Grilled Mediterranean Chicken Wings: Your Ultimate Guide to Flavorful & Juicy Greek-Style Wings
Prepare to elevate your grilling game with these incredible Grilled Mediterranean Chicken Wings! Far from ordinary, these wings are marinated in a vibrant, tangy Greek blend, then grilled to absolute perfection, resulting in a dish that’s both tender and bursting with authentic Mediterranean flavor. They are an ideal choice for any occasion, from relaxed summer backyard cookouts to energetic fall tailgating events and football parties. Served alongside a creamy, zesty yogurt tahini dipping sauce and a fresh, crunchy Mediterranean salad, these wings offer a complete and utterly satisfying meal that will leave everyone craving more.
Why You’ll Love These Grilled Mediterranean Chicken Wings
In my humble opinion, these are not just good chicken wings; they are truly exceptional, and surprisingly simple to prepare. The secret lies in the harmonious combination of a bright, tangy, and lemony Greek marinade with the irresistible char and smoky flavor imparted by the grill. There’s an undeniable magic that happens when these elements come together, creating a depth of flavor that’s hard to beat. This specific marinade has become my absolute favorite for any chicken preparation, consistently delivering mouthwatering results.
Beyond their incredible taste, these grilled chicken wings are wonderfully versatile. While they shine as a centerpiece for summer grilling sessions, their robust flavor profile makes them an outstanding addition to any large gathering, especially tailgate parties or football festivities. They are a fantastic finger food for crowds, pairing perfectly with hearty dishes like chili, an assortment of sliders, and your favorite game-day dips. Imagine serving a platter of these perfectly grilled wings, their aromatic spices filling the air – it’s an instant hit!
And for those days when grilling isn’t an option, don’t worry! You can easily adapt this recipe to your air fryer or oven. Simply follow the marinating steps, then adjust your cooking method. For an excellent guide on alternative cooking, check out our Sumac Lemon Baked Chicken Wing Recipe for oven baking, or our Air Fryer Chicken Wings Recipe for a crispy air-fried version.
Explore More Delicious Chicken Recipes
If you’re a fan of chicken as much as we are, you’ll love exploring some of our other popular recipes. For more Mediterranean-inspired delights, consider our:
- Sumac Lemon Baked Chicken Wings: A fantastic alternative to grilling, featuring bright, zesty flavors.
- Air Fryer Chicken Wings Recipe: For perfectly crispy wings with less oil and minimal fuss.
- Crispy, Easy Baked Chicken Tenders: A family-friendly favorite that’s simple to make.
And if grilled chicken is what you’re after, these recipes are absolute must-tries:
- Chicken Souvlaki Recipe: Classic Greek skewers, perfect for a sunny day.
- Grilled Huli Huli Chicken: A sweet and savory Hawaiian-inspired grilled chicken.
- Greek Marinated Chicken with Tzatziki Sauce: Juicy chicken infused with Greek herbs, served with a cooling dip.
- Greek Chicken Thighs: Flavorful and tender chicken thighs, also featuring a wonderful Greek marinade.
Essential Ingredients for the Best Mediterranean Chicken Wings
Crafting these delectable Mediterranean chicken wings requires a few key ingredients, each playing a vital role in building the signature flavor profile. For the precise measurements and detailed instructions, please refer to the full recipe card provided below.
- Chicken Wings: For this recipe, I highly recommend using bone-in chicken wings. The bone helps to retain moisture during grilling, ensuring the chicken stays incredibly tender and juicy. While boneless wings can be used for convenience, bone-in truly offers a superior texture and flavor. Opt for fresh, high-quality chicken for the best results.
- Lemon Juice: Freshly squeezed lemon juice is non-negotiable! Its bright, zesty acidity cuts through the richness of the chicken and olive oil, perfectly balancing the earthy spices. It’s the cornerstone of that signature tangy Greek flavor.
- Garlic: Minced fresh garlic infuses the marinade with a pungent, aromatic depth that is fundamental to Mediterranean cuisine. Don’t skimp on the garlic!
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil: A good quality extra virgin olive oil not only carries the flavors of the marinade into the chicken but also helps to tenderize it and prevent sticking on the grill. It’s essential for achieving that authentic Mediterranean richness.
- Mediterranean Spices: The heart of our Greek marinade lies in a thoughtful blend of spices.
- Oregano: Earthy and aromatic, a staple in Greek cooking.
- Thyme: Adds a subtle herbaceous note that complements the lemon and garlic beautifully.
- Paprika: Contributes a mild sweetness and a lovely red hue, enhancing both flavor and appearance.
- Cumin: Offers a warm, slightly smoky depth that rounds out the spice blend.
