Go Back
+ servings
Print

Grandmother's Chinese Chicken Wings

Star anise and cinnamon sticks give these chicken wings a unique flavor profile, unlike any other chicken wing.
Course Appetizer, Snack
Cuisine American, Chinese
Keyword asian, chicken wings, cinnamon stick, star anise, sticky
Budget Frugal
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 22 minutes
Servings 6
Calories 414kcal

Equipment

  • Large non-stick skillet or wok
  • Paper towels

Ingredients

  • 1.75 pounds chicken wing parts wing tips removed
  • 3 tablespoons cornstarch or potato starch, rice flour. Do not use all purpose flour. Leave it out if that is all you have.
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ¼ cup peanut oil or vegetable oil
  • cup water
  • cup Shaoxing wine or sake, or dry white wine
  • cup soy sauce
  • 5 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 3 tablespoons mirin
  • 3 tablespoons oyster sauce or hoisin sauce in a pinch
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil
  • 1 inch fresh ginger thinly sliced
  • 1 clove star anise
  • ¼ teaspoon sichuan peppercorns or white pepper or finely ground black pepper
  • 1 dried hot chili or ½ teaspoon hot sauce
  • 1 small cinnamon stick
  • Sliced green onions for garnish
  • Sesame seeds for garnish

Instructions

  • Mix the cornstarch and the baking soda in a large bowl.
  • Add the chicken wings to the bowl and toss until the wings are evenly coated.
  • Place a 14-inch nonstick sauce pan or large wok over high heat. Add the peanut oil and heat until it glistens. Add the chicken and sear to golden brown.
  • Add the water, sake, soy sauce, brown sugar, mirin, oyster sauce, ginger, star anise, dried chili and cinnamon stick to a small bowl and stir to mix.
  • Pour the sauce over the hot chicken in the pan. Bring back up to a simmer. Cook, covered, about 12 minutes.
  • Uncover and simmer until the pan is almost dry, tossing frequently to coat the wings, another 10 to 12 minutes.
  • Skim off the fat if you like, and serve, garnishing with scallion shavings and sesame seeds. Or emulsify the chicken fat into the sauce by turning up the heat at the last minute to boil the fat into the other liquids. .
  • Garnish and serve.

Nutrition

Calories: 414kcal | Carbohydrates: 17g | Protein: 25g | Fat: 25g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 12g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 99mg | Sodium: 1130mg | Potassium: 295mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 12g | Vitamin A: 260IU | Vitamin C: 12mg | Calcium: 33mg | Iron: 2mg