The Best Chinese Chicken Wings Recipe

Indulge in the flavours of crispy Chinese fried chicken wings recipe with this delightful recipe. Perfect for a satisfying dinner, these wings are bound to be a hit with your loved ones. By using a few key ingredients and mastering some marinating techniques, you can whip up a dish that will leave everyone impressed.

To start, you'll need chicken wings, flour, cornstarch, salt, and pepper. You'll also need soy sauce, Shaoxing rice wine, sesame oil, and fish sauce for marinating. Once you've marinated the wings, it's time to fry them to perfection. Serve them with your favourite accompaniments and sides, and you have a meal that's both satisfying and nutritious.

Key Takeaways:

• Chinese fried chicken wings are a delicious and crispy dish that's perfect for dinner.
• Essential ingredients like chicken wings, flour, cornstarch, salt, and pepper are needed for this recipe.
• Marinating techniques, frying to perfection, and serving tips are essential for creating the perfect dish.

Essential Ingredients

When it comes to making Chinese-style fried chicken wings, there are several essential ingredients that you will need to create the perfect dish. In this section, we will cover the most important ingredients you will need to make delicious fried chicken wings.

Choosing the Right Chicken Wings

The first step in making Chinese-style fried chicken wings is to choose the right type of chicken wings. You will need to select wings that are fresh and have a good amount of meat on them. It is also important to choose wings that have not been frozen, as this can affect the texture of the meat.

Marinade Essentials

A good marinade is essential for creating delicious Chinese-style fried chicken wings. You will need to use a combination of soy sauce, garlic, ginger, Shaoxing wine, and sesame oil to create a flavourful marinade. If you want to add some seafood to your recipe, you can use oyster sauce or fish sauce to give your marinade an extra kick.

Creating the Perfect Batter

The batter is what gives Chinese-style fried chicken wings their signature crispy texture. To create the perfect batter, you will need to use a combination of flour and cornstarch. The cornstarch helps to create a light and crispy texture, while the flour provides structure to the batter. You can also add some white pepper, black pepper, and sugar to the batter to give it some extra flavour.

Overall, the key to making delicious Chinese-style fried chicken wings is to use high-quality ingredients and to pay attention to the details. By following these tips and using the right ingredients, you can create a dish that is sure to impress your family and friends.

Marinating Techniques

Marinating is an essential step in achieving the perfect Chinese-style fried chicken wings. The marinating process involves infusing the chicken wings with different flavours to enhance their taste and ensure they are moist and tender. Here are some tips to help you marinate your chicken wings like a pro.

Flavour Infusion

The key to flavourful chicken wings is to use a combination of ingredients that complement each other. Garlic, ginger, soy sauce, Shaoxing wine, salt, sugar, and sesame oil are some of the essential ingredients that you can use to create a delicious marinade.

To make the marinade, combine all the ingredients in a mixing bowl and mix well. You can adjust the seasoning to your taste by adding more or less of each ingredient. For an extra kick of flavour, you can also add seafood to your marinade. Shrimps or prawns are great options that can add depth to your marinade and give your chicken wings a unique taste.

Timing and Tips

Timing is crucial when it comes to marinating chicken wings. Ideally, you should marinate your chicken wings for at least 2 hours or overnight to allow the flavours to penetrate the meat. However, you should avoid marinating your chicken wings for too long as the acid in the marinade can break down the meat and make it mushy.

When marinating your chicken wings, make sure that they are evenly coated with the marinade. You can use a ziplock bag or a container with a lid to marinate your chicken wings. This will ensure that the marinade is evenly distributed and that the chicken wings are fully coated.

In summary, marinating is a crucial step in achieving the perfect Chinese-style fried chicken wings. By using a combination of ingredients that complement each other and marinating for the right amount of time, you can create flavourful and tender chicken wings that will impress your guests.

Frying to Perfection

When it comes to achieving the perfect fried chicken wings, there are a few things to keep in mind. Frying chicken wings requires a bit of finesse, but with a little practice, you can achieve a crispy, golden exterior with juicy meat on the inside.

Oil and Temperature

The type of oil you use for frying is important. You want an oil with a high smoke point, such as vegetable oil or peanut oil. These oils can withstand the high heat required for deep frying without burning or smoking excessively.

To achieve the perfect texture, the oil temperature is crucial. The ideal temperature for frying chicken wings is between 350°F and 375°F. If the oil is too hot, the chicken wings will burn on the outside before the inside is fully cooked. If the oil is not hot enough, the chicken wings will absorb too much oil and become greasy.

Achieving Golden Crispiness

To achieve a crispy, golden exterior, there are a few tricks you can use. One is to coat the chicken wings in a mixture of flour and cornstarch before frying. The flour helps to create a crispy coating while the cornstarch helps to absorb excess moisture from the chicken wings, resulting in a lighter and crisper texture.

Another trick is to fry the chicken wings twice. After the first fry, let the chicken wings cool for a few minutes before frying them again. This helps to create an even crispier exterior.

When frying chicken wings, it's important to monitor the internal temperature to ensure they are fully cooked. The internal temperature of the chicken wings should reach 165°F.

If you're feeling adventurous, you can also try adding seafood to your fried chicken wings recipe. Shrimp or calamari are great options that pair well with the crispy texture of fried chicken wings. Simply coat the seafood in the same flour and cornstarch mixture as the chicken wings and fry until golden brown.

Accompaniments and Sides

When it comes to fried chicken wings, there are a variety of accompaniments and sides that can complement the dish. Here are some popular options to consider:

Sauce Pairings

Dipping sauces are a must-have when it comes to fried chicken wings. You can try classic options such as soy sauce or oyster sauce. For a sweet and tangy twist, you can also try honey mustard or sweet chili sauce. Hot sauce is also a popular choice for those who like a bit of heat. For a more complex flavour, you can mix rice vinegar, soy sauce, and scallions together.

