Chinese Fried Chicken Wings Recipe

If you’re one of those people who have a Chinese takeout place on their speed dial, we’re quite sure you treat yourself to some Chinese chicken wings every now and then.

What makes the Chinese fried chicken wings recipe stand out in a sea of many different variations is that these fried chicken wings are perfectly crispy, savory, and tangy at the same time.

As a fried chicken wing fan, you simply cannot pass on this Chinese takeout copycat recipe that will give you perfectly cooked, golden, crunchy chicken wings every single time, so keep on reading to learn more!

How to make Chinese fried chicken wings

One of the key factors in making your chicken wings as aromatic, flavorful, and tender as possible is to allow them to properly marinate.

Therefore, we wouldn’t recommend rushing the process and not leaving the wings to rest in the marinating mixture for at least 2 hours, but leaving them in the fridge overnight is optimal.

Also, you want to make sure to take the chicken wings out of the fridge and allow them to get to room temperature before cooking them to get that crispy, crunchy layer.

The main secret to perfectly fried Chinese chicken wings is double-frying.

It may sound too time-consuming and unnecessary, but this step really makes a difference in the texture of your fried wings.

Ingredients:

(2 servings)

• 10 chicken wings (whole, washed)
• 1 tbsp cornstarch
• 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp sesame oil
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp Shaoxing wine
• 1/4 tsp garlic powder
• 1 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp sugar
• 1/4 tsp white pepper
• 1/8 tsp black pepper
• 1/4 tsp chili flakes (optional)
• vegetable oil (for frying)

Instructions:

Step 1:

Before marinating them, it is necessary to prepare the chicken wings by washing and cleaning them. After washing the wings, make sure to pat them dry using a kitchen towel.

Step 2:

For the marinade, you want to combine an egg, soy sauce, sugar, Shaoxing wine, sesame oil, garlic powder, salt, black and white pepper, as well as chili flakes if you like the wings spicy.

Whisk all the ingredients together until you get a cohesive mixture, then add in the chicken wings and make sure to drench them in this marinade.

Lastly, add the cornstarch and the all-purpose flour and distribute the mixture evenly.

Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and leave it in the fridge overnight, or at least 2 hours before frying the wings.

Step 3:

Take the wings out of the fridge at least 20 minutes before frying them for best results.

Give the wings a quick stir, ensuring that they’re evenly coated with the mixture they marinated in.

If you notice that the mixture is a bit too runny and it isn’t sticking to the wings, you may want to add more cornstarch or flour to get a batter-like consistency.

Step 4:

Now it’s time to prepare the frying oil.

It is best to use a medium pan that you can fill with enough oil for the wings to float in.

Also, ensure that the oil is at 325°F before frying the wings, and prepare a sheet pan with paper towels to place the fried wings on.

Step 5:

Add the wings into the hot oil, making sure not to overstuff the pan as you don’t want the wings to stick together.

Fry the wings for about 5 minutes, making sure not to overcook them.

Transfer each batch to the sheet pan, which will allow the paper towels to absorb the excess oil.

Once all the chicken wings are fried, you want to repeat the process for each batch, and fry them again for about 3 minutes.

Step 6:

Remove the wings from the oil and drain them either on a cooling rack, or another sheet pan covered with paper towels to ensure that there’s no excess oil.

Ingredient substitutions

While there are a few tricks that really make a difference when it comes to frying your chicken wings, we wouldn’t say that it is necessary to follow the recipe to the T to get good results.

There are a few ingredient substitutions that you can implement, whether you don’t have the original ingredients at your disposal, or you’d simply like to add your personal twist to this recipe.

1. Honey

Honey is an excellent replacement for sugar in this recipe, especially if you enjoy the savory and sweet combination in your chicken dishes.

It is also a very convenient binding agent in your marinade/batter, as it will make the consistency much thicker.

2. Mirin

If you’re looking for a slightly sweeter replacement for Shaoxing wine, mirin is the answer.

