Tips from the Grill: Vortex Chicken Wings

Make crispy chicken wings on a kettle grill with the Vortex method and Kingsford™ Charcoal. A high-heat charcoal setup helps create air-fryer-like heat, while an optional cherry wood chunk adds light smoke flavor before the wings are rested and sauced.

Seasoned chicken wings arranged around a wood chunk on a grill grate.

1Food Prep10 min
2Grill Prep25 min
3The Cook45 min

Cooking for 4 people

Ingredients

3 lb.
chicken wings (about 16 whole chicken wings)
1 tsp
garlic powder
1 tbsp
dried oregano
4 tbsp
smoked paprika or regular paprika
½ cup
cumin
2 tbsp
kosher salt
2 tbsp
black pepper
Hidden Valley™ Ranch dressing, blue cheese or preferred dipping sauce

1Food Prep

Pat the chicken wings dry with paper towels so the skin can crisp on the grill.
Season the wings generously with garlic powder, dried oregano, smoked paprika, cumin, kosher salt, and black pepper.
Do not add oil or sugar to the rub; the high-heat Vortex cook is intended to crisp the wings without burning sugar.

2Grill Prep

- Place the Vortex accessory in the center of a kettle grill. Light a full chimney of Kingsford™ Charcoal and let the coals ash over.
- Pour the lit charcoal into the Vortex, then place the grill grate back on the kettle.
- Optional: When adding chicken wings, also place a chunk of cherry wood on the grates over the Vortex to add light smoke flavor.

Fuel: We recommend Kingsford™ Original Charcoal Briquets.
Optional: Chunk of cherry wood
Method: Two-Zone Method
Temp: High heat, about 500°F during the Vortex cook

3The Cook

- Arrange the seasoned wings in a ring around the outside of the grate, leaving space between each wing. For drumettes, place the thicker end toward the heat.
- Close the lid and cook for about 45 minutes total, flipping the wings halfway through.
- Cook until the wings are crispy and reach a safe internal temperature.
- Let the wings rest for a few minutes before saucing so the skin stays crispy.
- Serve with Hidden Valley Ranch, blue cheese or preferred dipping sauce.