Enjoy tender Honey Gold Wings tossed in Carolina Gold BBQ sauce, ready in under 30 minutes. These juicy, smoky wings bring South Carolina-style sweetness to any gathering, perfect for game nights or backyard barbecues. Serve alongside a pasta salad or Blue Cheese Potato salad for a complete spread, much like our BBQ Chicken Drumsticks.
Why You'll Love This Honey Gold Wings Recipe
Honey Gold Wings are a favorite because they are simple to prepare and taste so good. The combination of juicy chicken and the sweet and tangy Carolina Gold BBQ sauce create a delicious appetizer or finger food. These wings are perfect for game days, parties, and picnics.
- Quick Cooking: These wings cook up fast, so you can have a delicious meal or appetizer ready in under 30 minutes.
- Delicious, Finger Licking Sauce: The combination of tender chicken and the sweet and tangy honey mustard BBQ sauce creates a memorable taste with every bite.
- Crowd-Pleasing: Whether it's for a party, game night, or a family dinner, these wings are sure to be a hit with everyone.
Ingredients Overview
To make these honey mustard BBQ chicken wings, you'll need chicken wings, a good quality Carolina Gold BBQ sauce, and a few basic seasonings. The sauce provides the signature sweet and tangy flavor that makes these wings so popular.
Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
How To Make Honey Gold Chicken Wings
To make Honey Gold Chicken wings, simply combine all of the ingredients in a large bowl and toss with the chicken wings to coat. Spread the chicken wings on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or foil and bake in a preheated oven or on a hot grill until cooked through and crispy on the outside.
Use fresh or frozen chicken wings, or if you prefer boneless, cut raw chicken tenderloins into smaller sections to coat with barbecue sauce.
Step 1: Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and line a sheet pan with parchment paper, or use a grilling rack.
Step 2: Rinse and pat dry the chicken wings. If using full wings, cut into drumettes and flats, discarding the tips (or saving for chicken stock).
Step 3: In a large bowl, combine the chicken wings, honey, Honey Gold BBQ sauce, salt, and pepper. Toss to coat.
Grilling Tip
You can cook these honey barbecue wings on the grill also. Just preheat your grill to medium heat and cook the wings for 20-25 minutes, or until cooked through and crispy.
Step 4: Spread chicken wings on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or grilling rack. Bake chicken wings for 30-35 minutes, or until cooked through and crispy. Serve hot with your favorite dipping sauce.
Serving Suggestions
These chicken wings are delicious on their own, but you can also serve them with a variety of additional dipping or barbecue sauces. Some popular dipping sauces include ranch dip, blue cheese, and our Bourbon BBQ Sauce. Add some celery sticks and carrot sticks to for a party worthy appetizer tray
Substitutions and Variations
Here are a few delicious variations or substitutions when making this recipe.
- Chicken Cuts: While drumettes and flats are classic, you can also use boneless, skinless chicken thighs or even chicken tenderloins for quicker cooking. Adjust your cooking time accordingly.
- Spice Profile: Experiment with different spices in your dry rub before adding the sauce. Consider adding a pinch of cayenne pepper for heat, or smoked paprika for a deeper, earthier note (if you want more smokiness than the liquid smoke provides).
- Garnish Options: Finish your wings with a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds, chopped fresh cilantro, or thinly sliced green onions for added flavor and visual appeal.
Tips for Success
Here are a few tips for making this recipe:
- Pat Wings Dry: Before seasoning or saucing, thoroughly pat the chicken wings dry with paper towels. This helps ensure crispy skin and better sauce adherence.
- Don't Overcrowd: Whether baking or air frying, arrange the wings in a single layer with space between them. Overcrowding leads to steaming, not crisping. Cook in batches if necessary.
- Monitor Cooking Time: Cooking times vary based on wing size and appliance. Always cook until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) to ensure they're done and safe to eat.
- Sauce at the End: Apply the majority of your Carolina Gold BBQ sauce during the last 5-10 minutes of cooking. The sugars in the sauce can burn if applied too early.
- Rest for Juiciness: After cooking, let the wings rest for 5 minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute, making the wings more tender and flavorful.
Storage Options
Some recommended storage options for this recipe are:
- Refrigeration: Once the wings have cooled completely, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
- Freezing: For longer storage, allow the wings to cool fully. Arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Once frozen, transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container. They will keep well for up to 2-3 months.
- Reheating Method (Oven or Air Fryer): For the crispiest skin and best texture, reheat refrigerated or thawed wings in a preheated oven or air fryer at 350-375°F (175-190°C) for 8-15 minutes, or until warmed through and the skin is crisp again.
Related Recipes
- Honey Lemon Pepper Wings
- Sweet and Sour 'Bat' Wings
- Carolina Gold BBQ Sauce Recipe
- Soy Garlic Chicken Wings
- Instant Pot Buffalo Wings
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can use boneless, skinless chicken wings.
For extra crispiness, arrange wings in a single layer on a wire rack placed over a baking sheet.
Chicken wings are fully cooked when their internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) at the thickest part. The meat juices should run clear and no longer be pink.
Lightly grease your wire rack or baking sheet with cooking spray or oil to prevent sticking. If using a rack, ensure it's elevated enough for air circulation.
More Grilling Recipes
Get The Recipe!
Honey Gold Wings
Equipment
- Large Rimmed Cookie sheet with cooling racks
- Basting Brush
Ingredients
- 1 lb chicken wings cut into drumettes and flats
- ⅔ cup Honey Gold barbecue sauce store bought or homemade
- 2 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and line a sheet pan with parchment paper, or use a grilling rack.
- Rinse and pat the chicken wings dry. If using full wings, cut into drumettes and flats, discarding the tips (or saving for chicken stock).
- In a large bowl, combine the chicken wings, honey, Honey Gold BBQ sauce, salt, and pepper. Toss to coat.1 lb chicken wings, ⅔ cup Honey Gold barbecue sauce, 2 tablespoon honey, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper
- Spread chicken wings on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or grilling rack.PRO TIP: You can cook these Honey Gold chicken wings on the grill also. Just preheat your grill to medium heat and cook the wings for 20-25 minutes, or until cooked through and crispy.
- Bake chicken wings for 30-35 minutes, or until cooked through and crispy.
- Serve hot with your favorite dipping sauce.
Notes
- Pat Wings Dry: Before seasoning or saucing, thoroughly pat the chicken wings dry with paper towels. This helps ensure crispy skin and better sauce adherence.
- Don't Overcrowd: Whether baking or air frying, arrange the wings in a single layer with space between them. Overcrowding leads to steaming, not crisping. Cook in batches if necessary.
- Monitor Cooking Time: Cooking times vary based on wing size and appliance. Always cook until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) to ensure they're done and safe to eat.
- Sauce at the End: Apply the majority of your Carolina Gold BBQ sauce during the last 5-10 minutes of cooking. The sugars in the sauce can burn if applied too early.
- Rest for Juiciness: After cooking, let the wings rest for 5 minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute, making the wings more tender and flavorful.
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