Honey Mustard Chicken Wings Recipe

Updated on December 22nd, 2023

Pals coming over to watch the big game this Sunday? That’s an ideal excuse to whip up some tangy and delicious honey mustard chicken wings.

Why make honey mustard grilled chicken wings

This is a tasty recipe that’s perfect for a weekend barbecue. If you start marinading the chicken the day before, the prep from there is pretty simple. You’d fire up the barbecue and mix up the glaze. Once the wings are on the grill, they take about 25 minutes to cook. That’s enough time to enjoy a cold beer and catch up with friends.

Try serving honey mustard grilled chicken wings for:

• Sports-watching parties
• Fourth of July celebrations
• Any barbecue or cookout
• Casual weekend parties (try serving these alongside bacon wrapped little smokies for a menu every carnivore will love!)
• Picnics

You don’t want to serve chicken wings for formal occasions, since they can be messy.

How to make honey mustard grilled chicken wings

1. Mix the marinade

The marinade packs a ton of flavor. To make it, mix:

• ¼ cup of your favorite BBQ sauce. Go spicy or sweet, however you like it.
• ¼ cup honey
• ¼ cup Dijon mustard
• ¼ cup hot sauce. I used Frank’s, but anything with a bit of kick will do.
• 1 tablespoon grated orange zest. This is the secret ingredient!

Next, you’ll pat your chicken wings dry with a paper towel. Place them in a flat-bottomed dish or resealable bag and add the marinade.

Put the chicken back in the refrigerator and let it hang out for at least 30 minutes. I like to make the marinade in the morning so the chicken soaks up those flavors all day.

2. Mix your glaze

When it’s closer to cooking time, you’ll mix your honey mustard glaze. This is a simple combo of:

• 3 tablespoons butter
• ¼ cup honey
• 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard

You can also wash and slice 4 green onions at this time. Set the sauce and onions aside for now.

3. Get grilling

Heat up that grill and arrange your marinated wings on the grates. Grill with the lid closed for a more even result. You’ll want to turn the wings every 8 minutes or so.

The grilling time depends on how big your wings are and how hot the grill is. It usually takes 15 to 25 minutes, but it can be more or less. Keep an instant read thermometer on hand to verify.

Once the wings are above 140 degrees F or 60 degrees C, you can start basting them on both sides with the honey mustard glaze.

I like to cook wings until they’re 170 degrees F or 77 degrees C, but they are safe to eat at 165 degrees F or 74 degrees C.

4. Prep and serve

When the wings are done, pull them off the grill and place them on a serving platter. Sprinkle the sliced green onions over the top. Invite your guests to dig in, but have plenty of napkins on hand.

What to serve with honey mustard chicken wings

Chicken wings are delectable, but they don’t carry a meal on their own. Here are some ideas for wing drink pairing and complimentary side dishes.

Drinks

Cold beer is often the drink of choice with wings. A lighter variety like a lager or pilsner allows the flavor of these wings to take center stage.

Other options include:

• Dry white wine
• A citrusy cocktail — margarita is my choice here, but you could also serve whiskey sours.
• Iced tea or lemonade

Side dishes

Here are some fabulous side dishes to go with your honey mustard grilled chicken wings:

• Roasted vegetables. Massage olive oil, salt, and pepper into your favorite vegetable and roast at 425 degrees F or 218 degrees C until tender and browned in spots. You can do this with asparagus, carrots, broccoli, or Brussels sprouts.
• Sweet potato fries. Cut sweet potatoes into strips, toss them with olive oil, and bake or air fry them.
• Coleslaw. A creamy coleslaw made with cabbage, carrots, and a tangy dressing would go great with chicken wings.
• Grilled corn on the cob. An easy and fun option!
• Potato salad. Mix cooked potato chunks with fresh herbs and a tangy cream- or oil-based dressing.  
• Baked beans. Pressed for time? Pop open a couple cans of baked beans. Or use this recipe to make baked beans from scratch.
• Macaroni and cheese. If you want your guests to feel 100% satisfied, pair your honey mustard chicken wings with an indulgent mac and cheese. Try our beer macaroni and cheese for a different take.
• Green salad. Try a simple romaine or spinach salad with an herby vinaigrette.   

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