Ready to take your wings to the next level? If so, you’ll love these baked chili garlic wings! These delicious wings have the perfect balance of spice and flavor that’s sure to tantalize your taste buds. Not only are chili garlic wings delicious, but they’re also easy to make! I’ll show you the best way to make them, the benefits of baking wings, and some tips for making the perfect chili garlic wings. Plus, I’m sharing some delicious variations and serving ideas to make your wings even more unique. Let’s get started!
A brief history of chili garlic wings
Chili garlic wings have become a popular staple in Asian cuisine and beyond. The history of chili garlic wings is believed to have originated in Korea, where the dish is commonly known as “tong dak”. The traditional version of this dish is made with fried chicken wings that are marinated in a spicy chili pepper sauce, then served with a side of kimchi. In recent years, chili garlic wings have become a popular dish in the United States. Restaurants all across the country are now offering their own unique takes on the classic dish. The traditional chili garlic sauce is often made with a combination of garlic, chili peppers, soy sauce, and sesame oil. The flavors are bold, spicy (also you can adjust the spice level), and incredibly delicious!
Making a simple roasted chili garlic paste or marinade
Chili garlic sauce can be made by simply blending together dried chilis, garlic, onion (optional) with some oil, sugar, salt, and water (to adjust the consistency). I enjoy the additional flavor the sauce gains from roasting some or all of the ingredients – using roasted garlic and onions or roasting fresh red chiles yourself and using a combination of these roasted peppers and store-bought dried red chili peppers for your sauce.
Here’s a simple recipe for roasted chili garlic paste/marinade:
Ingredients:
- 10-12 garlic cloves
- 7-8 fresh red chili peppers (4-5 dried red chili peppers or some combination of both)
- 2 tbsp oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp sugar
- water (optional)
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F.
- Peel the garlic cloves, chop an onion, and place them on a baking sheet along with the chili peppers.
- Drizzle the oil over the garlic, onion and chili peppers, making sure they are all well-coated.
- Roast the garlic and chili peppers in the oven for 15-20 minutes or until they are golden brown and fragrant. A few black spots may develop on the peppers. This is fine.
- Remove the baking sheet from the oven and let everything cool down for a few minutes.
- Transfer to a food processor or blender.
- Add salt and sugar to the food processor or blender and blend everything until smooth.
- Taste the mixture and adjust the seasoning as needed.
- If you want a thinner consistency, you can add a little bit of water or more oil to the mixture.
Your roasted chili garlic paste/marinade is now ready to use! You can use it as a marinade for meats or vegetables, or as a dip, a condiment for sandwiches, or to add flavor to rices, soups, stews, and pastas.
Step-by-step instructions to make baked chili garlic wings
Making chili garlic wings at home is a great way to enjoy this delicious dish without all the deep-frying. Baking your wings is not only healthier, but it also yields a delicious and crispy texture. Here are the steps to make the perfect baked chili garlic wings:
- Preheat your oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Place your wings on a large baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, combine 1/4 cup of soy sauce, 1 tablespoon of sesame oil, 1 tablespoon of chili garlic sauce, 1 teaspoon of garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon of ground ginger, and 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper.
- Mix the ingredients together until fully combined.
- Brush the sauce mixture onto the wings and spread it evenly.
- Bake the wings for 30-45 minutes, flipping them halfway through. For crispier chicken skin, bake them for closer to 45 minutes.
- Once done, the wings should be crispy and golden brown.
- Serve the wings with your favorite dipping sauce and enjoy!
Benefits of baking wings
Baking your wings instead of deep-frying them has many benefits. For starters, baked wings are much healthier than their deep-fried counterparts. Baking wings also eliminates the need for a deep-fryer, saving you time and energy. Baking wings is much easier to clean up. All you need is a baking sheet, aluminum foil (or parchment paper), and a baking rack (optional, but highly recommended) to get the job done. Baking your wings also yields a delicious and crispy texture that mimics that of a grilled or smoked wing (my favorite!) By baking your wings in the oven, you can achieve a perfectly crisp exterior without all the extra fat and calories from deep-frying.
Tips for making the perfect baked chili garlic wings
Making the perfect chili garlic wings doesn’t have to be complicated. Here are some tips to ensure your wings turn out perfectly crispy and delicious:
- Use fresh ingredients whenever possible. Fresh garlic and chili peppers will yield the best flavors. Roast them first to develop even more flavor.
- Make sure to spread the sauce evenly on the wings. This will ensure even cooking and help the wings get perfectly crispy.
- Preheat your oven before baking the wings. This will help the wings cook evenly and crisp up without drying out.
- Be sure to flip the wings halfway through baking. This will help them cook evenly and get evenly browned. I like to start baking them fat/skin-side down so that when they are flipped, this side is facing up and can be broiled to a perfect crisp.
- Let the wings rest for a few minutes before serving. This will help the flavors develop and the wings will be even more delicious.
- Spritz with fresh lime juice right before serving or serve with kimchi. The brightness of these fresh acidic ingredients is a perfect complement to the smoky flavor of the roasted peppers, garlic, and onion.
Variations and substitutions
Chili garlic wings are incredibly versatile and can be made with a variety of ingredients. Here are some delicious variations and substitutions to make your wings even more unique:
- Use different types of chili peppers in the sauce. You could use jalapenos, habaneros, or any other type of spicy pepper.
- Adjust the spice level by including all, some, or none of the seeds from the peppers.
- Substitute the soy sauce with Worcestershire, fish or oyster sauce, coconut aminos, or tamari.
- Add a bit more honey or brown sugar to the sauce for a touch of sweetness.
- If you’re looking for an even healthier option, try baking your wings in an air fryer.
- If the weather permits, you could even grill these bad boys for a flame-broiled flavor and texture that’s hard to beat.
Serving ideas
Chili garlic wings are incredibly versatile and can be served in a variety of ways. Here are some delicious serving ideas for chili garlic wings:
- Serve your wings over a bed of steamed rice, quinoa, fried rice, or noodles.
- Make a delicious wrap or burrito with your wings, lettuce, and your favorite toppings.
- Serve your wings as a delicious appetizer with a side of ranch or blue cheese dressing.
- Add your wings to your favorite salad for a protein-packed meal.
- Enjoy your wings on their own with a side of roasted vegetables.
- Top your wings off with a sprinkle of fresh lime juice or freshly chopped herbs, such as parsley or cilantro.
How to store leftover chili garlic wings
Leftover chili garlic wings can be stored in the refrigerator for up to four days. Make sure to store them in an airtight container or bag to keep them fresh. You can also freeze your wings for up to three months. Just make sure to wrap them tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil before freezing. To reheat the wings: Wrap the wings in aluminum foil and bake them at 200 degrees Fahrenheit for 20-25 minutes. (Optional) Sprinkle 1 teaspoon of water into the aluminum foil pack to keep the wings from drying out.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs chicken wings
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil, or peanut oil
- 1 tablespoon chili garlic sauce, instructions above
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Place wings on a large baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, combine soy sauce, sesame oil, chili garlic sauce, garlic powder, ground ginger, and black pepper.
- Mix ingredients together until fully combined.
- Brush the sauce mixture onto the wings and spread it evenly.
- Bake the wings for 30-45 minutes, flipping them halfway through.
- Once done, the wings should be crispy and golden brown.
- Serve the wings with your favorite dipping sauce and enjoy!
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