It is a staple in Asian cuisine, and a perfect ingredient to combine with soy sauce in your marinades, dressings, and sauces.

It is also not as sour as Shaoxing, but you can always achieve that contrast of flavors by adding the tiniest bit of rice vinegar to the marinade mixture. 

3. Fresh garlic

In case you prefer a stronger, more dominant garlic aroma, you can always substitute garlic powder for the real deal.

Minced fresh garlic will certainly provide a sharper, stronger flavor that complements chicken wings, and you can even pair it with fresh ginger in this marinade to achieve an even more intense aroma.

4. Oyster sauce

Soy sauce can easily be replaced with oyster sauce, which is also perfect umami, savory option. 

However, keep in mind that this thick, rich soy sauce replacement often has a rather strong aroma, so we’d recommend starting off with a small amount – especially if you’re replacing light soy sauce. 

In addition to its toasty, burnt flavor, it also offers a remarkable sweetness, but it is also less salty than soy sauce, which is something to consider when adjusting the amounts.

What to serve with Chinese fried chicken wings

When it comes to such a complex and flavor-packed dish, you can always choose to stick with the basics for the side dish.

That being said, fried chicken wings are easily paired with different ingredients and flavors, so you can hardly go wrong. 

If you’re still unsure what to serve with your Chinese fried chicken wings, here are our top recommendations. 

Hot sauce

The ultimate combination of fried chicken wings and hot sauce is something that is a given. 

If you don’t feel like preparing a side dish or you feel like you don’t really need any, you can just drizzle some hot sauce on top of the wings and call it a day.

French fries

French fries have got to be one of the most popular side dishes that can complete pretty much any dish you can think of – especially if it includes chicken.

If you’re in a rush or you simply prefer to stick to the basics, serve your Chinese fried chicken wings with a side of French fries, and add your favorite condiment or a dipping sauce.

Rice

Chicken and rice may have become a synonym for bland, dull food – but not in this scenario.

There is certainly nothing dull about these savory and sweet crispy fried chicken wings, and if seasoned correctly, your rice can complement this dish perfectly. 

You can choose to use the exact same seasoning you added to the chicken marinade, or go with your favorite seasoning mixture or sauce.

How to reheat Chinese fried chicken wings

You may wonder if it’s even possible to get the chicken wings crispy on the outside and tender on the inside when you reheat them, especially when they’ve been double-fried.

The answer is yes, as long as you use the right methods and avoid cooking the chicken wings for too long, which would strip them of their natural juices.

How to reheat Chinese fried chicken wings in the oven

Preheat the oven to 350°F while you transfer the wings onto a baking pan covered with some foil.

Sprinkle some vegetable oil on top to prevent the wings from drying out.

Bake for about 15 minutes, or until you’re satisfied with the outcome.

How to reheat Chinese fried chicken wings in the microwave

Transfer the fried wings onto a microwave-safe plate and position them in the center of the microwave.

Microwave on high for about 90 seconds, then check if the wings have been heated up thoroughly.

You may have to repeat the process, but make sure to use 30-second intervals this time.

How to reheat Chinese fried chicken wings on the stovetop

Grab your frying pan and heat up some vegetable oil in it over medium heat.

Add the wings onto the hot pan, allowing the skin to get golden and crispy again.

Lower the heat, then pour in a little bit of water and cover the pan with a lid.

This will allow for the inner portion of the wings to get warmed up, as well.

How to store Chinese fried chicken wings  

In case you’ve made a bigger batch, here’s how to properly store Chinese fried chicken wings so you can reheat and enjoy them in the next few days, or months!

Store in the fridge

If you plan on eating the chicken wings within the next few days, the best option would be to store them in the fridge in an airtight container. 

Make sure to use them up in 3 to 4 days.

Store in the freezer

Frozen fried chicken wings can last up to 4 months, as long as you properly seal them in an airtight container or a freezer bag.