Chicken wings are a great appetizer and can also be used as a main entrée for picnics. They’re ‘cute’ and perfect for parties, especially when guests are women concerned about their weight. By eating a few wings and adding a couple of other menu items, they can get enough protein and feel fully satisfied.
Making chicken wings is also more budget-friendly than making chicken breasts. If you look carefully at the meat counter at the grocery store, you might even find chicken wings with a generous amount of breast meat cut into the drumstick. Buying breast quarters and cutting off the wings yourself is less expensive than purchasing a special cut, like chicken breasts on their own.
When making chicken wings, you can use a wide range of cooking methods, including baking, deep-frying, pan-frying, barbecuing, broiling, braising, rotisserie, and broasting. You can also experiment with various sauces and glazes to enhance the flavor of the chicken, giving you a distinct taste with each recipe.
Here are two delicious recipes that you and your guests will love:
Zesty Grilled Chicken Wings
**Ingredients:** – Three to four pounds of chicken wings – Large bottle of zesty Italian salad dressing – One lemon – Salt and ground black pepper
Instructions:
Rinse the chicken wings, pat them dry with a paper towel, and place them in a large mixing bowl.
Squeeze the juice from half a lemon into a small bowl and mix it with the Italian dressing. Ensure the lemon juice is well-blended with the dressing, then pour it over the chicken wings. Cover the bowl and place it in the refrigerator for about two hours.
Preheat a grill to medium-high heat. Remove the chicken wings from the marinade and place them directly over the fire. Pour the marinade into a small container and use it to baste the wings every five minutes for the first 15 minutes, then discard the sauce.
Continue grilling, turning the chicken frequently, until they are nicely browned and crispy. The wings should be cooked in about 20 minutes.
Remove from the grill and place on a large serving platter. Garnish with sprigs of parsley and fresh lemon wedges.
Roasted corn on the cob pairs wonderfully with this dish and can also be cooked on the grill. Here’s how: Place four or more ears of fresh corn on the hot grill. Cook for about 10 minutes on each side. Remove from heat. When ready to serve, peel off the husks and squeeze fresh lemon juice over the corn for a refreshing flavor. Add salt and pepper to taste, and serve alongside the chicken wings.
Ever considered making chicken wings with an oriental twist? Try this recipe—it might just become a permanent addition to your collection of go-to dishes.
Honeyed Asian Chicken Wings
(Makes 8 servings) – Cooking time: about 45 minutes
Ingredients:
Two pounds of chicken wings
3 tablespoons cornstarch
1/2 teaspoon salt
A dash of pepper
3 teaspoons extra cornstarch
1 tablespoon chicken broth (canned is fine)
3 tablespoons oil
3 tablespoons honey
Instructions:
Rinse the chicken wings and pat them dry with a paper towel.
Dust the wings with 2 tablespoons of cornstarch, setting 1 tablespoon aside. Season with salt and pepper.
Blend the remaining tablespoon of cornstarch with chicken broth until smooth.
Heat oil in a large skillet until very hot. Add the chicken wings and cook until golden brown and crispy, turning as needed. Cover with a lid and cook for another 10 minutes.
Remove the wings from the skillet and place them on a platter. Stir the blended cornstarch mixture into the remaining oil in the skillet, cooking until slightly thickened. Stir in honey and heat again, mixing well. Remove from heat and pour over the chicken wings.
Garnish with sprigs of mint and orange slices. Your dish is ready to serve!
Your guests are sure to enjoy these flavorful recipes!
