Honey Bourbon Smoked Chicken Wings

Smoky, sticky, and impossible to put down. These wings smoke low on the Pellet Joe until they're juicy and tender, then get tossed in a homemade honey bourbon glaze that's sweet, tangy, and has just enough heat. Crispy skin, fall-off-the-bone meat, and that signature wood-fired flavor—this is the wing recipe that makes people ask for seconds before they've finished their first.

Why the Pellet Joe is Perfect for This

The Pellet Joe's automated pellet system gives you consistent smoke and steady temps for the entire cook—no babysitting vents or adding charcoal. Set it to 300°F and it holds there hands-free while you prep the glaze.

Wood-fired flavor without the guesswork. The Pellet Joe's hopper feeds pellets at the perfect rate to maintain clean, thin smoke. You get that authentic wood-fired taste—whether you're using hickory, apple, cherry, or pecan—without bitter, heavy smoke that overpowers chicken.

The WiFi connectivity and digital controls mean you can monitor temps from your phone. Wings cook relatively fast (45-60 minutes), so being able to check progress without opening the dome keeps heat and smoke consistent.

At 300°F, the Pellet Joe creates an ideal convection environment. Heat circulates evenly around the wings, crisping skin on all sides without hot spots that burn some wings while others stay pale. The large cooking surface lets you spread 2 lbs of wings in a single layer—no stacking, no rotating.

Honey Bourbon Smoked Chicken Wings

Raciones: 4 people
Tiempo de cocción: 1 - 2 horas
Nivel:
Principiante:
Método:
Ahumado
Comida:
Aves de corral
Honey Bourbon Smoked Chicken Wings

Ingredients

  • Main

Instructions

  1. 01

    Set your Kamado Joe Pellet Joe to 300 and let it stabilize for 10-15 minutes.

  2. 02

    Remove wings from packaging and pat them completely dry with paper towels. If they came whole, separate the drumettes from the flats. Discard the tips or save them for stock.

  3. 03

    Let the wings sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes while the grill preheats. This takes the chill off and helps them cook more evenly.

  4. 04

    Brush or toss the wings lightly with hot sauce to coat all sides. Don't soak them—just a thin coating to act as a binder. Season the wings liberally with your BBQ rub (Meat Church Holy Gospel or your favorite). Make sure every wing is well-coated on all sides. The rub creates a flavorful bark during smoking.

  5. 05

    Place the seasoned wings directly on the Pellet Joe grates at 300°F in a single layer. Leave a little space between each wing for smoke circulation and even cooking. Cook for 45-60 minutes, flipping every 15-20 minutes to ensure even crisping and smoke exposure on all sides.

  6. 06

    While the wings smoke, make the glaze. This can be done on your stovetop or in a small saucepan on the Pellet Joe. Step 1: Melt 2 tbsp butter in a small saucepan over low-medium heat. Step 2: Add the remaining ingredients: 2 tbsp soy sauce 1 tbsp honey 2-3 tbsp hot sauce 1 tsp BBQ rub 1 oz bourbon Stir to combine and let simmer for 2-3 minutes. The sauce will thicken as it reduces. If it gets too thick, add a teaspoon or two of water to loosen it. Step 3: Remove from heat and set aside. The sauce should be pourable but not thin—like warm syrup.

  7. 07

    Once the wings hit 170°F internal temp, remove them from the Pellet Joe and transfer to a large bowl. Pour about ¾ of the honey bourbon glaze over the wings. Toss thoroughly to coat every wing evenly. Reserve the remaining ¼ of the glaze for drizzling and serving.

  8. 08

    Arrange the glazed wings on a serving platter. They should be shiny and sticky with visible glaze coverage. Drizzle the reserved honey bourbon glaze over the plated wings for extra flavor and presentation. Finish with a light dusting of BBQ rub (the same one you used for seasoning) and a sprinkle of freshly chopped parsley for color and freshness. Serve immediately while the wings are hot and the glaze is glossy.