Grilled Southern-Style BBQ Chicken Wings with Smoky Dry Rub

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-22 · Updated 2026-05-22

Juicy chicken wings grilled to perfection with a smoky, spiced dry rub that brings bold Southern barbecue flavors to your backyard. This Southern American chicken recipe, ready in about 45 minutes, pairs chicken wings, smoked paprika, and brown sugar for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 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 "Build a week of meals around this recipe" 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 lbs chicken wings, split and tips removed
• 2 tbsp smoked paprika
• 1 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp ground black pepper
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
• 2 tbsp olive oil

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Instructions

1. Step 1: In a small bowl, mix 2 tbsp smoked paprika, 1 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp onion powder, 1 tsp salt, 1 tsp black pepper, and 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper to create a dry rub.
2. Step 2: Pat 2 lbs chicken wings dry with paper towels. Drizzle with 2 tbsp olive oil and rub the spice mixture evenly over each wing, ensuring full coverage. Let rest for 15 minutes at room temperature.
3. Step 3: Preheat grill to medium-high heat (about 400°F). Arrange wings on the grill grate and cook for 20-25 minutes, flipping every 5 minutes, until the skin is crisp and internal temperature reaches 165°F.
4. Step 4: Remove wings from grill and let rest for 5 minutes. Serve warm with your favorite dipping sauce or side.