Steaming Savory: Cooking Chicken Wings To Perfection

Chicken wings are a versatile dish that can be cooked in a variety of ways to suit different tastes and preferences. One method that is gaining popularity is steaming, which is a common cooking technique in Chinese cuisine. Steaming chicken wings is not only simple and quick but also helps retain moisture, making the meat juicy and tender. This technique is often followed by baking or frying to achieve a crispy exterior.

In this article, we will explore the step-by-step process of preparing steamed chicken wings, including marination, steaming, and serving suggestions. We will also discuss the benefits of steaming and provide tips for customising the dish to make it even more delicious.

How to prepare chicken wings for steaming

Preparing chicken wings for steaming is a simple and quick process. Here is a step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Wash and Dry the Chicken Wings

Start by washing the chicken wings under cold running water. Pat them dry with paper towels or a clean cloth. This step is important to remove any bacteria and ensure the wings are ready for the next steps.

Step 2: Prepare the Marinade

The key to flavourful steamed chicken wings is in the marinade. You can use a variety of ingredients to create a delicious marinade. Common ingredients include soy sauce, oyster sauce, ginger, green onions, garlic, and pepper. You can also add dried mushrooms, chilli, or Chinese cooking wine for extra flavour.

Step 3: Marinate the Chicken Wings

Place the chicken wings in a bowl or container and pour the marinade over them. Use your hands to coat the wings evenly. Cover and refrigerate for at least an hour or, for more intense flavour, marinate them overnight.

Step 4: Prepare the Steamer

There are two common methods for steaming chicken wings: using an electric steamer or a traditional wok setup. For the electric steamer, simply follow the manufacturer's instructions to prepare it for use.

If you're using a wok, fill it with water and place a steaming rack inside. Bring the water to a boil over high heat. You can also add additional ingredients to the water, such as ginger or green onions, to infuse more flavour into the wings.

Step 5: Steam the Chicken Wings

Place the marinated chicken wings on a steaming plate or basket and carefully lower it into the steamer or onto the rack above the wok. Make sure there is enough space between the wings for the steam to circulate. Cover and steam for 10 to 20 minutes, depending on the size of the wings and your desired level of doneness.

And that's it! You're now ready to enjoy delicious, tender, and flavourful steamed chicken wings. Serve them with your favourite sauce or enjoy them as is.

How to steam chicken wings

Steaming chicken wings is a great way to prepare them before cooking. This method helps retain moisture and keeps the inside of the wings moist and tender while allowing the outside to crisp up nicely when cooked.

Preparation

Firstly, you will need to prepare your chicken wings. You can do this by removing the wing tips and separating the rest of the wing by cutting between the wing and the drummette. Wash the wings and pat them dry.

Marinating

Next, you will need to marinate the wings. You can use a variety of ingredients for the marinade, such as light soy sauce, oyster sauce, dark soy sauce, salt, pepper, cornflour, and ginger. You can also add dried mushrooms, garlic, lemon grass, red chillies, scallions, and coriander leaves.

Place the wings in a bowl and cover them with your chosen marinade ingredients. It is recommended to marinate the wings for at least 30 minutes to an hour, or even overnight for maximum flavour.

Steaming

Now it's time to steam the wings. You can use an electric steamer, a traditional steamer, or even a rice cooker. If using an electric steamer or rice cooker, simply follow the manufacturer's instructions.

If using a traditional steamer, boil a wok of water and place a steaming rack over the top. Place the marinated wings on a plate and put them in the steamer. Cover and steam for around 20 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through.

Cooling and Cooking

Once the wings are steamed, remove them from the steamer and place them on a cooling rack to cool. Then, transfer them to the refrigerator for at least an hour to help them crisp up before the final cooking stage.

Finally, you can choose to bake or fry the wings. To bake, preheat your oven to 425°F and cook the wings for approximately 20 minutes on each side, or until the skin is golden brown.

Alternatively, you can fry the wings in hot oil for a few minutes until crispy.

And that's it! You now have delicious, crispy, and juicy steamed chicken wings to enjoy.

How to make a marinade for chicken wings

Marinades are a great way to add flavour to chicken wings, but they also help to tenderise the meat. While chicken wings aren't a tough cut of meat, marinating them is a great way to add flavour to this popular party food.

A good marinade consists of some basic ingredients, including a sweetener, salt, and an acid. Salt and sugar break down muscle fibres in the meat to some degree, but an acid like lemon juice does a lot of the hard work. You can then add various spices and flavour enhancers to get the taste you're craving.

