Maple-Smoked Chicken Wings with Spicy Honey Glaze

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Chicken wings smoked over maple wood chips for a delicate sweetness, then tossed in a sticky and spicy honey glaze for a perfect appetizer or game day snack. This american-inspired chicken ready in about 125 minutes pairs pounds chicken wings, tablespoon kosher salt, teaspoon black pepper for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 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: 105 min Serves 4 American cuisine 350 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat dry 2 pounds chicken wings and season evenly with 1 tablespoon kosher salt, 1 teaspoon black pepper, and 1 teaspoon garlic powder. Let rest 15 minutes.
  2. Step 2: Preheat smoker to 225°F and add 2 cups maple wood chips for smoke flavor. Place wings on rack and smoke for 1 hour 45 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F and skin is firm.
  3. Step 3: While wings smoke, combine 1/4 cup honey, 2 tablespoons sriracha sauce, 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, and 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar in a small saucepan. Heat over low heat, stirring until butter melts and glaze is smooth.
  4. Step 4: Remove wings from smoker and toss immediately in spicy honey glaze until fully coated and sticky. Serve warm.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Maple-Smoked Chicken Wings with Spicy Honey Glaze take to make?

Total time is about 125 minutes (20 min prep + 105 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 Maple-Smoked Chicken Wings with Spicy Honey Glaze?

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 pounds chicken wings from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Maple-Smoked Chicken Wings with Spicy Honey Glaze?

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 Maple-Smoked Chicken Wings with Spicy Honey Glaze 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 Maple-Smoked Chicken Wings with Spicy Honey Glaze?

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.