Grilled BBQ Chicken Wings Illinois Style on Arteflame

Introduction

These Illinois-style Grilled BBQ Chicken Wings are flame-grilled to crispy perfection on the Arteflame grill. By searing them over the center grill grate at 1,000°F, we lock in the juices before finishing them on the flat cooktop for the perfect texture. Then, we coat them in a rich, tangy BBQ sauce for a bold and smoky flavor. This grilling technique guarantees delicious, crispy wings every time. Fire up your Arteflame and get ready to impress with these mouthwatering wings!

Ingredients

• 2 lbs chicken wings
• 1 tbsp salt
• 1 tbsp black pepper
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 3 tbsp butter, melted
• 1 cup BBQ sauce
• 1 tbsp honey
• 1 tsp apple cider vinegar

Instructions

Step 1: Fire up the Arteflame grill

1. Pour some vegetable oil onto three paper napkins.
2. Place the soaked napkins inside the grill.
3. Stack firewood over the napkins.
4. Light the paper and wait about 20 minutes for the grill to reach proper grilling temperature.

Step 2: Prepare the chicken wings

1. Pat the chicken wings dry with a paper towel.
2. In a bowl, mix salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and smoked paprika.
3. Coat the wings evenly with the seasoning mixture.
4. Brush the wings with melted butter for extra flavor and crispiness.

Step 3: Sear the chicken wings

1. Place the wings directly on the center grill grate for a high-temperature sear.
2. Sear each side for about 2 minutes to lock in the juices.

Step 4: Finish cooking on the flat cooktop

1. Move the seared wings to the Arteflame flat cooktop for even cooking.
2. Cook for about 15-20 minutes, flipping occasionally until the internal temperature reaches 170°F.
3. Remove the wings from the grill when they reach 155°F as they will continue to cook.

Step 5: Coat with BBQ sauce

1. In a bowl, mix BBQ sauce, honey, and apple cider vinegar.
2. Toss the grilled wings in the BBQ sauce mixture until evenly coated.
3. Return coated wings to the cooktop for 2 minutes to caramelize the sauce slightly.

Tips

• For extra crispiness, let wings sit uncovered in the fridge for an hour before grilling.
• Always move wings from the center grill grate to the flat cooktop to ensure even cooking without burning.
• Use wood chunks for a smokier flavor. Cherry and hickory work great with BBQ chicken.
• Flip wings often on the cooktop to ensure they cook evenly on all sides.

Variations

• Spicy Buffalo Wings: Replace BBQ sauce with buffalo sauce and add cayenne pepper for extra heat.
• Garlic Parmesan Wings: Toss wings in melted butter, minced garlic, and grated Parmesan after grilling.
• Asian-Style Wings: Use a mix of soy sauce, honey, ginger, and sesame oil instead of BBQ sauce.
• Honey Mustard Wings: Combine honey, Dijon mustard, and a dash of lemon juice for a tangy glaze.
• Lemon Pepper Wings: Toss wings in lemon zest, cracked black pepper, and melted butter for a fresh flavor.

Conclusion

These Grilled BBQ Chicken Wings Illinois Style on the Arteflame grill are packed with bold flavors, crispy textures, and smoky goodness. The combination of high-heat searing on the center grill grate and gentle finishing on the flat cooktop ensures perfectly juicy wings every time. Whether for a summer cookout or game day, these wings will be a crowd-pleaser!

Best pairings

• Grilled corn on the cob with butter
• Coleslaw with a tangy vinegar dressing
• Grilled sweet potato fries
• Crisp celery and ranch dip
• A cold Illinois craft beer