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chicken wing dry rub for smoking - A tray of crispy smoked chicken wings coated in a dark mahogany dry rub.

Ultimate Chicken Wing Dry Rub for Smoking

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A perfectly balanced, sweet and spicy dry rub specifically designed to create crispy, flavorful skin on smoked chicken wings.

  • Total Time: PT1H45M
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x

Ingredients

Scale

2 lbs chicken wings (flats and drums separated)
1/4 cup dark brown sugar
2 tablespoons smoked paprika
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon onion powder
1 tablespoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 tablespoon cornstarch
2 tablespoons olive oil (for binding)

Instructions

Step 1: Pat the chicken wings completely dry with paper towels to ensure a crispy finish.
Step 2: In a medium bowl, whisk together the brown sugar, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, cayenne, chili powder, and cornstarch until no lumps remain.
Step 3: Place wings in a large mixing bowl and drizzle with olive oil, tossing to coat evenly.
Step 4: Sprinkle the chicken wing dry rub for smoking over the wings and toss thoroughly until every wing is generously coated.
Step 5: Preheat your smoker to 225°F (107°C) using your choice of wood (apple, cherry, or hickory work best).
Step 6: Place the wings directly on the smoker grates, leaving space between them for airflow.
Step 7: Smoke for 60 minutes, then increase the smoker temperature to 350°F (175°C) for an additional 20-30 minutes until the skin is crispy and internal temperature reaches 165°F.
Step 8: Remove from the smoker and let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

For extra crispy skin, let the rubbed wings sit uncovered in the refrigerator for 2-4 hours before smoking.

  • Prep Time: PT15M
  • Cook Time: PT1H30M
  • Category: Main Dishes & Savory Recipes
  • Cuisine: American BBQ

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 6-8 wings
  • Calories: 320
  • Sugar: 9g
  • Sodium: 890mg
  • Fat: 18g
  • Saturated Fat: 5g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 12g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 12g
  • Fiber: 1g
  • Protein: 24g
  • Cholesterol: 85mg