Break out your Traeger, these Pellet Grill Chicken Wings are out of this world. So easy to make, perfect for summer bbq’s, tailgating or any game day party.
Who loves an easy chicken recipe? All hands are up over here because we sure love our chicken wings & now that we have our Traeger, they are so incredibly easy to make.
I have a thing about making sure the skin is super crisp while keeping that chicken juicy & tender. That can be hard to do when baking or frying. So when we figured out how to make them perfectly on the Traeger I was so happy.
Gina’s Recipe Rundown:
Texture: Pellet grill chicken wings have an incredible texture that combines the best of crispy and juicy. The skin gets beautifully crispy from the indirect heat and slow smoke of the pellet grill, developing a slight crunch with a smoky, caramelized flavor. Underneath, the meat stays tender, moist, and packed with a deep smoky essence that permeates every bite.
Taste: Pellet-grilled chicken wings have a bold, smoky flavor with a perfect balance of savory, sweet, and a hint of char. The smoke from the pellets infuses the wings with a deep, rich taste that pairs perfectly with dry rubs or sauces.
Ease: Pellet grill chicken wings are surprisingly easy to make, and the pellet grill does most of the work! In just a couple of hours, youโll have tender, juicy, smoky wings with crispy skinโperfect for gatherings or game days!
Why I love it: You love Pellet Grill Chicken Wings because they deliver the perfect balance of smoky, savory, and crispy flavors without the hassle. The slow, consistent heat of the pellet grill creates tender, juicy wings with a deep, wood-fired taste, while the crispy skin adds that satisfying crunch.
Theyโre versatileโyou can customize the flavor with different rubs, marinades, or saucesโand the “set it and forget it” cooking method makes them easy and stress-free. Whether for game day, backyard barbecues, or a quick weeknight dinner, theyโre always a hit!
**Don’t miss our Traeger Smoked Chicken Thighs too!
When it comes to game-day snacks, wings are where it’s at. I can’t get enough. I personally like mine without sauce, but this recipe makes it easy to toss these babies in whatever sauce strikes your fancy.
You won’t believe just how easy they are to make. No matter if you are hosting a game day party at your house, tailgating at the game, having friends over for a summer bbq or camping with the family, these will be enjoyed by all.
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- Gina’s Recipe Rundown:
- Here are some commonly asked questions
- Can I make these wings on a regular grill?
- Can I use sauce on these?
- What is the best way to store these Pellet Grill Chicken Wings?
- Why use a shallow container to store the leftovers?
- pellet grill recipes
- How many people will this serve?
- More Great Appetizers Made on the Smoker
- Can this recipe be doubled?
- Other Smoked Dishes
- HOW DO YOU MAKE Pellet Grill Chicken Wings?
- best chicken wings recipe
- How to reheat chicken wings?
- traeger chicken wings
- To make this recipe you will need…
- Products I love when making Pellet Grill Chicken Wings…
- easy traeger chicken wings recipe
- More Great Chicken Recipes
One thing we all love in this family is wings. We make sure to try the wings at every place we dine at, in search for the “perfect wings”.
I can tell you, we have not found them at any place we go, even the places that specialize in wings. There is always something we would change about them, which means we had to learn to make them perfectly ourselves. Now I am in wing heaven with this recipe.
Frequently Asked Questions for Traeger chicken wings
Can I make these wings on a regular grill?
The method on another type of grill is a bit different. You can try my recipe for grilled chicken wings here, which uses a gas grill. Still delicious, just a different way to make them.
Can I use sauce on these?
Absolutely. As I mentioned before, I like to enjoy them as is, but my family is all about the sauce. So once these are done cooking, just toss them in a large bowl with your favorite sauce & enjoy!
How do I get crispy skin on pellet grill wings?
To achieve crispy skin, pat the wings dry before seasoning. Smoke them at a lower temperature, then finish at 375ยฐF for 10-15 minutes to crisp the skin. A light coating of baking powder before cooking can also help.
What is the best way to store these Pellet Grill Chicken Wings?
We almost never have leftovers when it comes to chicken wings. But when we do, I find that the easiest way is to place in a shallow airtight container, label with the date & refrigerate. Make sure to get the leftovers refrigerated within an hour of cooking to prevent bacteria growth.
Why use a shallow container to store the leftovers?
Well, when the container is shallow, the contents chill faster than if you were to use a large, deep container. Ideally, you donโt want it to take too long for the leftovers to get to their chilled/stored temperature.
As I mentioned, if the food remains above about 35 degrees for more than 1 hour after cooking, the bacteria starts to grow.
What type of wood pellets are best for chicken wings?
Hickory, applewood, cherry, and mesquite are popular choices. Hickory offers a bold flavor, applewood adds sweetness, cherry gives a mild, fruity smoke, and mesquite has a strong, earthy flavor.
How many people will this serve?
Honestly, this really depends on how large or small your portions are & how large the appetites are. Iโm feeding 5 adult appetites, so this recipe feeds us 5 with no leftovers to speak of. But if you are feeding 2 adults & 2 smaller kids, then you will probably get at least 2 nights out of this recipe.
Do I need to marinate the wings first?
Marinating is optional. A dry rub works great for seasoning, but if you want extra flavor, marinate the wings for at least 30 minutes or overnight.
