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Flavorful Grilled Chicken Wings Recipe with Easy Carolina Gold BBQ Sauce

grilled chicken wings carolina gold bbq sauce - featured image

This recipe features perfectly grilled chicken wings brushed with a tangy, slightly spicy Carolina Gold BBQ sauce made from a mustard base, apple cider vinegar, honey, and spices. Ready in under 45 minutes, it’s a crowd-pleaser perfect for backyard BBQs and game day.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 pounds (900g) chicken wings, split at the joint and tips removed
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 cup (240ml) yellow mustard
  • 1/4 cup (60ml) apple cider vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

  1. Rinse and pat dry 2 pounds (900g) of chicken wings with paper towels. Toss the wings in 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, and 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika until evenly coated. Let them rest for 15 minutes at room temperature.
  2. In a small saucepan over low heat, combine 1 cup yellow mustard, 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar, 2 tablespoons honey, 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon onion powder, 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Stir occasionally until warm and slightly thickened, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
  3. Preheat the grill to medium-high, around 375°F (190°C). Clean and oil the grates to prevent sticking.
  4. Place wings on the grill in a single layer. Cook for 10 minutes on one side, then flip and baste with a generous brush of the Carolina Gold BBQ sauce. Grill for another 10 minutes, flipping and basting every 5 minutes. Watch for flare-ups and move wings if needed to avoid burning.
  5. Use a meat thermometer to ensure wings reach 165°F (74°C). If unavailable, cut into one wing; juices should run clear.
  6. Give the wings one last brush of sauce, then remove from the grill and let rest for 5 minutes.
  7. Arrange on a platter, garnish with chopped fresh parsley or sliced green onions if desired, and serve with extra Carolina Gold BBQ sauce on the side for dipping.

Notes

Dry wings thoroughly before seasoning for crispy skin. Apply BBQ sauce gradually during grilling to build flavor layers without burning sugars. Maintain steady grill temperature to avoid rubbery skin. Rest wings after grilling to keep them juicy. For gluten-free, use gluten-free Worcestershire sauce. Sauce can be warmed in microwave if short on time.

Nutrition

Keywords: grilled chicken wings, Carolina Gold BBQ sauce, backyard BBQ, easy chicken wings, grilled wings recipe, tangy BBQ sauce, mustard BBQ sauce