This step-by-step tutorial will show you how to boil chicken wings to perfection using a few simple techniques. Boiled chicken wings are quick, simple and you can use them in so many ways, you can go on to grill it, bake, air fry, deep fry, use as it is or add to soups.
Do you know that for delicious, tender, and crispy chicken wings, it's better to boil them first because the boiling process aids in the fat rendering and helps with the crispness when frying?
Boiled chicken wings recipe
Boiling chicken wings before using them in recipes is a great step to take if you want to make sure your chicken wings are well seasoned, cooked through, and thorough. whether you're grilling, baking, deep-frying, and more.
You may be wondering why you should boil chicken or should I say parboil before cooking. the process of parboiling chicken can make all the difference in your recipes. there are several benefits to this technique, but the main reason is that it helps season and cook your chicken wings thoroughly while removing excess fat.
It's a simple procedure that doesn't take long to complete. all you will need is a couple of pantry staple everyday spices, a large pot, and water.
Related post: how to boil chicken breast to shred and how to boil chicken thighs.
Why you should boil the chicken first before cooking it
Economical and versatile
Simple, quick, and easy, boiled chicken wings can be ready in as little as 20 minutes.
The process will help remove excess fat which makes the wings healthier if you bake them instead of deep-frying
Think of it as a 2-in-1 recipe, you get fat-free chicken wings as well as delicious well-seasoned homemade chicken stock
Parboil vs boiled
You have two choices of boiling your chicken wings, you can either boil or parboil it but what do both words exactly mean
What does parboil mean
the word "parboil" is a term that's used often in culinary cooking. if you're wondering what it means, it's the partial boiling of food to partially cook it or to make it easier to remove the skin, excess starch or fat, or even peel. When you parboil something, you are partially boiling it with the intention of finishing the process using another means or medium.
What does boiled mean
Boiling means to cook something in hot water that's boiling or to be cooked with water until it reaches its boiling point. In this case, If you want the poultry fully cooked then you boil it as opposed to parboiling it. The benefits of boiling chicken wings include flavorful chicken, as well as a delicious stock.
Tools needed
Cooking pot
A sharp knife if you decide to cut the chicken wings before boiling them.
Chopping board
Ingredients for boiled chicken wings
Chicken wings: separated into drumettes and wingettes or whole
Onion
Garlic granules substitute with garlic powder or fresh garlic cloves
Dried parsley
Dried thyme
Bay leaves
Salt and black pepper
How to boil chicken wings
Place chicken wings in a big cooking pot.
Add garlic powder, chopped onions, thyme, parsley, bay leaves, salt, and black pepper and mix to combine.
Cover the wings with water, just enough to cover it. partially place a lid on the pot and place it on medium-low heat and bring to a gentle boil for about 10 minutes. Check on the chicken, stir to combine then top with about 1 cup of water and continue to boil for another 5-8 minutes or until the wings are tender to your liking.
Using a slotted spoon, remove the wings from the pot and transfer on to a kitchen paper towel to drain excess moisture and let them air dry before you grill, bake, air fry or deep fry them.
Sieve the chicken stock if you would be needing it, once it is cooled, place it in the fridge for the fat rendered to solidify. Scrape the fat with a spoon and use the stock as desired in your dishes.
PS: If you would be parboiling then 10 minutes should be fine.
Baked chicken wings oven instructions
While the chicken is boiling, preheat the oven at 425F/220C
Line a large baking tray with parchment paper
Arrange the wings on the lined baking tray, making sure they are not touching
Place the tray in the oven and bake the wings for 20-25 minutes, flip them and continue to bake for another 5-to minutes or until golden brown and skin crispy.
Remove the chicken from the oven and toss them in your favorite sauce or chicken dip of choice. I love buffalo sauce and homemade bang bang sauce.
Air fryer crispy baked chicken wings instruction
Preheat the air fryer at 180C/360F
Spray the air fryer basket with cooking oil spray
Arrange the wings in a single layer making sure they are not touching.
Air fry the chicken wings for 20-25 minutes flipping them halfway through or until golden brown and the skin crispy. Serve and enjoy
Deep-fried chicken wings instructions
Place a shallow pot on medium-high heat, pour vegetable oil in the pan about 2-3 inches high
Heat the oil until shimmering and at least the temperature registers 350F/ 176C
Add chicken wings in batches to the hot oil and fry for about 10-15 minutes or it is golden brown and crispy.
Remove with a slotted spoon and transfer on a kitchen paper towel to drain excess oil
Serve and enjoy!
Note: do not overcrowd the oil as this would drop the temp below 350C and may result in chicken soaking up oil.
How long to boil chicken wings
At least 15 minutes or until the chicken wings are tender. Cooking time could be shorter if you parboil them 5- 10 minutes should be fine.
How to store
Fridge: Leave to cool completely and store in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 3-5 days.
Freezer: You can also freeze it for up to 3 months, it is best to freeze them individually as it is easy to use when needed.
Learn more on how to boil
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How To Boil Chicken Wings (Boiled Chicken Wings)
Equipment
- 1 large cooking pot
Ingredients
- 2 lb chicken wings separated into drumettes and wingettes or whole
- ½ cup onion roughly chopped
- ½ Tablespoon garlic granules
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 2 bay leaves
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Place chicken wings in a big cooking pot.
- Add garlic powder, chopped onions, thyme, parsley, bay leaves, salt, and black pepper and mix to combine.
- Cover the wings with water, just enough to cover it. partially place a lid on the pot and place it on medium-low heat and bring to a gentle boil for about 10 minutes. Check on the chicken, stir to combine then top with about 1 cup of water and continue to boil for another 5-8 minutes or until the wings are tender to your liking.
- Using a slotted spoon, remove the wings from the pot and transfer on to a kitchen paper towel to drain excess moisture and let them air dry before you grill, bake, air fry or deep fry them.
- Sieve the chicken stock if you would be needing it, once it is cooled, place it in the fridge for the fat rendered to solidify. Scrape the fat with a spoon and use the stock as desired in your dishes.PS: If you would be parboiling then 10 minutes should be fine.
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