This post may contain affiliate links which help support Girls Can Grill.
Here’s the surefire way to cook chicken wings on a pellet grill. You’ll have super juicy meat and crisp skin every time.
Save this BBQ Tip
Enter your email, and I’ll send this link directly to your inbox. Plus, you’ll get new BBQ recipes and tips weekly.
Table of Contents
Chicken wings cook differently on different types of smokers. This recipe provides the best way to cook wings on a pellet grill like a Traeger Grill, Pit Boss, Recteq, Green Mountain Grill or Oklahoma Joes.
Ingredients
- Chicken Wings: Use whole wings or party-cut wings.
- Oil: This is optional, but if you want, you can toss your wings in a little olive oil or canola oil before adding the rub.
- Dry Rub Seasoning: Try my signature chicken wing dry rub, your favorite poultry seasoning or a dry rub that complements the final flavor profile you want for your wings.
- Sauce: If you like your wings naked, you won’t need any sauce. But if you like saucy wings, choose your favorite hot wings sauce, BBQ sauce or your favorite sauce flavor.
See the full recipe card below for servings and a full list of ingredients.
How to grill chicken wings on a pellet smoker
When you’re ready to smoke your wings, fill your pellet grill hopper with wood pellets. Apple wood, hickory wood, pecan wood and cherry wood pellets are great choices for chicken wings. Set the temperature to 350F degrees.
- STEP ONE: Place wings on a cookie sheet or baking sheet. Pat chicken wings dry with paper towels.
OPTION: If you'd like, you can coat your wings with a little bit of olive oil or canola oil before adding the rub. Personally, I think the chicken skins provide enough natural fat so I rarely use oil. If you want that extra fat and flavor, go for it.
- STEP TWO: Sprinkle dry rub evenly all over the wings. Plan on 1 tablespoon of rub for every 1 pound of chicken wings.
PRO TIP: For added flavor, place the wings on a baking sheet over a rimmed sheet pan. Season wings and let them rest in the refrigerator overnight uncovered. This will help flavor the meat and remove moisture from the chicken skin so you get crispy skin.
- STEP THREE: Place the seasoned wings on the preheated smoker on an upper rack (if you have one). If you don’t have an upper rack, place them on the grill grate.
PRO TIP: Pellet grills have a diffuser plate, which means the food is cooking over indirect heat. However, the area of the grill grates that is directly over the fire pot can run a little hotter. If you don't have an upper grill grate, place the food to the sides of this area.
- STEP FOUR: Smoke the wings for 1 hour. They’re done when the internal temperature of the wings reaches between 195-205F degrees and when you have crispy chicken skin.
PRO TIP: Technically, chicken is fully cooked when the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees. But they'll taste best if you cook them to 195-205. Use an instant-read meat thermometer to test the temperature.
How to serve pellet grill chicken wings
Remove the smoked wings from the grill. You can either serve them dry or toss them in sauce.
To sauce, place the cooked wings in a large bowl. Toss in buffalo sauce for buffalo wings, hot sauce for spicy wings or barbecue sauce for bbq chicken wings.
Serve on a platter with carrot sticks, celery and a selection of dipping sauces like ranch dressing and blue cheese dressing. If you sauced the wings, add a side of that sauce for people who want more.
Storage
Chicken wings are best enjoyed right away because over time the skin will lose crispiness. If you do have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
Reheat them in the microwave or an air fryer. You can also freeze cooked chicken wings for up to 4 months, but they won’t be as tasty reheated.
GCG Pro Pitmaster Tips
- Pat chicken wings dry to remove excess moisture
- Use 1 tablespoon of dry rub per 1 pound of wings
- Smoke at 350F for about 1 hour
- Add sauce after the wings are smoked
Frequently Asked Questions
I find the best wings are cooked at a temperature between 350-375F degrees. If you cook the wings at a lower temperature, the chicken skin won’t fully render and it will have a tug to it.
At this higher temperature, the skin will turn out nice and crispy. If you want more smoke flavor, use the extra smoke setting (if your grill has it) or add a pellet tube in the grill or wood chips in a foil pouch.
For the best wings with juicy meat and crispy skin, smoke your chicken wings at 350F degrees for about 1 hour.
There is no need to flip chicken wings when cooking them on a pellet grill. The grill’s inner fan will circulate the heat around the top and bottom of the wings to cook them evenly.
More chicken wing recipes + tips
Newest Recipes
Want even more great grilling recipes and tips? Subscribe to my newsletter and follow me on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok for my latest grilling adventures. If you make a recipe, please leave a comment and rating below.
Save this BBQ Tip
Enter your email, and I’ll send this link directly to your inbox. Plus, you’ll get new BBQ recipes and tips weekly.
Chicken Wings on a Pellet Grill
Ingredients
- 1 lb chicken wings
- 1 tbsp chicken wing rub, or your favorite rub
- 1/2 cup sauce, optional
Instructions
- Heat Grill: Heat your pellet grill to 350F degrees. See above for wood pellet suggestions.
- Season: Place wings on a cookie sheet and pat dry with a paper towel. Season all sides with the rub.
- Grill: Place the wings on the grill. Place them on the upper rack, if you have one. Grill for one hour or until the internal temperature reaches 195-205F degrees.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.