If you’re searching for an extraordinary culinary experience that blends vibrant flavors with a touch of smoky perfection, look no further than these Ninja Woodfire Adobo Style Chicken Wings. This recipe isn’t just another way to cook chicken wings; it’s a revolutionary fusion that reimagines the beloved Filipino adobo, injecting it with an irresistible wood-fired aroma. The Ninja Woodfire Grill transforms humble wings into crispy, succulent masterpieces, each bite bursting with a complex profile that is both tangy and savory, sweet and smoky. Whether you’re hosting a backyard barbecue, gearing up for game day, or simply craving a unique and incredibly satisfying meal, these Adobo Style Chicken Wings are guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser and a standout dish.

Unveiling the Magic of Adobo: A Filipino Culinary Treasure
Adobo, a cornerstone of Filipino cuisine, is more than just a dish; it’s a cooking process renowned for its perfect balance of soy sauce, vinegar, garlic, bay leaves, and black peppercorns. This simple yet profound combination creates a robust, deeply flavorful marinade that tenderizes meat while imparting a distinctive tangy and savory taste. Historically, adobo served as a preservation method, but today it is celebrated for its rich, comforting flavors that evoke a sense of home and tradition. Adapting this classic technique to crispy chicken wings and infusing it with wood smoke adds an exciting new dimension, bridging traditional Filipino flavors with modern grilling innovation.
The Ninja Woodfire Grill Advantage: Beyond Just Grilling
The secret to these exceptional Adobo Style Chicken Wings lies in the innovative capabilities of the Ninja Woodfire Grill. This versatile outdoor cooking machine is not just a grill; it’s an air fryer and a smoker all in one, providing unparalleled control over texture and flavor. For this recipe, the grill’s Air Crisp setting is pivotal in achieving that coveted crispy skin on the wings, without deep-frying. Simultaneously, the integrated Woodfire technology allows you to infuse the chicken with authentic smoky flavors from your choice of wood pellets. Imagine the succulent interior of perfectly cooked chicken, encased in a shatteringly crisp skin, all while absorbing the aromatic essence of hickory or mesquite wood smoke. This dual-action cooking method ensures every wing is both incredibly tender and delightfully crunchy, with a complex smoky undertone that elevates the traditional adobo marinade to new heights.
Crafting the Perfect Marinade: A Symphony of Flavors
The journey to culinary bliss begins with the marinade. To create genuinely flavorful Ninja Woodfire Adobo Style Chicken Wings, you’ll immerse the chicken in a potent mixture of soy sauce, vinegar, minced garlic, aromatic bay leaves, and freshly cracked black pepper. This classic adobo foundation is where the magic starts. The acidic vinegar tenderizes the chicken, while the soy sauce provides a deep umami base. Garlic and bay leaves add a fragrant depth that is characteristic of Filipino cuisine. For optimal flavor penetration and tenderness, it is highly recommended to marinate the chicken wings overnight. This extended marination period allows the vibrant flavors to truly meld with the chicken, ensuring every fiber of the wing is infused with the irresistible taste of adobo, guaranteeing an explosion of flavor with every single bite.
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The Recipe for Ninja Woodfire Adobo Style Chicken Wings
Once your wings have absorbed all the incredible flavors of the adobo marinade, they are ready for their transformation on the Ninja Woodfire Grill. Begin by loading your grill with your preferred wood pellets – hickory or mesquite are excellent choices for this recipe, lending a robust, smoky character that perfectly complements the adobo seasoning. Set your Ninja Woodfire Grill to the Air Crisp function and preheat it to 390°F (199°C). Carefully arrange the marinated wings in the Ninja Woodfire Air Crisp Basket, ensuring they are in a single layer to allow for even cooking and optimal crispiness. Cook the wings until they achieve a gorgeous golden-brown hue and a deliciously crispy texture, flipping them occasionally every 10-15 minutes to ensure uniform cooking on all sides. The combination of air crisping and wood smoking will render the fat, leaving you with incredibly juicy chicken and perfectly crispy skin, infused with an unparalleled smoky depth.
