Chinese baked chicken wings are sticky and there is something magical about it. They are sweet, savoury and somewhat spicy. The best part? They are baked, not fried. This renders them a more nutritious snack that the entire family can indulge in. Being a food lover myself, I have made a lot of recipes. I am pleased to tell you my favorite.
The recipe is ideal on a weeknight dinner. It is also excellent on a party day and a game day. These Asian chicken wings are simple and everybody will like them. They have a deep, rich flavor. The meat falls of the bone and is so tender. And the glaze sticky, is too difficult to resist.
I will take you through all that you need to know in this guide. You will get to know of the main ingredients. I shall demonstrate to you how to prepare an easy marinade. And I will give advice on what to do to bake the wing. Prepare to prepare the most excellent sticky baked Chinese chicken wings.
Why You'll Love This Sticky Chicken Wings Recipe
This recipe is a total winner. It is among such simple recipes of chicken wings that you will repeat many times. Here is why it is so good:
- So Much Flavor: The marinade is excellent equilibrium. It is sweet, salty, slightly tasteless. Five spice powder Chinese gives such a nice warmth.
- Family-Friendly: These are wings that are not too spicy. You will be able to regulate the heat according to the taste of your family. Children and adults are mad after them.
- Healthier than Fried: When you bake the wings you do not have all the oil frying. Still you have the deliciously sticky and slightly crispy result.
- Simple to prepare: It is a simple procedure. It is simply a matter of mixing, marinating and baking. It is a basic baked chicken wing dish which is difficult to get wrong.
- Easy to crowd: This recipe can be doubled or tripled. It is the ultimate party snack to any party.
You may also read :- Easy Honey Soy Wings Recipe for Parties and Gatherings
Key Ingredients for Sticky Chinese Chicken Wings
These sticky wings are so yummy and the secret is in the marinade. It incorporates the traditional Asian sauces and spices. Let's look at the key players.
The Sauces and Marinade
- Soy Sauce: This provides the wings with their salty umami flavor. Light or all-purpose soy sauce. Dark soy sauce is too intensive, do not use it.
- Hoisin Sauce: Hoisin is a sweet and savory thick sauce. It is a star with most Chinese chicken wing recipes.
- Oyster Sauce: This is a deep flavored sauce to the marinade.
- Chinese Cooking Wine: This is a secret ingredient of most restaurant style dishes. It adds complexity and depth. Shaoxing wine is conventional. Mirin or dry sherry can also be used in place of it.
- Ketchup: It may come as a surprise, but ketchup does find its way into the Chinese cuisine. It brings out the element of sweetness and tang.
- Sesame Oil: A small amount of toasted sesame oil will give it a great nutty flavor.
Essential Kitchen Tools
This an easy wing recipe that does not require any fancy equipment. Here is what you will need:
- A Large Bowl or Ziplock Bag: To marinate the wings.
- A Rimmed Baking Sheet: This is a sheet pan that has sides in order to get drip-up.
- Aluminum Foil or Parchment Paper: Line your pan and it is easy to clean. The greasy sauce is difficult to clean!
- Tongs or a Basting Brush: To turn the wings and to apply sauce to them.
Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions
Now for the fun part! We will prepare these baked sticky wings. These are easy steps that could be followed to achieve flawless results.
Step 1: Wings Wings Preparation: Chicken
Begin with a weight of 3 pounds of chicken wings. Wings that are already cut into drumettes and wingettes are sold at most grocery stores. The two-meaty wing parts are these. When you have complete wings, then you will have to cut them. A sharp knife is used to cut through the joints. You can discard the wing tips .
Step 2: Prepare the Scrumptious Marinade
This is where magic occurs. Whisk all your marinade in a large bowl.
In the case of the marinade you will need:
1/2 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons Chinese cooking wine.
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 1/2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
- 1 1/2 tablespoons oyster sauce
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 1/2 tablespoon chili garlic sauce (spice to taste)
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 Tablespoon fresh ginger grated.
- 1/2 teaspoon Chinese five-spice powder.
Blend it all in a mix till the sugar dissolves and the whole mix is unified.
Step 3: Marinate the Wings
Put your chicken wings in the bowl and the marinade. Shake them until all the wings are covered. You may also use this in a big ziplock bag.
Here is a valuable hint, however, now; do not marinate the wings too long! In this recipe, 10 -15 minutes suffices. When you marinate them longer (such as overnight) the salt in the soy sauce may begin to denature the chicken. This may render the wings too salted and the texture somewhat mushy. There is no need to marinate it long to get a lot of flavor.
Step 4: Bake to Perfection
Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C).
Lay foil and parchment paper on your baking sheet. It is a wonderful trick to keep the sticky glaze off the pan, to double-lay it.
Place the wings on the ready baking sheet. Discard the surplus marinade by shaking and then discarding them out of the bowl. However, do not forget the leftover marinade in the bowl to use as basting!
Bake for 50 to 60 minutes. After about half an hour, remove the pan of the oven. Marinate your wings with your reserved marinade. This involves rubbing a coating of the sauce on them. Repeat this one or twice when baking. The wings are made when the meat is tender and pulls off the bone easily. They must be dark and sticky and golden-red.
How to Serve Your Sticky Baked Chinese Chicken Wings?
When your wings are out of the oven, take a few minutes rest. Next, one has to make them pretty!
Garnishes and Final Touches
Add some delicious toppings to your sticky chicken wings in China. This gives it color, flavor and texture.
- Sliced Green Onions: When you want a crunchy, and mild, bite.
- Sesame Seeds: Toasted sesame seeds are a nice crunchy nutty taste.
- Fresh Cilantro: You like cilantro, which is a pleasant herbal touch.
- Sliced Fresh Chili: If you are really keen to have an addition of heat.
Conclusion
It is very easy to make incredible sticky baked Chinese chicken wings at home. A few ingredients and some time later you will be able to make a dish that can be compared to your favorite restaurant. This is a sure-footed crowd-pleaser.
The sweet, salty and savoury is a winning combination. The glaze is also sticky and so good that you will want to lick your fingers. And now, collect your ingredients and make this recipe. I would promise you you will not be disappointed. Be sure to announce your cooking success to friends and relatives. And, having any of your own tricks about making great wings, I should be pleased to know about them. Happy cooking.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it possible to prepare this dish gluten-free?
Yes, easily! Replace the soy sauce with coconut aminos or tamari. Also, make sure that your hoisin and oyster sauces are gluten-free, as some of them have wheat in them.
Is it possible to use an oven in place of an air fryer?
Absolutely! Wings are excellent in air fryers. Bake them in a 400o F oven 18-20 minutes shaking the basket halfway. Brush them with the sauce during the last couple of minutes of cooking.
Why are my wings not sticky?
This is because of the stickiness due to caramelization of the sugar in the marinade. When you do not find them to be sticky, then you must have baked at a low temperature, or you may not have basted at all. Do not forget to baste them with the pan juices and the remaining marinade several times as they cook.
Is it okay to substitute wings with drumsticks or thighs?
You can! The time of cooking will be varied. Drumsticks and thighs will probably require 40-50 minutes baking at 400 o F. Always ensure that the breast of the chicken is cooked to 165 o F inside.