- Cayenne Red Pepper: (Optional) For those who enjoy a little kick, a touch of cayenne adds a pleasant warmth without overpowering the other flavors. Adjust to your heat preference.
- Salt and Pepper: Essential seasonings to enhance all the other flavors and bring them into harmony.
How to Grill Mediterranean Chicken Wings to Perfection
Achieving perfectly grilled, tender, and flavorful chicken wings is a straightforward process. Follow these simple steps for mouthwatering results:
Step 1: Prepare Your Flavor-Packed Marinade
In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the extra virgin olive oil, freshly squeezed lemon juice, minced garlic, dried oregano, thyme, paprika, cumin, cayenne pepper (if using), salt, and black pepper until all ingredients are well combined. This is the heart of your Mediterranean flavor, so ensure it’s thoroughly mixed.
Step 2: Marinate the Chicken for Maximum Flavor
Place your chicken wings into a large bowl or a sturdy, sealable plastic bag. Pour the prepared marinade over the wings, ensuring they are all evenly coated. Use tongs or your hands to gently work the marinade into every crevice of the chicken. Once coated, cover the bowl or seal the bag and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, and up to 2 hours. This marinating time is crucial for infusing the chicken with those vibrant Greek flavors and helping to tenderize the meat.
Step 3: Grill Your Wings to Golden Perfection
Preheat your gas grill to a medium-high heat, aiming for a temperature of approximately 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Before placing the wings, lightly brush the grill grates with olive oil to prevent any sticking. This ensures your wings get that beautiful char without leaving behind half their crispy skin.
Carefully place the marinated wings onto the preheated grill. Here’s a pro tip: contrary to popular grilling advice, you actually want the chicken wings to be slightly crowded together on the grill. This technique helps to create a steaming effect, which locks in moisture and keeps the wings incredibly juicy while they cook, preventing them from drying out.
Grill the wings for approximately 20-25 minutes in total, turning them every 5 minutes to ensure even cooking and beautiful browning on all sides. Continue cooking until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165 degrees F (74 degrees C) when measured with a meat thermometer. Once cooked, remove them from the grill and let them rest for a few minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring maximum tenderness and flavor.
Crafting the Perfect Yogurt Tahini Dipping Sauce
No Mediterranean chicken wing experience is complete without a cooling, tangy dipping sauce. This simple yet flavorful yogurt tahini sauce perfectly complements the rich, savory wings.
To make the sauce, combine 1/2 cup of plain yogurt (Greek yogurt works wonderfully for extra creaminess), 2 teaspoons of tahini, 1 teaspoon of fresh lemon juice, and a pinch of salt and pepper in a small bowl. Whisk everything together until it’s smooth and well combined. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. The tahini adds a nutty depth, while the yogurt and lemon bring a refreshing zest that cuts through the grilled flavors of the wings. It’s truly a match made in culinary heaven!
Completing Your Meal: The Fresh Mediterranean Salad
To round out your Mediterranean feast, a vibrant and fresh salad is absolutely essential. This recipe includes a simple yet delicious Mediterranean-style salad that adds color, crunch, and another layer of refreshing flavor.
In a large bowl, combine diced tomatoes, chopped green bell pepper, diced English cucumber (seeds removed), chopped green onions (both green and white parts), and finely chopped parsley. For a delightful dressing, whisk together 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil, the juice of one lemon, 2 minced garlic cloves, 1 teaspoon of chopped fresh mint, 1 teaspoon of sumac (or za’atar for a slightly different herb blend), and salt and pepper in a mason jar or small bowl. Shake or whisk until well combined. Pour the dressing over the salad ingredients and toss gently. You can serve this salad on its own or over a bed of crisp chopped romaine lettuce for added volume and freshness. This bright, herbaceous salad provides a fantastic contrast to the rich chicken wings.
Storage Tips
Leftover Grilled Mediterranean Chicken Wings are just as delicious the next day! To store them, allow the wings to cool completely to room temperature. Then, place them in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3-4 days. This ensures they retain their flavor and freshness.
When you’re ready to enjoy them again, reheating is a breeze. For best results and to regain some of that crispy texture, use an air fryer or oven. Simply place the wings in a single layer in your air fryer basket at 350°F (175°C) for 5-8 minutes, or on a baking sheet in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 10-15 minutes, until heated through and slightly crispy. Microwaving is also an option for quick reheating, but the skin may not be as crisp.
Recipe Tips & Frequently Asked Questions
One common mistake when grilling chicken wings is trying to give them too much space on the grill. While it’s often advised not to crowd meat, with chicken wings, the opposite is actually true for maintaining moisture. You want to place the chicken wings relatively close together on the grill. This creates a more humid environment, essentially helping them to steam slightly as they cook, which locks in the juices and results in wonderfully moist wings. Also, ensure you don’t overcook them; always use a meat thermometer to check for 165°F (74°C) internal temperature.
