How Long to Boil Chicken Wings?

Chicken wings are a popular cut of chicken that can be used in many different dishes and cuisines. The simplest method of cooking chicken wings is to simply boil them in a pot, but knowing how long to boil chicken wings can make or break the final dish. This guide will walk you through the basic steps of boiling chicken and how long to boil chicken wings in several scenarios.

How to Boil Chicken Wings

Boiling chicken wings is a straightforward process:

1. First, fill a large pot with water and bring to a boil over medium-high heat.
2. Next, add salt or chicken bouillon if desired and allow it to dissolve. Add the chicken wings to the pot carefully by using tongs.
3. Then, allow the chicken wings to boil for the appropriate amount of time before removing them from the water and placing them on a drying rack or lined plate to dry.

So, how long does it take to boil chicken wings? Keep reading this guide to boiling chicken wings to find out.

How Long to Boil Chicken Wings by Method

How Long to Boil Chicken Wings Before Grilling

If you plan to grill your chicken wings, you don’t necessarily need to boil them beforehand. However, you can boil them prior to grilling to ensure the chicken wings are cooked all the way through. You can boil them for 10-15 minutes, depending on how large they are.

How Long to Boil Chicken Wings on the Stove

Boiling chicken wings on the stove is the standard method for safe and effective cooking. It’s recommended to boil chicken wings for around 10-15 minutes in a large pot of water (see above for the general process).

How Long to Boil Chicken Wings Before Baking

For baked chicken wings, it’s not necessary to boil them before baking them in the oven, but you can still boil them for 10-15 minutes prior to baking.

Table: How Long to Boil Chicken Wings by Method

Method	How Long to Boil Chicken Wings (in minutes)
Before Baking	10-15 minutes
Before Grilling	10-15 minutes
Stovetop	10-15 minutes

How Long to Boil Chicken Wings by Dish

How Long to Boil Chicken Wings for Buffalo Wings

Buffalo wings are popular as a main dish or an appetizer and can be made by boiling wings for up to 15 minutes before tossing them in buffalo sauce and serving them with the usual condiments and sides.

How Long to Boil Grilled Chicken Wings

As addressed above, you don’t have to boil chicken wings before you grill them, but you certainly can if you desire. Boil smaller chicken wings for up to 10 minutes and larger wings for around 15 minutes, checking the internal temperature with a meat thermometer to ensure doneness.

How Long to Boil Chicken Wings for Soup

If you’re boiling chicken wings in soup, you can either toss them in the pot and boil them directly in the soup or boil them in water beforehand and add them to the soup once boiled. In either case, the wings will need to be boiled for at least 10 minutes. If your wings are on the larger side, check them around the 10 minute mark and add time, if necessary. Make sure the meat is completely opaque and that the liquids run clear.

Table: How Long to Boil Chicken Wings by Dish

Dish	How Long to Boil Chicken Wings (in minutes)
Buffalo Wings	15 minutes
Grilled Wings	10-15 minutes
Soup	Up to 15 minutes