Grilled Chicken Wings with Texas BBQ Rub and Scallion-Ranch Dressing
These grilled wings are sure to be a crowd pleaser with a sweet, spicy rub and homemade ranch dressing.
·Jun 14, 2022
This sweet and spicy Texas BBQ-inspired rub (which is actually a dry brine) has a secret ingredient: baking powder. Combined with kosher salt, the baking powder draws moisture out of the skin yielding super crispy, golden brown wings. Plan to get these wings brining at least 6 hours in advance, but preferably the day before grilling for maximum results. And don’t forget to leave them uncovered to air dry in the fridge.
Our Grill Frying Pan helps achieve skin so crispy you won’t miss the fryer. The wings start cooking over medium to slowly render the fat and cook the meat through, then are easily transferred to the medium-high side of the grill to get golden brown and crispy skin without losing any wings through the grill grates.
To bake instead of grill these wings: Place wings on a cooling rack set over a sheet pan and bake at 425F until chicken is cooked through and skin is crispy, 40–45 minutes.
Note: This recipe was developed using Diamond Crystal kosher salt. If using Morton’s, reduce salt by half.
Grilled Chicken Wings with Texas BBQ Rub and Scallion-Ranch Dressing
These grilled wings are sure to be a crowd pleaser with a sweet, spicy rub and homemade ranch dressing.
Rhoda Boone, Culinary Director
- For the Chicken Wings:
- 2 pounds chicken wings, mix of drums and flats, separated (16-18 pieces total)
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt, plus more
- 2 teaspoons baking powder (preferably aluminum-free)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon light brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon sweet paprika
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon chipotle chile powder
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for extra heat)
- For the Scallion-Ranch Dressing:
- 2 scallions
- ⅓ cup buttermilk
- ⅓ cup mayonnaise
- ⅓ cup sour cream
- 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 ½ teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 ½ teaspoons onion powder
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, plus more
- ½ teaspoon sugar
- For Serving:
- Crudite such as carrot sticks, celery sticks, and radishes
- ½ lime
- Kosher salt
- Chipotle chile powder (optional)
Brine the wings: Add salt, baking powder, garlic powder, light brown sugar, onion powder, sweet paprika, black pepper, chipotle chile powder, cumin, oregano, and cayenne pepper (if using) to a large bowl and whisk to combine. Pat wings very dry with paper towels and add to bowl with BBQ rub, tossing to coat. Place a cooling rack over a Sheet Pan and set wings on top. Chill, uncovered, at least 6 hours, preferably overnight (but no more than 24 hours).
Make the Scallion-Ranch Dressing: Trim root ends and any withered portions of the green tops of scallions. Thinly slice the green half of 1 scallion and set aside for garnish. Cut the remaining scallions lengthwise in half, then again lengthwise into quarters. Finely chop scallion and transfer to a medium bowl. Add buttermilk, mayonnaise, sour cream, vinegar, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, salt, pepper, and sugar. Whisk to combine , then chill until ready to use. (Makes about 1 ¼ cups.)
Prepare a grill for two zones—medium and medium-high. Heat Grill Frying Pan over the medium zone until hot, 3–5 minutes. Working in 2 batches, add wings to Grill Frying Pan and grill until skin is starting to brown and fat is rendering, about 5 minutes.
Turn wings and continue to grill, turning occasionally, until cooked through (internal temperature next to bone should be 165F), about 5 minutes more. Carefully transfer Grill Frying Pan to the medium-high zone (the handle will be hot!) and continue to grill until skin is crispy, brown on all sides, and lightly charred, 5–7 minutes more.
For crudite, cut carrots and celery into sticks and halve radishes, if using. Add crudite to a medium bowl and squeeze lime juice over. Season with a pinch of salt, toss to combine, and arrange on a Serving Platter with wings. Sprinkle crudite with a little chipotle chile powder, if using.
To serve, arrange the wings and crudite on the platter. Top Scallion-Ranch Dressing with reserved sliced scallions and a little more black pepper, if desired, and serve alongside wings.
