Baking Chicken Wings

Oh, the chicken wing. A once worthless cut of meat. But, now, it is triumphant. People everywhere are in love with the chicken wing. Is it the crispiness? The flavor? Should you fry your wings? Or, should you be baking chicken wings?

What really makes the perfect chicken wing? 

Obviously, taste should come first. For this reason, it is essential to start with how you cook them. Most people would agree that the classic deep-fried wing takes the prize. With that in mind, it may not be the healthiest option. For this reason, baking chicken wings is the new frying.

If we told you that you could make delicious wings in your oven, would you believe us? You might be skeptical, but there are a few things you can do to make the perfect chicken wing. This month, we are ready to show you how baking chicken wings is easier than you think. But first, we have the down-low on buying chicken wings to bake at home.

Chicken Wings Near Me: Choosing the Best Ingredients

You might know where to get the best restaurant wings. Every town has a local spot serving up cheap chicken wings. Yet, buying fresh wings is a different story. It is essential to keep a few things in mind:

Think about what cut of wing you would like: Split or Whole. Did you know there was a difference? More often than not, wing lovers have a preference.

Most places only carry what we call “split wings.” That means the wing has been separated into two pieces: a drummette and a flat. Not only that, but the tip of the wing is often removed. Therefore, you now have two pieces that are generally around the same size. In turn, it allows for even cooking. As a note, proper cooking is crucial. (Especially when you are cooking poultry.) When food begins to cook unevenly, you run into problems. So, if you are looking to play it safe, we suggest buying split wings. Save yourself the work and the worry!

Aside from the cut, it’s vital to know how to spot freshness. Can you tell the difference between fresh poultry and stale poultry? As a matter of fact, a lot of grocery store product is considered outdated. Not bad, just not fresh either. Follow this easy checklist for picking out the best quality ingredients:

Freshness Checklist

• Firstly, the chicken should look healthy. It should be free of blemishes and bruises. Additionally, the color is pinker than grey/yellow. As chicken ages, it loses some of the colors.
• Next, is there a smell? Don’t buy it. Chicken should never have a scent. And, if it does, there is probably a good chance it is not fresh.
• Avoid large retailers when possible. Look into local places that have chicken wings in stock. Buying locally is your best shot to find quality ingredients. Moreover, you will learn where your food is coming from. There is a reason the farm to table movement exploded. The less time your food spends traveling and storing, the fresher it will be.

For beginners, we do recommend buying wings that are already split. However, if you can get your hands on some whole wings, you can practice your butchering skills. Breaking down a chicken wing isn’t all that hard. In a few tries, you will be an expert.

3 Steps to Breaking Down a Chicken Wing:

1. Locate the joint with your fingers. You should be able to feel where the flat and the drummette connect.
2. Using kitchen shears cut through the main joint. Now, you will have a drummette and a flat with the tip still attached.
3. Lastly, find the second joint the same way. Snip off the tip. At last, you have two perfect wings and two tips to add in your stock.

Chicken Wings In The Oven

Now to get into the good stuff. This month, we aim to show you how baking chicken wings can be just as delicious as frying. You may not be a believer yet, but you will be.

First and foremost, we want to explain why we love baking chicken wings. Not only can you achieve crispy skin without the mess and time of frying. Additionally, it opens up a world of new options. For example, if you cook your wings low and slow, you will be blessed with fall off the bone wings. From there, you can throw them on the BBQ with your favorite sauce. Speaking of sauce, that’s another thing we love; adding sauce during cooking. The sauce caramelizes and adheres to your wing. Can your fried wing do that? It’s a heavenly thing that you can only achieve by cooking chicken wings in the oven or BBQ.

Crispy Chicken Wings Recipe

Ingredients:

• 3 lbs chicken wings, tips removed
• 1/2 cup flour
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp baking powder

Method:

Preheat Oven to 450°

• Gently pat chicken dry. This will help the skin to become crispy.
• In a bowl, mix flour and spices. Be sure to combine thoroughly. Then add in your wings. Toss to coat thoroughly.
• Shaking off any excess flour, transfer wings to a baking sheet. Keep in mind, when baking chicken wings, there should be at least 1 inch between them. Do not overcrowd the pan!
• Bake for 30-35 mins, flipping halfway. When done, the internal temperature should read 165°.
• Toss with your favourite sauce, or just add a little salt and pepper.

These wings will have you staying in for wing night from now on. Your google search history will no longer read “chicken wings near me,” for they will be right in your very own kitchen.

Hilltop Acres carries both cuts of chicken wings. Whether you are baking chicken wings for your family, or for a party, we’ve got you covered! We carry quality items that we can take pride in. For that reason, we scour the countryside for farms that meet our standards. You care about the food on your table, and so do we. Stop by the store, or shop online today.