Grilling Chicken Wings: A Craft Beer & BBQ Lover’s Guide

by | Jul 26, 2023 | Forks, Latest News

grilling chicken wings

Grilling chicken wings can be a daunting task for many.

The fear of undercooking or overcooking often looms large…

Perfectly grilling chicken wings on the grill, however, is what separates an average cook from a grill master. But if you don’t know how to achieve that crispy skin and juicy meat combo, you’ll never reach this level.

Nailing grilled wings is tricky, folks.

I recently spoke with a BBQ enthusiast who confessed his frustration after several failed attempts at grilling. He ended up with burnt yet raw-in-the-middle chicken wings!

No wonder he was discouraged to fire up the grill again!

 

Table of Contents:

The History of Chicken Wings

Chicken wings, a staple in American cuisine and an absolute favorite among BBQ enthusiasts. Ever pondered the origin of these delicious morsels? Let’s take a trip back to 1964, Buffalo, New York at the renowned Anchor Bar.

In essence, it was Teressa Bellissimo who transformed this overlooked part into what we now relish as grilled chicken wings.

Origin Story: From Buffalo NY to Nationwide Phenomenon

Bellissimo’s innovative approach involved deep-frying them and tossing them in her special hot sauce, which instantly became popular with locals. Soon enough, word spread about this unique way of preparing grilled chicken wings, leading its fame beyond just Anchor Bar.

  1. Pioneered by Bellissimo, fried then tossed in spicy sauce (Original Recipe)
  2. Taken over by grilling lovers nationwide resulting in smoky flavor profiles (BBQ Version)
  3. Dry rubs instead of sauces emerged, adding another layer of versatility to this loved snack food (Dry-Rubbed Variation).

Evolution Of Chicken Wing Recipes:

Chefs across the country started experimenting with their own versions, creating an array of flavors like honey-glazed ones and even Asian-inspired ones featuring soy ginger glaze. This evolution has led us to countless recipes online, each promising good crisp skin while maintaining tender-on-the-inside meatiness, speaking volumes about how far we’ve come since the initial days at Anchor Bar.

This shows there are no limits when it comes to creativity in the culinary world, especially when dealing with a versatile dish such as crispy, deliciously seasoned wing pieces.

To put it simply, the next time you purchase a fresh pack at your local store, remember the story behind its humble beginnings and the transformation into something truly extraordinary, thanks to the passion and innovation of those early pioneers in the cooking field.

 
Key Takeaway: 
Chicken wings, an American culinary staple, owe their fame to Teressa Bellissimo’s 1964 innovation at Buffalo’s Anchor Bar. From deep-frying and hot sauce tossing to grilling with smoky flavors or dry rubs, these tasty treats have evolved into countless flavor profiles. The humble wing’s journey from overlooked part to beloved snack is a testament to the limitless creativity in cooking.

National Chicken Wing Day Celebration

Every last Saturday of July, Americans nationwide unite to celebrate a food that has become an integral part of their culture – chicken wings. This day is affectionately known as National Chicken Wing Day.

Significance Behind Celebrating National Chicken Wing Day

The birth of National Chicken Wing Day can be traced back to 1977 when Stan Makowski, the then mayor of Buffalo, declared this special day in honor of his city’s culinary masterpiece. The goal was not just about boosting local businesses but also recognizing how deeply these flavorful morsels had been embedded into America’s gastronomic identity.

This annual celebration serves as a delicious reminder for all about the versatility and popularity that grilled chicken wings have achieved over time. Whether savored at home or relished at your favorite restaurant, each wing adds flavor and joy to our lives with its crispy skin and smoky flavor from grilling on a gas grill or charcoal grill alike.

Americans’ Love Affair With Wings: Fun Facts About Consumption Of Grilled Wings

The love affair between Americans and their grilled chicken wings is evident from consumption statistics alone. It’s estimated that during Super Bowl weekend itself, we consume billions upon billions of fried wings, let alone those cooked using other methods like grilling, which gives a good crisp to the chicken wing without deep frying them.

If you were wondering what it would look like if you placed all those Super Bowl Sunday consumed wing pieces end-to-end, well, they’d circle Earth three times. Now isn’t that some serious dedication towards celebrating this humble yet delectable dish?

Big Green Egg – A Unique Cooking Experience

The Big Green Egg isn’t just another barbecue grill. It’s an innovative outdoor cooking tool that combines the functionality of a smoker, oven, and grill into one.

