Description
Chinese Salt and Pepper Chicken Wings are crispy, savory, and a little spicy. Coated with a flavorful seasoning of salt, pepper, and aromatic spices, these wings are deep-fried to perfection and make an irresistible appetizer or snack.
Ingredients
Scale
- For the Wings:
- 2 lbs (900g) chicken wings, separated into drumettes and flats
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon five-spice powder (optional, for extra flavor)
- 1/2 cup cold water (or more if needed)
- Oil for frying
- For the Salt and Pepper Seasoning:
- 1 tablespoon sea salt
- 1 tablespoon black peppercorns (crushed or coarsely ground)
- 2–3 fresh Thai bird’s eye chilies (or jalapeño), finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro (optional, for garnish)
- For Garnish (optional):
- Lemon wedges or lime wedges
- Fresh cilantro
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine cornstarch, all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and five-spice powder (if using). Add the cold water gradually and stir until the batter is smooth, but thick enough to coat the wings. Add more water if necessary.
- Pat the chicken wings dry with paper towels to remove any moisture. This helps the batter stick better and ensures crispy wings.
- Dip each chicken wing into the batter, coating it evenly. Let any excess batter drip off before frying.
- Heat oil in a deep frying pan or pot over medium-high heat (about 350°F / 175°C). Fry the wings in batches for about 8-10 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden brown and crispy. Remove from the oil and drain on a paper towel-lined plate.
- While the wings are frying, prepare the salt and pepper seasoning: In a small bowl, combine sea salt, black pepper, chopped chilies, and minced garlic. Stir to combine. You can adjust the amount of chilies depending on your preferred spice level.
- Once the wings are crispy and drained, transfer them to a large bowl. Sprinkle the salt and pepper seasoning over the wings and toss to coat evenly.
- Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve with lemon or lime wedges on the side for an extra zing. Enjoy your Chinese Salt and Pepper Chicken Wings!
Notes
- For extra flavor, you can add a splash of soy sauce to the seasoning mix for a bit of umami.
- If you don’t have bird’s eye chilies, you can use regular red chilies or jalapeños for heat.
- These wings can be made ahead of time, but for the best crispiness, fry them right before serving.
- If you prefer a lighter batter, you can use just cornstarch and skip the flour.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Main Dish
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Chinese
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 wing
- Calories: 150 kcal
- Sugar: 0g
- Sodium: 380mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 9g
- Cholesterol: 30mg