Don’t worry. Cooking frozen chicken wings is easy. Here’s how to do it.
Can you cook chicken wings from frozen?
Yes! Cooking frozen chicken wings is both safe and straightforward. We recommend a three-step process: parboiling or steaming the wings to render some of the fat, patting them dry, and then baking them at 425º to an internal temperature of 160º before pulling them.
That being said, there are easier methods that are also tasty, you will just sacrifice a bit of crispiness. Those include baking them all the way through or air frying them.
Tips for cooking frozen chicken wings
There is a balance between texture and convenience when cooking frozen wings. Only you can decide what you like, but here are a few tips to help you find the method that’s right for you.
Determine if they are pre-cooked
There’s a significant difference between pre-cooked frozen wings and raw frozen wings. Wings from the butcher? Probably raw. Frozen Tyson wings? Probably pre-cooked.
Just like sausages, pre-cooked chicken can be reheated directly by baking or frying until they’re hot and crispy. You’re really just heating them up. Raw wings require more thorough cooking to make sure they are cooked all the way through. Raw wings will take longer but be tastier.
Render, crisp, and toss
Agnostic of the cooking method(s) you choose, the general idea warm up the frozen chicken at a lower temp to render fat and draw out moisture, crank the heat to get that crispy texture, and then toss them in sauce after they are done cooking.
Season after partial cooking
If you’re adding extra dry seasoning, wait until the wings have been partially cooked. Seasoning frozen wings directly can result in uneven flavor, as the seasoning may not adhere properly.
Choose the slowest defrost method you have time for
We’re discussing frozen chicken wings, but if time permits, thawing wings is preferable. In the refrigerator overnight is ideal, as it maintains the meat’s texture and flavor. If you’re short on time, placing the wings in a sealed bag and submerging them in cold water can expedite the process, typically taking a few hours.
Microwave for a short time if frozen together
I’d only use the microwave to thaw wings enough to break them apart from each other so you aren’t trying to cook a chicken blob. Do it at the lowest temperature possible, and in general I’d opt for parboiling or steaming to defrost.
Cook to the proper temperature
Regardless of appearance or cooking time, use a meat thermometer to ensure your chicken wings have reached an internal temperature of around 165°F. The real temperature for pasteurization depends on how long the chicken is held at a particular temperature (e.g. holding chicken at 145º for 9 minutes is just as thorough as reaching 165º.
To make it easy, we recommend cooking your wings to about 160º and then pulling them. They should rise about 5º while resting.
Don’t crowd your wings
Just like searing meat, don’t overcrowd the pan or air fryer. This will cause the wings to steam each other, preventing crispiness.
Toss them in as the oven heats up
If you are only using the oven, you can put the wings in immediately. There’s no need to wait while the oven preheats.
How to cook frozen chicken wings (4 methods)
Here are four good ways to cook frozen wings. With any of these methods, try to aim to pull them at 160º before letting them rest and come up to the final 165º.
Steam + oven (our favorite)
- Preheat the oven to 425°F (218°C).
- Boil a pot of water.
- Place wings in a steam basket above pot.
- Steam wings for 8-10 minutes.
- Line a baking tray with aluminum foil and lightly coat with vegetable oil to prevent sticking.
- Pat dry.
- Add seasoning (not sauce).
- Place the frozen wings on the tray in a single layer.
- Bake for 15 minutes.
- Flip and bake for another 12-15 minutes.
- Remove wings from oven and set oven to broil.
- Toss in sauce.
- Place back in the oven for 2 minutes.
- Toss again in sauce and serve.
Parboil + oven
- Preheat the oven to 425°F (218°C).
- Simmer a pot of water.
- Place wings in pot.
- Simmer for 8-10 minutes.
- Line a baking tray with aluminum foil and lightly coat with vegetable oil to prevent sticking.
- Pat dry.
- Add seasoning (not sauce).
- Place the frozen wings on the tray in a single layer.
- Bake for 12 minutes.
- Flip and bake for another 12 minutes.
- Remove wings from oven and set oven to broil.
- Toss in sauce.
- Place back in oven for 2 minutes.
- Toss again in sauce and serve.
Oven only
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (218°C).
- Line a baking tray with aluminum foil and lightly coat with vegetable oil to prevent sticking.
- Place the frozen wings on the tray in a single layer.
- Bake for 20 minutes.
- Remove and add seasoning (not sauce).
- Flip and bake for another 20 minutes or until at least 155º.
- Remove wings from oven and set oven to broil.
- Toss in sauce.
- Place in broiler for 2 minutes.
- Check the internal temperature has reached 160º.
- Let rest for 5 minutes and come up to 165º.
- Toss again in sauce and serve.
Air fryer
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (204°C).
- Place the frozen wings in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they’re not overcrowded.
- Cook the wings for 6-8 minutes to thaw and begin cooking.
- Remove the basket, drain any excess liquid, and season the wings.
- Return the basket to the air fryer and cook for an additional 6-8 minutes, flipping the wings halfway through, until they’re crispy and have reached an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Toss in sauce.