Introduction To Big Green Egg And Its Features

Inspired by ancient Japanese Kamado cookers’ design principles, the Big Green Egg is your ultimate culinary partner offering exceptional versatility. The patented airflow control system coupled with high-quality ceramic construction allows for precise temperature regulation from 200°F to over 750°F; perfect for slow-cooking ribs or quickly searing steaks.

Beyond its impressive ability to regulate temperatures, thanks to its unique egg-shaped design, it also excels at retaining moisture within food items, ensuring evenly cooked chicken wings every time you fire up your EGG.

Why Choose Big Green Egg For Your Next Cookout?

If achieving smoky flavor without deep-frying sounds like music to your ears, then grilling chicken wings on the Big Green Egg might be exactly what you need. This method doesn’t only yield tender-on-the-inside crispy grilled chicken wings but infuses them with irresistible live fire smoke flavor courtesy of natural lump charcoal used as a fuel source in this device.

  1. You’re not just getting crisp skin when using this equipment – You are unlocking flavorsome depths that fried wings can never match.
  2. Safety should always come first while dealing with open flames and hot surfaces, which makes observing proper grilling safety tips crucial while operating such devices. With minimal risk of flare-ups or accidental burns due to its structure, even novice grillers can confidently use the EGG safely.

Mouth-Watering Wings On The EGG Recipe Guide

Grilling wings to perfection on the Big Green Egg is an art that requires practice and patience. But once mastered, you’ll be serving up crispy chicken wings with juicy meat every time.

Preparing Your Ingredients & Marinating The Wings

The journey towards mouth-watering grilled chicken wings begins with careful preparation. Start by taking out your package of chicken wings at least an hour before cooking time so they can reach room temperature. Pat them dry using paper towels, then refrigerate until ready for use.

Toss these deep-fried brothers into some melted butter prior to seasoning application to ensure better adhesion of flavors onto your wing pieces. Opt for a simple salt and pepper rub or experiment with any of the six Big Green Egg Seasonings.

Grilling Techniques For Perfectly Crispy Wings Using Natural Lump Charcoal

Achieving great sauce-infused flavor in grilled chicken wings comes from utilizing natural lump charcoal offered by Big Green Egg products, which provides a live fire smoke taste profile unique to this method of grilling.

You have two recommended methods: direct or indirect—the former providing more char but less cooking time, while the latter offers longer cook times but less crisp skin texture. Both techniques deliver equally delectable results when executed properly.

  1. If saucy over dry-rubbed after grilling is what tickles your palate, consider trying one from their line-up of barbecue sauces or hot sauces as additional toppings. Garlic parmesan and chives are also suggested along these lines. Lastly, sharing results via social media and tagging @biggreenegg with the hashtag #biggreenegg is encouraged for readers.

FAQs in Relation to Chicken Wings on the Grill

What is the secret to grilling wings?

The key lies in maintaining a steady temperature, using indirect heat for even cooking, and frequent flipping. Marinating beforehand also enhances flavor.

How long should wings cook on the grill?

Grill chicken wings for about 20-25 minutes over medium heat or until they reach an internal temperature of 165°F.

Should you put oil on wings before grilling?

A light coating of oil prevents sticking and helps seasonings adhere better. However, too much can cause flare-ups.

How to prep chicken wings for grilling?

Clean your chicken wings thoroughly then pat dry. Apply a rub or marinade at least an hour before grilling to enhance flavor.

Conclusion

Grilling chicken wings is an art, a skill that sets apart the average cook from the grill master.

We’ve journeyed through their history, tracing roots back to Buffalo and seeing how they became a nationwide sensation.

You now know about National Chicken Wing Day – it’s not just another day on the calendar but a celebration of this culinary delight!

The Big Green Egg isn’t your everyday cooking tool. It’s versatile and perfect for achieving crispy wings with smoky flavor without any grease.

And yes, you have in your hands a step-by-step guide to prepare mouth-watering crispy chicken wings using this fantastic grill. From marinating to grilling techniques using natural lump charcoal – we covered it all!

If you’re excited about firing up your Big Green Egg and getting those deliciously crisp chicken wings on the grill, then Pints, Forks & Friends is where you need to be! We bring together local bars, restaurants and BBQ content that will keep feeding your passion for good food and great company. Check us out at PintsForksFriends.com. Let’s make every meal an occasion worth celebrating!

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