Grilled Honey Garlic Chicken Wings Recipe

If you’re ready to jazz up your next cookout, these Grilled Honey Garlic Chicken Wings are about to become your new favorite obsession. They’re sweet, savory, and kissed by the grill—each bite sticky, garlicky, and just the right amount of irresistible. Perfect for parties, game days, or a casual backyard dinner, this recipe will have everyone licking their fingers and coming back for seconds!

this Recipe

Ingredients You’ll Need

You won’t believe how a few classic ingredients can create such deep and addictive flavors in these wings. Each component—from the honey to the soy sauce—brings something special to the party, ensuring every wing is bursting with sticky, garlicky goodness.

• Chicken wings (12–14 whole or 24 party wings): Use party wings already separated into wingettes and drumettes for easier eating and saucing.
• Salt and pepper: Essential for seasoning the wings before grilling and bringing out all those natural flavors.
• Green onion, thinly sliced: Adds a pop of color and a fresh contrast to the sticky sweet glaze.
• Orange juice (fresh-squeezed, about 1/3 cup): The touch of citrus balances out the sweet honey and infuses brightness into every bite.
• Honey: The star of the show, bringing not just sweetness, but a beautiful sticky glaze to the wings.
• Soy sauce: Lends deep, salty umami flavor that pairs perfectly with garlic and honey.
• Olive oil: For both the sauce and brushing the grates, keeping things luscious and preventing stickiness.
• Garlic powder: Quick, reliable garlic flavor—no mincing necessary!
• Corn starch: Thickens the honey garlic sauce so every wing gets a perfect, shiny coating.

Variations

Sometimes you want to switch things up or adapt a recipe to fit your mood. Grilled Honey Garlic Chicken Wings are super flexible, so you can play with flavors, textures, or even oven-bake them to suit your crowd or cravings.

• Spicy Kick: Stir a teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes or sriracha into the honey garlic sauce for a sweet-spicy punch.
• Gluten-Free Version: Use tamari or coconut aminos in place of soy sauce for a gluten-free adaptation that keeps the wings just as flavorful.
• Lemon Twist: Swap the orange juice for lemon juice and zest for a zingier, more citrus-forward glaze.
• Oven-Baked Option: Don’t have a grill? You can easily bake these wings in the oven for an equally golden, delicious result!

How to Make Grilled Honey Garlic Chicken Wings

Step 1: Prepare the Honey Garlic Sauce

Start by making the star of the show—your honey garlic sauce! Combine honey, fresh orange juice, soy sauce, olive oil, garlic powder, and corn starch in a small saucepan. Heat it over medium, bringing it to a gentle simmer. Keep stirring as it thickens, about 3–4 minutes, so the sauce doesn’t stick or burn. Once it’s glossy and luscious, remove from heat and set aside—you’ll want this ready when your wings come off the grill!

Step 2: Season & Preheat the Grill

Lay out your chicken wings and give them a generous sprinkle of salt and pepper. Meanwhile, preheat your grill to medium heat. This ensures even cooking and that essential crispy skin. Lightly brush your grill grates with olive oil, which helps prevent sticking and makes clean-up a breeze.

Step 3: Grill to Golden Perfection

Evenly distribute the wings on the prepped grill grates. Grill for 12–15 minutes, flipping every few minutes so each piece gets lovely grill marks and cooks evenly. You’re looking for golden brown skin and meat that’s cooked all the way through. Use a digital thermometer to check for an internal temp of 165°F for juicy, safely cooked wings.

Step 4: Sauce, Garnish & Serve

Once the wings are beautifully grilled, transfer them to a platter or large bowl. Generously baste them in that shimmering honey garlic sauce until every wing is glistening. Scatter thinly sliced green onions over the top for a final burst of color and crunch. Serve these Grilled Honey Garlic Chicken Wings hot and watch them disappear!

How to Serve Grilled Honey Garlic Chicken Wings

Garnishes

For a burst of freshness and a hit of color, sprinkle more sliced green onions over the top just before serving. You could also add a scatter of toasted sesame seeds for crunch, or a little finely chopped cilantro for a hint of herbal brightness. A few wedges of fresh orange on the platter are a nice touch, too!

Side Dishes

These wings shine as the star of the show, but they love some supporting acts. Try them with classic sides like grilled corn, a crisp cabbage slaw, potato wedges, or even a refreshing cucumber salad. For that extra game-day feel, a big bowl of kettle chips always brings smiles all around.

Creative Ways to Present

Pile your Grilled Honey Garlic Chicken Wings high on a rustic wooden board for casual parties, arrange them neatly around a handcrafted dipping bowl filled with extra sauce, or serve them in parchment-lined baskets for a fun, picnic-style vibe. For a family dinner, they’re charming on a simple white platter, surrounded by fresh herbs and citrus slices.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you happen to have any wings left (it’s rare, trust me!), let them cool completely. Store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. This keeps the wings moist and the flavors locked in.

Freezing

Yes, you can freeze grilled chicken wings! Arrange the cooled wings in a single layer on a baking sheet, freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer bag. They’ll keep well for up to 2 months. When you’re ready to eat, thaw overnight in the fridge for best texture.

Reheating

To bring your Grilled Honey Garlic Chicken Wings back to life, pop them in a 350°F oven for 10-15 minutes until heated through and the glaze is bubbling. For extra crispiness, place them under the broiler for a minute or two, but watch closely to avoid burning the sweet sauce.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

It’s impossible not to fall in love with these Grilled Honey Garlic Chicken Wings. They turn simple ingredients into a dish worthy of summer Saturdays, special occasions, or any moment when you need a comfort food fix. Fire up that grill (or oven!) and give them a try—you’re going to be hooked after the first bite.

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