The Finishing Touch: A Sticky, Irresistible Adobo Glaze
While your wings are cooking to crispy, smoky perfection, it’s the ideal time to prepare the adobo glaze. This step is crucial for adding an extra layer of concentrated flavor, a beautiful sheen, and that desirable sticky texture that makes these wings utterly addictive. The glaze, often made from a reduction of the marinade liquid or a fresh batch of adobo ingredients, is simmered until it thickens into a rich, coating consistency. Once your wings are fully cooked and wonderfully crispy from the Ninja Woodfire Grill, brush them generously with this luscious adobo glaze. Return the glazed wings to the grill for a final few minutes. This brief second pass allows the glaze to caramelize slightly, creating a glorious sticky finish that clings to every part of the wing. The result is a harmonious blend of crispy, smoky chicken coated in a sweet, tangy, and savory glaze that will leave everyone craving more. Serve your Ninja Woodfire Adobo Style Chicken Wings hot, with plenty of the extra sticky sauce for dipping!
Serving Suggestions and Perfect Pairings
These Ninja Woodfire Adobo Style Chicken Wings are incredibly versatile and suitable for a wide array of occasions. Their irresistible combination of smoky, tangy, and savory flavors makes them an instant hit for any gathering. Imagine them as the star appetizer at your next game day party, a delicious addition to a backyard barbecue spread, or simply as an exciting and flavorful main course for a weeknight family dinner. To complete the meal, consider serving them alongside fluffy white rice, which beautifully soaks up the excess adobo glaze, creating a delightful pairing. For a fresher contrast, a simple side salad, some steamed green beans, or a vibrant coleslaw would also complement the richness of the wings wonderfully. Don’t forget a cold beverage to wash it all down. Get ready to impress your friends and family with this unforgettable grilling experience!
Top Tips for Perfect Ninja Woodfire Adobo Style Wings
- Marinate Overnight: For the most profound adobo flavor, always aim to marinate your chicken wings for at least 8 hours, preferably overnight, in the refrigerator. This allows the soy sauce, vinegar, garlic, and bay leaves to deeply penetrate the meat, resulting in maximum taste.
- Don’t Overcrowd the Basket: When cooking in the Ninja Woodfire Air Crisp Basket, ensure the wings are in a single layer with enough space between them. Overcrowding can lead to steaming instead of crisping, preventing that desirable crunchy skin.
- Monitor Spiced Vinegar: The spiced vinegar (like Pinakurat) can be quite potent. Start with the recommended amount and taste the marinade/glaze before adding more. You can always add a little extra later if you prefer a more pronounced tang.
- Shake and Toss: During the air crisping process, shake or toss the wings every 10-15 minutes. This promotes even cooking and ensures all sides of the wings get perfectly crispy.
- Pellet Choice Matters: Experiment with different wood pellets to find your favorite smoky profile. Hickory offers a strong, classic smoke, while applewood or cherry can provide a milder, fruitier aroma.
- Rest Before Glazing: Once the wings are crispy, remove them from the grill and let them rest for a minute or two before glazing. This helps the glaze adhere better and prevents it from running off.
- Internal Temperature: Always use a meat thermometer to ensure your wings reach a safe internal temperature of 165°F (73°C) for doneness, especially when experimenting with cooking times.
Recipe Card: Ninja Woodfire Adobo Style Chicken Wings

Ninja Woodfire Adobo Style Chicken Wings
Indulge in the deliciousness of Ninja Woodfire Adobo Style Chicken Wings, featuring crispy, well-seasoned wings tossed in a tangy, savory adobo sauce made with soy, spiced vinegar, garlic, and bay leaves. The result is a perfect blend of crunch and rich, flavorful glaze that will leave your taste buds craving more.
- Course: Main Course
- Cuisine: Filipino
- Keyword: air fryer, Filipino Cooking, wings
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Servings: 3
- Calories: 1556 kcal
- Author: Dad
Equipment
- 1 Ninja Woodfire Grill
- 1 Wood Pellets (Hickory or Mesquite recommended)
- 1 Sauce Pan
- 1 Bowl
- 1 Cutting Board
- 1 Knife
Ingredients
WINGS
- 2 lbs Chicken Wings
- 1 tablespoon Vegetable Oil
- 3 tablespoons Granulated Garlic
- 3 tablespoons Granulated Onion
- 1 teaspoon Cracked Black Pepper
- 1 teaspoon Sea Salt
Adobo Sauce
- 1 tablespoon Diced White Onion
- 1 teaspoon Whole Black Peppercorns
- 3 tablespoons Minced Garlic
- 1 teaspoon Vegetable Oil
- 5 tablespoons Soy Sauce
- 3 tablespoons Spiced Vinegar (Pinakurat recommended, adjust to taste)
- 3 Bay Leaves
- ½ Cup Water
- 3 tablespoons Brown Sugar
- 2 tablespoons Cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons Water (for slurry)
Instructions
- Add wood pellets to the hopper of your Ninja Woodfire Grill. Set the grill to Air Crisp and preheat to 390°F (199°C).
