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    Ask Chef Dennis » Cooking Style » Grill Recipes » Grilled Dry Rub Chicken Wings Recipe

    Grilled Dry Rub Chicken Wings Recipe

    Published: Sep 8, 2019 · Modified: Jun 25, 2022 by Chef Dennis Littley · 62 Comments·This post includes affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

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    4.72 from 90 votes
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    Pinterest image for grilled dry rub chicken wings

    If you love grilling as much as I do, you’re going to love my Grilled Dry Rub Chicken Wings! I especially love those extra charred bits.

    white platter of grilled and charred dry rub chicken wings with chopped parsley sprinkled on top

    I love the wing seasoning I use for my dry rub wings. It’s a blend of garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder and other favorite seasonings.

    My dry rub wings are perfect for game day or anytime your friends gather to enjoy life and all the deliciousness it has to offer.

    What do I need to make Dry Rub Chicken Wings?

    The list of ingredients isn’t really long and you may even have most of the spices already in your cabinet.

    small glass bowls of spices and a white platter of raw chicken wings on a wooden cutting board

    I always like to gather my ingredients before cooking any dish in my kitchen. It makes the process go more smoothly and ensures I have everything I need to make the dish.

    Here you see the split chicken wings and bowls of the spices needed for the dry rub. Feel free to add your own special touch to the seasonings. If there is a spice you don’t particularly like, leave it out.

    How do I split Chicken Wings?

    Let’s talk about safety first. 

    Always use a cutting board to cut meats, seafood or vegetables. That being said, always make sure your cutting board has been properly cleaned and sanitized between uses. Use your favorite household cleaner and always wash the board twice.

    *You can also place the once cleaned cutting board into your dishwasher for a really good cleaning. This is super important when cutting any meat or seafood.

    one hand holding chicken wing while the other hand holds a chefs knife cutting thru the joint of the wing

    Cutting chicken wings is really simple. All you need to do is locate the joint and cut through it.

    Hold one end firmly and securely while cutting through the joint carefully. I leave the wing tips on for some of the wing dishes I create, but feel free to chop off the wing tip if you prefer. (If you do remove the wingtip, save them in a ziplock bag in the freezer for the next time you make chicken soup)

    Chef Dennis Tip: If you keep the knife down low (directly on the joint) you’ll have less chance of cutting yourself.

    How do I decide what spices to use for Dry Rub Wings?

    A lot of what I do is my take on foods I’ve seen or eaten on my travels. These wings were recreated from a dishful of deliciousness I enjoyed on a recent adventure. I simply pulled out a few spices from my cabinet and started blending until I got the flavor profile just right.

    Cooking is rocket science and lots of times it comes down to using ingredients that you like, rather than exactly what the recipe calls for. I went through a few variations of spice combinations to come up with the one I eventually used for my dry rub and hope you enjoy them as much as I did.

    glass bowl of mixed spices for dryrub and metal bowl of raw cut chicken wings

    If you’re not sure about the flavors, make half a batch my way and try your own seasoning blend on the other half. Who knows maybe you’ll find a tasty compromise or enjoy them as is.

    raw seasoned dry rub wings on a white platter

    Pat the seasoning into the wing to get an overall coverage of the wings with the seasoning. Feel free to use less seasoning, I like mine bursting with flavor!

    overhead view of chicken wings on the grill

    The next step is to place them on your preheated grill (medium-high heat) and cook for about 20 minutes. Turn the wings often to avoid burning them. The brown sugar in the seasoning mixture will caramelize and burn faster than you think.

    That being said I love the charred parts as you’ll find most men do. Just serve green vegetables or a big salad along with them to add as a detox for the charring. Here’s a good article to read about foods that help detoxify the body.

    chicken wings on a tinfoil sheet on top of a grill

    You can reduce charing by placing a doubled sheet of tinfoil on the grill. This can be used as early in the process as you like, but I would recommend getting a little color on them before placing them on the foil.

    *You will still need to turn the wings often, even on the foil.

    Can  I cook Dry Rub Wings in the oven?

    You certainly can. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F and place the prepared wings on a cookie sheet. Place the cookie sheet on an oven rack placed in the top third of the oven. After 7-10 minutes turn the wings over and return to the oven.

    Turn the oven down to 350 and cook for another 10-12 minutes or until the wings have good color and the internal temperature of the chicken is at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

    Can I cook Dry Rub Chicken Wings in an Air Fryer?

