If you are looking for a recipe that is a celebration of summer grilling, you’ve come to the right place.
This recipe is almost beyond description in how scrumptious it is. We are thrilled to have partnered with Kroger to share this “cook-in” recipe! Whether you’re grilling inside or out, this recipe is one you’ll want to make time and time again!
VIDEO ALERT: Be sure to check out the video for this recipe in the recipe card. If you like the video, subscribe to our YouTube Channel!
HOW TO MAKE GRILLED BOURBON MAPLE CHICKEN WINGS
There are several components to this dish that we feel put these wings in real contention for winning the battle of best wings ever.
The rub, the sauce, and even the prepping of the wings can all be done in advance, meaning that when it’s time to fire up the grill, you’re almost done!
The bourbon and the maple syrup are key, of course, and we’ll get to that soon.
The Perfect BBQ Rub is the perfect match against the slightly sweet sauce.
One batch is all you need for these wings, but the rub is so perfectly wonderful, that we double the recipe, just to have extra on hand!
PREPARING THE CHICKEN
We love using whole chicken wings for this recipe. These wings are good and messy, and you want a whole wing that you can solidly grab with two hands (with plenty of napkins nearby!).
Place the chicken wings in a large bowl, add some olive oil and apple cider vinegar, and then dump all the BBQ rub. Toss with a couple of large wooden spoons until fully coated.
EXPERT TIP: The BBQ rub is so deeply flavorful, you could throw them on the grill right after coating them, and they would be delicious. But letting them chill and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, or even better, overnight, is recommended. You can simply cover the bowl with plastic wrap, or transfer to a large freezer baggie until ready to grill.
QUALITY INGREDIENTS MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE
It’s no surprise to say the two most important ingredients for our Bourbon Maple sauce are…you guessed it: Bourbon and maple syrup.
There are lots of awesome bourbons on the market. Ask that bourbon drinker in your life for a good option.
For the maple syrup, we always turn to Kroger’s Private Selection 100% Pure Grade A Amber Color Maple Syrup. The taste and texture are truly the best, and a MAJOR reason these wings are so epic in taste.
The Worcestershire sauce, tomato paste, dried oregano, salt, and pepper round out the taste perfectly
Simmer until just thickened, about 5 minutes. Oh, the smell! Just amazing! Now it’s time to fire up the grill! Grilled Bourbon Maple Wings are getting close to a reality!
EXPERT TIP: Both the rub and the sauce can be made in advance. The rub will stay for weeks in an airtight container and the sauce will keep in the fridge for up to 1 week.
GRILL THE WINGS OVER DIRECT HEAT
We’re getting close to prime time folks!
Fire the grill up to a nice medium-hot and place the wings on the grates, turning once after 5 minutes, and allowing them to cook for another 5 minutes. Slather on the sauce all over and let cook for another 3 minutes per side, or until fully cooked through and lightly charred
EXPERT TIP: You can absolutely cook these on your indoor grill if you don’t have an outdoor grill. Baking them is an option, too! Bake them at 350°F for 45 minutes, and then baste them all over with the sauce, and let them go another 15 minutes, or until nicely browned.
This is a bold statement, but these wings are what all other wings wish they could be.
Bold. Messy. Insanely Delicious.
As mentioned, you’ll want to have an extra roll of paper towels handy before you start devouring these gems!
CELEBRATE SUMMER AT HOME WITH KROGER
If you’re stuck at home, that doesn’t mean you can’t celebrate summer and still have AMAZING summertime food to whip up and chow down on!
For the best products, we consistently turn to Kroger. They always deliver freshness and quality and have everything we need to make our summer grilling a HUGE success.
These Grilled Bourbon Maple Wings are off-the-hook delicious.
Perfect for summer cookouts or summer cook-“ins”!
Just take a look at this baby and try not to have a mouth-watering experience.
Ready to make and serve the most awesome grilled chicken wings ever? Go for it!
And when you do, be sure to take a photo, post it on Instagram, and tag @howtofeedaloon and @Krogerco and hashtag #howtofeedaloon and #RECIPEHASHTAGE (need to get this)
Grilled Bourbon Maple Wings
Video
Equipment
- Grill: Gas, charcoal, or electric. Indoor electric grill.
Ingredients
FOR THE WINGS
- 2 lbs chicken wings whole
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- ½ cup BBQ rub
FOR THE SAUCE
- 2 tablespoon unsalted butter
- ¼ cup onion grated on the medium holes of a box cutter
- ½ cup bourbon
- ¾ cup maple syrup pure
- 2 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- ½ teaspoon oregano dried
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper freshly ground
Instructions
DO AHEAD
- Make the Perfect BBQ Rub.
