on the side for dipping.
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We get the fear of god instilled in us regarding raw chicken and cleansing countertops/cutting boards/knives etc. You mention retaining the rub that has hung around with raw chicken for 24 hours. It seems to me this may not be health safe.
Sorry if it was unclear Dale…you’ll be mixing up a larger batch of rub than is used in this recipe. Save the unused rub for other recipes.
This looks/sounds scrumptious. I’m starting to like wings as Boyfriend is a bit obsessed and I have wanted a non-Buffalo sauce to try. Can these be baked? Neither of us has outdoor space, so no grill.
Thanks in advance!
Hi Kellye – You can bake these. I’d suggest an oven temp of 425 degrees (bake not broil) and bake then until cooked through. Then you might want to put them under the broiler for just a minute to get some caramelization before tossing in the sauce. Also, you’ll have to keep an eye on the timing – it will likely vary from the grilling instructions. Hope that helps!
Most excellent. Made these last night. The dry rub is terrific and finishing the wings off on the grill with the sauce gives a sweetness to the spice. Recommend. 🙂
Thank you Carlo! We’re glad you enjoyed the wings as much as we do!