Caramelized Chicken Wings
These Caramelized Chicken Wings feature crispy skin and a rich, sticky caramelized sauce combining sweet and savory flavors. Perfect as a crowd-pleasing appetizer or main dish, this easy recipe balances juicy chicken with a luscious glaze for irresistible taste and texture.
- Author: Sarah
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes (including marinating; overnight recommended)
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Asian-inspired
- Diet: Gluten Free
Main Ingredients
- 2 lbs fresh jumbo chicken wings
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup soy sauce (light or low-sodium recommended)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons vegetable or canola oil
- Prepare the Wings: Pat the chicken wings dry thoroughly with paper towels to remove excess moisture for crispy skin. Trim any excess skin or wing tips if desired for a cleaner presentation.
- Make the Marinade: In a bowl, whisk together brown sugar, soy sauce, minced garlic, grated ginger, rice vinegar, honey, and a pinch of black pepper until the sugar dissolves and the mixture is well combined.
- Marinate the Wings: Place the wings in the marinade, ensuring each piece is fully coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or ideally overnight, to allow deep flavor penetration.
- Cook the Wings: Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add wings in a single layer and fry until the skin is golden and crisp on both sides, about 7-8 minutes per side. Remove wings and set aside.
- Caramelize the Sauce: Pour the remaining marinade into the skillet and simmer on medium heat until thick and sticky, about 5-7 minutes. Return wings to skillet and toss to coat thoroughly with the caramelized sauce.
- Serve Warm: Transfer wings to a serving plate, drizzle with any remaining sauce, garnish as desired, and serve immediately.
Notes
- Pat wings completely dry before cooking to ensure crispiness.
- Do not overcrowd the pan; cook wings in batches if necessary for even browning.
- Simmer the sauce slowly to avoid burning and achieve a thick, glossy glaze.
- Use a heavy-bottomed skillet for even heat distribution and better caramelization.
- Marinate overnight if possible, for deeper flavor infusion.
- Baking alternative: bake at 400°F (200°C) on a wire rack for 35-40 minutes for crispy wings with less oil.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5 wings
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 9g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: Caramelized chicken wings, sweet and savory wings, crispy chicken wings, party appetizers, sticky wings