Grilled Southern-Style BBQ Chicken Wings with Smoky Dry Rub

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Juicy chicken wings grilled to perfection with a smoky, spiced dry rub that brings bold Southern barbecue flavors to your backyard. This southern american-inspired chicken ready in about 45 minutes pairs split and tips removed chicken wings, smoked paprika, 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 "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.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 25 min Serves 4 Southern American cuisine 280 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Grilled Southern-Style BBQ Chicken Wings with Smoky Dry Rub take to make?

Total time is about 45 minutes (20 min prep + 25 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Grilled Southern-Style BBQ Chicken Wings with Smoky Dry Rub?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep smoked paprika from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Grilled Southern-Style BBQ Chicken Wings with Smoky Dry Rub?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Grilled Southern-Style BBQ Chicken Wings with Smoky Dry Rub for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Grilled Southern-Style BBQ Chicken Wings with Smoky Dry Rub?

Southern American chicken like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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