- In a large bowl, toss the chicken wings with 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil, granulated garlic, granulated onion, cracked black pepper, and sea salt until evenly coated.
- Once the Ninja Woodfire Grill indicates it’s ready to add food, place the seasoned wings in the air crisp basket in a single layer. Cook for approximately 30 minutes, or until they reach an internal temperature of 165°F (73°C) and are nice and crispy. Shake and toss the wings every 10-15 minutes for even cooking.
- While the wings are cooking, prepare the adobo sauce. In a saucepan over medium heat, add 1 teaspoon of vegetable oil, diced white onion, and minced garlic. Sauté until the onions soften and the garlic begins to lightly brown.
- Add the whole black peppercorns, soy sauce, spiced vinegar (start with 1 tablespoon and adjust to your preference), bay leaves, ½ cup water, and brown sugar to the saucepan.
- Bring the sauce to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 5-10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
- Taste the sauce and adjust seasonings as needed. You can add more vinegar for tang, soy sauce for saltiness, or a little water to thin it.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the 2 tablespoons of cornstarch and 2 tablespoons of water to create a smooth slurry. Slowly add the slurry to the simmering adobo sauce, stirring constantly, until you reach your desired thickness.
- Once the wings are cooked and crispy, brush them generously with the prepared adobo glaze. Return the glazed wings to the grill for a final 2-3 minutes to allow the glaze to caramelize and become sticky.
- Serve hot and enjoy your incredibly flavorful Ninja Woodfire Adobo Style Chicken Wings!
Video
Nutrition Information (per serving, approximate)

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Essential Ingredients and Equipment for Your Ninja Woodfire Adobo Style Wings
To recreate these delectable Ninja Woodfire Adobo Style Chicken Wings at home, you’ll need a few key pieces of equipment and specific ingredients to capture the authentic flavors. Ensuring you have the right tools and components will make your cooking process smooth and the results truly outstanding.
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Unlock the Power of Wood-Fired Flavor with the Ninja Woodfire Pro Connect Outdoor Grill:
Ready to elevate your outdoor cooking? The Ninja Woodfire Pro Connect Outdoor Grill is the star of this recipe, offering smoking, grilling, and air frying capabilities that bring out the best in these adobo wings. Don’t miss out on this incredible appliance.
Find your Ninja Woodfire Pro Connect Outdoor Grill on NinjaKitchen.com
Calamansi Juice: The Tangy Secret Ingredient:
Calamansi juice provides a distinctive citrusy tang that is integral to Filipino cuisine. While regular lime can be substituted in a pinch, calamansi offers a unique aromatic quality that truly enhances the adobo flavor profile.
Stock up on Calamansi Juice on Amazon
Coconut Vinegar: A Mild and Flavorful Choice:
For an authentic adobo experience, coconut vinegar is often preferred for its slightly milder acidity and subtle sweetness compared to harsher vinegars. It perfectly complements the soy sauce, creating a balanced and rich marinade.
Get your Coconut Vinegar on Amazon
Kona Pellets: For that Signature Smoky Finish:
The wood pellets you choose will significantly impact the smoky flavor of your wings. Kona pellets, or other quality options like hickory or mesquite, are perfect for imparting that deep, aromatic wood-fired taste that makes these Ninja Woodfire wings stand out.
Purchase Kona Pellets on Amazon
Discover More Culinary Adventures with Dad Got This on YouTube!
If you enjoyed this recipe and are keen to explore more exciting cooking videos, grilling tips, and delicious food-related content, then you absolutely must check out Dad’s YouTube channel. It’s packed with inspiration to help you master your kitchen and grill.
