Air Fryer Dill Pickle Chicken Wings are the ultimate hands-off answer to your busy schedule. They deliver the satisfying crunch of deep-fried bar food right from the counter without all the hassle. The dill brings a mouthwatering punch of tangy flavor that youโll be wanting seconds of!
This recipe relies on kitchen pantry staples that you already have, along with some dill. The key is marinating the chicken. The longer it marinates, the better, so this is a great meal to prep the night before or morning of and let it sit in the fridge until you are ready to air fry. The tangy flavor of dill gives these wings an amazing zesty flavor, perfectly paired with Ranch Dressing.
What are Air Fryer Dill Pickle Chicken Wings?
Air fryer dill pickle chicken wings are crispy, tender chicken wings that are marinated in real dill pickle juice before being air fried to golden perfection. This brining process naturally tenderizes the meat while infusing every bite with a zesty, savory flavor that pairs perfectly with a cool ranch dip.
Why youโll love these Dill Pickle Chicken Wings
- Naturally gluten-free, made with pantry ingredients.
- Active cooking time is less than 20 minutes.
- Perfect budget-friendly meal and kid-friendly too.
- Great for game day appetizers or busy weeknights.
- Easy to prep the marinade before you leave for work, and ready to air fry when you get home!
Ingredient Notes
Chicken Wings โ Use 1.5 pounds of fresh or fully thawed wingettes and drumettes for even cooking.
Dill Pickle Juice โ This is the star of these tasty wings. It brines the chicken from the inside out. It gives it that Chick-fil-A tang without being fried.
Grapeseed Oil or Olive Oil Spray โ Use to help the seasonings stick and give a crispy coating to the outside of the wings.
Dill Weed โ Reinforces the pickle flavor on the crispy skin.
Garlic Powder โ Gives the savory base to the flavor.
Onion Powder โ Add aromatic flavor to the dry rub.
Ground Black Pepper โ Enhances the flavors of the dry rub.
Salt โ Enhances the flavors of the dry rub.
How to Make Air Fryer Chicken Wings
- Place the thawed chicken wings into a Ziploc bag.
- Add the pickle juice and close the bag, taking out as much air as possible.
- Shake it up and move the chicken around to get it fully coated.
- Place this into a shallow dish and then into the fridge for 2 hours.
- After 2 hours, preheat the air fryer to 390ยฐF for 3-4 minutes.
- Take the chicken wings out and place them on a big plate or tray and discard the bag.
- Pat dry with a paper towel.
- Coat wings with grapeseed oil.
- Sprinkle with seasonings evenly to coat them.
- Place the wings in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
- Air Fry at 390ยฐF for 10 minutes, turn them, and Air Fry for an additional 4-5 minutes. They need to reach an internal temperature of at least 175ยฐF.
- Serve and enjoy!
Tips for the Best Air Fryer Wings
- Itโs best to use a meat thermometer to check this temperature. The wings need to reach an internal temperature of at least 175ยฐF to be considered cooked and sufficiently broken down to break down the connective tissue. This temperature makes them melt-in-your-mouth tender.
- Do not overcrowd the basket, make sure there is room around the wings for air to evenly cirulate.
- Adjust the heat by adding cayenne pepper or chili powder if your family likes spicy wings.
- Be sure to pat the wings dry to get the excess moisture off.
Variations and Substitutions
- Use the same recipe for chicken thighs or chicken breast. It also works well with grilled chicken wings too.
- Make it spicy by using hot pickles instead of dill pickles or add cayenne pepper to the dry rub.
- Use a lemon pepper dry rub for a tangy twist.
- Use olive oil or grapeseed oil to make them extra crispy by giving them a solid coat.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you are using frozen chicken wings, air fry the wings for 10 minutes at 400ยฐF to defrost them before proceeding with the rest of the recipe.
I think we can all credit Chick-fil-A with this great idea of using dill pickle juice for marinating chicken.
It gives the chicken a tangy flavor, but it really just makes it so tender because it truly soaks into the chicken. It really enhances the taste and texture of the chicken, and it works for a variety of cuts of chicken, too. We use this method regularly to make Air Fryer Chicken Tenders.
The tangy dill flavor pairs well with classic, cool sauces like ranch dressing or blue cheese dressing.
What to serve with Air Fryer Dill Pickle Chicken Wings
This recipe is paired perfectly with a variety of side dish options:
Celery Sticks and Carrot Sticks
Green Side Salad
Storage Tips
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. When ready to reheat, heat at 350ยฐF for 4-5 minutes in the air fryer. Add a spritz of olive oil spray if needed to restore crispness.
Making these Air Fryer Dill Pickle Chicken Wings will soon be the top of your list of favorite chicken wing recipes. These wings are full of zesty flavor using pantry ingredients that bring your dinner to a new level.
More Air Fryer Chicken Wing Recipes
Air Fryer Dill Pickle Chicken Wings
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 Pounds Chicken Wings (Fresh or Thawed)
- 1 1/4 Cup Dill Pickle Juice
- 1 Tbsp Grapeseed Oil
- 1 Tsp Dried Dill Weed
- 1/2 Tsp Garlic Powder
- 1/2 Tsp Onion Powder
- 1/2 Tsp Ground Black Pepper
- 1/2 Tsp Salt
Instructions
- Place the thawed chicken wings into a Ziploc bag.
- Add the pickle juice and close the bag, taking out as much air as possible.
- Shake it up and move the chicken around to get it fully coated.
- Place this into a shallow dish and then into the fridge for 2 hours.
- After 2 hours, preheat the air fryer to 390ยฐF for 3-4 minutes.
- Take the chicken wings out and place them on a big plate or tray and discard the bag.
- Pat dry with a paper towel.
- Coat wings with grapeseed oil.
- Sprinkle with seasonings evenly to coat them.
- Place the wings in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
- Air Fry at 390ยฐF for 10 minutes, turn them, and Air Fry for an additional 4-5 minutes. They need to reach an internal temperature of at least 175ยฐF.
- Serve and enjoy!
Leave a Reply