How To Cook Chicken Wings The Ultimate Guide

  references
  
      U.S. Department of Agriculture: "The Big Thaw — Safe Defrosting Methods"
    
      U.S. Department of Health & Human Services: "Safe Minimum Cooking Temperatures Charts"
    
      University of Minnesota Extension: "Slow cookers and food safety"
    
      U.S. Department of Energy: "Cooking Up Some Energy Saving Tips"
    
      Cuisinart: "Buffalo-Style Chicken Wings"
    
      ACTA Scientific Nutritional Health: "Evaluation of Chemical and Physical Changes in Different Commercial Oils during Heating"
    
      Harvard Medical School: "Healthier oils make fried food safer"
    
      U.S. Department of Agriculture: "Deep Fat Frying and Food Safety"
    
      The New York Times: "The Boring Old Broiler Turns Out to Be a Superstar"
    
      Livestrong.com: "Berry-Sweetened Barbecue Sauce"
    
      A Sassy Spoon: "3-Ingredient Crispy Baked Lemon Pepper Wings"
    
      MyFoodData: "Sauce Teriyaki Ready-To-Serve"
    
      American Heart Association: "Shaking the Salt Habit to Lower High Blood Pressure"
    
      National Chicken Council: "Chicken Wing History"
    
      U.S. Department of Health & Human Services: "Bacteria and Viruses"
    
      U.S. Department of Agriculture: "Cooking Meat? Check the New Recommended Temperatures"
    
      U.S. Department of Agriculture: "Cleanliness Helps Prevent Foodborne Illness"
    
      Fit Foodie Finds: "BBQ Crock Pot Chicken Wings"
    
      Tyson: "Tyson® Oven Roasted Bone-In Chicken Wings"
    
      UCI Health: "Crispy baked chicken wings"
    
      BJ's: "More Images  Tyson Frozen Chicken Wing Sections, 10 lbs."
    
      Cuisinart: "Deep Fried Chicken Wings for One"
    
      Kroger: "Deep-Fried Chicken Wings"
    
      Kingsford: "3-Pepper Smoked Hickory Wings"
    
      Lake Geneva Country Meats: "Simple Fried Chicken Recipe"
    
      Global Animal Partnership: "Jamaican Jerk Chicken Wings"
    
      H-E-B: "Hawaiian Dipping Sauce"
    
      Kingsford: "Grilled Buffalo Wings"
    
      Exploratorium: "Ask the Inquisitive Cooks"
    




Keeping the skin on chicken wings ensures extra flavor, but you'll get more fat, too.

Image Credit: DronG/iStock/GettyImages

Defrosting
Food Safety
In the Oven
In the Crock-Pot
In a Convection Oven
In the Toaster Oven
In the Deep Fryer
On the Grill
In the Broiler
In the Microwave
Recipes and Special Sauces
Reheating

Method Temp./Setting Time to Cook Make Extra Crispy Oven 250-425° F 1 hr. 10 min. +10 min. Slow cooker High 1 hr. 15 min. Broil 2-3 min. Convection oven 425° F 25 min. Broil 2-3 min. Toaster oven 425° F 25 min. Broil 2-3 min. Deep fryer Heat oil to 375° F 9 min. +3 min. Grill 450° F 10 min. +2 min. Broiler High 23 min. +2 min. Microwave 80% power 4 min. Broil 2-3 min.

Image Credit: LIVESTRONG.com Creative

12 chicken wings or wingettes
baking sheet
baking rack
medium mixing bowl
1 tbsp. baking powder
1/8 tsp. salt
low-sodium buffalo sauce

You can also sprinkle salt and pepper on both sides of the chicken wings before baking. Consider additional seasonings, such as curry powder, chili powder, lemon pepper, Italian seasoning or seasoning salt.

12 chicken wings
2.5 tbsp. salted butter
2 tbsp. honey
1/3 cup barbecue sauce
slow cooker
slotted spoon or tongs
sheet tray
foil
salt and pepper

To reduce the risk of foodborne illnesses, preheat your slow cooker or turn it on high for the first hour of cooking time, then reduce the temperature to low. Newer slow cooker models include timers to adjust the setting from high to low or low to warm.

Newer slow cooker models include timers to adjust the setting from high to low or low to warm.

