For most people, chicken wings are a party favorite. They’re easy to make and super tasty.
But if you have leftover marinated chicken wings, you might wonder how to save them.
Can you freeze marinated chicken wings? Yes, you can freeze marinated chicken wings. When frozen, the marinating process will stop until the wings are thawed. This means that you can keep the marinated chicken wings in the freezer for up to six months.
When the cooking time comes, make sure that you thaw the chicken wings and cook them within 24 hours.
How to freeze marinated chicken wings?
Freezing marinated chicken wings is very simple. There are two options:
First option
The first option is to freeze the chicken wings in baggies or containers. If you opt for this method, make sure that you don’t defrost before cooking them.
This will prolong their shelf life and prevent freezer burn. You can also transfer the marinated chicken wings into zip-close plastic bags where they’ll stay fresh for 3 months in the freezer.
Once frozen, keep them separated with pieces of wax paper for easy removal.
Decrease air exposure by removing as much air from the bag or container before freezing it.
This will prevent excess moisture on your frozen food because as water freezes, it becomes ice crystals which damage cells in frozen foods.
Don’t wrap foods tightly unless you want to be left with soggy, freezer-burned food.
Second option
Another option is to marinate the chicken wings in a baking dish and freeze them for 24 hours.
It’s convenient because once frozen, you can transfer them into zip-close plastic bags where they’ll stay fresh for 3 months in the freezer.
However, this method doesn’t work with all chicken wing recipes.
For instance, if your recipe calls for dipping the wings in buttermilk before freezing, don’t do it when using this method because buttermilk contains liquid ingredients which turn into ice crystals and damage the cells of frozen foods.
In fact, most creamy sauces should not be used as marinades because these tend to thaw out during the cooking process.
Can you refreeze marinated chicken wings?
It’s a good idea NOT to refreeze marinated chicken wings because the marinating process will continue once thawed.
This could cause excess liquid and freezer burn on your frozen food.
You can make delicious dishes with your leftover marinades though.
Just make sure that it doesn’t contain any dairy products or other ingredients which might turn into ice crystals when frozen.
How long can marinated chicken be kept in the freezer?
Marinated chicken can be kept in the freezer for up to six months. You can cook it immediately or after thawing.
However, just like any other frozen food, you need to make sure that the marinated chicken is stored securely in freezer bags or containers and press excess air out before sealing.
This will prevent excess moisture on your frozen food because as water freezes, it becomes ice crystals which damage cells in frozen foods.
How long do marinated chicken wings stay fresh in the fridge?
You shouldn’t wait for your leftover marinated chicken wings to go bad before using them.
Most recipes call for thawing and cooking within 24 hours after preparation.
If you’re planning a gathering or party, it’s always best to prepare more than what is needed because there’s no way of knowing when guests will be arriving.
Otherwise, store the unused portion in an airtight container and place it on the refrigerator (NOT freezer) until ready to use. It should last at least 2-3 days if you plan to use it within a week.
If you’re not going to use your leftover marinated chicken wings in the next two days, it’s best to freeze them for up to 6 months.
Can you freeze marinated chicken thighs?
Yes, you can freeze marinated chicken thighs. You should keep them the same way as to how you store marinated chicken wings.
They can last for up to six months in the freezer and won’t lose their taste or texture when they’re properly stored.
Can you freeze yogurt marinated chicken?
Yes, yogurt marinated chicken can be frozen. But make sure that the yogurt is thick enough to prevent the liquid ingredients in it from freezing and destroying your food.
Also, make sure that you don’t add any extra liquid ingredients such as buttermilk or lemon juice.
Can you freeze marinated chicken kebob?
Yes, you can freeze marinated chicken kebob and they’ll taste just as fresh (if not better) after thawing.
Just make sure that the spices used in your marinade are stored in an airtight container instead of being inside the freezer bag with your food.
Learn more about freezing foods here.
Final Thoughts
If you have leftover marinated chicken wings, there is nothing to worry about. This is because you can always freeze them and keep them in the freezer for six months.
All you need to do is store them in airtight containers or bags and press out the excess air before sealing.
This will prevent ice crystals from forming on your frozen food which might damage its cells while freezing.
You can always thaw your marinated chicken and use it as an ingredient for a new dish.
Just remember that certain sauces (such as buttermilk) should not be stored with other ingredients because they tend to thaw out during cooking and could cause minor damage to your frozen foods.
Most creamy sauces don’t freeze well, so make sure that you know what you’re doing when preparing marinades for your next party.
It’s also good to double-dip portion sizes because we never know how fast our guests are going to gobble them up.
I hope this helps.
