Back to Recipe

Marinated & Grilled Memphis Chicken Wings

Here's how you make Marinated & Grilled Memphis Chicken Wings
Pause Continue Reading
  • Servings: 6
  • Prep: 20m
  • Cook: 2.30h
    • The following recipe serves 6 people.

Ingredients

The ingredients are:
  • FOR MARINADE
  • 2 teaspoons cayenne pepper (can adjust depending on your level of hot)
  • Kosher salt (big pinch of)
  • Granulated sugar (pinch of)
  • 2 limes (juice of)
  • 2 pounds chicken wings
  • FOR MEMPHIS DRY RUB
  • 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons kosher salt (Can adjust. I always do in order to control how much seasoning to add)
  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 1 tablespoon ground black pepper (butcher grind)
  • 1 tablespoon paprika (Hungarian or Smoked)
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons onion
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon cayenne
  • 2 teaspoons celery seed
  • Buttermilk Herb Dipping Sauce (recipe follows, for serving, optional)
  • Wood chips (applewood chips - refer to NOTE or "what else you need" at bottom of page)
  • Buttermilk and Herb Dipping Sauce
  • 1 cup full-fat buttermilk
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1/4 cup finely grated Parmesan or pecorino cheese
  • 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh parsley
  • 1/4 cup finely sliced chives
  • 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh dill
  • 1 clove garlic, grated
  • Zest of 1 lemon and juice of 1/2 lemon
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
We recommend you get your ingredients ready before you start cooking. Once you're ready, here are the steps to making this delicious recipe

How to Make

  • FOR THE MARINADE

  • Step 1: Combine the cayenne, salt, granulated sugar and lime juice in a large bowl, then add the wings, tossing to coat. Marinate, refrigerated, for at least 2 hours and up to overnight. Allow the wings to come to room temperature for 30 minutes before cooking.

  • Step 2: Soak 2 cups applewood chips in water for 1 hour

  • Step 3: Set up your grill for indirect heat. If using a charcoal grill, build the coals on one side only. If using a gas grill, heat one side only.

  • FOR THE MEMPHIS DRY RUB

  • Step 4: Combine the brown sugar, salt, granulated sugar, black pepper, paprika, chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin and cayenne in a small bowl. Any rub that is not used can be stored in a mason jar for up to 1 month.

  • Step 5: Drain the soaked wood chips and throw them directly on top of the coals.

  • Step 6: Remove the wings from the marinade, then place on the grate on the indirect side of the grill. Cover the grill with a lid and allow the wings to smoke for 25 to 30 minutes.

  • Step 7: To finish, move the wings to the hot side of the grill to char, about 2 minutes per side. Remove the wings from the grill and add to a mixing bowl. Season liberally with the rub and toss to coat. Serve with Buttermilk Herb Dipping Sauce.

  • FOR THE BUTTER & HERB DIPPING SAUCE

  • Step 8: In a mixing bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, sour cream, cheese, parsley, chives, dill, garlic, lemon zest and juice and salt and pepper to taste. This makes a great salad dressing too--just thin it out with some more buttermilk!

  • NOTE: Also make sure to have apple-wood wood chips that are soaked (noted in recipe), which helps to make it smokey. But, if you don't have it, you can leave it out

Tips & Variations

Don't forget the following tips and variations.
  • *NOTE: Also make sure to have applewood wood chips that are soaked (noted in recipe), which helps to make it smokey. But, if you don't have it, you can leave it out*

We hope you enjoy this recipe!

This page is built for your convenience in the kitchen.

If you want helpful tools, tips and recipes from our community of real cooks, please consider signing up.

Oh... And one more thing... We also have some pretty wild forums.