Chicken wings are a favorite for many, right? They’re even better when they’re sticky, a little sweet, and have a smoky taste.

These Bourbon BBQ Glazed Chicken Wings are great for watching games, having parties, or just for a fun dinner during the week.

They taste so good, everyone will want more.

Recipe Overview

These wings are special because of their amazing glaze. Imagine a mix of sweet, savory, and a tiny bit of spicy, all with a smoky flavor.

We bake these wings, so they’re a bit healthier and easier to clean up than if you fried them. But don’t worry, they still get nice and crispy.

You can serve them with celery and blue cheese or ranch dressing for dipping. They are a good side dish option too.

Everyone will love them! Adding a little bit of heat, and these are a definite hit.

Ingredients for Bourbon BBQ Glazed Chicken Wings

2 pounds of chicken wings (the kind that are already cut into pieces)
1 tablespoon of olive oil
1 teaspoon of salt
1/2 teaspoon of black pepper
1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon of onion powder
1/2 teaspoon of smoked paprika

For the Glaze:

1 cup of BBQ sauce (whichever one you like best!)
1/4 cup of maple syrup
2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar
1 tablespoon brown sugar, for a richer, caramel-like sweetness.
1 teaspoon of Worcestershire sauce
1/2 teaspoon of chili powder (add more or less, depending on how spicy you like it)

You can use any BBQ sauce you find. you could use butter instead of olive oil, if you have it.
If you don’t have smoked paprika, regular paprika is okay, but the smoked kind makes it taste smokier.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Get Ready: Turn your oven on to 400°F (200°C). Put some parchment paper on a baking sheet. This will make cleaning up much easier!
Add Flavor to the Wings: Put the chicken wings in a big bowl. Add the olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika. Mix it all up so the wings are covered with the spices.
First Bake: Put the wings on the baking sheet in a single layer. Make sure they have some space between them, so they can get crispy. Bake them for 25 minutes.
Make the Glaze: While the wings are baking, make the glaze. In a small pot, mix the BBQ sauce, maple syrup, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, and chili powder.
Heat the Glaze: Heat the glaze mix on medium heat. Let it bubble gently for about 5-7 minutes. Stir it sometimes. It should get a little thicker, so it sticks to the back of a spoon.
Flip and Bake Again: After 25 minutes, take the wings out and flip them over. Put them back in the oven for another 15 minutes.
Add the Glaze: Now for the best part! Take the wings out and brush them with the glaze. Use a brush or the back of a spoon to cover them well.
Final Bake: Put the glazed wings back in the oven for 5-10 more minutes. The glaze should be bubbly and look a bit caramelized. Watch them closely so they don’t burn.
Rest & Serve: Take the wings out of the oven and let the wings cool down before serving.
Serve them hot, with your favorite dips!

Variations & Tips

More Spicy: If you like it hot, add a little cayenne pepper or some hot sauce to the glaze.
Less or More Sweet: Change the amount of maple syrup or brown sugar to make it sweeter or less sweet.
Make Ahead: You can get the wings ready with the spices and make the glaze before you’re ready to cook. Keep them in the fridge, then put them together and bake when you want.
Leftovers: You can keep leftover wings in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Reheating: To heat them up again, bake them in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until they’re warm, or use an air fryer to make them crispy again.
Feel Free to add any other herbs and spices.

Key Details for Bourbon BBQ Glazed Chicken Wings

Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 50-60 minutes
Total time: 65-75 minutes
Servings: 4-6 people
Equipment you’ll need: Baking sheet, parchment paper, big bowl, small pot, brush (or spoon)

FAQ

Can I use frozen chicken wings?

Yes! Just make sure they’re not frozen anymore before you start. You might need to cook them a little longer at first.

Can I grill these wings?

Yes! Heat your grill to medium-high. Grill the wings, turning them over sometimes, until they’re cooked. Then, brush them with the glaze at the end.

What if I don’t have apple cider vinegar?

You can use white vinegar or lemon juice instead. It will taste a bit different, but still good.

How do I know when the wings are done?

The best way is to use a meat thermometer. Stick it into the thickest part of the wing (but not the bone). It should read 165°F (74°C).

Can I make the glaze less sweet?

Yes! Use less maple syrup or brown sugar. You can also add more apple cider vinegar to make it more tangy.

Is it better to use fresh or frozen wings?

Fresh wings might be a little better, but frozen wings are fine, especially with this tasty glaze. Just remember to thaw the frozen wings all the way!

Bourbon BBQ Glazed Chicken Wings

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 55

Total Time 1 10

Course Main Dish

Cuisine American

Servings 4 servings

Calories 550 kcal

Ingredients

2 pounds of chicken wings the kind that are already cut into pieces
1 tablespoon of olive oil
1 teaspoon of salt
1/2 teaspoon of black pepper
1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon of onion powder
1/2 teaspoon of smoked paprika
1 cup of BBQ sauce
1/4 cup of maple syrup
2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1 teaspoon of Worcestershire sauce
1/2 teaspoon of chili powder

Instructions

Turn your oven on to 400°F (200°C). Put some parchment paper on a baking sheet.
Put the chicken wings in a big bowl. Add the olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika. Mix it all up so the wings are covered with the spices.
Put the wings on the baking sheet in a single layer. Bake them for 25 minutes.
While the wings are baking, make the glaze. In a small pot, mix the BBQ sauce, maple syrup, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, and chili powder.
Heat the glaze mix on medium heat. Let it bubble gently for about 5-7 minutes, until it thickens.
After 25 minutes, take the wings out and flip them over. Put them back in the oven for another 15 minutes.
Take the wings out and brush them with the glaze.
Put the glazed wings back in the oven for 5-10 more minutes, until the glaze is bubbly and caramelized.
Take the wings out of the oven and let the wings cool down before serving.