Bacon Wrapped Chicken Wings

By Christie Vanover | Published September 20, 2015 | Last Updated February 14, 2023

This fun chicken wing recipe combines everyone’s favorite party food with crispy bacon. Who doesn’t love a platter of crispy chicken wings on game days?

This chicken wings recipe is super simple with just three ingredients: chicken, bacon and your favorite poultry seasoning.

You can even wrap the wings in advance and throw them on the grill just before the party gets started. After trying these, you may never go back to naked chicken wings again.

• Whole Chicken Wings: Use whole wings, instead of party wings, but remove the tips.
• Poultry Seasoning: Any BBQ rub or chicken seasoning will do. Try my award-winning Chicken Rub.
• Sliced Bacon: Avoid using thick-cut bacon or bacon slices that are too thin. I like using original Oscar Mayer bacon. It’s the perfect thickness to create that crispy exterior.
• Sauce: You can finish the wings with BBQ sauce, hot sauce or enjoy them plain.

Heat your grill to 350F degrees with an indirect heat zone. Using an indirect zone is important to avoid flareups.

1. STEP ONE: Prep the wings by slicing off the tips of the wings, so you’re left with the flap and drummette. Use a sharp knife to cut the skin inside of the wing joint. This will help the wing open up.

2. STEP TWO: Sprinkle the wings all over with your favorite barbecue dry rub or poultry seasoning.

3. STEP THREE: Wrap each wing with one slice of bacon. Start at one end and wrap all the way around. The wing won’t be fully covered. Secure both ends with a toothpick, so the bacon doesn’t shrink.

4. STEP FOUR: Place the bacon-wrapped wings on a pre-heated 350F-degree grill over indirect heat for about 30 minutes. Flip. Grill for another 30 minutes. Flip and grill for another 15 minutes or until the bacon is crispy and the internal temperature of the chicken is at least 165F degrees.

How to serve bacon wrapped chicken wings

If you like your wings saucy, you can brush a little barbecue sauce on right at the end. If you want to turn them into bacon-wrapped buffalo wings, remove them from the grill and toss them in buffalo sauce.

Or enjoy them plain. Serve on a platter with Blue Cheese Dip, ranch dressing and some celery and carrot sticks.

Storage

Bacon-wrapped chicken wings are best eaten right away. You can store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. However, I recommend reheating them on a grill or in an air fryer. The bacon loses it’s crispness, if you use a microwave.