    Yes, you can. Place the wings in a non-preheated air fryer at 375°F and let them cook for about 20 minutes. The dry rub wings should be crispy on the outside and fully cooked through in the center.

    white oblong platter with grilled chicken wings

    Wouldn’t you love to sit down to this delicious plate of wings?

    Recipe FAQ’s

    Do you put the dry rub on before or after cooking?

    Definitely before is the preferred method of using this wing seasoning. But you can always add a little more using a shaker to apply the seasoning after cooking if you like.

    How do I get the dry rub to stick to the chicken wings?

    The natural moisture in the wings will attract the seasoning, allowing you to get a good coating on the wings.
    You can dry the wings with paper towels and add a light coating of oil to the wings before the seasoning, but this step isn’t really necessary.

    How long should I let the dry rub marinate the wings before cooking?

    You can let the rub marinate on the wings for up to 8 hours, but 30 minutes should be more than enough time to let the seasonings penetrate the wings.

    More Chicken Wing Recipes You’ll Love!

    • Tequila Lime Drunken Chicken Wings Recipe
    • Chinese Sticky Chicken Wings
    • The Most Ah-Mazing Buffalo Chicken Wings You’ll Ever Make!
    • Grilled Dry Rub Lemon Pepper Chicken Wings

    Did you make this? Please RATE THE RECIPE below!

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    white oblong platter with grilled dry rub chicken wings
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    4.72 from 90 votes

    Dry Rub Chicken Wings

    When it comes to Dry Rub Chicken Wings, my recipe will make you look like a Grilling Superstar at your next get together or family dinner! They are easy to make and oh so delicious!
    Prep Time15 mins
    Cook Time20 mins
    Total Time35 mins
    Course: Appetizer
    Cuisine: American
    Servings: 8
    Calories: 169kcal
    Author: Chef Dennis Littley

    Ingredients

    • 2 pounds chicken wings split at first joint. *remove wing tip if desired
    • ¼ cup packed brown sugar
    • 1 ½ tsp sea salt
    • 1 ½ tsp granulated onion
    • 1 ½ tsp granulated garlic
    • 1 ½ tsp chili powder
    • 1 ½ tsp smoked paprika
    • 1 ½ tsp ground cumin
    • ½ tsp black pepper
    US Customary – Metric
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions

    • Measure all ingredients into a small mixing bowl and thoroughly mix to fully incorporate spices.
    • Rub the chicken wings on all sides with a generous amount of the dry rub.
    • Preheat the grill to medium high heat (350º-400ºF)
    • Place dry-rubbed wings on the grill allowing to cook for 6-8 minutes. Turn wings occasionally to crisp them all over. They can cook longer if they don’t look crisp enough.
    • *Be careful not to burn in the wings, the sugar in the dry rub can cause the wings to burn.
    • Move the chicken wings to indirect heat and continue to cook with the lid closed for another 8-10 minutes.

    Video

    Notes

    *Check the wings with a meat thermometer, it should read 165 degrees.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 169kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 11g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 47mg | Sodium: 492mg | Potassium: 140mg | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 425IU | Vitamin C: 0.5mg | Calcium: 20mg | Iron: 1.1mg
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    About Chef Dennis

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    Chef Dennis is a semi-retired Chef, writer/blogger, photographer, recipe developer and creator of A Culinary Journey with Chef Dennis aka Ask Chef Dennis®. Chef Dennis worked professionally in White Table Cloth Restaurants for 40 years and has been developing easy to make, restaurant-style recipes since 2009. The second phase of his reinvention from chef to blogger has earned him a place at the Worlds Dinner Table. Join him on his Culinary Journey enjoying his easy to make Restaurant Style recipes and travel adventures. For more details, check out his About page.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. John weimerskirk

      September 06, 2020 at 8:33 pm

      5 out of 5 stars highly recommend this recipe heat and sweat squirt with a lime wedge bursting with flavor.

      Reply
    2. Tina

      September 02, 2020 at 2:58 am

      Hi Dennis, these look fabulous – could you please divulge the sauce you are dipping them in – or is it just a mayo?

      Reply
      • Chef Dennis Littley

        September 02, 2020 at 8:55 am

        hi Tina
        that was honey mustard. Mayo, mustard and honey. My videographer made that as a dip, I love using bleu cheese dressing

        Reply
    3. Teri

      August 06, 2020 at 10:54 am

      These wings were amazing. I followed the recipe to a T. I put coals on only one half of my grill and got a good char on them before moving to the cool side. Put the grill top back on and let them finish baking for about 20 minutes. Everyone loved them.

