Chicken wings are a beloved snack and appetizer for good reason – they’re tasty versatile and easy to make. While there are many ways to cook chicken wings, one of the simplest methods is boiling. Boiling chicken wings cooks them evenly throughout and infuses them with flavor from aromatic ingredients in the cooking liquid. However, many home cooks wonder – how long does it actually take to boil chicken wings to perfection? In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about boiling times for chicken wings, as well as tips and tricks for nailing this cooking technique.
The Basics of Boiling Chicken Wings
Boiling chicken wings involves submerging them in a pot of simmering water or broth and allowing them to cook through until fully done. The hot liquid works to gently cook the wings while keeping them moist and tender. To start, place chicken wings in a pot and cover with cold water or broth. Add seasonings like salt, pepper, garlic, and herbs for extra flavor. Bring the liquid to a boil over high heat, then reduce to a gentle simmer and cook the wings for 10-15 minutes until cooked through and no longer pink inside. Drain the wings before saucing or serving.
Average Boiling Time for Chicken Wings
On average, chicken wings take 12-15 minutes to boil until fully cooked. However, boiling time can vary based on a few factors:
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Wing size – Smaller wings may cook faster in 10-12 minutes, while larger jumbo wings may need 15-18 minutes.
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Amount of wings – The more wings in the pot, the longer it will take for the liquid to come back to a simmer, extending total cook time.
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Frozen vs. fresh – Frozen wings will take a few minutes longer to boil than fresh never-frozen wings.
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Altitude – At higher altitudes, water boils at a lower temperature which results in longer cooking times.
No matter what the factors are, always boil wings until they register an internal temperature of 165°F on a meat thermometer to ensure food safety.
Tips for Perfectly Boiled Wings
Follow these tips for flawlessly boiled wings every time:
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Don’t overcrowd – Allow wings room to move so they cook evenly. Cook in batches if needed.
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Trim excess fat – This prevents greasy wings and allows flavors to penetrate better.
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Pat wings dry – Drying wings before boiling helps achieve browning and crispiness when finishing in the oven
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Use enough water – Wings should be fully submerged in liquid. Add more as needed.
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Season the water – Add spices, herbs, garlic, citrus, etc. to infuse big flavor.
Checking Wings for Doneness
The best way to assess when boiled wings are fully cooked is to use an instant-read thermometer. Insert it into the thickest part of a wing avoiding bone. Once the temperature hits 165°F, the wings are safe to eat. If you don’t have a thermometer, pierce a wing with a fork or knife tip. The juices should run clear with no traces of pink when fully cooked.
Finishing Boiled Wings
While boiled wings are fully cooked, many people like to add a crispy exterior by finishing them off in the oven or air fryer after boiling. To do this, simply pat the boiled wings dry, coat with oil or dry seasoning, and bake at 425°F or air fry at 400°F for 10-15 minutes until crispy and browned. The possibilities are endless when it comes to saucing boiled wings after cooking too.
Time-Saving Shortcuts
If you’re tight on time, here are a couple shortcuts to expedite the boiling process:
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Use an electric multi-cooker like an Instant Pot to quickly pressure cook wings in just 5-8 minutes.
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Partially bake wings first at 400°F for 20 minutes before boiling for faster cooking.
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Microwave wings for 2-3 minutes on each side first to give them a head start.
Sample Boiling Times for Chicken Wings
To give you an idea of approximate boiling times, here are some examples based on a few common factors:
- 12 small chicken wings: 12-14 minutes
- 8 large chicken wings: 16-18 minutes
- 1 pound frozen wings: 18-22 minutes
- 1 pound fresh wings: 14-16 minutes
- 8 wings at high altitude: 18-20 minutes
The exact time will vary based on your specific quantity, wing size, and external factors but these ranges provide a general guideline when boiling chicken wings. Rely on a thermometer for guaranteed safety and doneness.
The Takeaway
Perfectly boiled chicken wings are just minutes away once you know how long they take to cook. For tender, flavorful wings, allow an average of 12-15 minutes boiling time, adjusting as needed based on size, quantity, and altitude. Use a thermometer to check for doneness and consider crisping boiled wings up in the oven or air fryer afterward. In no time, you’ll be an expert on boiling wings to juicy perfection.
Advantages of parboiling chicken wings
- Time: It reduces baking/grilling time; I find this particularly useful when grilling.
- Fat: By parboiling them, you will get rid of some excess fat. This also makes them crisp up in the oven or on the grill.
How to store wings?
Let the boiled chicken wings come to room temperature. Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Freeze in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 6 months. Defrost in the refrigerator and reheat before serving.
How to Boil Chicken Wings
FAQ
Is 30 minutes enough to boil chicken?
That depends on the size of the breasts and whether they have bones. Bone-in, skin-on chicken breasts: cook for about 30 minutes (That would mean boiling frozen chicken for about 45 minutes), or until 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Skinless, boneless chicken breast halves: cook 12 to 15 minutes.Apr 28, 2025
How long to boil frozen wings?
How many minutes should chicken wings be cooked?
In an oven preheated to 375 degrees F, the 10 wings should be fully crisped and cooked in about 30 to 45 minutes. An instant read thermometer inserted into the meat (but not touching the bone) should read at least 165 degrees F.
How many minutes does it take to boil a chicken?
Place chicken in a large pot with onion, carrots, celery, and peppercorns; add water to cover by 1 inch. Cover the pot and bring to a boil; reduce heat to a gentle boil and cook until meat falls off the bone, about 90 minutes. Remove chicken from the pot and let sit until cool enough to handle.
How long does it take to boil chicken wings?
Frozen chicken wings will take a slightly longer time to boil than fresh wings at about 25-35 minutes depending on the number of wings you are boiling. Boiling smaller wings might take less time, so you may want to check them at the 15-minute mark and possibly every 5-10 minutes thereafter until they are fully cooked through.
What does it mean to boil chicken wings?
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. Cooking pot
Should you boil chicken wings before grilling?
As previously mentioned, people boil chicken wings for a variety of reasons. One of the reasons many people take to boiling chicken wings is to save time prior to grilling, frying, or baking them. Not only this but boiling chicken before grilling helps the chicken retain moisture as it prevents the chicken from drying out on the grill.
Are boiled chicken wings good?
Tender, juicy wings ready to serve as they are or for grilling, baking, or deep-frying. Making boiled chicken wings is always a good idea if you are looking for a super quick chicken meal with rice or trying to cut on cooking time when grilling or baking them. You can also learn How to Boil Frozen Chicken Breast or Boil Chicken Legs.
How long do you cook chicken wings in water?
Bring the water to a boil and cook for 15-20 minutes. Allow the wings to sit in the water off of the heat for 5-10 minutes so that they can reabsorb the flavor of the seasonings in the water. Remove the chicken, sprinkle with fresh parsley if desired, and serve.
How do you cook chicken wings?
There are various cooking methods to prepare chicken wings, including grilling, frying, baking, and even boiling. While grilling and frying are commonly preferred for their crispy texture, boiling chicken wings can be a healthier option and provide a unique taste and texture experience.