These Basic Chicken Wings are our go-to starting point for all of our chicken wing sauces and rubs. We cook the wings plain and add the sauce or rub after they are cooked. This helps prevent sauces from burning during cooking and gives you the flexibility to prepare different flavors from the same batch of wings.
We use frozen chicken wings directly from the freezer, although the wings can also be partially thawed or completely thawed. For oven cooking, we use a rack when possible and the convection setting if available. An air fryer with a rotisserie basket is another excellent option, allowing the wings to tumble as they cook for even browning and crisping.
Once the wings are cooked, toss them with your favorite sauce or rub. This basic method makes it easy to prepare several different flavors at the same time.
Basic Chicken Wings (used with sauces and rubs)
Ingredients
- 2 lbs chicken wings frozen or thawed
Instructions
Oven Method
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. If available, use the convection setting.
- Place a rack on a baking sheet. Arrange the chicken wings in a single layer on the rack, separating the individual pieces as much as possible. If a rack is not available, place the wings directly on a baking sheet.
- Bake for approximately 35 minutes, or until the wings are browned and reach an internal temperature of 165°F as measured with a food thermometer.
Air-Fryer Rotisserie Method
- Lightly spray the inside of the rotisserie basket with cooking spray.
- Place the chicken wings in the basket, filling it approximately ½ to ¾ full. Do not overfill; the wings need room to tumble so they can cook and brown evenly.
- Set the air fryer or rotisserie to 400°F.
- Cook the wings according to their starting temperature:
- Thawed wings: approximately 25–35 minutes
- Frozen wings: approximately 40–50 minutes
- Allow the wings to tumble throughout the cooking process. Cook until the wings are browned and reach an internal temperature of 165°F as measured with a food thermometer.
Finishing the Wings
- Transfer the hot wings to a large bowl.
- Add your favorite sauce or sprinkle with your favorite dry rub. Toss until evenly coated.
- Serve immediately.
Notes
Cooking times are approximate and can vary depending on the size of the wings and the appliance being used. Always verify that chicken reaches 165°F.
If using a rotisserie basket, do not overfill it. Leaving room for the wings to tumble is important for even cooking and browning.
Nutrition Disclaimer
Art of Cooking Recipes (Paulson Pursuits} is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.