how long do you cook kirkland chicken wings for

How Long Do You Cook Kirkland Chicken Wings For Crispy, Juicy Perfection?

Kirkland chicken wings from Costco are a fan favorite for good reason – they’re tasty, convenient, and very affordable But to get the best results when cooking these seasoned wings at home, it’s important to know how long to cook them Undercook them and they’ll be rubbery and raw. Overcook them and they’ll be dried out and tough. So what’s the magic timing for perfect Kirkland chicken wings every time? Let’s find out.

First a Bit About Kirkland Chicken Wings

Kirkland Signature chicken wings are sold in bulk frozen packs at Costco warehouses. Each pack contains around 2.5 to 3 pounds of mixed drumettes and flats that have already been seasoned with a proprietary blend of spices and flavorings. The exact ingredients are a trade secret, but customers report tasting notes of garlic, onion, paprika, salt, and pepper.

One major convenience factor of these wings is that they come pre-marinated and ready to cook. There’s no need to thaw them in advance or do any prep work besides preheating your oven or turning on your air fryer The crisp, salty, and slightly spicy coating does a great job of infusing the wings with lots of flavor

Cooking Options for Kirkland Wings

You can prepare Kirkland chicken wings using a variety of cooking methods:

Baking: This is one of the most popular techniques. Spread the frozen wings out on a sheet pan and bake at 400°F, flipping halfway through.

Air frying: Arrange wings in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Air fry at 400°F, shaking the basket occasionally.

Deep frying: Heat oil to 350-375°F and fry wings for around 10 minutes, turning occasionally.

Grilling: Grill frozen wings over medium indirect heat for 20-25 minutes total, flipping occasionally.

The exact cook time will vary based on the method, but there are some general guidelines to follow for each one.

How Long to Bake Kirkland Chicken Wings

Baking is a quick and easy hands-off way to cook Kirkland wings straight from frozen. Here are a few tips:

• Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a large rimmed baking sheet with foil or parchment.

• Arrange wings in a single layer on the pan, leaving space between each one. Avoid overcrowding.

• Bake for 20 minutes, then flip wings and bake for 15-20 more minutes until browned and crispy.

• For added color and crunch, broil for 1-2 minutes at the very end.

• Check wings for doneness and continue cooking if needed until cooked through with no pink inside.

The total bake time will be around 35-40 minutes. Watch them closely near the end to avoid overbaking.

How Long to Air Fry Kirkland Wings

With an air fryer, you can quickly “fry” wings by putting hot air around them and moving it around. Here’s a simple process:

• Preheat air fryer to 400°F.

• Place wings in a single layer in the air fryer basket, being careful not to overcrowd.

• Air fry for 12 minutes, then shake basket or flip wings.

• Cook for 8-12 more minutes until crispy and browned outside.

• Check wings for doneness. Cook longer if needed.

• For extra crunch, spray wings with oil halfway through cooking.

The air fryer totals around 20-25 minutes at 400°F. Adjust time as needed based on your model.

How Long to Deep Fry Kirkland Chicken Wings

When you deep fry wings, they get extra crispy and crunchy, but you have to make sure that a lot of oil is hot enough to be safe. Follow these steps:

• Heat oil to 350-375°F in a heavy pot or deep fryer. Use enough oil to submerge wings.

• Fry wings for 5-6 minutes until lightly browned.

• Flip wings and fry for 5 more minutes until golden brown.

• Check internal temperature to ensure doneness. Wings are done at 165°F.

• Drain wings on a paper towel lined plate. Enjoy immediately.

The ideal deep fry time is around 10-12 minutes. Monitor oil temp and doneness closely.

How Long to Grill Kirkland Chicken Wings

Grilling gives great charred flavor to Kirkland wings. Use indirect heat and keep a close eye to avoid burning:

• Oil grill grates and preheat to medium heat, around 375°F.

• Arrange frozen wings on cooler side of the grill, not directly over flame.

• Grill with lid closed for 10 minutes. Flip wings.

• Continue grilling 10-15 more minutes until browned and crispy.

• Brush with sauce in the last few minutes if desired.

• Check temperature to ensure wings are fully cooked.

Plan for an approximate grilling time of 20-25 minutes. Check frequently and move wings if flare-ups occur.

How to Tell When Kirkland Wings Are Done

The best way to confirm your Kirkland chicken wings are fully cooked is to use a meat thermometer. Insert the probe into the thickest part of a wing, avoiding bone. Chicken wings are safely cooked at a minimum internal temperature of 165°F. If undercooked, return to heat for a few more minutes.

Visually, the wings will look nicely browned and crisped on the outside when finished cooking. The meat should be white throughout with no traces of pink. Piercing a wing with a fork or knife should meet little resistance. If the juices still run pink when pierced, continue cooking.

Allow wings to rest 5 minutes before serving. This helps lock in the juices. Then enjoy your perfectly cooked Kirkland chicken wings!

Serving Suggestions for Kirkland Wings

The pre-seasoned Kirkland wings are quite flavorful on their own, but you can also enhance them with a sauce or dip:

• Toss cooked wings in Buffalo, BBQ, or teriyaki sauce

• Serve with ranch, blue cheese, or creamy dips

• Garnish wings with chopped green onions, sesame seeds, or parsley

• Pair wings with crunchy celery and carrot sticks

• Add extra spices like chili powder, cayenne, or garlic powder

Get creative and make a flavorful wing sauce at home to complement the already delicious Kirkland seasoning.

Storing and Reheating Leftover Wings

Like any cooked chicken, leftover Kirkland wings should be refrigerated within 2 hours of cooking. Store in a sealed container for up to 3-4 days. For longer storage, freeze wings for up to 3 months.

To reheat, place wings on a sheet pan or paper towels and warm in a 375°F oven for 10-15 minutes until heated through. Microwaving is not recommended as it can make the wings soggy.

Crispy, Juicy Perfection Achieved!

Cooking Kirkland chicken wings straight from frozen couldn’t be simpler. Just choose your preferred method and follow the approximate cook times outlined. Bake, air fry, deep fry, or grill for 20-40 minutes based on technique until wings are browned, crispy, and cooked to a safe internal temperature of 165°F. Allow to rest before serving with complementary sauces and dips. Adjust cook times as needed to suit your specific equipment and taste. In no time, you’ll be an expert at preparing succulent, flavorful Kirkland wings right at home. Enjoy!