Smoky Pineapple and Chili BBQ Chicken Wings

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

Grilled chicken wings coated in a smoky pineapple and chili barbecue glaze that balances sweet heat and charred flavor. This chicken recipe, ready in about 40 minutes, pairs chicken wings, pineapple juice, chipotle chili in adobo sauce for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 calories and feeds 6, 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: 25 min Serves 6 280 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a bowl, whisk together 1 cup pineapple juice, 2 tbsp minced chipotle chili in adobo sauce, 1/4 cup brown sugar, 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar, 1 tbsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper until the sugar dissolves and sauce is smooth.
  2. Step 2: Place 24 chicken wings in a large ziplock bag and pour in half of the pineapple chili BBQ sauce (reserve the other half for basting). Seal and marinate in the fridge for at least 2 hours, preferably overnight.
  3. Step 3: Preheat grill to medium-high heat (around 375°F). Remove wings from marinade and pat lightly dry; brush wings with 2 tbsp olive oil.
  4. Step 4: Grill wings for 20 minutes, turning every 5 minutes and basting with reserved pineapple chili BBQ sauce to build a sticky, smoky glaze until charred edges appear and internal temperature reaches 165°F.
  5. Step 5: Remove from grill and let rest 5 minutes before serving with extra sauce on the side.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Smoky Pineapple and Chili BBQ Chicken Wings take to make?

Total time is about 40 minutes (15 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 Smoky Pineapple and Chili BBQ Chicken Wings?

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 Smoky Pineapple and Chili BBQ Chicken Wings?

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 Smoky Pineapple and Chili BBQ Chicken Wings for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). 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 Smoky Pineapple and Chili BBQ Chicken Wings?

BBQ & Smoked 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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