Smoky Southern BBQ Chicken Wings with Honey Glaze
Juicy chicken wings marinated in smoky spices and coated in a sticky honey glaze, perfect for game day or casual gatherings. This southern american-inspired chicken ready in about 60 minutes pairs split and tips removed chicken wings, smoked paprika, garlic powder for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 410 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.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs, split and tips removed chicken wings
- 2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large bowl, toss 2 lbs chicken wings with 2 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp onion powder, 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper, 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 2 tbsp olive oil until wings are evenly coated.
- Step 2: Preheat oven to 425°F. Arrange wings on a wire rack set over a baking sheet lined with foil. Bake for 35-40 minutes, flipping halfway, until wings are crispy and cooked through.
- Step 3: While wings bake, combine 3 tbsp honey, 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar, and 2 tbsp unsalted butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir until butter melts and sauce is glossy and slightly thickened, about 3 minutes.
- Step 4: Remove wings from oven and toss immediately in the honey glaze until fully coated. Serve hot.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Smoky Southern BBQ Chicken Wings with Honey Glaze take to make?
Total time is about 60 minutes (15 min prep + 45 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 Southern BBQ Chicken Wings with 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 smoked paprika from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Smoky Southern BBQ Chicken Wings with 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 Smoky Southern BBQ Chicken Wings with 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 Smoky Southern BBQ Chicken Wings with Honey Glaze?
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.