The Simple Joy of these Crispy Fried Chicken Wings
There’s something magical about biting into a perfectly crispy chicken wing that gives way to tender, juicy meat underneath. Honestly, it’s one of life’s greatest pleasures.
These wings deliver that perfect contrast – crunchy coating meets succulent meat. The secret lies in steaming first, then coating and frying. Why complicate things when simple techniques work so beautifully?
I find myself craving that satisfying crunch, that moment when your teeth break through the golden exterior.
These aren’t just wings; they’re little parcels of comfort food happiness. Pure, unapologetic indulgence that’ll have you licking your fingers clean.
Ingredients
Getting these crispy chicken wings ready is honestly easier than you think, and the ingredient list won’t send you running to three different stores. Most of this stuff is probably hanging out in your pantry right now, just waiting for its moment to shine. The real beauty here is how these simple ingredients work together to create something that tastes like it came from your favorite wing joint.
- 5 chicken wings
- 1 teaspoon red chili powder
- 2 teaspoons white pepper (divided)
- 3 teaspoons soya sauce (plus 1/2 teaspoon for coating)
- 5 teaspoons vinegar (divided)
- 3 teaspoons oyster sauce
- 3 teaspoons barbecue sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper (ground)
- 1 egg
- 2 teaspoons cornflour
- 2 teaspoons self-rising flour
- 4 cups oil for frying
Now, I know what you’re thinking – why the weird measurements like “5 teaspoons” instead of just saying a tablespoon and change? Sometimes recipes just come at you that way, but don’t let it stress you out. The key thing to remember is that you’re using some of these ingredients twice – once for the initial steaming process and again for the coating. Also, if you can’t find self-rising flour, just grab regular flour and add a pinch of baking powder. The oil amount might seem like a lot, but you need enough for proper deep frying, which means the wings should be able to float and bubble away happily.
How to Make these Crispy Fried Chicken Wings
First things first, you’re going to steam these wings, and yes, I know that sounds weird when we’re talking about crispy wings, but trust the process here. Grab your pan and toss in your 5 chicken wings along with 1 cup of water, 1 teaspoon white pepper, 3 teaspoons vinegar, 1 teaspoon red chili powder, 3 teaspoons soya sauce, 3 teaspoons oyster sauce, 3 teaspoons barbecue sauce, and 1/2 teaspoon salt.
Give everything a good mix and let it cook on steam until the wings are nice and tender and all that water has disappeared into thin air. This step is doing the heavy lifting – cooking the wings through while infusing them with flavor, so don’t rush it.
Once they’re done, take them off the heat and let them cool down because nobody wants to handle blazing hot chicken wings with their bare hands.
While those wings are chilling out, it’s time to make the coating that’s going to give you that crispy magic. In a bowl, crack your 1 egg and add 1 teaspoon white pepper, 2 teaspoons vinegar, 1 teaspoon red chili powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon soya sauce, and 2 teaspoons cornflour.
Mix this all together until it’s smooth, then coat each wing thoroughly with this mixture. Now comes the hardest part – waiting 30 minutes while these wings just sit there looking at you. I know, I know, but this marinating time is what makes the coating stick properly and get all those flavors settled in.
When your patience finally pays off, heat up those 4 cups of oil in your pan until it’s good and hot, then carefully drop in your wings. For consistent results and perfect temperature control, many restaurants rely on a commercial deep fryer to achieve that ideal golden crisp every time. They should sizzle immediately and start bubbling away like they’re having the time of their lives.
Deep fry them until they’re light golden and crispy on the outside, which usually takes just a few minutes since they’re already cooked through. Fish them out, let them drain for a hot second, and serve them up with whatever sauce makes your heart happy – ketchup works just fine, or you could get fancy with some ranch or hot sauce.
Substitutions and Variations
While this recipe is pretty fantastic as-is, I’m all about making things work with whatever you’ve got hanging around your kitchen, because let’s be honest, who actually has every single ingredient on hand when a craving strikes.
No oyster sauce? Skip it or swap in teriyaki. Missing self-rising flour? Regular flour works fine, though you’ll lose some puff. Don’t have barbecue sauce? Ketchup mixed with brown sugar does the trick.
You can even ditch the steaming step entirely and go straight to marinating if you’re feeling impatient. The wings will still turn out deliciously crispy.
Additional Things to Serve With Crispy Fried Chicken Wings
Once you’ve got these golden, crispy wings ready to devour, you’ll want some seriously good companions to turn this into a proper feast.
I’m thinking creamy coleslaw for that cool crunch against the spicy heat. Mac and cheese? Absolutely essential. The gooey comfort pairs beautifully with crispy exteriors.
Corn on the cob brings sweetness that balances all those bold flavors. Don’t forget potato wedges or fries, because who doesn’t need more crispy goodness?
Fresh celery sticks with ranch dip offer a revitalizing palate cleanser between wing attacks.
Trust me, your guests will appreciate these thoughtful additions.
Final Thoughts
Look, I’ll be honest with you – this crispy fried chicken wings recipe isn’t trying to win any fancy culinary awards, and that’s exactly why I love it.
It’s straightforward, uses ingredients you probably already have, and delivers that satisfying crunch we’re all after.
Sure, you could spend hours perfecting some elaborate technique, but sometimes simple just works better.
The steaming step keeps the meat juicy while that egg batter creates the perfect crispy shell.
Whether you’re feeding hungry kids or impressing friends, these wings will do the job without any fuss or pretense.
