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Five-Spice Marinated Chinese Chicken Wings

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  • #10409

Chicken wings may seem right up there with burgers and hot dogs for as American as it gets, but this Chinese recipe gives Buffalo wings a run for their money. A marinade of soy sauce and five-spice is the secret to deep, savory flavor in these deep-fried delights.


serves/makes:
  
ready in:
  1-2 hrs

ingredients

10 chicken wings
1 teaspoon five-spice powder
1/2 teaspoon MSG (optional)
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon rice wine
1 teaspoon soy sauce
1 egg white, slightly beaten
1/3 cup cornstarch
1 teaspoon baking powder
peanut oil for deep-frying

directions

Remove the wing tips and separate the wings into flappers and drummies.

Combine the five-spice powder, MSG, salt, sugar, rice wine, and soy sauce in a shallow bowl. Add the wings and toss to coat in the marinade. Cover the bowl and place the wings in the refrigerator for 1 hour.

Heat the oil in a deep fryer to 360 degrees F.

Place the egg white in a shallow bowl. Combine the cornstarch and baking powder in another shallow bowl.

Remove the wings from the marinade and pat dry with paper toweling. Coat the wings in the egg white, letting any excess drip off. Then dredge the wings in the cornstarch mixture and shake off any excess.

Add the wings to the oil and cook for 3 minutes. Remove the wings from the oil with a slotted spoon and let drain on a wire rack over foil or a baking pan to catch any oil drips. Let the wings cool.

Return the oil to 360 degrees F. Fry the wings a second time until crisp. Remove from the deep fryer with a slotted spoon and let drain. Serve hot.

recipe tips


Make sure to keep the oil at 360 degrees F so the wings don't become greasy.

Patting the wings dry after removing them from the marinade helps the egg white adhere better.

Allow the wings to drain on a wire rack to prevent them from becoming soggy.

common recipe questions


What is five-spice powder?

Five-spice powder is a mixture of five spices commonly used in Chinese cuisine, including cinnamon, cloves, fennel, star anise, and Szechuan peppercorns.

Do I have to use MSG in the marinade?

MSG is optional and can be omitted if preferred. It is used to boost the savory flavors of the marinade.

Can I bake the chicken wings instead of deep-frying?

This particular recipe uses a double frying method to yield perfectly crispy wings. You won't get that texture baking these in an oven or air fryer. You can try cooking them at 425 degrees F in an oven or air fryer until browned and cooked through, 40 minutes or so, depending on how big the wings are.

What do I do with the wing tips?

You can save the wing tips to make chicken stock or discard them.

Can I use a different oil for deep-frying?

You can use any high-heat oil suitable for frying, such as canola oil or vegetable oil.

Can I marinate the wings overnight?

Marinating the wings overnight can lead to a stronger flavor, but be cautious not to over-marinate as the meat will start to break down after a while.

Can I use chicken drumsticks instead of wings?

You can use chicken drumsticks instead of wings, but adjust the cooking time accordingly as drumsticks are larger.

How can I reheat leftover wings?

To reheat leftover wings, place them in a 350 degrees F oven for 10-15 minutes until heated through and crispy again.

Can I make these ahead of time?

The best way to make these in advance is to freeze the uncooked wings in the marinade. Thaw and then fry the wings when ready to serve.


nutrition data

Nutritional data has not been calculated yet.


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