I absolutely love this recipe because the perfect balance of spicy, tangy, and savory flavors makes every bite of these Thai chicken wings a culinary adventure. Plus, the fragrant marinade does its magic overnight, so I feel like a kitchen ninja with minimal effort and maximum flavor payoff!
The recipe I use for Thai chicken wings takes full advantage of the flavors that are part and parcel of Thai cooking. Soy sauce and fish sauce contribute savory depth that’s hard to beat; when lime juice—my go-to for brightening any dish—is added to the mix, it makes for a marvelous marinade.
Not just any marinade, this one is further enhanced by garlic and ginger (both mandatory in good Thai food) and red chili flakes. To make these healthy but irresistible chicken wings that much more nutritious, I throw in some sesame seeds and chop my cilantro and green onions for the garnish extremely fine, so as not to burden these wings with unwelcome chewiness.
Ingredients
Winged Chickens: Protein-rich, prime source of essential amino acids.
Soy Sauce: Delivers umami taste and supplies sodium.
The sauce made from fish has a strong and rich taste.
It is mighty in adding layers and levels of flavor and is nearly inconceivable in certain recipes to not use in some form.
Oyster Sauce: Salty and sweet, thickens sauces.
Lime Juice: Injects a sharp citrus flavor and is very high in vitamin C.
Sweetness is balanced by the flavor provided by sugar.
It is also a key in cooking, where it can be caramelized.
Garlic: Delivers healthful, aromatic, and beneficial properties.
Ginger: Spicy warmth; helps with digestion; helps with inflammation.
Ingredient Quantities
- 2 pounds of chicken wings
- 3 tablespoons of soy sauce
- 3 tablespoons of fish sauce
- 1 tablespoon of oyster sauce
- 1 tablespoon of lime juice
- 2 tablespoons of sugar
- 1 tablespoon of minced garlic
- 1 tablespoon of minced ginger
- 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon of ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon of red chili flakes
- 2 tablespoons of chopped cilantro
- 3 tablespoons of chopped green onions
- 1 tablespoon of sesame seeds
Instructions
1. In a big bowl, mix the soy sauce, fish sauce, oyster sauce, lime juice, sugar, garlic, ginger, oil, black pepper, and red pepper flakes to create the marinade.
2. The bowl should have the chicken wings in it when you add the marinade, which you then need to toss with the wings until they are well coated. The bowl can then be covered and combined with the refrigerator for at least 2 hours, or overnight, to work its flavor-enhancing magic on the wings.
3. Set the oven to 400°F (200°C). Prepare a baking sheet by lining it with aluminum foil. Place a wire rack on top of the baking sheet.
4. Place the marinated chicken wings on the wire rack, ensuring that there is enough space between each wing for them to cook evenly.
5. Preheat the oven to 400 °F. Bake the chicken wings in the preheated oven for 25 minutes. Turn the wings over and continue baking for another 20–25 minutes, or until they are golden brown and cooked through.
6. When the wings are in the oven, prep the garnish. Combine the chopped cilantro and chopped green onions in a small bowl.
7. After the wings are cooked, take them from the oven and allow them a few minutes to rest.
8. Move the wings to a serving dish. Top with the chopped cilantro and green onion mixture.
9. Add sesame seeds as a garnish to provide another layer of flavor and appearance.
10. Enjoy the Thai chicken wings as a hot, delicious appetizer or main dish.
Equipment Needed
1. Mixing bowl
2. Measuring spoons
3. Spoon or spatula for mixing
4. Baking sheet
5. Aluminum foil
6. Wire rack
7. Oven
8. Small bowl
9. Serving dish
FAQ
-
Q: Can I bake the Thai Chicken Wings instead of frying them?
A: Yes, you can bake them at 400°F (200°C) for 40-45 minutes, turning halfway through, until they’re crispy and cooked through. -
Q: Is there a substitute for fish sauce?
A: Soy sauce or a combination of soy sauce and Worcestershire sauce can be used as a substitute, although it will alter the flavor slightly. -
Q: How can I make the wings spicier?
A: To make the wings spicier, increase the amount of red chili flakes or add fresh Thai bird chilies to the marinade. -
Q: Can I prepare the marinade in advance?
