Chinese chicken wings are a beloved dish that combines crispy skin, juicy meat, and bold, savory flavors. Whether you want to recreate the sticky, sweet, and spicy wings from your favorite takeout or try a healthier oven-baked version, this guide will walk you through easy and tasty methods to make Chinese chicken wings at home.
What Makes Chinese Chicken Wings Special?
Chinese chicken wings stand out because of their unique marinade and cooking techniques. They often feature a balance of soy sauce, garlic, ginger, Chinese cooking wine (Shaoxing wine), and spices like five-spice powder, cumin, and Sichuan peppercorns. The wings can be fried twice for extra crispiness or baked with baking powder to mimic that crunch without the deep frying.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Here’s a basic list of ingredients commonly used in Chinese chicken wing recipes:
– Chicken wings, cut into drumettes and wingettes
– Soy sauce
– Shaoxing wine or dry sherry (for marinating)
– Garlic and ginger (minced)
– Brown sugar or honey (for sweetness)
– Sesame oil
– Chinese five-spice powder, cumin, fennel seeds, and Sichuan peppercorns (for seasoning)
– Baking powder (for oven-baked crispiness)
– Cornstarch or rice flour (for coating if frying)
– Chili flakes or dried red chilies (for heat)
– Salt, white pepper, black pepper
How to Make Sticky Baked Chinese Chicken Wings
This method is simple and delivers wings with a sticky, caramelized glaze.
- Prepare the Wings: If not pre-cut, separate the wings into drumettes and flats.
- Make the Marinade: Mix soy sauce, Shaoxing wine, minced garlic, ginger, brown sugar, sesame oil, and a pinch of salt.
- Marinate: Toss the wings in the marinade and let them sit for 10 to 15 minutes. Avoid longer marinating to prevent excess saltiness and watery marinade.
- Bake: Arrange wings on a baking tray lined with foil or a wire rack. Bake in a preheated oven at 400°F (200°C) for about 40 minutes.
- Glaze and Broil: Boil the leftover marinade until thickened, then baste the wings and broil for 2-3 minutes to get a sticky finish.
- Serve: Garnish with toasted sesame seeds and sliced green onions for an extra touch.
How to Make Chinese Takeout-Style Fried Chicken Wings
For those who love the classic fried wings with a crispy exterior and juicy interior:
- Marinate the Wings: Combine chicken wings with soy sauce, Shaoxing wine, garlic powder, white and black pepper, salt, sugar, sesame oil, and an egg. Let them marinate for at least 2 hours or overnight.
- Coat the Wings: After marinating, toss the wings with cornstarch and all-purpose flour to create a thin batter-like coating.
- Double Fry: Heat oil to 325°F (163°C). Fry wings in batches for 5 minutes, drain, then fry again for 3 minutes at a higher temperature to get them extra crispy.
- Drain and Serve: Let the wings rest on paper towels to remove excess oil. Serve with hot sauce or your favorite dipping sauce.
Oven-Baked Crispy Chinese Chicken Wings (Healthier Option)
If you want crispy wings without deep frying, try this oven-baked method using baking powder:
- Prep Wings: Pat dry and toss with baking powder, salt, and garlic powder.
- Bake Low and Slow: Bake at 250°F (120°C) for 30 minutes on a wire rack.
- Toast Spices: Toast cumin seeds, fennel seeds, Sichuan peppercorns, and chili flakes until fragrant, then grind with brown sugar and salt to make a dry rub.
- Crisp at High Heat: Increase oven temperature to 425°F (220°C) and bake wings for another 45-50 minutes, flipping halfway.
- Toss with Spice Mix: Coat the wings with vegetable oil and half the spice blend, taste, and add more spice if desired.
- Garnish: Optionally sprinkle with cilantro and serve with lime wedges.
Tips for Perfect Chinese Chicken Wings
– Cutting Wings: Separate wings into drumettes and flats for even cooking.
– Marinating Time: Don’t over-marinate to avoid overly salty or watery wings.
– Double Frying: This technique locks in juiciness and creates a crispy crust.
– Baking Powder Trick: Adds crunch to baked wings without frying.
– Spice Balance: Use a blend of cumin, fennel, and Sichuan peppercorns for authentic flavor.
– Serving: These wings are perfect as appetizers, party snacks, or paired with steamed rice and veggies for a meal.
Chinese chicken wings are versatile and can be adapted to your taste—whether you prefer sweet and sticky, spicy and smoky, or crispy and savory. Experiment with the marinades and spice blends to find your favorite version.
Enjoy making and sharing these irresistible wings with family and friends!
They’re sure to become a favorite in your kitchen, delivering that perfect bite of Chinese-inspired flavor every time.