I am so excited to share this recipe with you! I’ve perfected it over the years and I can really say it’s the Best Chicken Wing Recipe out there! My husband and son absolutely love them buffalo-ed (I think I just made that word up), they could eat them for breakfast, lunch and dinner! But, once you follow this method for cooking chicken wings you can put any sauce on them that you like…BBQ, Teriyaki, Garlic Parmesan…the list goes on and on! This recipe is also great to make up ahead of time, pop them in the freezer, and have them ready to throw in the oven for your next get together…easy peezey, and so delicious!
Best Chicken Wing Recipe
Start out by bringing 6 qts. of water to a boil in a large stockpot.
While you are waiting for the water to boil, line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and lightly coat with non-stick cooking spray and set aside. The foil will save you from having to clean a messy pan later…and I’m all for avoiding messes!
Preheat your oven to broil.
Once the water starts to boil, add the salt, crushed red pepper flakes, and cayenne pepper to the pot.
Then, add the whole bag of frozen chicken wings into the boiling water, be careful not to splash yourself…take it from someone that knows it hurts from experience! Boil the wings for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Next, transfer the wings to the prepared baking sheet in a single layer. This is where having a spider strainer really helps! You can move a bunch of them all at once instead of having to fish them out one at a time.
Broil the wings in the oven for 4-5 minutes, until they are nice and golden brown. Then, flip them over and broil for another 5 minutes, or until the second side is golden brown.
While the wings are broiling, add 1 cup of your favorite prepared wing sauce to a medium saucepan on low heat. I’m adding a little butter to our buffalo wing sauce…who doesn’t love a little butter!? If it’s you, then just leave the butter out.
Remove the baking sheet from the oven and transfer all the wings into a large bowl.
Drizzle the warmed sauce over the wings and stir until they are coated well…this is about the time my husband comes wandering into the kitchen to see if he can snag a couple.
That’s it…just plate them up and get ready for crispy deliciousness! They are just as good, or even better, than the local wing restaurant in town! It’s not called the Best Chicken Wing Recipe for nothing!
Freezer Instructions:
Follow all of the directions above and let the wings cool completely. Place them in a large, freezer safe, zip lock bag and remove as much air as possible before you seal it. Keep in the freezer for up to 3 months. To heat, let the wings thaw in the refrigerator. Once thawed, place in an oven safe dish or baking sheet and heat at 375˚ for 20-25 minutes or until heated through.
Below is a printable recipe card. Enjoy!
Freezer Chicken Wings
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 pounds frozen chicken wings
- 1 tbsp salt
- 1 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
- 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1 cup prepared wing sauce
- 2 tbsp butter optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to broil. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil, lightly spray with non-stick cooking spray, and set aside.
- Bring 6 quarts of water to a boil in a large stockpot.
- Add salt, crushed red pepper flakes, cayenne pepper and chicken wings to boiling water.
- Boil for 15 minutes.
- Transfer chicken wings to the prepared baking sheet and broil in the oven for 4-5 minutes, until golden brown.
- In the meantime, add prepared wing sauce and butter to a medium sauce pan over low heat.
- Turn chicken wings over and broil for another 5-6 minutes, until second side is golden brown.
- Place chicken wings in a large bowl, drizzle with warm wing sauce, and toss to coat.
- Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
MORE FREEZER MEALS
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- Chicken Burrito Bowls
I don’t eat wings. My hubby and son do. I made these for NYE and used Truff Hot Sauce and Frank’s Red Hot. I was told these were amazing. They think the spices in the boiling water really made a difference. I left mine under the broiler about 7 minutes a side just to crisp them up more but that’s a personal preference. I was happy to get rave reviews as I have never made them before. Thanks!!!
If you aren’t using frozen wings how long do you leave them in the water to boil ?
OK. I am a wing expert. Boiling the chicken first?! It was only because I was in a hurry and only had frozen wings that tried this recipe. I didn’t expect much. Now, this may become my go-to. I can’t cook enough at once in my Air Fryer (which I love). This allows me to do a big batch at once. I did broil them longer than the suggested time – maybe 7 mins on each side. I usually order my wings well done. Learn something new everyday!
I really love this method because it gets the excess fat and grisly stuff off of the wings. It’s also quicker than waiting for them to thaw. I’ve done it several times and the wings turn out great! The only bad part is cleaning up the water, I’m never sure what the best way to do that is so that none of the fat goes in the sink. I’ve settled on refrigerating it overnight and then straining it.
Broil only high or low?
I have seen this asked multiple times but never answered….
Broil on high. 🙂
Hi or Lo on the broiler? Do you wait for the water to come back to a boil and then cook cook for 15 minutes or just start the timer when you put the wings in the boil
Ing water?
Thank you anxious to try them!!
That’s not even given good Info. You just said all the steps but not the details
Delicious!!!!
These were so easy and delicious!
Would you adjust the boiling time if using thawed/ never frozen wimgs? If so what would you recommend?
Do you broil for 13-15 minutes or 4-6?
4-5 minutes, then turn and bake an additional 4-5 minutes!
Hey, Karrie
I just want to make sure of which one is correct. At the top of the article instructions says 13-15 min broil and turn and broil another 13-15 min other side. But at printable version it says 4-6 min broil and turn and do three other side for about same amount of time. Which one is correct?
It’s 4-6 minutes then flip and cook an additional 5-6 minutes. I fixed that error above, thanks so much!
Can I reuse the boiled water right away to make a second batch?
Yes absolutely!
These are incredible and so quickly prepared. Making wings has never been easier. All other recipes pale in comparison.
Thank you so much!!!
I may never buy takeout wings again!! These were so good!! I added a few things of my own like garlic powder and ground mustard but mostly followed the recipe as posted and I truly didnt expect them to turn out as good as they did they were a hit with the whole house!
These look fantastic! I love that you added a freezing option to the recipe. After they have been frozen could you reheat in a big roaster? I’m making wings for a large group…
Thank you
Would you adjust the boiling time if using thawed/ never frozen wimgs? If so what would you recommend?
Nancy did you reheat these for your crowd? How did they turn out? I am doing a family reunion and will certainly have a crowd!
Annie
Was this ever answered? I’d like to know the same thing.
Made these today. Success! Delicious crispy, perfectly cooked wings. I personally made the mistake of adding too hot of a chili pepper in with the water and it steamed up the house in a spicy way, ouch! After starting over (and airing out the house!), making sure to flip them halfway during broiling time, and tossing them with some buffalo sauce they were a hit. This will be how I make them from now on!
Broil time was too long, will have to keep a closer watch the next time, Nice recipe though 🙂
Should this be broiled on low or high setting? I have my wings boiled but not sure on setting!! 🙂
So love wings but prefer boneless. Any suggestions for doing something similar but either with tenders or something? Open to suggestions
Boneless wings are chicken nuggets
Ahahahaha. I say this all time!!
I just made this Best Chicken Wing Recipe and it was delicious ever! Thank You very much for sharing the recipe! I will definitely make it again!
These turned out really good. I’ll be using this recipe from now forward to make my wings. Thank you for sharing. The kids love them.