Smoky, spicy grilled chicken wings meet creamy Alabama White Sauce in this mouthwatering recipe that’s perfect for game day, summer BBQs, or any gathering!

A tray piled high with spicy chicken wings next to a bowl of Alabama white sauce.

The Dish Details

What Makes it Special: These spicy chicken wings are a game-changing alternative to the classic buffalo wing! The crispy, fire-kissed exterior gives way to juicy, tender meat that practically falls off the bone. But the real magic happens when they meet that creamy, tangy Alabama White Sauce – it’s cool and refreshing after that spicy kick! The best part? You can prep the sauce and seasoning ahead of time, making these perfect when you’re planning for a backyard soiree.
Perfect Timing: While these wings are a year-round crowd-pleaser, they truly shine during summer grilling season and football season. They’re also perfect for Super Bowl parties – I promise these will disappear faster than you can say “touchdown!”
Serving Suggestions: These wings work beautifully as an appetizer for casual gatherings, but can easily become the star of a main meal when paired with a tangy potato salad and cornbread. For beverages, a cold craft IPA cuts through the richness perfectly, or try a sweet tea with lemon for a true Southern experience.

Gather Your Ingredients

You’ll find the full list of ingredients with measurements in the recipe card below.

For the Alabama White Sauce – mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, prepared horseradish, Dijon mustard, sugar, garlic powder, Worcestershire sauce, white pepper, and kosher salt.
For the spice mix – brown sugar, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, kosher salt, cayenne pepper, and black pepper.
Chicken wings – purchase precut packages of drummies + flats; or get whole wings and split them at the joints (discard the tips or save them for making stock).

Two baking sheets containing raw ingredients for making Alabama White Sauce and a spice rub.

Some Like it Hot, And Some Not So Much

“Spicy” is a relative term. The first time I made these wings, I totally overdid it with the cayenne. After some tinkering, I think the amount of cayenne in the final recipe is pretty tame, and brings a nice low level of heat. (Personally, I could do with a bit more.) So, adjust the amount up or down to suit your personal taste.

Let’s Get Cooking

Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you on your way.

Make the Alabama White Sauce – Whisk all the sauce ingredients together in a bowl. Set aside for now.
Create the spice mix – Mix all spice mix ingredients in a small bowl.
Prep the wings – Pat the wings dry with paper towels. Place them in a large bowl. Add a few spoonfuls of the white sauce and toss to coat. This adds a little tang and give the spices something to really stick to. Sprinkle the spice mix over the wings, and toss again to coat evenly.
Grill the wings – Place the wings over indirect heat on your grill; close the lid. Cook for 20-25 minutes, turning occasionally. Grill for 5 to 7 more minutes over direct heat until the skin is crispy.

A photo collage of the process for making white sauce, spice mix and chicken wings.

Oven Directions

Preheat your oven to 400°F. Line a sheet pan with foil and coat with cooking spray (or place a rack in the pan and spritz that with cooking spray). Arrange the wings in a single layer so they aren’t touching. Bake for 45 minutes until crispy around the edges. Broil for 3-5 minutes at the end for a little charring, if you like.

Storing and Reheating

Storing: These wings are just as amazing the next day (if they last that long)! Store any leftover wings in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Store extra sauce in a separate container for up to a week.

Reheating:

Oven – Preheat your oven to 375°F. Place refrigerated wings on a wire rack over a baking sheet (this trick keeps them crispy on all sides) and heat for 10-12 minutes.
Air Fryer – Place in an air fryer basket in a single layer (don’t overcrowd) and cook for 3-4 minutes at 380°F.
Grill – If you’re feeling ambitious and the grill is already fired up for other goodies, toss those cold wings back on indirect heat for about 5-7 minutes until warmed through.

A hand dipping a spicy grilled chicken wing into a bowl of Alabama white sauce.

More Grilled Chicken Adventures

A tray piled high with grilled spicy wings next to a bowl of creamy sauce.

Spicy Grilled Chicken Wings with Alabama White Sauce

Linda Feller

Smoky, spicy chicken wings meet creamy Alabama White Sauce in this mouthwatering recipe that's perfect for game day, summer BBQs, or any gathering!

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Appetizer

American

as an appetizer

395 kcal

Ingredients

For the Alabama White Sauce:

1 cup mayonnaise
¼ cup apple cider vinegar
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 tablespoons prepared horseradish
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
2 teaspoons sugar
2 teaspoons garlic powder
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon white pepper, or fresh ground black pepper
Kosher salt to taste

For the spice mix:

2 tablespoons brown sugar
2 tablespoons paprika, or smoked paprika
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon onion powder
2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper, (adjust to taste)
1 teaspoon black pepper
4 pounds chicken wings, split at joints, tips removed

Instructions

Whisk all the sauce ingredients together in a bowl. Set aside for now.
Mix all spice mix ingredients in a small bowl.
Pat the wings dry with paper towels. Place them in a large bowl. Add a few spoonfuls of the sauce; toss to coat. Sprinkle the spice mix over the wings, and toss again to distribute evenly.
Refrigerate the remaining sauce until it's time to serve.
Prepare your grill for indirect cooking. For gas grill: heat one side to medium-high, leave other side off. For charcoal: bank coals to one side. Clean and oil the grates.
Place the wings on the indirect heat side; close the lid. Cook for 20-25 minutes, turning occasionally. Move wings to the direct heat side and grill 5-7 minutes more until the skin is crispy.

Notes

Serving Options: 1) toss the wings with more sauce; 2) arrange wings on a platter and drizzle some sauce on top; 3) serve the sauce on the side for dipping.
Oven Directions: Preheat your oven to 400°F. Line a sheet pan with foil and coat with cooking spray (or place a rack in the pan and spritz that with cooking spray). Arrange the wings in a single layer so they aren’t touching. Bake for 45 minutes until crispy around the edges. Broil for 3-5 minutes at the end for a little charring, if you like.

Nutrition

game day, grill, summer

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