Cooking chicken wings is a breeze. The time-consuming part is shucking, de-boning them, and season them. After cooking the chicken wings, if you are left with some leftovers, you may be wondering if you can freeze cooked chicken wings.
Yes, you can freeze chicken wings. You are able to freeze them intact and in a sealed bag or container. This will help prolong the shelf life without the use of ice packs. Cooked chicken wings will last for about 3 months in the freezer so be sure to use them before that time.
Does Cooked Chicken Wings Freeze Well?
Despite the fact that cooking chicken wings are easy, taking them to the freezer can be a chore. There are a few things you need to know before preparing your cooked chicken wings for the freezer.
Cooked chicken wings freeze best when they’re in a sealed bag or container and then stored in a single layer on a sheet pan. Bags with as few air pockets as possible are the best option for freezing cooked chicken. However, if you need more space, use two bags or containers side-by-side on one sheet pan.
The bigger problem with freezing cooked chicken is that it can evaporate moisture and cause freezer burn. Once your cooked chicken wings have been frozen and removed from their container, make sure to keep them in an airtight container or wrap them tightly with plastic wrap until ready to use. This will help prevent moisture from escaping through the container and prevent freezer burn from occurring.
What You Should Do Before Freezing Your Cooked Chicken Wings
Before you freeze your cooked chicken wings, make sure that they are completely cool and have been completely dried. Otherwise, bacteria may get inside the wings and ruin them.
It’s also important that you’ve removed as much of the fat from the chicken wings as possible. Place them on a paper towel in an airtight container for about 30 minutes to drain off all the liquid.
How To Freeze Cooked Chicken Wings
When it comes to freezing cooked chicken wings, you can freeze them in a sealed bag or container. This will help prolong the shelf life without the use of ice packs.
If you are freezing your cooked chicken wings in a sealed bag or container, make sure that they are fully defrosted before placing them in your freezer. You’ll want to be sure that all the juices have been removed from the chicken so it doesn’t leak or contaminate the other foods.
If they are not fully defrosted and you seal them up, then they will likely become freezer burnt and develop an off-flavor.
Chicken wings should be placed in a single layer on a wax paper-lined baking sheet to prevent them from sticking together, and then place into the freezer.
How Long Can You Freeze Cooked Chicken Wings?
You can freeze cooked chicken wings for up to 3 months. After this time, the quality of the wings will start to deteriorate slowly.
Once it’s been longer than 6 months, the chicken wings will lose all of their taste and they will most likely be a piece of solid ice.
How Do You Defrost Cooked Chicken Wings?
Once you’ve frozen the cooked chicken wings, there are 3 ways to thaw them. The first way is to place the bag or container on a plate and let them sit in a refrigerator overnight.
The second way is to defrost them in cold water. For this method, pour some cold water over the bag or container and let them sit for 20 minutes.
The third method is to microwave thawed cooked chicken wings on low heat for 2 minutes per pound of meat (do not overheat).
Can You Refreeze Cooked Chicken Wings?
The answer is yes, you can refreeze cooked chicken wings. But, there are some important things to remember before you do so.
The best way to refreeze cooked chicken wings is to use an airtight container or resealable plastic bag. Be sure to leave enough room for the meat to expand as it freezes.
Cooked chicken wings should be frozen for no longer than three months so you’ll have to eat them within that time frame if you plan on refreezing them.
How To Tell When Cooked Chickens Are Bad?
There are a few telltale signs that your cooked chicken may be spoiled. If you notice any of these, toss them immediately.
The smell is off. This is the easiest way to tell if cooked chicken has gone bad. If it smells bad, it’s probably bad. You can smell the chicken before you even cut into it, so if it doesn’t smell right, don’t use it — no matter what color or texture it looks like.
It has an off-color appearance. Chicken flesh should be white to pale yellow when raw and get darker as it cooks down in the oven or on the grill, but if there are black spots or red patches on the chicken, it could be spoiled and should be thrown out immediately.
There are visible signs of mold or sliminess on top of your chicken breast fillets or thighs. Mold grows best in warm and humid environments so refrigerate your cooked chicken as soon as possible after cooking for the best results!
Conclusion
Yes, you can freeze cooked chicken wings, but remember to use them within 3 months. Before freezing, make sure they’re cooled first, and then wrap them tightly in foil or plastic wrap before putting them in the freezer.