Chicken wings are a versatile dish that can be cooked in a variety of ways, and grilling them on a Weber barbecue is one of the best options. Weber barbecues offer a range of cooking options, from the Kettle Grill to the Genesis II, allowing you to cook chicken wings to perfection. The cooking time for chicken wings on a Weber grill varies depending on the model and heat settings, but generally, they take around 20 to 30 minutes to cook thoroughly. In this article, we will explore the different ways to cook chicken wings on a Weber grill, including the best temperatures, cooking methods, and serving suggestions. We will also provide tips and tricks for achieving the perfect grilled chicken wings, ensuring they are juicy on the inside and crispy on the outside.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Grill temperature | 350°F to 450°F |
Grill type | Weber Kettle Grill |
Marinade time | 2 to 4 hours |
Grilling time | 20 to 55 minutes |
Wing weight | 4 to 7.5 pounds |
What You'll Learn
Weber grill setup and temperature control
To set up your Weber grill for barbecuing chicken wings, you'll need to prepare the grill for direct and indirect cooking over medium heat (350°F to 450°F). This involves lighting the grill, preheating it, and cleaning the cooking grates.
Lighting the Grill
If you're using a gas grill, open the lid and slowly open the valve on your propane tank or natural gas line. Wait a minute for the gas to travel through the gas line, then turn the knob to High/Start and click the ignition button to light each burner.
Preheating the Grill
Close the lid and preheat the grill for 10 to 15 minutes. When the temperature reaches 500°F, use a long-handled grill brush to clean the cooking grates.
Temperature Control
Temperature control on a Weber grill is achieved through adjusting the air dampers. The more air going into the grill, the hotter it will get, and vice versa. Most Weber charcoal grills have two dampers: a top lid damper and a bottom bowl damper. It is suggested to leave the bottom dampers fully open and use the top lid damper to control the temperature.
- High heat (450-550°F) – Fully open
- Medium heat (350-450°F) – ½ open
- Low heat (250-350°F) – ¼ open
- Low and slow/smoke zone (225-275°F) - 1/4 - 1/8 open
- Off – Fully closed
Other factors that can affect the temperature of your grill include the temperature outside, wind, and how clean your grill is. It's important to keep the inside of your bowl and ash catcher clean to promote good airflow.
Grill Thermometer
You can use a lid thermometer to monitor the temperature of your grill. If your grill doesn't have one, you can use the ambient probe on the iGrill app-connected thermometer.
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Chicken wing preparation
Ingredients
Depending on the number of people you are serving, you will need around 4-12 large chicken wings. You can use frozen or fresh wings, but if they are frozen, be sure to defrost them thoroughly before cooking.
Equipment
You will need a Weber BBQ grill, a meat thermometer, a bowl for your marinade, a small saucepan, and a sheet pan or aluminium pan.
Marinade
There are many different marinade recipes to choose from, but a simple combination of olive oil, salt, pepper, and garlic powder will work well. You can also add spices like cayenne pepper, coriander, or chilli flakes to taste. If you want to get creative, try a custom spice blend with a secret ingredient like corn starch to make your wings extra crispy.
Preparation
Pat the wings dry with paper towels, then place them in a single layer on a sheet pan. Sprinkle your chosen dry rub or spice blend over the wings, working it in on both sides with your fingers. Leave the wings uncovered in the refrigerator for about four hours to air dry.
Cooking
Preheat your Weber BBQ to around 350-450°F. Place the wings on the grill, leaving space between them so they cook evenly. Cook for 15-25 minutes, turning every few minutes to prevent burning. The wings are done when the internal temperature reaches 165-175°F.
Sauce
While the wings are cooking, make your chosen sauce or sauces. A simple combination of butter, soy sauce, and honey will give you a classic sweet and sticky glaze. Alternatively, try a creamy buffalo sauce, a garlic parmesan sauce, or a tangy BBQ sauce.
Serving
Once the wings are cooked, remove them from the grill and brush with your chosen sauce or serve the sauce on the side for dipping. Serve immediately, and enjoy!
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Chicken wing seasoning
There are many ways to season chicken wings, from dry rubs to sticky-sweet glazes. Here are some ideas to get you started:
Dry Rubs
Dry rubs are a blend of dry spices and herbs that add flavour to the chicken wings. You can also add flour to the dry rub, which helps build texture and creates a crispy skin. Here are some spice combinations to try:
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 5 teaspoons roast chicken seasoning
- ¾ teaspoon garlic granules
- ¾ teaspoon ground cumin
- ¾ teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1¼ teaspoon sea salt
- ¾ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- ¾ teaspoon mustard powder
- ½ teaspoon chilli flakes
- ½ teaspoon caster sugar
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- ⅓ cup all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons ground paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
Glazes and Sauces
If you prefer your chicken wings to have a sticky-sweet glaze, you can make a sauce to brush onto the wings during and after cooking. Here are some sauce ideas:
- 3 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- 3 tablespoons hot chilli-garlic sauce (such as Sriracha)
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1 pat of unsalted butter
- 3-4 tablespoons BBQ sauce
- ¼ bottle of sweet BBQ sauce
Tips for the Perfect Seasoned Chicken Wings
- Use a paper towel to pat the chicken wings dry before adding any seasoning. This will help the seasoning stick to the wings and create a crispier skin.
