These Smoked Lemon Garlic Chicken Wings are bursting with zesty, smoky flavor and a crispy finish—thanks to the Traeger pellet grill. Simple ingredients, bold taste!
Watch how to make Lemon Garlic Chicken Wings on the smoker—an easy, flavor-packed recipe perfect for weeknight dinners or BBQ get-togethers!
WHY YOU’LL LOVE THESE SMOKED CHICKEN WINGS
Okay, first off—these wings are loaded with bright lemony flavor, smoky from the Traeger, and perfectly garlicky without being overpowering. They’re super easy to make, feed a crowd, and go with literally everything.
We whipped these up for a casual pool day and now they’re on repeat for game nights and weekend hangs.
Want to bake or air fry them instead? See how to make garlic parmesan chicken wings in the oven.
INGREDIENTS TO MAKE SMOKED WINGS
For the Wings
- Chicken party wings: Look for fresh, high-quality wings without any bruising for the best texture and flavor.
- BBQ rub (or a mix of salt, black pepper, and garlic powder): A good rub will add layers of flavor.
For the Lemon Garlic Sauce
- Fresh parsley, minced: Adds color and a fresh herbal note to contrast with the rich sauce and smoked wings.
- Butter: Unsalted, for the base.
- Salt.
- Garlic, minced: We’ll roast it in the butter to bring out a rich flavor.
- Lemon zest: Fresh zest adds a fragrant citrusy brightness that balances the richness of the butter.
POPULAR SUBSTITUTIONS & ADDITIONS
- Chicken wings: Use drumsticks for a different texture or boneless chicken breast for a leaner option. Thicker cuts of meat will take longer to smoke.
- BBQ rub: Replace with your favorite dry seasoning mix or try a spicy Cajun blend for extra heat.
- Fresh garlic and salt: Try garlic salt for a quick swap.
- Fresh parsley: Add fresh cilantro or basil for a different herbal kick.
HOW TO MAKE SMOKED LEMON GARLIC CHICKEN WINGS
The Gist: Crispy, smoky chicken wings finished with a rich lemon garlic butter sauce. Easy, flavorful, and made for sharing.
De-licious!
If you’re into these, you’ll probably also love my buffalo chicken dip — same vibes, different flavor party.
TIPS FOR MAKING THE BEST SMOKED WINGS
- Don’t drown the wings in sauce: A light toss lets the smoky flavor shine while still adding that buttery, garlicky finish.
- Don’t skip drying the wings: Patting them dry helps the skin crisp up in the smoker instead of turning rubbery.
- Avoid overloading the grill: Give each wing space so the smoke can circulate evenly and cook them properly.
- Don’t rush the smoke time: Let them go the full time until the internal temp reaches 165 degrees F so they soak up all that smoky flavor and reach a safe temp.
- Don’t forget to preheat: Starting with a hot grill ensures even cooking from the start.
- Don’t brown the garlic: Sauté just until fragrant—burned garlic can turn bitter fast.
WHAT TO SERVE WITH SMOKED WINGS
- Creamy coleslaw
- Smoked corn on the cob
- Smoked mac and cheese
- Smoked baked potatoes
- Jalapeño cheddar cornbread
- Smoked queso
Also try these delicious burger puff pastry bites.
Try more tasty chicken wing recipes from Sip Bite Go
- Garlic parmesan chicken wings
- Lemon pepper chicken wings
- Smoked chicken wings
- Grilled chicken wings
- Baked chicken wings
- Air fryer chicken wings
- Sous vide chicken wings
- And you have to try this homemade blue cheese dressing
- See more chicken wings appetizers
Can’t wait to hear what you think!
I’d love to know how your version turned out! Drop a rating and leave a comment below to help the Sip Bite Go community. And if you snapped any photos, tag me on Instagram—I love sharing reader pics in my Stories!
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Smoked Lemon Garlic Chicken Wings
Video
Equipment
Ingredients
For the Smoked Wings
- 2 lbs chicken party wings
- 1 tbsp BBQ rub or a mix of salt, black pepper, and garlic powder
For the Lemon Garlic Sauce
- 3 tbsp butter unsalted
- ½ tsp salt
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 lemon zested
- 1 tbsp parsley fresh, minced
Instructions
- Preheat your pellet grill or Traeger to 350°F. While it heats up, pat the chicken wings dry with paper towels to help them crisp up on the smoker.
- Sprinkle the wings evenly with your BBQ rub, or a mix of salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Make sure every wing is well coated.
- Place the seasoned wings on a baking rack for easy handling or set them directly on the grill grates. Smoke for about 1 hour, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- When the wings are close to done, melt the butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add the salt, minced garlic and lemon zest, stirring for 1–2 minutes until the garlic is softened but not browned.
- Remove the skillet from the heat and set the sauce aside. Once the wings are finished, transfer them to a plate.
- Pour the lemon garlic butter over the top and sprinkle with fresh chopped parsley and serve them hot.
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