If you're a seafood lover, you can also try pairing your fried chicken wings with a seafood-based dipping sauce. A classic option is tartar sauce, which is made with mayonnaise, pickles, and lemon juice. You could also try a spicy remoulade sauce, which is made with mayonnaise, mustard, hot sauce, and capers.

Complementary Side Dishes

Fried rice is a classic side dish that pairs well with fried chicken wings. It's a great way to add some carbs to your meal and soak up any excess sauce. You could also try serving your wings with french fries, which are a classic pub food option.

For a healthier option, you could serve your wings with a side salad. A simple green salad with a vinaigrette dressing can be a refreshing contrast to the rich, fried chicken wings. You could also try serving your wings with roasted vegetables, such as broccoli or carrots.

If you're looking for a more unique side dish, you could try stuffing your sweet potatoes with a mixture of rice, seafood, and scallions. This is a great way to add some extra flavour and nutrition to your meal.

Nutritional Insights

When it comes to fried chicken wings, it's important to consider the nutritional value of the dish. While it's true that fried chicken wings are not the healthiest food option, there are ways to make them more nutritious.

Firstly, it's important to note that one serving of fried chicken wings (about 3-4 wings) contains around 300-400 calories. This can vary based on the recipe and cooking method used. Additionally, fried chicken wings are typically high in saturated fat and sodium.

However, there are ways to make fried chicken wings healthier. For example, using skinless chicken wings can significantly reduce the amount of saturated fat in the dish. Additionally, using a healthier cooking method such as baking or air frying can also reduce the calorie and fat content.

If you're looking to add more nutritional value to your fried chicken wings, consider adding vegetables such as carrots, celery, or peppers to the dish. These can add fibre, vitamins, and minerals to the meal.

Furthermore, seafood such as prawns or squid can be used to add protein and flavour to the dish. If you're looking to incorporate seafood into your fried chicken wings, consider marinating the seafood in a mixture of soy sauce, ginger, and garlic before adding it to the recipe.

Overall, while fried chicken wings are not the healthiest food option, there are ways to make them more nutritious. By making small changes to the recipe and incorporating vegetables or seafood, you can enjoy a delicious and satisfying meal while still maintaining a balanced diet.

Serving and Storage Tips

Presentation Ideas

When it comes to presenting your Chinese-style fried chicken wings, there are a few things you can do to make them look even more appetising. Firstly, consider using a wire rack to cool your wings after frying. This will help keep them crispy and prevent them from getting soggy. You can also sprinkle some sesame seeds or chopped scallions on top of the wings for a pop of colour and added flavour.

Another presentation idea is to serve your wings with a dipping sauce. Soy sauce, sweet chilli sauce, and hoisin sauce are all great options. If you want to get creative, you can even try making a sauce with seafood such as oyster sauce or fish sauce.

Keeping It Fresh

To keep your fried chicken wings fresh and tasty, it's important to store them properly. If you're not planning on eating them right away, let them cool to room temperature and then store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. When you're ready to eat them, you can reheat them in the oven at 180°C for 10-15 minutes or until they're heated through.

If you want to enjoy your fried chicken wings for lunch, consider packing them in a lunchbox with some vegetables and rice. This will not only make for a delicious meal, but it will also bring you joy throughout the day.

Overall, there are many ways to serve and store your Chinese-style fried chicken wings. Whether you're presenting them with a dipping sauce or packing them for lunch, these wings are sure to be a hit.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you make Chinese-style crispy fried chicken wings?

To make Chinese-style crispy fried chicken wings, you need to marinate the chicken wings with soy sauce, Shaoxing wine, sesame oil, and spices such as black pepper, white pepper, garlic powder, and salt. After marinating, coat the chicken wings with cornstarch and all-purpose flour before deep-frying them in hot oil until they turn golden brown and crispy.

What's the simple way to prepare Chinese fried chicken wings?

The simple way to prepare Chinese fried chicken wings is to marinate the chicken wings with soy sauce, Shaoxing wine, sesame oil, and spices such as black pepper, white pepper, garlic powder, and salt. After marinating, coat the chicken wings with cornstarch and all-purpose flour before deep-frying them in hot oil until they turn golden brown and crispy.

Can you pan-fry chicken wings with a Chinese recipe?

Yes, you can pan-fry chicken wings with a Chinese recipe. However, the result may not be as crispy as deep-frying. To pan-fry chicken wings, heat a small amount of oil in a non-stick pan and cook the chicken wings until they are cooked through and golden brown on both sides.

What goes into a Chinese fried chicken batter?

A Chinese fried chicken batter usually consists of cornstarch, all-purpose flour, salt, and water or beer. Some recipes may also include egg or baking powder to make the batter more crispy and airy.

How do you incorporate soy sauce into Chinese chicken wings?

To incorporate soy sauce into Chinese chicken wings, you need to mix it with other marinade ingredients such as Shaoxing wine, sesame oil, and spices. The soy sauce adds a savory and umami flavor to the chicken wings and helps to tenderize the meat.

What's the reason behind the unique taste of Chinese chicken wings?

The unique taste of Chinese chicken wings comes from the combination of savory, sweet, and spicy flavors. The marinade ingredients such as soy sauce, Shaoxing wine, and spices add a complex and aromatic flavor to the chicken wings. Additionally, the use of cornstarch and all-purpose flour in the coating results in a crispy and crunchy texture that complements the juicy and tender meat.

As a suggestion, you can add some seafood such as prawns or squid to the marinade to give the chicken wings a seafood twist. The seafood will add a briny and sweet flavor to the dish, and the texture will contrast nicely with the crispy chicken wings.