Crispy and Succulent: How To Cook the Best Chicken Wings at Home

Gather round, fellow food lovers! If there's one thing I’ve learnt from running Copas Farm Shop (and from years of cooking hearty meals for family and friends), it’s that simple, honest ingredients can create something truly spectacular — especially when it comes to chicken wings.

Whether you’re a seasoned home cook or just finding your feet in the kitchen, there’s something deeply satisfying about serving up a plate of crispy, succulent wings that disappear within minutes. They’re the sort of food that brings people together — relaxed, flavourful, and incredibly moreish.

So, from my kitchen to yours, here’s how I cook the best chicken wings at home, with a few Copas secrets thrown in for good measure.

Start with the Right Wings

First things first — quality matters. I always start of course with our own Copas free-range chicken wings supplied by The Thoughtful Producer.  They’re full of flavour, naturally tender, and have just the right amount of fat to get that crispy finish we all crave.

Trust me, it makes a world of difference.

Preparation: The Secret to Crispy Skin

Here’s a trick I swear by: pat the wings dry with kitchen roll before cooking. It might seem like a small step, but removing excess moisture is absolutely key to getting that golden, crackly skin.

If you’ve got the time (and the patience!), pop the wings on a plate in the fridge, uncovered, for a few hours — or even overnight. This dries the skin further and takes the crispiness to the next level.

For even better crunch, I sometimes:

• Toss the wings in baking powder (yes, baking powder!)

• Par-boil them briefly before roasting or frying

• Bake on a wire rack to let the hot air circulate evenly

These little tweaks can make a big difference.

Seasoning: Where the Magic Happens

This is where you can really have fun. I always start with good old salt and pepper, then build up from there depending on the mood — or the occasion.

Here are two of my go-to flavour combos:

Classic Buffalo-style:

• Melted butter

• Hot sauce

• A splash of vinegar

• Garlic powder & a pinch of cayenne (if you like a bit of heat)

Asian-inspired glaze:

• Soy sauce

• Honey

• Fresh ginger & garlic

• A drizzle of sesame oil

Whether you season before cooking for deep, infused flavour, or toss them in sauce just after cooking for a glossy finish — or both! — you really can’t go wrong.

Final Thoughts

There’s something a bit magical about sitting down to a plate of perfectly cooked chicken wings — crisp on the outside, juicy on the inside, and packed with bold, vibrant flavours. And when you start with high-quality, responsibly-reared wings like ours, the results speak for themselves.

So next time you’re planning a laid-back lunch, family supper, or just a snack for yourself, give these a go. And if you need the perfect wings to start with, you know where to find us.

At Copas Farm Shop, we're proud to stock a wide selection of The Thoughtful Producer's frozen free-range chicken – from whole birds to breast fillets, legs and wings. The rich, full flavour and crisp, golden skin you enjoy at the table aren’t just down to clever cooking – they’re rooted in the life the bird has lived. The Thoughtful Producer's chickens live the way nature intended – roaming freely across open meadows, growing slowly and healthily, with plenty of space and fresh air. It’s a hands-on, traditional approach that takes time and care, but the results speak for themselves. Check out our full range of poultry options here.