A: Yes, the marinade can be prepared a day in advance and stored in the refrigerator, which helps enhance the flavors. -
Q: How long should I marinate the chicken wings?
A: For the best flavor, marinate the chicken wings for at least 2 hours or overnight in the refrigerator. -
Q: Are these wings gluten-free?
A: To make them gluten-free, ensure that your soy sauce and oyster sauce are gluten-free varieties. -
Q: Can I use chicken drumsticks instead of wings?
A: Yes, chicken drumsticks can be used, but you may need to adjust the cooking time as drumsticks take longer to cook.
Substitutions and Variations
For chicken wings: Replace chicken wings with chicken drumsticks or chicken thighs for a different texture and taste.
To replace soy sauce: Use tamari or coconut aminos for a gluten-free alternative.
When fish sauce is not on hand, Worcestershire sauce or a combination of soy sauce and lime juice can serve in its stead, as they yield a similar depth of flavor.
Sugar can be replaced with honey or brown sugar, which provide a more robust sweetness.
For minced ginger: Use powdered ginger or galangal if fresh ginger is not available.
Pro Tips
1. Marinating Time: For even more flavor, marinate the chicken wings overnight in the refrigerator. The longer marinating time allows the flavors to fully penetrate the meat, resulting in more flavorful wings.
2. Crispy Skin Tip: For extra crispy wings, pat them dry with paper towels before marinating. This removes excess moisture, which can prevent crisping during baking.
3. Even Cooking: Rotate the baking sheet halfway through cooking to ensure even browning and cooking of the wings. This is especially helpful if your oven has hot spots.
4. Extra Sauce: Reserve a little of the marinade (before adding it to the chicken) to brush on the wings in the last few minutes of baking. This adds an extra layer of flavor and shine to the wings.
5. Spice Adjustment: If you prefer your wings spicier, increase the amount of red chili flakes, or add a dash of hot sauce to the marinade for an extra kick.
Thai Chicken Wings Recipe
My favorite Thai Chicken Wings Recipe
Equipment Needed:
1. Mixing bowl
2. Measuring spoons
3. Spoon or spatula for mixing
4. Baking sheet
5. Aluminum foil
6. Wire rack
7. Oven
8. Small bowl
9. Serving dish
Ingredients:
- 2 pounds of chicken wings
- 3 tablespoons of soy sauce
- 3 tablespoons of fish sauce
- 1 tablespoon of oyster sauce
- 1 tablespoon of lime juice
- 2 tablespoons of sugar
- 1 tablespoon of minced garlic
- 1 tablespoon of minced ginger
- 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon of ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon of red chili flakes
- 2 tablespoons of chopped cilantro
- 3 tablespoons of chopped green onions
- 1 tablespoon of sesame seeds
Instructions:
1. In a big bowl, mix the soy sauce, fish sauce, oyster sauce, lime juice, sugar, garlic, ginger, oil, black pepper, and red pepper flakes to create the marinade.
2. The bowl should have the chicken wings in it when you add the marinade, which you then need to toss with the wings until they are well coated. The bowl can then be covered and combined with the refrigerator for at least 2 hours, or overnight, to work its flavor-enhancing magic on the wings.
3. Set the oven to 400°F (200°C). Prepare a baking sheet by lining it with aluminum foil. Place a wire rack on top of the baking sheet.
4. Place the marinated chicken wings on the wire rack, ensuring that there is enough space between each wing for them to cook evenly.
5. Preheat the oven to 400 °F. Bake the chicken wings in the preheated oven for 25 minutes. Turn the wings over and continue baking for another 20–25 minutes, or until they are golden brown and cooked through.
6. When the wings are in the oven, prep the garnish. Combine the chopped cilantro and chopped green onions in a small bowl.
7. After the wings are cooked, take them from the oven and allow them a few minutes to rest.
8. Move the wings to a serving dish. Top with the chopped cilantro and green onion mixture.
9. Add sesame seeds as a garnish to provide another layer of flavor and appearance.
10. Enjoy the Thai chicken wings as a hot, delicious appetizer or main dish.
