Slow-Smoked Southern BBQ Chicken Wings with Spicy Dry Rub

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Tender chicken wings infused with smoky flavor and coated in a zesty, spicy dry rub perfect for game day or casual gatherings. This southern american-inspired chicken ready in about 135 minutes pairs chicken wings, 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: 15 min Cook: 120 min Serves 4 Southern American cuisine 280 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a small bowl, combine 2 tbsp paprika, 1 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp onion powder, 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper to create the dry rub.
  2. Step 2: Pat 2 lbs chicken wings dry with paper towels, then toss with 1 tbsp olive oil and rub the spice mixture evenly over all surfaces.
  3. Step 3: Preheat your smoker or grill to 225°F and add 2 cups soaked applewood chips to generate smoke.
  4. Step 4: Arrange wings on the smoker rack, maintaining indirect heat, and smoke for 1.5 to 2 hours until the internal temperature reaches 165°F and skin is slightly crisp.
  5. Step 5: Remove wings from the smoker and let rest for 5 minutes before serving smoky, spicy wings hot off the grill.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Slow-Smoked Southern BBQ Chicken Wings with Spicy Dry Rub take to make?

Total time is about 135 minutes (15 min prep + 120 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 Slow-Smoked Southern BBQ Chicken Wings with Spicy 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 chicken wings from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Smoked Southern BBQ Chicken Wings with Spicy 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 Slow-Smoked Southern BBQ Chicken Wings with Spicy 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 Slow-Smoked Southern BBQ Chicken Wings with Spicy 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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