How can I prevent rubbery skin on pellet grill wings?
Ensure the wings are dry before seasoning and use a higher finishing temperature to render the fat and crisp up the skin. Avoid overcrowding the grill, which can trap moisture.
Should I flip the wings while cooking?
Flipping once during cooking ensures even heat and smoke distribution, but itโs not strictly necessary with indirect heat from a pellet grill.
More Great Appetizers Made on the Smoker
Can this recipe be doubled?
Yes โ I usually like to double this recipe when having friends over. I also double this recipe on game day, either when we are tailgating or hosting a game day party at home. This is also really great when we are camping. So easy.
How do I know when the wings are done?
Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature. Wings are done when they reach 165ยฐF, but cooking to 175ยฐF-185ยฐF makes them even more tender.
Can I use frozen wings on the pellet grill?
Itโs best to thaw wings before grilling for even cooking. However, you can smoke frozen wings at a lower temp initially before increasing the heat to finish.
Other Smoked Dishes
HOW DO YOU MAKE Pellet Grill Chicken Wings?
- Place chicken wings in a large bowl with olive oil, salt, pepper, seasoned salt, Pappy’s & granulated garlic. Toss to coat.
- Set the temperature of your grill to 350โ & preheat, lid closed for 15 minutes.
- Place the seasoned chicken wings on the grill & close the lid.
- Cook for 45 to 50 minutes, or until the skin is brown and crisp and the meat is no longer pink at the bone.
- Turn once during the cooking time to prevent the wings from sticking to the grill grate. Remove from grill.
- Place in a large bowl & toss with your favorite sauce if desired or enjoy right off the grill.
How long does it take to cook wings on a pellet grill?
Typically, it takes about 1.5 to 2 hours at 225ยฐF for a slow smoke, then an optional final crisping at 375ยฐF for 10-15 minutes. For faster cooking, set the grill to 350ยฐF for 30-40 minutes.
How to reheat chicken wings?
This can be done a number of ways. Sometimes we just zap them in the microwave for 1-2 minutes or until hot, but this doesn’t keep the skins crisp. So to counter this, we like to lay them out on a baking pan & cook them in the oven for about 15 minutes (this takes so long because you are reheating from such a cold temperature).
But sometimes it is just easiest to place the chicken wings in the air fryer & cook for about 5-6 minutes or until hot & ready to enjoy. This will keep the skins just as crisp as they were the first time.
What temperature should I cook wings on a Traeger grill?
For the best smoky flavor, start at 225ยฐF, then finish at 375ยฐF to crisp up the skin. You can also cook at 350ยฐF the entire time if you prefer quicker wings.
Traeger Chicken Wing Ingredients
- hickory pellets
- chicken wings
- bacon grease OR olive oil
- salt
- pepper
- seasoned salt
- Pappy’s seasoning
- granulated garlic
- *Optional BBQ sauce or hot sauce of choice & ranch dressing for dipping
How can I add extra flavor to my wings?
Try different rubs, sauces, or glazes! You can baste them during the last 10 minutes or toss them in sauce after cooking.
Products I love when making Pellet Grill Chicken Wings…
This Pellet Grill Chicken Wings recipe is so simple and delicious – and if you use your grill a lot, you probably already have many of these items on hand like I do!
OR If you are new to using a pellet grill, you might be a bit nervous – but youโre going to love this AWESOME wings recipe. I have made a list below of the things I absolutely can’t live without when it comes to making these delicious chicken wings.
- Traeger โ Pro 34
- Traeger for camping
- Stay Dry Bin for Pellets
- tongs
- mixing bowl
- this BBQ sauce
- Grill pellets
These Pellet Grill Chicken Wings are a must-make for every occasion!
easy traeger chicken wings recipe
If you love this Pellet Grill Chicken Wings recipe, youโre going to love these quick & easy tailgating recipes too. Please click each link below to find the easy, printable recipe!
More Great Chicken Recipes
Grilled Boneless Chicken Thighs
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Pellet Grill Chicken Wings
Ingredients
- 2ยฝ lbs chicken wings
- โ cup BACON GREASE OR olive oil
- 3 tsp Pappyโs seasoning
- 3 tsp granulated garlic
- 2 tsp seasoned salt
- 2 tsp salt
- 2 tsp pepper
*Optional BBQ sauce or hot sauce of choice & ranch dressing for dipping
Instructions
- Place chicken wings in a large bowl. Blot off any excess moisture.
- Pour in the bacon grease or olive oil. Toss to coat.
- Move the wings to a sheet pan and then add the Pappy's, granulated garlic, seasoned salt, salt, and pepper.
- Set the temperature of your grill to 350โ & preheat, lid closed for 15 minutes.
- Place the seasoned chicken wings on the grill & close the lid.
- Cook for 30-45 minutes, or until the skin is brown and crisp and the meat is no longer pink at the bone. Be sure to turn HALFWAY through the cooking process.
- Remove from grill.
- Place in a large bowl & toss with your favorite sauce if desired or enjoy right off the grill.
Notes
Equipment
- hickory pellets
- smoker
Nutrition
Nutritional information for the recipe is provided as a courtesy and is approximate. Please double-check with your own dietary calculator for the best accuracy. We at Yummi Haus cannot guarantee the accuracy of the nutritional information given for any recipe on this site.