- If you're making a dry rub, make sure to fully coat the chicken wings with the spice blend. You don't want to see any empty spots!
- If you're making a sauce, brush it onto the wings during and after cooking for maximum flavour.
- If you want your chicken wings to be extra crispy, try adding cornstarch to your seasoning blend. This will soak up any extra liquid and give the wings a crispier skin.
- Let the seasoned wings air dry in the refrigerator for about 4 hours before cooking. This will help the flavours penetrate the meat.
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Grilling time and technique
The grilling time for chicken wings can vary depending on the desired level of doneness and the specific grill model being used. However, on average, chicken wings take around 20 to 25 minutes to grill.
When grilling chicken wings on a Weber grill, it is recommended to prepare the grill for direct and indirect cooking over medium heat, typically between 350°F and 450°F. This can be achieved by arranging two charcoal baskets back-to-back in the centre of the fuel grate.
For crispy BBQ chicken wings, it is essential to maintain a consistent temperature and flip the wings regularly. Aim to flip the wings every 3 to 5 minutes to prevent burning and ensure even cooking.
Before grilling, coat the chicken wings with a dry rub or marinade. A dry rub can be as simple as salt and pepper, or a more complex blend of spices and herbs. If using a marinade, prepare a mixture of soy sauce, orange marmalade, orange juice, cilantro, scallions, vegetable oil, chipotle chiles, cumin, and orange zest. Place the wings in a resealable plastic bag with the marinade and refrigerate for 2 to 4 hours.
When grilling, place the wings on the outer rim of the grate, with the charcoal in the middle. This allows for indirect cooking, ensuring the wings are grilled to perfection. Grill the wings for 10 to 15 minutes with the lid closed, turning once or twice, until they are browned on both sides. Then, move them over indirect medium heat and cook for an additional 15 to 20 minutes, continuing to turn them once or twice, until the meat is no longer pink and the skin is crispy.
For an extra layer of flavour, brush the wings with your favourite BBQ sauce during the last 5 minutes of grilling time. Alternatively, serve the wings with a variety of dipping sauces on the side, such as creamy buffalo sauce, garlic parmesan sauce, or honey BBQ sauce.
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Sauces and glaze
There are many different sauces and glazes that you can use to add flavour to your BBQ chicken wings. Here are some ideas:
BBQ Glaze
This glaze is made with two tasty BBQ sauces and a little butter, giving your wings a charred flavour. You will need:
- BBQ sauce (a competition sauce is recommended)
- Butter
Sweet BBQ Sauce
If you like ketchup-based sauces, you can make your own sweet BBQ sauce by mixing the following ingredients:
- Brown sugar
- Worcestershire sauce
- Mustard
Chipotle and Soy Glaze
This glaze is perfect for chicken wings cooked on a Weber grill. It has a unique blend of flavours and can be served alongside the wings for dipping. You will need:
- Soy sauce
- Orange marmalade
- Fresh orange juice
- Fresh cilantro leaves
- Vegetable oil
- Canned chipotle chiles in adobo sauce
- Cumin
- Orange zest
- Garlic
Hoisin Glaze
This glaze is excellent for adding Asian flavours to your chicken wings. You will need:
- Toasted sesame oil
- Grated garlic
- Grated ginger
- Hoisin sauce
- Light brown sugar
- Honey
- Rice vinegar
- Spring onions
Spicy and Sweet Sauce
For a sweet and spicy flavour, you can make a sauce with the following ingredients:
- Lime juice
- Hot chili-garlic sauce (e.g. Sriracha)
- Soy sauce
- Honey
- Butter
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Frequently asked questions
It takes between 20 to 30 minutes to grill chicken wings on a Weber BBQ.
You should aim for a temperature of between 350°F to 450°F.
To get crispy wings, ensure you are flipping the wings regularly (every 3-5 minutes) and that your grill is preheated to a consistent temperature.
You can try a variety of sauces with your Weber BBQ chicken wings, including buffalo, teriyaki, barbecue, honey BBQ, creamy buffalo, garlic parmesan, and honey-soy glaze.