Marinated until tender, grilled until the skin crisps, tossed in a garlic-infused butter, and finished with a generous shower of salty Parmesan—these are truly the Best Garlic Parmesan Wings, on or off the grill, a bright and savory flavor explosion.
These incredibly flavorful Garlic Parmesan Wings are an ideal choice if you prefer something without the heat of classic buffalo sauce. They’re a family favorite and pack big, savory flavor from the marinade, garlic butter, and plenty of Parmesan.
A friend shared this recipe with me and has even used it to win wing competitions. One of the keys is the Zesty Italian marinade—when I have time I make it from scratch, but a good store-bought dressing will work too.
This week’s Wing Fest took place on a warm summer evening on the patio, with the kids helping and a cold drink to enjoy while grilling.
Wing Fest is our family term for a night where we load the grill with wings in several flavors and hope for leftovers. Alongside these Garlic Parmesan Wings we also grilled my son’s favorite: extra-crispy sweet-and-spicy wings.
My daughter, who’s usually out and about, agreed to stay for dinner, help cook, and be photographed—because these are her favorite wings.
How to make Best Garlic Parmesan Wings on the Grill
Start by marinating the wings in a Zesty Italian dressing. Homemade is quick to whisk together, but store-bought works fine if you’d rather keep things simple.
Marinate the wings in the refrigerator in a sealed bag for about three hours to let the flavors penetrate.
Prepare your barbecue for indirect cooking—this means creating a cooler zone on the grill that’s not directly above the flame. Both gas and charcoal grills work well for this method.
Cook the wings covered over medium-high heat for 30 to 45 minutes, until the internal temperature reaches 165°F and the skin is golden and as crisp as you like.
While the wings grill, make the garlic butter by gently simmering butter with minced garlic and a touch of crushed red pepper flakes to release the garlic’s aroma and flavor. This can be done on the grill, on the stove, or even briefly in the microwave.
Toss the hot wings in the warm garlic butter, then finish with grated Parmesan, Parmesan flakes, and chopped fresh parsley for color and brightness.
Do I have to grill my Garlic Parmesan Wings?
No. You can prepare these wings using other methods—the Zesty Italian marinade and the garlic butter finishing sauce remain the same. For an oven-baked version, follow the instructions in the recipe notes below for baking times and temperatures.
If you enjoy grilling, here are a few more favorite recipes to try:
- CRANBERRY CHIPOTLE GLAZED WINGS
- GRILLED GOAT CHEESE BRUSCHETTA
- SMOKY BROWN SUGAR CRUSTED PORK TENDERLOIN
- EASY GRILLED CHEESY POTATO CASSEROLE
- GRILLED SAUSAGE WITH PEPPERS AND ONIONS
- STICKY ASIAN GRILLED CHICKEN THIGHS
- GRILLED SHRIMP CAKE RECIPE
- BOURBON BACON HAM AND PINEAPPLE KABOBS ON THE GRILL
Share a photo of your wings on social media and tag @SAVORWITHJENNIFER—I always love seeing your creations.
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Best Garlic Parmesan Wings on the Grill
Equipment
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1 Barbecue Grill
Ingredients
- 3 pounds chicken wings
- 1 cup Homemade Zesty Italian Dressing
- 1 cup butter
- 4 tablespoons garlic, minced fine
- 2 teaspoons crushed red pepper flakes
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese, grated
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese, flakes
- 1/2 cup parsley, fresh and chopped
Instructions
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Marinate the chicken wings in the Zesty Italian dressing in the refrigerator for 3 hours. Premade dressing can be substituted.
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Preheat the barbecue to medium-high heat (about 350–400°F grate temperature) and set up for indirect cooking.
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Remove wings from the marinade and place on well-oiled grill grates, not directly over the flames or coals.
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Cook indirectly for 30–45 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F and the skin is golden and crisp to your liking.
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In a small saucepan, melt the butter and add the minced garlic and crushed red pepper flakes. Bring to a gentle simmer to bloom the garlic, then remove from heat. This step can be done on the grill, stove, or briefly in the microwave.
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Toss the cooked wings in the garlic butter, then sprinkle with grated Parmesan, Parmesan flakes, and chopped fresh parsley before serving.
Video
Notes
Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a large baking sheet with foil and spray with non-stick spray.
After marinating for 3 hours, remove wings from the marinade and bake for 30 minutes.
Flip the wings once and continue to bake another 15–30 minutes until the internal temperature is 165°F and the skin is crisp.
Finish by tossing the wings in the garlic butter and sprinkling with Parmesan and parsley as directed above.
Nutrition
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