How to Make Crispy Smoked Chicken Wings - A Step-by-Step Guide

Nothing beats the taste of crispy, flavorful smoked chicken wings. Whether you're throwing a backyard BBQ, hosting a game day party, or simply craving a tasty snack, these wings are sure to be a hit. With the perfect balance of smoky flavor, juicy meat, and crisp skin, these wings are a crowd-pleaser that will have everyone coming back for more.

Smoking chicken wings not only infuses them with a delicious, smoky flavor, but it also creates a tender and juicy texture that is hard to re...

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Ingredients

  • 3 tablespoons whole black peppercorns
  • 2 tablespoons coriander seeds
  • 2 tablespoons mustard seeds
  • 1 tablespoon fennel seeds
  • 1 tablespoon cumin seeds
  • 4 cups water
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 8 cloves garlic, smashed
  • 1 (2 inch) piece fresh ginger, sliced
  • 2 tablespoons dried rosemary
  • 2 tablespoons dried thyme
  • 6 bay leaves
  • ½ cup white sugar
  • ⅓ cup salt
  • 3 pounds chicken wings, tips removed and sections separated
  • 2 lemons, zested and juiced
  • 2 limes, zested and juiced
  • 5 ice cubes
  • 1 (64 fluid ounce) bottle apple juice
  • applewood chips, soaked
  • vegetable oil for frying

Information

  • Prep Time: 1 hr 15 mins
  • Cook Time: 56 mins
  • Additional Time: 1 day 10 mins
  • Total Time: 1 day 2 hrs 21 mins
  • Servings: 12
  • Yield: 24 chicken wings

  • Combine peppercorns, coriander, mustard, fennel, and cumin in a mortar and pestle; crush until fragrant and just broken.
  • Bring water to a boil in a saucepan. Add peppercorn-seed mixture, onion, garlic, ginger, rosemary, thyme, and bay leaves; bring back to a boil. Reduce heat to low; simmer until flavors meld, about 25 minutes. Cool brine, about 10 minutes.
  • Pour 2 cups brine into a large 10-quart plastic container with a tight-fitting lid. Stir in sugar and salt until dissolved. Add chicken wings, lemon zest and juice, and lime zest and juice.
  • Drop ice into the pot with the remaining brine to cool it down. Pour into the plastic container. Add enough apple juice to cover the wings. Stir well and seal container; refrigerate for 24 to 48 hours.
  • Preheat smoker to 275 to 300 degrees F (135 to 150 degrees C) according to manufacturer's directions.
  • Rinse wings under cold tap water; dry, unstacked, on wire racks. Place the racks into the smoker. Add applewood chips according to manufacturer's directions. Smoke until chicken develops a smoky flavor but is not fully cooked, about 25 minutes. Transfer wings to a tray and pat dry with paper towels.
  • Heat oil in a deep-fryer or large saucepan to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Fry wings, 8 to 10 at a time, until golden brown and crispy, 60 to 90 seconds.
  • Nutrition

    274 cal.

    • Total Fat: 12g
    • Saturated Fat: 2g
    • Cholesterol: 24mg
    • Sodium: 35mg
    • Total Carbohydrate: 35g
    • Dietary Fiber: 3g
    • Total Sugars: 26g
    • Protein: 9g
    • Vitamin C: 22mg
    • Calcium: 94mg
    • Iron: 3mg
    • Potassium: 377mg