Food should be kept at 140 F or above in the slow cooker to prevent the growth of bacteria, per the University of Minnesota Extension.

Here’s a handy trick to remember how long to cook wings in a convection oven: Take the temperature and time for a standard oven recipe, and then lower your cooking temp by 25 F and shorten your cooking time by 25 percent. So, if the recipe asks you to bake wings for 40 minutes, reduce your cooking time to 30 minutes.

12 chicken wings
1 tbsp. baking powder
1/8 tsp. kosher salt
paper towel
large bowl
small bowl
broiler pan
aluminum foil
your favorite sauce (optional)

To get crispy chicken wings quickly, use a baking sheet with low sides, per ‌Fine Cooking‌. You can also fill up all the oven racks without affecting cooking time or oven temperature.

1 lb. chicken wings
2 1/2 tbsp. vegetable oil
2 1/2 tsp. salt
1 1/4 tsp. black pepper
large mixing bowl
aluminum foil
your favorite sauce
12 chicken wings
4 1/4 cups water
5 1/2 tbsp. salt
1 cup buttermilk
3 tbsp. hot sauce
1 tbsp. garlic
1 bay leaf
2 tbsp. Cajun spice
12 chicken wings
medium mixing bowl
tongs
1 cup chickpea flour or 1.25 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
water
1 egg
1/4 tsp. salt
dash of pepper
5 cups oil
paper towels

Cooking partially frozen wings in a deep fryer may result in hot oil spattering. To avoid this, thaw the wings completely before breading and frying them.

12 chicken wings
small bowl or resealable plastic bag
large bowl or resealable plastic bag
small saucepan
serving bowl
1 1/2 tbsp. all-purpose flour
1/3 tsp. paprika
1 dash cayenne pepper
2/3 tsp. salt
1 tbsp. butter
1 1/2 tbsp. hot sauce
1 tbsp. lemon juice
2 cups oil
celery sticks
blue cheese or ranch dressing

Making fried chicken in a FryDaddy can be very flavorful. Give your cooked chicken wings a burst of flavor by coating them in your favorite sauce, such as teriyaki or barbecue sauce. To make Buffalo chicken wings, coat them with a mixture of hot sauce and melted butter.

12 chicken wings
3 eggs
1 tbsp. kosher salt
2 tsp. pepper
1 tsp. garlic powder
1 tsp. paprika
2 cups flour
vegetable oil
3 large mixing bowls
large pot

For the best pan-fried chicken wings, Lu suggests getting a fryer thermometer (Bed Bath and Beyond, $9.99) to make sure the oil is at 300 F. “This way, you can keep track of how low the temperature goes when you drop in the cold chicken.” In that case, increase the flame until the oil reaches 300 F. “A deep fryer normally readjusts its temperature, so you don’t have to worry if the oil gets too cold. This is very important for getting the chicken crispy.”

“A deep fryer normally readjusts its temperature, so you don’t have to worry if the oil gets too cold. This is very important for getting the chicken crispy.”

12 chicken wings
large saucepot
sheet tray
2 tbsp. olive oil
1 tbsp. your favorite seasoning
2-3 tbsp. sauce
12 chicken wings
small bowl
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. brown sugar
1 tsp. black pepper
1/2 tsp. paprika
1/4 tsp. red pepper
1/4 tsp. white pepper
1/2 cup barbecue sauce
charcoal

Line your grill rack with aluminum foil or use a vegetable tray if your grill rack’s spaces are wide enough to let the wings fall through.

12 chicken wings
foil
sheet tray
2 tbsp. olive oil
1/2 to 1 tbsp. hickory-smoked garlic and black pepper seasoning
2-3 tbsp. your favorite sauce
ranch dressing

Broiling creates a crispier skin than grilling without the need for deep frying or firing up the barbecue. Keep in mind that fat like cooking oil can spark a flame when it’s too close to a heat source. This can pose a fire risk, so be sure to keep generously oiled foods like marinated chicken wings on a lower oven rack when broiling.

12 chicken wings
large saucepot
water
3 tbsp. olive oil
your favorite seasoning
sheet tray

Instead of creamy dips like blue cheese and ranch, you can also choose low-fat versions of those dips or use low-fat yogurt blended with herbs and diced cucumber to serve with the wings.

