This beer brined chicken wings is perfect for snacking on during the next football game, but they'd be excellent at a barbecue too!
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I'm not particularly fond of beer's taste and smell, but its effect on chicken is undeniable. Even my Beer Butt Chicken Recipe is a household favorite. Beer tenderizes the meat while imparting delicious flavors throughout.
Have you tried chicken wing brine? It's incredible, with a subtle beer essence that doesn't overpower. Yet, the result is juicy, flavorful chicken that's simply irresistible!
I started making these beer-marinated chicken wings to wean my husband off store-bought deli wings. Ironically, he now craves them more than ever, constantly asking when I'll make them again. The irony isn't lost on me!
Explore more chicken wing recipes like Soy Garlic Chicken Wings, Air Fryer Garlic Parmesan Wings, Honey Buffalo Wings, and Honey Lemon Pepper Wings for endless finger-licking goodness.
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💛 Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Simple ingredients. Nothing fancy is needed, which means minimal shopping and pantry friendly ingredients.
- Easy steps. With very little hands on work, this recipe is simple to follow and great for beginner cooks.
- Budget friendly. Making chicken wings at home costs less than buying them pre cooked, giving you a frugal way to enjoy a favorite appetizer.
🛒 Ingredients
Chicken wings- You will want to use some chicken wings and drummettes for this recipe. Make sure that they are thawed and not frozen.
Kosher Salt- This is a thicker grain than table salt. It will help to brine the chicken. Do NOT use table salt. The results will NOT be the same.
Beer- Use your favorite can of beer or whatever is on hand.
Optional Add-ins- You can add in stuff like whole peppercorns, whole cloves, or even fresh herbs.
See the recipe card below for full ingredients and instructions.
💰 Budget-Friendly Tips
Use an affordable beer. There's no need for craft or specialty beer. An inexpensive lager works perfectly for brining.
Buy wings in family packs. Larger packs often cost less per pound and are ideal for brining recipes.
Skip optional add-ins if needed. The salt, sugar, and beer alone provide plenty of flavor without extra ingredients.
Cook once, serve twice. Leftover wings reheat well and can be repurposed for wraps, salads, or rice bowls.
🥄 Instructions for Beer Brined Chicken Wings
Step 1: Add the salt, brown sugar, and 1 cup of water to a small saucepan.
Step 2: Heat until the sugar and salt have dissolved. Remove from heat.
Step 3: Transfer the mixture to a large bowl with 1 cup of water. Stir to combine.
Step 4: Add in the 2 cups of beer along with any flavor add-ins (if desired).
Step 5: Place your chicken wings inside the liquid and press down to submerge.
Step 6: Cover bowl in plastic wrap and place into the fridge for 3-5 hours.
Step 7: When ready to cook, drain liquid and place chicken wings in an even layer on a foil-lined baking sheet.
Step 8: Bake at 400 degrees F for 45 minutes until cooked through. If desired, broil on high for 1-2 minutes to crisp up the chicken skin.
Serve warm.
👩🏻🍳 Expert Tips
- Marinating Time: Avoid over-brining by limiting marination to no more than 5 hours. The ideal period is 3-4 hours for perfectly flavored, juicy, and tender meat.
- Choice of Beer: Use a beer you enjoy as the chicken will retain its flavor. Leftover wings taste even more like the beer the next day.
- Chicken Safety: Ensure thorough cooking by checking with an instant-read food thermometer. It should register at 165°F. Meat and juices may have a slight pink color but should not look raw.
❄️ Storage and Reheating
Storage: Store leftover Beer Brined Chicken Wings in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.
Microwave: Place wings on a microwave-safe plate between two slightly damp paper towels and heat for about 2 minutes. The moisture prevents drying.
Oven: Preheat to 350°F and bake wings on a foil-lined sheet for 10-20 minutes or until hot and crisp.
Air Fryer: Heat wings in a single layer at 360°F for 5 minutes, flipping halfway for even reheating.
🥗 Side Dishes or Pairing Ideas
These Beer Brined Chicken Wings pair well with coleslaw, oven-baked fries, roasted vegetables, corn on the cob, or a simple macaroni salad for an easy, crowd-friendly meal.
- Air Fryer Corn on the CobRecipe $1.53 / Serving $0.38
- Bacon Ranch Brussel SproutsRecipe $7.35 / Serving $1.23
- Classic Macaroni Pasta SaladRecipe $4.37 / Serving $0.55
- Red Potato SaladRecipe $5.78 / Serving $0.58
❓ Recipe FAQs
Brines should be left on chickens for a minimum of 1 hour, but up to 5 hours if needed. 3-4 hours is a good amount of time to let your thawed chicken wings brine.
The beer brined wings work like magic to help break down different things in the chicken meat to tenderize it to perfection. It also adds a subtle flavor and leaves the chicken extra juicy, so make sure to have some napkins handy.
No! Unless otherwise stated you should never try to rinse off a brine before baking. The brine is what makes the end results so good. To rinse it off would be undoing all the work and waiting that you JUST did.
I would recommend not adding any salty flavors to the chicken until after they've finished baking and you can safely taste one first. Then adjust to taste. The brine will leave some saltiness on the chicken already, so it's best to taste and adjust so that your chicken doesn't turn out too salty.
🍽️ More Recipes You'll Love
- Honey Buffalo WingsRecipe $10.79 / Serving $2.70
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- Mini Spinach Dip Bread BowlsRecipe $9.54 / Serving $0.40
- Maple Bacon DipRecipe $3.99 / Serving $0.99
🐝 If you tried these Beer Brined Chicken Wings, please leave a ⭐️ star rating and share your buzz in the 💬 comments below. I'd truly appreciate it!
📖 Recipe
Beer Brined Chicken Wings
Ingredients
- 2 cups water, divided - ($0.00)
- ¼ cup salt - ($0.06)
- ¼ cup brown sugar - ($0.11)
- 2 cups beer - ($0.92)
- 2 pounds chicken wings, thawed - ($6.50)
Optional Add-ins
- whole peppercorns
- whole cloves
- fresh herbs
Instructions
- Make the brine. In a saucepan, combine 1 cup of water with the salt and brown sugar. Heat and stir until fully dissolved.
- Cool the brine. Pour the hot brine into a large bowl and add the remaining 1 cup of cold water to cool it down.
- Add beer and aromatics. Stir in the beer and any optional add-ins, if using.
- Brine the wings. Add the chicken wings to the bowl, pressing gently to submerge. Cover and refrigerate for 3 to 5 hours.
- Preheat the oven. When ready to cook, preheat the oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with foil.
- Bake the wings. Remove the wings from the brine and arrange them in an even layer on the baking sheet. Bake for 45 minutes.
- Optional broil. For crispier skin, broil on high for 1 to 2 minutes after baking, watching closely.
- Serve. Serve warm.
Notes
- Brining time. Do not brine longer than 5 hours. For thawed wings, 3 to 4 hours produces the best flavor and texture.
- Beer choice. Use a beer you enjoy drinking, as some flavor carries through, especially in leftovers.
- Do not rinse. Skip rinsing the wings after brining to preserve flavor and moisture.
- Season carefully. Avoid adding extra salt before baking. Taste after cooking and adjust seasoning if needed.
Nutritional Information
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