Grilled Bourbon-Glazed Chicken Wings with Smoky Paprika Rub

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-17 · Updated 2026-05-17

Juicy chicken wings infused with a smoky paprika rub, grilled to perfection, and finished with a sweet and tangy bourbon glaze. This American-inspired grilling recipe, ready in about 175 minutes, pairs chicken wings, split, smoked paprika, garlic powder for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 400 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 2 pounds chicken wings, split
• 2 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1/3 cup bourbon
• 1/4 cup honey
• 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 2 cloves minced garlic

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Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large bowl, combine 2 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp onion powder, 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Add 2 pounds chicken wings and 2 tbsp olive oil, tossing well to coat each wing evenly with the smoky rub.
2. Step 2: Cover and refrigerate the wings for at least 2 hours to let the flavors penetrate.
3. Step 3: While the wings marinate, prepare the bourbon glaze by whisking together 1/3 cup bourbon, 1/4 cup honey, 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar, 1 tbsp soy sauce, and 2 minced garlic cloves in a small saucepan. Simmer over medium heat for 8 minutes until slightly thickened and glossy. Remove from heat.
4. Step 4: Preheat grill to medium heat (about 375°F). Arrange wings on the grill in a single layer.
5. Step 5: Grill wings for 20-25 minutes, turning every 5 minutes to ensure even cooking and prevent burning, until skin is crisp and internal temperature reaches 165°F.
6. Step 6: During the last 5 minutes, brush wings generously with the bourbon glaze on both sides, allowing the glaze to caramelize without burning.
7. Step 7: Remove wings from grill, let rest for 5 minutes, then serve with any remaining glaze for dipping.