What are Chinese salt and pepper chicken wings?
Chinese salt and pepper chicken wings are a popular appetizer or snack in Chinese cuisine. The dish consists of crispy fried chicken wings seasoned with salt, peppers, and other seasoning. The wings are typically coated with a light dusting of cornstarch or potato starch before frying, which helps to create a crispy exterior while keeping the meat juicy and tender on the inside!
Jump To
- What are Chinese salt and pepper chicken wings?
- Simple ingredients
- How to make Chinese salt and pepper chicken wings: Step-by-step instruction
- How to serve Chinese salt and pepper chicken wings
- Tips for making the perfect salt and pepper chicken wings
- Store and reheat
- Conclusion
- Mouth-Watering Chinese Salt And Pepper Chicken Wings
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Do you know that you can make these classic wings at home with a few simple ingredients? In this blog post, I'll provide step-by-step instructions on how to make these classic salt and pepper chicken wings. Read on to learn how to make this delicious dish in no time.
Simple ingredients
Chicken wings: Remove the wing tips and pat them to dry.
Light soy sauce, dark soy sauce, oyster sauce, Shaoxing wine: Combine all these sauces to marinade the chicken wings for 30 min at least for a richer flavor.
Corn starch and egg: this will create a light batter for frying the wings.
A pinch of sugar: It will give the overall flavor an extra kick!
Salt and black pepper(or white pepper) to taste: The amount of salt and pepper is based on personal preference.
Cooking oil for frying: You can use any type of oil, such as peanut oil, canola oil, or olive oil.
Green onions and fresh red chili peppers: to garnish.
How to make Chinese salt and pepper chicken wings: Step-by-step instruction
Rinse the chicken wings under cold water and pat them dry with paper towels. Remove the wing tip using a sharp knife or kitchen shears. This step is optional but can help the wings cook more evenly.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the wings with light soy sauce, dark soy sauce, oyster sauce, and Shaoxing wine. Toss the wings in the marinade mixture, making sure they are evenly coated. Allow them to marinate for at least 30 minutes to enhance the flavor.
After the 30 minutes is up, drain the marinade liquid and discard it. Add corn starch or potato starch and egg to the chicken wings, and toss to coat them evenly.
In a deep pot or a deep fryer, heat oil to around 350ºF (175°C). The amount of the oil should be less than the oil you use in deep frying and more than the oil you use for stir fry. Carefully add wings into the hot oil, being cautious not to overcrowd the pot and work in small batches. Fry them for 5-7 minutes or until golden brown and crispy. Turn them in every 15 seconds. The internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C) to ensure they are cooked through. You can test this with a meat thermometer.
Once the wings are cooked, remove them from the oil using a slotted spoon or tongs and place them on a wire cooling rack or paper towels to drain off any excess oil.
If desired, you can season the cooked wings with additional salt and pepper while they are still hot to add extra flavor. Garnish wings with green onions and fresh red peppers. (optional)
Serve the chicken wings immediately while they are still hot and crispy.
You can also use an air fryer for cooking the wings instead of frying them in oil. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C), arrange the wings in a single layer of air fryer basket, and cook for about 20 minutes, turning them over halfway through.
How to serve Chinese salt and pepper chicken wings
Chinese salt and pepper chicken wings can be served as appetizers or snacks. Here are some ways to serve them:
- Chinese salt and pepper chicken wings are flavorful enough to be enjoyed. Place them on a platter or in a bowl and serve them hot.
- A dipping sauce can add an extra layer of flavor to the wings and help to balance out the heat and spice of the seasoning. Sweet chili sauce, soy sauce, or ranch are all good options.
- Wings are a good side dish option. If you want to turn the wings into a meal, you can serve them with steamed rice or noodles.
- A side of raw or stir-fried vegetables can help to add some nutrition to the dish and balance out the richness of the chicken wings, such as carrots, celery, or your favorite veggies.
- As a party snack, Chinese salt and pepper chicken wings are great and can be served alongside other appetizers or finger foods.
No matter how you serve them, Chinese salt and pepper chicken wings will surely be a hit with anyone who loves crispy, flavorful fried chicken wings.
Tips for making the perfect salt and pepper chicken wings
Here are a few tips to help you achieve the best result:
- Use cornstarch or potato starch: Coating the chicken wings in cornstarch or potato starch before frying helps to create a crispy exterior that stays crispy even after being seasoned.
- It's important to fry the chicken wings until golden brown and crispy, as this will give them the signature crunch that Chinese salt and pepper chicken wings are known for.
- Sprinkling the seasoning mixture over the wings while they're still hot from the fryer will help the spices stick to the wings' surface and infuse them with flavor.
- Use Szechuan peppercorns powder: I did not use them in this recipe as the wings are already so good! Szechuan peppercorns add a unique numbing and tingling sensation to the dish that makes it stand out from other fried chicken dishes.
Following these tips, you can make delicious, crispy Chinese salt and pepper chicken wings to impress your friends and family.
Store and reheat
Store: To store these crispy chicken wings, first allow the chicken wings to cool to room temperature. Place the chicken wings in an airtight container or sealable plastic bag. Then store the container or bag in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
Reheat: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the chicken wings on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake the wings in the oven for 10-15 minutes or until heated through and crispy. Alternatively, you can reheat the chicken wings in an air fryer at 375°F (190°C) for 5-8 minutes or until heated through and crispy.
Microwaving the chicken wings may make them soggy, so it's not recommended. It's best to use the oven or an air fryer for reheating to maintain the crispy texture.
Conclusion
Salt and pepper chicken wings are a classic Chinese dish that can be enjoyed as an appetizer, snack, or main course. With just a few ingredients and some simple preparation steps, it's easy to make a batch of your own tasty chicken wings that your family will love every bite. Try them next time. Let me know how your wings turn out!
Mouth-Watering Chinese Salt And Pepper Chicken Wings
Ingredients
- 2 pounds chicken wings
- 1 egg
- 2 tablespoons light soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon dark soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
- 1 tablespoon Shaoxing cooking wine
- 4 tablespoons corn starch
- a pinch of sugar
- salt and black pepper to taste
- cooking oil for frying
- thin slices of green onions and fresh red chili peppers (to garnish)
Instructions
- Rinse the chicken wings under cold water and pat them dry with paper towels. Remove the wing tip using a sharp knife or kitchen shears. This step is optional but can help the wings cook more evenly.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the wings with light soy sauce, dark soy sauce, oyster sauce, and Shaoxing wine. Toss the wings in the marinade mixture, making sure they are evenly coated. Allow them to marinate for at least 30 minutes to enhance the flavor.
- After the 30 minutes is up, drain the marinade liquid and discard it. Add corn starch or potato starch and egg to the chicken wings, and toss to coat them evenly.
- In a deep pot or a deep fryer, heat oil to around 350ºF (175°C). The amount of the oil should be less than the oil you use in deep frying and more than the oil you use for stir fry. Carefully add wings into the hot oil, being cautious not to overcrowd the pot and work in small batches. Fry them for about 5-7 minutes or until golden brown and crispy. Turn them in every 15 seconds. The internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C) to ensure they are cooked through. You can test this with a meat thermometer.
- Once the wings are cooked, remove them from the oil using a slotted spoon or tongs and place them on a wire cooling rack or paper towels to drain off any excess oil
- If desired, you can season the cooked wings with additional salt and pepper while they are still hot to add extra flavor. Garnish wings with green onions and fresh red peppers. (optional)
- Serve the chicken wings immediately while they are still hot and crispy.
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