Skip to main content

Spicy Apricot Wings

If there is one fruit whose flavor melds perfectly with chicken, it is the apricot, but incorporating juice or fruit chunks into barbecue sauce can give grilled foods a charred fruit flavor. The alternative is a fruity marinade that can be tasted throughout the meat, not just on the skin. The recipe gives fruit lovers (and wing lovers) the best of both worlds in one simple step, as the marinade forms a sweet glaze while the chicken cooks.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    serves 4 to 6

Ingredients

Marinade

1 cup apricot preserves
1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
1/4 cup brown sugar
2 tablespoons soy sauce
2 tablespoons dijon mustard
2 tablespoons kosher salt
4 teaspoons black pepper
2 teaspoons garlic powder
2 teaspoons paprika
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
14 whole chicken wings cut into wings and drumettes (28 pieces total, see Pitmaster’s Tip, page 134)

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Mix the marinade ingredients in a small bowl and whisk until well blended. Place the chicken in a shallow dish or resealable plastic bag and pour the marinade over the wings, turning to coat. Cover or seal, and marinate the wings in the refrigerator for 4 hours.

    Step 2

    Build a charcoal and/or wood fire on one side of the grill, leaving the other side void. This will create an area for indirect heat. When the temperature reaches 450°F, remove the wings from the marinade (do not shake off the excess marinade) and place them on the grill grate away from the coals. Close the lid and cook for approximately 30 to 35 minutes, flipping each wing piece once. Remove the wings from the grill and serve.

  2. Cooking Method

    Step 3

    Indirect heat

  3. Suggested Wood

    Step 4

    Hickory, Apricot, Apple

Big Bob Gibson's BBQ Book Cover
Big Bob Gibson's BBQ Book by Chris Lilly. Copyright © 2009 by Chris Lilly. Published by Crown Publishing Group. All Rights Reserved.
Read More
Like banana pudding cake and beer can chicken.
Use the beer, not the can, for this citrusy take on a classic that nods to mojo criollo.
This summery cake from Bake Club just happens to be gluten-free.
Attention, martini drinkers and spritz drinkers: Please for a single line.
Turn humble onions into this thrifty yet luxe pasta dinner.
Filberts, goobers, scaly bark nuts: Explore the world beyond almonds in this guide.
Brown-butter banana cake with banana cream and crunchy vanilla wafers for good measure.
Like swordfish steaks with tomatoes and Peruvian-style tofu.