Marinating chicken wings is key to infusing them with rich flavor and helping to tenderize the meat. For this recipe, I recommend marinating for at least 30 minutes, but no more than 2 hours. Because this Mediterranean marinade uses lemon juice, an acidic ingredient, prolonged marination (over 2 hours) can actually begin to “cook” or denature the chicken, potentially making it tough rather than tender. Stick to the recommended time for optimal flavor and texture.
Absolutely! The marinating step can be done up to 2 hours in advance, as mentioned. For a truly make-ahead option, you can cook the wings, let them cool, and store them in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat using the methods described in the storage tips section for a quick and delicious meal later in the week.
These wings are fantastic on a gas grill, which offers consistent heat control and makes flipping easy. However, they also taste incredible on a charcoal grill for that extra smoky flavor. Just be sure to set up your charcoal grill for two-zone cooking (direct and indirect heat) so you can manage flare-ups and prevent burning while ensuring even cooking.
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Grilled Mediterranean Chicken Wings
Julia Jolliff
15 minutes
15 minutes
2 hours
2 hours 30 minutes
4 servings
Saved
Pin
Ingredients
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1 to 1 1/2 pounds chicken wings -
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil -
1 lemon, juiced -
4 garlic cloves, minced -
1 teaspoon dried oregano -
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme -
1 teaspoon paprika -
1 teaspoon cumin -
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper, {optional} -
1 teaspoon salt -
1/8 teaspoon black pepper
For the Tahini Yogurt Sauce:
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1/2 cup plain yogurt -
2 teaspoons tahini -
1 teaspoon lemon juice -
salt and pepper, to taste
For the Mediterranean Salad:
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3 medium tomatoes, diced {about 2 cups} -
1 green bell pepper, seeds removed, chopped -
1/2 English cucumber, seeds removed, chopped -
5 green onions, green and white parts chopped -
1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped -
1 small onion, diced {about 1/2 of a cup} -
Romaine Lettuce, chopped (optional, for serving)
For the Salad Dressing:
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1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil -
1 lemon, juiced -
2 garlic cloves, minced -
1 teaspoon fresh mint, chopped -
1 teaspoon Sumac, or za’atar -
salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
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In a small bowl, combine the extra virgin olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, oregano, thyme, paprika, cumin, cayenne pepper (if using), salt, and black pepper. Whisk until all ingredients are thoroughly combined to create your flavorful Greek marinade.
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Place the chicken wings in a large bowl or a resealable plastic bag. Pour the prepared marinade over the wings, ensuring each piece is fully coated. Use tongs or your hands to gently work the marinade into the chicken. Cover or seal and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, and up to a maximum of 2 hours, for optimal flavor infusion and tenderness.
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Preheat your gas grill to medium-high heat, aiming for an approximate temperature of 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly brush the grill grates with olive oil to prevent sticking. Arrange the marinated wings on the grill, placing them somewhat close together to help retain moisture during cooking. Grill the wings for about 20-25 minutes in total, flipping them every 5 minutes, until they are beautifully browned, cooked through, and reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees F (74 degrees C) when tested with a meat thermometer.
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While the wings are grilling, prepare your dipping sauce and salad. For the sauce, combine the yogurt, tahini, lemon juice, and a pinch of salt and pepper in a small bowl. Whisk until smooth and well-mixed.
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For the salad, in a large bowl, gently mix together the diced tomatoes, chopped bell pepper, diced cucumber, chopped green onions, and chopped parsley.
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For the salad dressing, combine the olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, chopped mint, sumac (or za’atar), and salt and pepper in a mason jar. Seal the jar tightly and shake vigorously until the dressing is well combined. Alternatively, whisk all dressing ingredients in a small bowl until emulsified.
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Pour the dressing over the prepared salad mixture and toss gently to combine all ingredients. Taste the salad and adjust the mint, salt, and pepper to your preference. If desired, you can add chopped romaine lettuce to the bowl with the salad and toss, or create a bed of romaine lettuce on a serving platter and spoon the Mediterranean salad mixture on top.
Nutrition
Carbohydrates: 20g,
Protein: 21g,
Fat: 58g,
Saturated Fat: 11g,
Polyunsaturated Fat: 8g,
Monounsaturated Fat: 36g,
Trans Fat: 0.2g,
Cholesterol: 75mg,
Sodium: 679mg,
Potassium: 756mg,
Fiber: 5g,
Sugar: 8g,
Vitamin A: 1890IU,
Vitamin C: 79mg,
Calcium: 130mg,
Iron: 3mg
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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Today’s post is sponsored by Smart Chicken. As always, opinions are 100% my own.