Juicy Chicken Wing Charcuterie Board

If you ask me, chicken wing boards are a genius twist on traditional charcuterie.

This party-ready spread takes everyone’s favorite game day snack and presents it in a fresh, fun way. Different flavors of wings – from classic buffalo to honey garlic – are arranged alongside crispy celery, carrots, and plenty of dipping sauces.

The wings are baked until golden and crispy, then grouped by flavor profile across a big wooden board. Cool ranch dip, tangy blue cheese, and smooth honey mustard create perfect pairing options for every wing style.

It’s a laid-back approach to entertaining that lets guests mix and match their way to the perfect plate.

What Kind of Chicken Wings Should I Use?

For a wing charcuterie board, you’ll want to start with whole chicken wings or choose between drumettes and flats (also called wingettes) based on your preference. Fresh wings typically give you the best results, though frozen wings work fine if you thaw them completely and pat them dry before cooking. When shopping, look for wings that are plump and have a pink, fresh-looking color without any dark spots or excessive moisture in the package. If you’re buying whole wings, you can save some money by separating them yourself at the joint – just look for the natural breaking point and cut through with a sharp knife. Most grocery stores sell wings already split into sections, which saves prep time but usually costs a bit more per pound.

Options for Substitutions

This fun party platter is super adaptable and easy to customize. Here’s what you can switch up:

• Chicken wings: While any brand of chicken wings will work here, just make sure they’re fresh and similar in size for even cooking. You can also use a mix of drumettes and flats, or go all drumettes if that’s your preference.
• Dipping sauces: This is where you can really get creative! Try ranch, blue cheese, honey mustard, BBQ sauce, buffalo sauce, garlic parmesan sauce, or even sweet chili sauce. Store-bought or homemade both work great.
• Vegetables: The veggie options are endless – try celery sticks, carrot sticks, cucumber rounds, bell pepper strips, cherry tomatoes, or broccoli florets. You can even add some pickled vegetables for extra zip. Pick what’s in season or what your guests prefer.
• Additional elements: Feel free to add extras like cheese cubes, crackers, or fresh herbs to garnish. You can also include some fruit like apple slices or grapes to balance out the savory flavors.

Watch Out for These Mistakes While Preparing

The biggest mistake when creating a chicken wing charcuterie board is overcrowding your platter, which not only makes it harder for guests to grab wings but also causes them to cool down faster – arrange wings with enough space between them and consider using a warming plate or serving in batches.

Temperature control is crucial, so avoid letting prepared wings sit out for more than 2 hours at room temperature, and make sure to keep cold items like dipping sauces and fresh vegetables properly chilled using a separate section or ice-packed serving dishes.

When it comes to vegetable placement, don’t make the common error of mixing wet ingredients (like celery and carrots) with crispy wings – instead, use small bowls or dividers to keep moisture-heavy items separate and maintain the wings’ crunchiness.

For the best presentation and functionality, place dipping sauces in strategic spots around the board where they’re easily accessible to all guests, and consider providing small plates or napkins nearby to catch any drips or spills.

What to Serve With a Chicken Wing Charcuterie Board?

When you’re putting together a wing board, it’s all about creating a fun, casual spread that lets everyone mix and match their favorites. A selection of cold beverages like craft beer or sparkling sodas helps balance out the heat from the wings. I love adding some cooling sides like ranch pasta salad or a creamy coleslaw to round out the spread – these help tame the spice while adding different textures to the meal. For a complete party spread, consider including some potato wedges or sweet potato fries, which are always crowd-pleasers and great for dipping in any extra sauces from the wings.

Storage Instructions

Keep Fresh: Keep any leftover cooked wings in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. For the veggie platter components, store them separately in their own containers to keep everything crisp and fresh. The dipping sauces should go into small sealed containers and can last 4-5 days in the fridge.

Make Ahead: You can prep this board up to 24 hours in advance! Cook and cool the wings, then store them in the fridge. Cut up your veggies and keep them in water-filled containers to stay crisp. Arrange everything on your board just before serving for the best presentation.

Warm Up: To bring back that just-cooked taste, pop the cold wings in a 350°F oven for about 10-12 minutes until they’re heated through and crispy again. The veggies and dips are best served cool straight from the fridge.

Preparation Time	10-15 minutes
Cooking Time	30-40 minutes
Total Time	40-55 minutes
Level of Difficulty	Easy

Estimated Nutrition

Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):

• Calories: 2400-3000
• Protein: 180-220 g
• Fat: 180-220 g
• Carbohydrates: 30-50 g

Ingredients

• 3 to 4 pounds chicken wings (farmer focus brand)
• 2 to 3 types of dipping sauces
• 3 to 5 varieties of prepared vegetables

Step 1: Cook the Chicken Wings

Choose your preferred cooking method for the chicken wings:

• Baking Instructions: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).

  Place the chicken wings on a baking sheet and bake for 40-45 minutes, turning halfway through, until they’re golden and crispy.

• Instant Pot Instructions: Place the chicken wings in the Instant Pot with one cup of water or broth.

  Cook on high pressure for 10 minutes, followed by a quick release.

  Finish by broiling in the oven or air fryer for a few minutes to crisp them up.

• Air Fryer Instructions: Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C).

  Arrange the chicken wings in a single layer in the basket and air fry for 20-25 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through cooking, until they’re crispy.

Step 2: Sauce the Wings

Once cooked, divide the wings into thirds:

• First ⅓: Toss in your sauce-of-choice and place them on a serving board.
• Second ⅓: Toss in a different or the same sauce-of-choice and place them on the board.
• Final ⅓: Leave plain and place them on the board for variety.

Step 3: Add Dipping Sauces and Veggies

On the serving board, place 2-3 dipping sauces of your choice such as ranch, blue cheese, or barbecue sauce.

To complete the presentation, fill the remaining space on the board with a variety of sliced veggies, like carrots, celery sticks, bell peppers, and cherry tomatoes.

This not only provides a colorful display but also adds a refreshing crunch to accompany the wings.