Our Top 5 Chicken Wing Marinade Recipes

There’s something about chicken wings that brings people together. Maybe it’s the messy fingers, maybe it’s the big flavours, or maybe it’s just the fact that no one ever orders just a few. At The Rub BBQ, wings have always been a crowd favourite — whether we’re serving them from our food truck in Milton Keynes, catering a party, or firing up the smoker at an event.

Over the years, we’ve tested, tweaked, and totally fallen in love with countless marinades. Some are sticky and sweet, some are spicy enough to make you sweat, and others are all about deep, savoury flavour. In this article, we’re sharing our top five chicken wing marinade styles, along with simple recipes and tips you can actually use at home.

We won’t spoil everything just yet — but if you love bold flavour, crispy wings, and easy recipes, you’re in the right place.

Our Favourite Chicken Wing Marinades for Big Flavour at Home

Chicken wings are the ultimate blank canvas. With the right marinade, you can take them in so many different directions — smoky, spicy, sweet, tangy, or all of the above. Below, we’re breaking down our favourite wing styles, how to make them, and how to get the best results every time.

We’ll cover:

• Barbecue Marinade For Chicken Wings
• Buffalo Wing Marinade
• Spicy Chicken Wing Marinade
• Asian Marinade For Chicken Wings

Whether you’re cooking for friends, family, or just yourself, these marinades are simple, effective, and full of flavour — just how we like it at The Rub BBQ.

Barbecue Marinade For Chicken Wings

BBQ chicken wings are a classic for a reason. They’re smoky, sticky, and full of comfort. The secret to great BBQ wings is using both a marinade and a glaze. The marinade infuses the meat with flavour, while the glaze adds a shiny, finger-licking finish.

If you’re new to balancing sweet, salty, and smoky flavours, food resources like BBC Good Food are a great place to learn the basics before putting your own spin on things.

At The Rub BBQ, BBQ wings are always a hit — especially when we’re out catering in Milton Keynes and beyond.

Sweet & Spicy Korean BBQ (Best Overall)

This one hits every note — sweet, salty, spicy, and savoury.

• 1 cup soy sauce
• 1 cup mirin
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 4 tbsp gochujang
• 8 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tbsp toasted sesame oil
• 1 tbsp honey
• 1 grated apple

Mix everything together, then marinate your wings for at least 4 hours or overnight for best results.

Sticky Honey-Soy BBQ

Simple, sticky, and always popular.

• 4 tbsp soy sauce
• 3 tbsp dark brown sugar
• 3 tbsp tomato ketchup
• 2 tbsp honey
• 2 crushed garlic cloves
• 1–2 tsp sundried tomato paste
• Pinch of chilli flakes

Spicy Mediterranean Grilled

Fresh, herby, and a little bit different.

• 1 large red onion
• 8 garlic cloves
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• Juice of 2 lemons
• 1 tsp sweet paprika
• 1 tsp coriander
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp Aleppo pepper
• 1/2 tsp turmeric
• 1/2 tsp nutmegGlazing: Brush wings with glaze in the last 5–10 minutes.
  Cooking: Grill at 220°C or roast at 200°C.
  Prep: Always pat wings dry before marinating.
  

  Buffalo Chicken Wing Marinade

  Buffalo wings are bold, tangy, and impossible to ignore. A proper Buffalo marinade infuses the meat with flavour, not just on the surface.

  When handling raw chicken, it’s always important to follow safe food prep advice. The Food Standards Agency has clear guidance on marinating, storing, and cooking chicken safely, especially if you’re prepping ahead of time.

  These wings are a favourite at The Rub BBQ, especially at parties and events.

  Classic Buffalo Marinade

  • 1/2 cup hot sauce
  • 2–3 tbsp cider or white vinegar
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tbsp paprika
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp celery salt
  • 1–3 tbsp honey or brown sugar

  Creamy Buttermilk Buffalo Marinade

  • 2 cups buttermilk
  • 1/4 cup Buffalo sauce
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce

  Drain before cooking and coat with garlic powder, oregano, and cayenne.

  Sweet & Savoury “Baja” Style

  • 1/3 cup lime juice
  • 1/3 cup tequila (optional)
  • 1/3 cup chipotle peppers in adobo
  • 1 tbsp garlic salt
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce

  Marinading Tips

  • Marinate for at least 30 minutes, ideally 2–8 hours.
  • Always reserve clean sauce for glazing.
  • Pat wings dry before cooking for crispier skin.

  

  Spicy Chicken Wing Marinade

  Spicy wings aren’t just about heat — they’re about flavour, balance, and that slow burn that keeps you going back for more.

  If you’re curious about why techniques like drying wings or reserving sauce work so well, sites like Serious Eats explain the science behind crispy skin and marinades in a really easy-to-understand way.

  Classic Buffalo-Style Marinade

  • 4 tbsp hot sauce
  • 3 tbsp honey
  • 3 tbsp cider vinegar
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 3 crushed garlic cloves
  • 1 tbsp paprika
  • 2 tsp celery salt

  Sweet & Spicy Szechuan

  • 1/4 cup soy sauce
  • 3 tbsp rice vinegar
  • 2 tbsp sesame oil
  • 1.5 tbsp chilli crisp
  • 1–2 tbsp sriracha
  • 6 smashed garlic cloves
  • Fresh ginger

  Fiery Tandoori Marinade

  • 1 cup plain yoghurt
  • 2 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1 tbsp garlic paste
  • 1 tbsp ginger paste
  • 2 tbsp tandoori masala
  • 1 tsp each chilli powder, garam masala, cumin, coriander

  Jamaican Jerk Marinade

  • 4 green onions
  • 1 scotch bonnet pepper
  • 1/2 cup cider vinegar
  • 2 tbsp honey
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • Allspice, cinnamon, ginger

  Pro Tips

  • Marinate for at least 2 hours; overnight is preferred.
  • Pat wings dry before cooking.
  • Reduce the reserved marinade into a glaze.

  

  Asian Chicken Wing Marinade

  Asian-style wings are all about balance — sweet, salty, tangy, and umami.

  Essential Asian Wing Marinade

  • Soy sauce
  • Garlic and ginger
  • Honey or brown sugar
  • Rice vinegar or lime
  • Sesame oil
  • Optional chilli

  Popular Variations

  • Japanese: Mirin or sake with pineapple juice
  • Thai: Sweet chilli sauce, lime, fish sauce

  Pro Tips

  • Marinate 2–24 hours.
  • Reserve sauce for glazing.
  • Cornstarch helps crisp the skin.

  

  Chinese Chicken Wing Marinade

  This style brings that classic takeaway-style aroma straight into your kitchen.

  Essential Marinade Ingredients

  • Soy sauce
  • Honey or brown sugar
  • Ginger and garlic
  • Shaoxing wine or rice vinegar
  • Five-spice powder
  • Sesame oil

  Popular Variations

  • Add hoisin or oyster sauce.
  • Add chilli garlic sauce.
  • Use cornstarch for a light coating.

  Preparation Tips

  • Marinate at least 2 hours.
  • Pat wings dry before baking.
  • Baste in the final 10 minutes.

  

  Why Wings Are Better with The Rub BBQ

  Chicken wings are more than just a snack — they’re an experience. And at The Rub BBQ, we’ve built our reputation on bold flavour, proper cooking, and food that people remember.

  From our food truck in Milton Keynes to private parties, we bring our love for BBQ to every event. If you’re looking for reliable, flavour-packed caterers, we’ve got you covered — wings included.

  Whether you try these recipes at home or let us handle the cooking, one thing’s guaranteed: there will be no leftovers.