To prevent the possibility of foodborne illness, the USDA advises cooking chicken to a minimum internal temperature of 165 F. Flipping the wings halfway through your cooking time can help them cook more evenly.

6 chicken wings (roughly the amount that will fit in a standard microwave)
microwaveable dish
1 tsp. paprika
1/3 tsp. turmeric
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1/4 cup water
plastic wrap
your favorite sauce
12 frozen, pre-cooked chicken wings
microwave-safe dish
12 chicken wings
paper towels
salt and pepper
4 tbsp. unsalted butter
1/4 cup hot sauce
large resealable bag
small saucepan
12 chicken wings
baking sheet
parchment paper or aluminum foil
oven-safe rack
paper towels
large bowl
small saucepan
1 tbsp. aluminum-free baking powder
2 tsp. lemon-pepper seasoning
pinch of salt
1/2 stick unsalted butter
1 tbsp. honey
1 lemon
2 tbsp. black pepper
parsley to garnish
12 chicken wings
1 cup pineapple juice
1/2 cup orange juice
1/3 cup soy sauce (or a low-sodium alternative)
1/4 cup white vinegar
1 tbsp. garlic cloves, minced
1 tbsp. Dijon mustard
2 tbsp. brown sugar
2 tbsp. cornstarch
1/4 cup water
medium saucepot
12 chicken wings
large, resealable plastic bag
medium bowl
1 clove garlic
1/4 small onion
1/4 tsp. ginger
1/4 jalapeño
1/4 tbsp. soy sauce (or a low-sodium alternative)
1/2 tbsp. honey
juice of 3/4 lime
1 tbsp. orange juice
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. pepper
1/2 tsp. paprika
1/2 tsp. thyme
1/4 tsp. allspice
pinch of nutmeg
pinch of cinnamon
pinch of cayenne
1 bay leaf
1/8 cup oil
2/3 cup unsweetened ketchup
1/3 cup sliced strawberries
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
2 tsp. Dijon mustard
1 tsp. smoked paprika
1 tsp. ground black pepper
1/8 tsp. cayenne pepper
blender

small saucepan

   U.S. Department of Agriculture: "The Big Thaw — Safe Defrosting Methods"

   U.S. Department of Health & Human Services: "Safe Minimum Cooking Temperatures Charts"

   University of Minnesota Extension: "Slow cookers and food safety"

   U.S. Department of Energy: "Cooking Up Some Energy Saving Tips"

   Cuisinart: "Buffalo-Style Chicken Wings"

   ACTA Scientific Nutritional Health: "Evaluation of Chemical and Physical Changes in Different Commercial Oils during Heating"

   Harvard Medical School: "Healthier oils make fried food safer"

   U.S. Department of Agriculture: "Deep Fat Frying and Food Safety"

   The New York Times: "The Boring Old Broiler Turns Out to Be a Superstar"

   Livestrong.com: "Berry-Sweetened Barbecue Sauce"

   A Sassy Spoon: "3-Ingredient Crispy Baked Lemon Pepper Wings"

   MyFoodData: "Sauce Teriyaki Ready-To-Serve"

   American Heart Association: "Shaking the Salt Habit to Lower High Blood Pressure"

   National Chicken Council: "Chicken Wing History"

   U.S. Department of Health & Human Services: "Bacteria and Viruses"

   U.S. Department of Agriculture: "Cooking Meat? Check the New Recommended Temperatures"

   U.S. Department of Agriculture: "Cleanliness Helps Prevent Foodborne Illness"

   Fit Foodie Finds: "BBQ Crock Pot Chicken Wings"

   Tyson: "Tyson® Oven Roasted Bone-In Chicken Wings"

   UCI Health: "Crispy baked chicken wings"

   BJ's: "More Images  Tyson Frozen Chicken Wing Sections, 10 lbs."

   Cuisinart: "Deep Fried Chicken Wings for One"

   Kroger: "Deep-Fried Chicken Wings"

   Kingsford: "3-Pepper Smoked Hickory Wings"

   Lake Geneva Country Meats: "Simple Fried Chicken Recipe"

   Global Animal Partnership: "Jamaican Jerk Chicken Wings"

   H-E-B: "Hawaiian Dipping Sauce"

   Kingsford: "Grilled Buffalo Wings"

   Exploratorium: "Ask the Inquisitive Cooks"