Frying Breaded Chicken Wings: A Quick, Tasty Treat

Chicken wings are a great snack for game day or a party, and deep frying them is the best way to get that crispy skin and juicy meat. The process is simple and only requires a few ingredients. You'll need chicken wings, oil with a high smoke point, and a breading of your choice. You can use plain flour, or add spices like paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne pepper. You can also add cornstarch to the flour to make the coating crispier.

To make breaded chicken wings in a deep fryer, start by patting the chicken wings dry and coating them in your chosen breading. Then, heat oil in your deep fryer to around 350°F. Fry the chicken wings in small batches for about 10 minutes, or until they are golden brown and crispy. Remove the wings from the oil and drain any excess oil on a wire rack or paper towel.

Choose the right oil

When making breaded chicken wings in a deep fryer, it is important to choose an oil with a high smoke point. The smoke point is the temperature at which the oil begins to break down and smoke. Oils with a high smoke point are better for deep frying because they can reach higher temperatures without burning.

• Canola oil
• Peanut oil
• Vegetable oil

You will need enough oil to fill your deep fryer or pot to a depth of at least one inch. This will ensure that the chicken wings are fully submerged in the oil and cook evenly.

It is also important to note that the oil temperature will drop when the chicken wings are added, so it is crucial to heat the oil to the desired temperature before adding the wings. The ideal temperature for frying chicken wings is around 350°F to 375°F.

Prepare the chicken wings

Step 1: Cut and season the chicken wings

Using a sharp knife, cut through the two wing joints. Discard the wing tips, and pat the flats and drumettes dry with a paper towel. Place the chicken wings in a bowl and sprinkle a seasoning blend of your choice over the top. Toss to coat. You can use a combination of paprika, onion, thyme, black pepper, garlic, and oregano. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes.

Step 2: Prepare the dredge

In a shallow bowl, combine corn starch, flour, and seasoning salt. Whisk until combined. You can also add in other spices of your choice, such as cayenne pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and dried parsley.

Step 3: Prepare the egg wash (optional)

In a separate bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, and a few dashes of hot sauce (optional). This step will give the flour something to stick to.

Step 4: Dredge the chicken wings

Dip the chicken wings into the egg/milk wash (if using) and then dredge them in the seasoned flour. Ensure they are well-coated, shaking off any excess flour. Return the coated wings to the plate and refrigerate for another 15 to 30 minutes.

Make a batter

Making a batter for your chicken wings is a crucial step in achieving that mouth-watering, crispy texture. Here's a detailed guide on how to make a batter for your breaded chicken wings:

Dry Ingredients:

Start by preparing your dry ingredients. In a shallow bowl, combine all-purpose flour with a generous amount of your chosen spices. A typical spice blend might include paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, and black pepper. You can also add in cornstarch and baking powder to make the coating even crispier. Mix all the dry ingredients well.

Wet Ingredients:

In a separate bowl, prepare your wet ingredients. You can use a combination of eggs, milk, and a dash of hot sauce. Whisk these ingredients together to create a "wash" that will help the dry mixture adhere to the chicken wings. You can also add a little water if you prefer a thinner consistency.

Coating the Chicken:

Now it's time to coat the chicken wings. Start by sprinkling your chosen seasoning blend over the chicken wings and tossing them to coat evenly. Cover and refrigerate for about 30 minutes to let the flavours sink in. After this, dip each chicken wing into the wet mixture, ensuring they are wellsection. Then, dredge them in the seasoned flour mixture, making sure they are thoroughly coated. Return the coated wings to the refrigerator for another 15 to 30 minutes. This step will help the batter stick to the chicken and ensure a crispier texture.

Frying:

Finally, it's time to fry your breaded chicken wings. Heat enough oil in your deep fryer or a heavy-duty pan to reach a temperature of around 350°F (190°C). Carefully place the chicken wings in the hot oil, frying them in small batches to avoid overcrowding. Fry the chicken wings for about 5 to 10 minutes, or until they are golden brown and cooked through. Remove them from the oil and place them on a wire rack or a paper towel-lined plate to cool slightly before serving.

Fry the wings

Now that your chicken wings are coated and ready to go, it's time to start frying. If you're using a deep fryer, heat your oil to 350°F. If you're using a stovetop, heat the oil in a large pot or Dutch oven to 350°F. You can use a candy thermometer to help you keep track of the temperature.

When the oil is hot enough, carefully lower the chicken wings into it. You can fry the wings in batches of around 8 at a time. Be careful, as the oil may sputter and spatter. The oil temperature will drop when the wings are added, so allow it to recover between batches.

Turn the wings over a few times to ensure all sides are submerged in oil and fry until they are golden brown and cooked through. This should take around 5-12 minutes, depending on your batch size and oil temperature.

Use a slotted spoon or tongs to remove the wings from the oil and transfer them to a wire rack fitted inside a sheet pan, or a paper towel-lined plate, to drain the excess oil.

Sauce the wings

Now that your chicken wings are cooked, it's time to sauce them!

There are many different sauces you can use to coat your chicken wings. You can opt for a classic Buffalo sauce, or try something different like a spicy Thai sauce or a barbecue sauce.

Buffalo Wing Sauce:

For a classic, tangy, and slightly buttery flavour, you can make a Buffalo wing sauce. To make this sauce, heat some Louisiana-style hot sauce in a saucepan until it just reaches a boil. Then, remove the pan from the heat and whisk in some butter, one cube at a time, until it's well incorporated. Finally, stir in some molasses and cayenne pepper to taste.

Thai Sauce:

For an Asian twist, you can make a Thai sauce by heating some oil in a saucepan over medium heat and adding ginger, garlic, and Thai chilli pepper. Cook this mixture, stirring frequently, until it becomes fragrant, which should take around two minutes. Then, add in some brown sugar and lime juice and bring the mixture to a boil. Cook this for about five minutes, or until it slightly thickens. Finish the sauce by stirring in some cilantro and fish sauce.

Barbecue Sauce:

If you prefer a more traditional sauce, you can make a spicy barbecue sauce. Simply whisk together some barbecue sauce, chipotle peppers, honey, and cider vinegar in a saucepan. Bring this mixture to a boil over medium heat and cook, stirring, until it thickens, which should take around five minutes.

Once you've made your sauce, simply toss your fried chicken wings in the sauce to coat them evenly.

Enjoy your delicious, saucy chicken wings!

Frequently asked questions