Making delicious Traeger chicken wings on your pellet grill is easy, fun, and you will get the most flavorful wings right in your own home.
In this post, you will find the best temperatures and cook times for perfectly cooked chicken wings. I also have a couple of tips so that your next big batch of wings has crispy skin and a little smoke flavor.
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Basic Cooking Method for Traeger Wings
You'll start by preparing the wings and preheating the pellet grill. I like to blot my wings with paper towels and then season them generously with a flavorful dry rub or kosher salt with some added spices.
Once the pellet grill is up to temp, lay the wings skin side down on the grill grates to get them started. I like to flip them halfway through for even cooking, and also to get some charred edges on both sides.
After the internal temperature reaches 180F-200F, transfer them to a large bowl and finish them with your sauce.Β
Temperature and Cook Time Guide
Listed below are options for your grill temperature and cook time based on your personal preference. Choose which method you want to use. No matter what, you will have delicious wings with lots of flavor and the perfect crispy chicken skin.
Hot and Fast Chicken Wings
Set your Traeger to 375Λ and preheat with the lid closed for 10-15 minutes. Next, lay your seasoned party wings directly on the grill grates. Cook them for 17 minutes with the lid closed and then flip them. Cook them for another 17-20 minutes before tossing them in your favorite sauce. These will cook for a total of 35-40 minutes.
Simple Smoked Chicken Wing Recipe
First, preheat the pellet smoker to 250ΛF. Cook the seasoned wings on the grill grates for one hour. After that, increase the heat to 375Λ and cook for an additional 20-30 minutes for a crispy skin.Β
These chicken wings will have a subtle smoke ring that you can see and taste.
0-400Λ Method
Start by laying seasoned chicken wings on the grill grates before turning the Traeger on. Then fire it up to 400ΛF and cook for 40 minutes. After that 40 minute mark, flip the wings and cook for an additional 20 minutes. Keep an eye out with this method. The high heat does bring the possiblity of burning the chicken skin. (if you want to go 0-375 that works too)
When Are My Traeger Chicken Wings Done?
No matter which method you are using, the internal temperature of the wings should reach around 180-190Λ on a digital meat thermometer.
Traeger Chicken Wings Tips
For crispy chicken wings, use a lite coating of baking powder or corn starch on the wings when you season them with dry rub.Β
Another tip for crispy wings is to cook them at a higher temperature. Keeping the temperature low or on a medium heat will cook the chicken meat all of the way through, but the best way to get that perfect chicken skin is a temperature of 375-400 degrees f.
Make sure to blot the wings with a paper towel before seasoning. Removing the extra moisture will also help achieve crisp skin. You can also get a dryer is chicken skin by leaving the raw chicken wings on a cookie sheet lined with a wire rack in the refrigerator overnight.Β
Tequila Lime Chicken Wings
This tequila lime wing recipe brings together tequila, lime juice, and spices for a bright and tangy chicken wing.
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BBQ Smoked Wings
These are perfect for your next game day. Combine your favorite bottled or homemade BBQ sauce with melted butter to smother your wings. If you really want to turn up the smoky flavor, use the slow smoked temperature and cook time method listed above.
Traditional Buffalo Wings
My son's favorite for wing night. Fiery buffalo sauce and melted butter are a classic party wing recipe.Β Any of the temperature and cook time guidelines will work for these.
Chicken Rub Wings
The Traeger chicken rub seasoning blend is one of my all-time favorites. The rub combines flavors of citrus and black pepper. A dry-rubbed Traeger wing is also a good way to get a crispier skin. Just finish with melted butter after cooking.
How to Keep Cooked Wings Warm Before Serving
When you take your chicken wings off the Traeger, they will be HOT HOT HOT. That's a good thing because they can sit for awhile and hold on to their heat.
However, if you want these tasty appetizers to stay warm for a longer period of time here are two suggestions.
1) Keep them in an oven safe serving dish in an oven set to 170ΛF or the "warm" setting on your oven if it has one.
β2) Transfer the cooked wings to a crockpot set to "LOW HEAT."
Basic Traeger Chicken Wing Recipe Card
Traeger Chicken Wings
Ingredients
- 2 lbs chicken wings
- 1 tablespoon chicken rub
- ΒΌ cup sauce
- 1 tablespoon butter
Instructions
Quick Cooking Chicken Wings
- Set your Traeger 375ΛF and preheat with the lid closed for 15 minutes.
- Pat the chicken wings dry with paper towels. Season the wings on all sides.
- Once the Traeger has reached 375, lay the wings directly on the grill grates and cook for 15-20 minutes with the lid closed. Flip the wings after the 15-20 minute and continue cooking for an additional 15-20 minutes.
- While the wings cook, prepare your favorite sauce and combine with melted butter. Set these aside so they're ready when your wings are done cooking.
- After 35-40 minutes of cooking or when the wings reach an internal temperature of 190-200ΛF remove them from the Traeger directly to the bowl with your sauce. Stir the wings so they are all evenly coated with sauce and serve as desired.
Smoked Chicken Wings
- Set your Traeger to 225-250ΛF and preheat with the lid closed for 10-15 minutes.
- Pat the chicken wings dry with paper towels and season on all sides.
- Once the Traeger has reached the smoking temperature, lay the wings directly on the grill grates and cook with the lid closed for 45-60 minutes.
- After the 45-60 minute mark, increase the grill temperature to 375ΛF and cook for an additional 15-20 minutes or until the chicken skin has reached your desired texture.
- Remove the wings from the grill and toss in your favorite or second favorite wing sauce.
Video
Nutrition
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Claudia says
Made these Saturdayβs college games. The wings had the best texture ever!