For the best results, marinate chicken wings for 2-12 hours. You can leave them for up to 24 hours, but be careful not to exceed this time frame, as the acidity from lemons or vinegars can damage the meat by breaking it down too much.

A Simple Chicken Wings Marinade

Ingredients:

• 1.5 teaspoons of paprika
• 1 tablespoon of soy sauce
• 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper or cayenne
• 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon of onion granules
• 2 tablespoons of lemon juice
• 1.5 tablespoons of olive oil
• 1/4 teaspoon of cumin (optional)

Instructions:

• In a bowl, add all the ingredients and mix until well combined.
• Place the chicken wings in a bowl and pour the marinade over them, ensuring that all parts of the wings are covered.
• Cover the bowl with cling film and put it in the fridge to marinate for at least 2 hours and up to 12 hours.
• Before cooking the wings, bring them to room temperature by removing them from the fridge 30 minutes beforehand.
• Cook the chicken wings using your desired method, such as baking, grilling, or frying.

Tips:

• You can also use this marinade on other poultry like turkey wings, duck, or other parts of the chicken like the breast, thighs, or legs.
• If you want to add a salty flavour to the wings, you can lightly salt them before steaming. However, keep in mind that much of the steam and moisture will accumulate on the skin, washing away the seasoning.
• You can store any leftover marinade in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.

How to cool chicken wings after steaming

After steaming, place the chicken wings on a cooling rack over a tray lined with paper towels. Let the wings cool down, then transfer them to the refrigerator for at least an hour. This will help them crisp up in the oven. If you are storing the wings overnight, cover them with plastic wrap to prevent them from drying out.

It is important to note that cooked food should be refrigerated within 2 hours and consumed within 2 days. To cool food down faster, divide it into smaller portions and place it in shallow containers. Additionally, avoid placing large pots or containers of hot food directly into the refrigerator, as this can raise the internal temperature and affect its efficiency.

How to cook chicken wings after steaming

There are several ways to cook chicken wings after steaming them. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to do it, along with some additional tips and tricks:

Step 1: Prepare the Chicken Wings for Steaming

Before steaming, wash the chicken wings and pat them dry. You can also choose to remove the wing tips and separate the rest of the wing by cutting between the wing and the drumette. This step is optional but can make the wings easier to work with and ensure even cooking.

Step 2: Create a Marinade (Optional)

Creating a marinade is an optional step, but it can add extra flavour to your chicken wings. You can use a variety of ingredients such as light soy sauce, oyster sauce, dark soy sauce, salt, pepper, green onions or scallions, ginger, Chinese cooking wine, and cornflour. Mix your chosen ingredients to create a marinade, and coat the chicken wings evenly. You can also add aromatics like garlic, lemon grass, and red chillies to the marinade for extra flavour.

Step 3: Steam the Chicken Wings

Place the chicken wings in a steamer basket or a steaming plate if using a traditional wok. If you are using a rice cooker, you can place the wings directly in the steamer basket. Make sure there is enough water in the pot or wok, and bring it to a simmer. Place the wings in the steamer and cover. Steam the wings for around 10 to 20 minutes, or until they are cooked through.

Step 4: Cool the Chicken Wings

Once the wings are steamed, remove them from the steamer and place them on a cooling rack to let them cool down. You can line the tray underneath with paper towels to absorb any excess moisture. Let the wings cool completely before moving on to the next step.

Step 5: Refrigerate (Optional)

For extra crispiness, you can place the cooled chicken wings in the refrigerator for at least one hour or even overnight. This step is optional but can help the skin dry out and ensure a crispier texture when cooked. If storing overnight, cover the wings with plastic wrap to prevent them from drying out too much.

Step 6: Bake or Fry the Chicken Wings

Preheat your oven to around 425°F (220°C). Place the chicken wings on a baking tray lined with parchment paper or aluminium foil. Bake the wings for approximately 20 minutes, then flip them over and bake for another 20 minutes or until the skin is golden brown. Alternatively, you can fry the wings in hot oil for a crispier texture.

Step 7: Make a Sauce (Optional)

While the wings are cooking, you can prepare a sauce to toss them in after they are done. You can make a simple hot sauce by melting butter and mixing it with hot sauce and minced garlic. You can also add cornstarch to the sauce to make it thicker. Toss the wings in the sauce and serve immediately.

Additional Tips:

• If you want to add seasoning, it is best to do so after steaming, as the steam and moisture will wash away any salt or spices added before.
• If you want to add complexity to the dish, you can include additional ingredients like dried mushrooms, Chinese sausage, or coriander leaves.
• For a healthier option, steaming and then baking the wings is a better choice than deep-frying.

Frequently asked questions