There’s something special about a good plate of grilled chicken wings—that perfect balance of crispy skin, juicy meat, and bold flavor that keeps you reaching for just one more. But when you take those wings and toss ‘em in a homemade honey bourbon BBQ sauce, you’re talking next-level deliciousness. The smoky char from the grill, the sticky sweetness of honey, and that little kick of bourbon make these Honey Bourbon Grilled Chicken Wings the kind of recipe that disappears before you even get a chance to grab seconds.
If you’re looking to impress at your next backyard cookout, game day party, or just treat yourself, these wings are the way to go. And don’t worry—this recipe breaks it all down step by step, so whether you’re a grill master or just getting started, you’ll be serving up wings that’ll have folks licking their fingers and asking for more.
Why You Need to Make This Recipe
Still on the fence about making these wings? Let me break it down for you:
✔️ Flavor Explosion: The combo of sweet honey, rich bourbon, and smoky BBQ flavors makes these wings truly addictive.
✔️ Crispy & Juicy: Grilling gives you that crispy skin while keeping the inside juicy and tender—no soggy, greasy wings here.
✔️ Perfect for Any Occasion: Whether it’s game day, family night, or a summer BBQ, these wings fit the bill every time.
✔️ Easy to Make: The recipe is simple—season, grill, toss in sauce, and enjoy. Plus, I’ll give you all the tips to make sure they come out perfect every time.
✔️ Customizable: You can tweak the flavors to suit your spice level, sweetness preference, or even swap out ingredients to make it your own.
If that doesn’t convince you to fire up the grill, I don’t know what will!
Ingredients for Honey Bourbon Grilled Chicken Wings
For the Wings:
- 2 pounds chicken wings (about 24 wings, tips removed)
- ¼ cup AB’s A Rub (or your favorite all-purpose BBQ rub)
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
- 1 cup Honey Bourbon BBQ Sauce
For the Honey Bourbon BBQ Sauce:
- 1 cup ketchup
- ¼ cup bourbon
- ¼ cup honey
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- ½ teaspoon mustard powder
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon granulated garlic (or garlic powder)
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
Optional Sides:
- Ranch or blue cheese dressing
- Celery sticks
- Carrot sticks
Step-by-Step Guide to the Best Honey Bourbon Grilled Chicken Wings
Step 1: Fire Up the Grill
- Set up your grill for two-zone cooking (direct and indirect heat).
- Get your grill up to 400°F—this is the sweet spot for crispy skin without burning.
Step 2: Season the Wings
- In a small bowl, mix AB’s A Rub with cornstarch—this helps the wings crisp up.
- Remove the wings from the fridge and toss them in the seasoning mix until evenly coated.
Step 3: Grill the Wings
Direct Heat:
- Place wings over direct heat and close the lid.
- Watch closely and rotate them to prevent burning.
- Grill for 6-8 minutes total, flipping as needed.
Indirect Heat:
- Move the wings to the indirect side of the grill.
- Cook until they reach an internal temperature of 175-180°F (use a meat thermometer).
- The skin should be golden and crispy.
Step 4: Make the Honey Bourbon BBQ Sauce
- In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine all sauce ingredients.
- Stir well and bring to a gentle simmer.
- Lower the heat and let it simmer for 20 minutes to let the flavors meld together.
Step 5: Toss and Serve
- Once the wings are off the grill, place them in a large bowl.
- Pour the warm honey bourbon BBQ sauce over the top.
- Toss until all wings are fully coated in that sticky, flavorful glaze.
- Serve hot with your favorite dipping sauce, celery, and carrot sticks.
Expert Tips and Tricks
🔥 Pat the wings dry—removing moisture helps get that crispy skin.
🔥 Use cornstarch in the seasoning mix—this trick locks in crunch.
🔥 Monitor the grill closely—fat drippings can cause flare-ups, so keep an eye out.
🔥 Don’t rush the sauce—letting it simmer deepens the flavors.
🔥 Toss while the wings are hot—this helps the sauce stick better.
15 Variations to Try
- Spicy Honey Bourbon Wings – Add 1 tsp cayenne to the sauce.
- Garlic Butter Bourbon Wings – Toss in garlic butter before saucing.
- Maple Bourbon Wings – Swap honey for maple syrup.
- Asian-Inspired Wings – Add soy sauce and ginger.
- Smoky Chipotle Wings – Add chipotle powder.
- Lemon Pepper Bourbon Wings – Use lemon pepper seasoning.
- BBQ Ranch Wings – Mix ranch powder into the sauce.
- Buffalo Bourbon Wings – Add hot sauce.
- Cajun Bourbon Wings – Use Cajun seasoning.
- Sweet & Tangy Wings – Add pineapple juice.
- Honey Mustard Bourbon Wings – Add Dijon mustard.
- Brown Sugar Bourbon Wings – Add brown sugar.
- Teriyaki Bourbon Wings – Add teriyaki sauce.
- Peach Bourbon Wings – Add peach preserves.
- Jerk Bourbon Wings – Use jerk seasoning.
What to Serve with Honey Bourbon Wings (15 Ideas)
- Coleslaw
- Baked beans
- Cornbread
- Grilled corn
- Mac & cheese
- Potato wedges
- Sweet potato fries
- Fried pickles
- Garlic bread
- Loaded baked potatoes
- Green beans
- Caesar salad
- Onion rings
- Rice pilaf
- Deviled eggs
Storage Tips
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for 3-4 days.
- Freezer: Freeze wings in a sealed bag for up to 3 months.
- Reheat: Warm in the oven at 350°F until heated through.
How Much to Make for a Family Gathering?
For a small family gathering (6-8 people): 4-5 pounds of wings.
For a large party (10-15 people): 8-10 pounds of wings.
How Far in Advance Can I Make These?
- Make the sauce 3-4 days ahead and store in the fridge.
- Season the wings the night before and keep in the fridge.
- Grill fresh for the best taste but you can grill ahead and reheat if needed.
Now you got everything you need to grill up some of the best wings of your life. Give this recipe a shot, and let me know how it turns out!
Honey Bourbon Grilled Chicken Wings
Ingredients
- For the Wings:
- 2 pounds chicken wings about 24 wings, tips removed
- ¼ cup AB’s A Rub or your favorite all-purpose BBQ rub
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
- 1 cup Honey Bourbon BBQ Sauce
- For the Honey Bourbon BBQ Sauce:
- 1 cup ketchup
- ¼ cup bourbon
- ¼ cup honey
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- ½ teaspoon mustard powder
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon granulated garlic or garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
Instructions
- Set up your grill for two-zone cooking (direct and indirect heat). Preheat to 400°F for crispy wings without burning.
- In a small bowl, mix the BBQ rub with cornstarch. Toss wings in the seasoning mixture until evenly coated.
- Place wings over direct heat. Grill for 6–8 minutes total, flipping as needed. Close the lid and watch carefully to avoid flare-ups.
- Move wings to the indirect side. Cook until internal temperature reaches 175–180°F and the skin is golden and crispy.
- While wings cook, combine all sauce ingredients in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir and bring to a gentle simmer. Reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes to thicken and meld flavors.
- Transfer cooked wings to a large bowl. Pour warm sauce over the wings and toss to coat thoroughly. Serve immediately with your favorite dipping sauces, celery, and carrot sticks.