      Reply
      • Chef Dennis Littley

        August 06, 2020 at 11:00 am

        I’m very happy to hear you enjoyed the wings. We love them at our house!

        Reply
    4. Angie Taylor

      June 23, 2020 at 7:42 pm

      5 stars
      Best Wings I have ever had let alone made myself! Can’t thank you enough for this rub recipe!

      Reply
      • Chef Dennis Littley

        June 24, 2020 at 9:09 am

        you’re very welcome Angie, and thanks for the great review!

        Reply
    5. Stephanie T.

      June 18, 2020 at 9:42 pm

      5 stars
      This recipe is perfect as is. My family loves these wings. Thank you!

      Reply
    6. SBTx

      June 10, 2020 at 10:37 pm

      5 stars
      This dry rub on wings was yummy. So easy and delicious.

      Reply
    7. Angela galloway

      June 07, 2020 at 9:19 pm

      5 stars
      Very good wing recipe!!!

      Reply
    8. Ingelise

      March 01, 2020 at 1:24 am

      5 stars
      I made this and my partner about 2 weeks ago and he ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT and raved about it.
      So tonight I’m making it again 😊
      Thank you for creating and sharing this dish – it will now be a regular treat for him (I don’t like chicken, but happy to cook it for him).

      Reply
      • Chef Dennis Littley

        March 01, 2020 at 2:19 pm

        I’m happy to hear your partner enjoyed the dry rub wings! Thanks for the great review and comment!

        Reply
    9. Pattycake

      January 19, 2020 at 6:14 pm

      5 stars
      I baked rather than grilled! Yummy! 😋 has everything in Munich cabinet already!!! Only had to purchase the chicken wings!

      Reply
    10. Aline

      September 16, 2019 at 2:06 pm

      5 stars
      Oh my word! I love me some grilled wings and these look amazing! Trying’em this weekend while it’s still summer in California!

      Reply
    11. Cathleen @ A Taste of Madness

      September 16, 2019 at 8:11 am

      5 stars
      I WISH I could grill! I have sadly never owned a grill in my adult life. Maybe I’ll get a discounted one when grilling season is over 😉

      Reply
    12. Jo

      September 16, 2019 at 4:16 am

      5 stars
      I can’t resist chicken wings any time of the day. With dry spice rub, it’s even more amazing. The flavors are perfect. Can’t wait to try this chicken wings soon.

      Reply
    13. Daniela

      September 15, 2019 at 11:36 pm

      Whoa these chicken wings def do look OMG! Drooling! Thanks so much for sharing :)!

      Reply
    14. Amy

      September 15, 2019 at 8:20 pm

      5 stars
      These look delicious! I love a good dry rub and this rub looks so full of flavor and I love the spice! I cannot wait to try out these wings!

      Reply
    15. Lauren

      September 15, 2019 at 11:48 am

      5 stars
      Grilled chicken wings are a favorite in this house! The spice rub on these wings is so flavorful yet not overpowering!

      Reply
    16. Kate

      September 14, 2019 at 4:43 pm

      5 stars
      I love those little charred bits on the wings, that’s the best part! And I appreciated that you added in directions for the oven, it’s about to get cold where I live so I will definitely want to make these inside! 🙂

      Reply
    17. Jenni LeBaron

      September 13, 2019 at 6:15 pm

      5 stars
      You’re totally right about tinkering with spice rubs until you get them just right. I love the idea of making half a batch one way and half a batch another so you can really fine-tune the seasoning fast! This dry rub sounds excellent and I love a good wing recipe! These will be perfect for fall get-togethers!

      Reply
    18. Denise

      September 12, 2019 at 2:11 pm

      5 stars
      Dry rubs are amazing. This one sounds like it could be used well with other things too!

      Reply
    19. Paula Montenegro

      September 12, 2019 at 10:28 am

      5 stars
      The charred bits are everything! These wings sound sensational and the perfect way to spend a weekend grilling outside and enjoying every seasoned inch of them! Thanks for sharing Chef.

      Reply
    20. Kelly Anthony

      September 11, 2019 at 2:10 pm

      5 stars
      I also love to feed people too and sit around the table and enjoy what I’ve made. It fills my heart with so much joy!

      Reply
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