MARINATE THE WINGS
- Place the wings in a large bowl and add the oil, vinegar, and BBQ rub and toss with large wooden spoons until the wings are completely coated. Cover with plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes, or up to overnight.
MAKE THE BBQ SAUCE
- Melt the butter in a medium-sized saucepan over medium heat. Add the grated onions and cook for three minutes.
- Add the bourbon, maple syrup, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, oregano, salt and pepper, and stir to incorporate.
- Simmer for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
GRILL THE WINGS!
- Fire up your grill to medium-high heat.
- Once the grill is ready, add wings to the grill.
- Cook on each side until slightly charred, about 5 minutes per side.
- Slather on the BBQ sauce, and cook for another 2 minutes each per side.
- Remove and serve immediately with remaining BBQ sauce
Marie says
I made these tonight for dinner and they were AMAZING!!!!!! We all loved them! You are right – the entire wing is the way to go!! I used the last of my husband’s bourbon to make the sauce, but he didn’t even mind because the sauce was so finger-licking good!!!!
I love you guys so much!!!!! You brighten even the darkest of days!!
I’ve enjoyed every recipe I’ve tried of yours, and I look forward to making many more.
Kris Longwell says
Hi Marie! You can’t even imagine how much this means to us! Thank you so so much for your kind words. It’s wonderful people like you that make us love what we do so much! And…Woo hoo!! So glad you and your hubby loved the bourbon maple wings! Well, looks like your husband needs to make a bourbon run!! LOL!! Thank you so so much for sharing and for the GREAT review. Please stay in touch! It means the world to us! All the very best, Kris & Wesley
Jane C Johnson says
OMG, This is one of the best recipes I have ever made. I made these for my son who was visiting with me during this horrible Covid lock down. I had never barbecued anything other than a hamburger before. I meticulously made these wonderful wings , following your recipe to a T. Chris. I love you!!!. So good. They are going to be made many times in the future. The rub is absolutely fantastic and the barbecue sauce is the best I have ever tasted. My son could not stop going “Wow, Wow, Mom. Soooo great. Better than any restaurant food!!”
I just love you and Wesley. Love everything you make. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Janie
Chendria McGowen says
I made these tonight and used your rub recipe and as always with your recipes they were absolutely delicious! My son told me I aced dinner. Lol, anyway thanks for the great recipe!
Kris Longwell says
Hi Chendria! That is music to our ears!! So so thrilled to hear that you, and especially your son, enjoyed the bourbon maple wings. Those are definitely some of our favorites!!! Thanks for letting us know. We appreciate that very much!! Stay in touch! All the best, Kris & Wesley
Kim says
Wowza ! These were so delish ! Had to sub party drummies as this pandemic has apparently caused a “wing shortage “.
I made the dry rub and sauce ahead of time and marinated the wings for about 6 hours before putting them on the grill. The sweet and spice were phenomenal !
Kris Longwell says
Woo hoo!!! You are a cookin’ grillin’ queen of the night!! Thanks for the great review!!! xoxoxo
Megan says
Delicious and easy, great for a summer meal!
Kris Longwell says
Woo hoo!! We are so happy you loved the Bourbon Maple Wings! We love ’em, too, so much! Thanks so much for letting us know and for the wonderful review! That means the world to us!! Always the very best, Kris & Wesley
Vera says
Hi Kris.. this so looks delicious I would love to make them but don’t have a BBQ
\how would I do them in the oven ?
And also what do you use for the rub. do you have a recipe for the rub? Thank you Vera much love your shows ,,
Kris Longwell says
Hi Vera, so sorry for the delayed response. You can bake these in the oven at 350 F for approx. 50 to 60 minutes, or until juices run clear. If you click on the link in the recipe (or in the blog post), it will take you to the recipe for the BBQ rub. Let us know if you don’t see it or have any other questions!
Thalia @ butter and brioche says
I am loving these chicken wings and all that sticky bourbon glaze especially. Definitely need to try out the recipe!
krislongwell says
Hi Thalia! It’s so funny. We were in Atlanta last week reviewing some amazing restaurants for H2FaL, and at the airport on the way home, we stopped into this bar/restaurant. A small place, and I ordered some bourbon maple wings. They were literally the best wings I have ever had in my life! At the Atlanta Airport! Who knew. I just had to try and re-create them. They served the entire wing, which we really liked. It took me a few batches to get them just right, but, oh my goodness are the good!