How to season frozen chicken wings
Chicken wings are choose your own adventure when it comes to seasoning. Here are a few options:
Good dry rubs for frozen wings:
- Salt, smoked paprika pepper
- Salt, mustard powder, paprika
- Salt, lemon pepper, rosemary
- Salt, pepper, thyme, oregano, rosemary
- Salt, any dry BBQ rub
Good sauces for frozen wings:
- Buffalo (Frank’s® RedHot® + butter)
- BBQ
- Honey garlic
- Asian sesame
- Garlic parmesan
When to add seasoning to frozen chicken wings
Seasoning is key to flavorful wings, but frozen wings don’t absorb seasoning well initially. Here’s how to ensure every bite is packed with taste:
- Parboil, steam, bake, or microwave for a few minutes to give the seasoning something to adhere to.
- Pat dry.
- Add dry seasonings like salt, garlic powder, paprika, black pepper, or cayenne for spice.
- Toss wings in buffalo, BBQ, garlic parmesan, or your favorite sauce after they’re fully cooked to avoid burning the sauce.
- For even better taste, toss cooked wings in sauce, air fry or bake for an extra 5 minutes, then recoat in sauce before serving.
Easy frozen chicken wing recipes
And here are a few chicken wing recipes to make things even easier.
1. Lazy chicken wings for one
This recipe is clever. You simmer the chicken wings in broth for extra flavor until cooked, and then you finish them with a high-heat sear in a skillet before tossing them in the sauce of your choice. If you don’t want to deal with the oven, use this one from Broke and Cooking.
2. Buffalo chicken wings (from frozen)
This recipe from HappyMoneySaver follows the simmer -> broil method. You can simmer the wings in broth like the recipe above for extra flavor. And while we prefer Frank’s for buffalo wings, you can use any hot sauce of your choice.
3. Air fryer frozen chicken wings
If you want to try the air fryer method, use this recipe from Little Sunny Kitchen. And remember, don’t crowd the wings, and you can use whatever sauce you’d like.
4. Instant pot frozen chicken wings
Whatever you do, do not skip the broil when using an instant pot for your chicken wings. Otherwise, you will have sad, mushy wings. You could also pat the wings dry after the instant pot, broil, and then toss in the sauce, or do multiple rounds of sauce coatings for extra texture. Katie’s Cucina breaks it down.
5. Baked frozen chicken wings
For the simplest recipe possible, use this one from The Cookful. You just place the wings on a baking sheet and go. You will sacrifice a little bit of texture this way, but it will still be good.
Frozen chicken wings FAQ
Can you cook chicken wings from frozen?
Yes! You can cook chicken wings straight from frozen using various methods like baking or air frying. The key is ensuring they reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). For the best taste and texture, parboiling or steaming, baking, and then broiling is the move.
Do you need to thaw frozen chicken wings before baking?
No, you don’t need to thaw frozen chicken wings before baking. While thawing can help with seasoning absorption and even cooking, you can bake them straight from frozen at 425°F (218°C), flipping halfway through, to get crispy, fully cooked wings.
How do you defrost chicken wings ASAP?
ASAP would be a microwave at a low setting, but I’d parboil or steam for the best results. You can also just put them straight into the oven.
Why do frozen chicken wings taste different?
Frozen wings may have a slightly different texture and flavor due to ice crystals forming inside the meat, which can break down the fibers and cause some moisture loss. Proper cooking techniques, like high-heat baking after thawing, can reduce the texture loss.
Do you wash frozen chicken wings before cooking?
No, you should not wash frozen chicken wings. Washing raw poultry can spread bacteria through cross-contamination. Cooking the wings at the proper temperature (165°F) kills any harmful bacteria.
Is it better to fry wings frozen or thawed?
Thawed wings are better for frying because they cook more evenly and crisp up better. Frying frozen wings can lead to oil splattering and uneven cooking, though it is possible if done carefully at a lower temperature first, then increased to crisp them up.
Where to buy the best frozen chicken wings
Outside of your local butcher, the best frozen wings come from brands known for high-quality poultry with minimal added water or preservatives.
For example, US Wellness Meats’ pastured, free-range chickens are raised on a salad bar of grasses, legumes, and insects. The limited amount of grain US Wellness Meats’ free-range chickens consume is non-GMO. They are also antibiotic and hormone-free.
Once you experience the flavor of US Wellness Meats’ outdoor birds, you will never want to eat commercial birds again.
Get the best pasture-raised chicken possible for your next wing night.
The bottom line on frozen chicken wings
For the best taste and texture, parboiling and then baking is the move. If time is limited, just using the oven or air fryer works.
No matter your method, make sure your wings reach 165°F internally and toss them in sauce after you are finished cooking.
Enjoy.
Nathan Phelps
Nathan Phelps owns and writes for Crafted Copy, a boutique copywriting shop that finds the perfect words for interesting products. He is also an ethical foodie, outdoors-aficionado, and hails from Nashville, TN. He splits his time between helping sustainable businesses find new customers and managing his ever-increasing list of hobbies, which include playing guitar, baking bread, and creating board games.
