As the title of the recipe state, these are PEPPER WINGS! Yes, you can tailor the heat level to your liking and be sure to use peppers you can source or enjoy. While I did have access to more extreme peppers (watch the video), I used the peppers I know my family could handle with enjoyment.
You’ll Need…
5 lbs chicken wings (trimmed + cut into flats and drums)
4-6 cups veg oil for frying
BRINE:
4-5 cups cold water (divided)
Ice (to chill things down)
2 tablespoon cane sugar (any sugar will work)
1 tablespoon coarse cracked black pepper
8 sprigs thyme
1 1/2 tablespoon sea salt
2 scotch bonnet peppers (sliced)
1 large shallot sliced (onion will work)
8 cloves garlic (smashed)
Pepper Element
1 cup corn starch
1 medium onion (sliced thin)
7 cloves garlic (diced)
1 teaspoon black pepper (coarse)
2 scallions (chopped)
4-6 sprigs thyme
2 scotch bonnet peppers (diced)
3-6 chili peppers
WARNING! This is meant to be spicy. Wear gloves and wash your hands with soap and water immediately after handling such hot peppers. If you want to control some of the heat, do not include any seeds or the white membrane surrounding the seeds of the peppers. If doing this recipe gluten free, please go through the list of ingredients to make sure they meet with your specific gluten free dietary needs.
In a large bowl or pot, add all the ingredients for the brine (not the water yet), and bruise with a whisk. This will allow us to get most of the flavor out of the ingredients. Now add 1 cup luke-warm water and whisk. The warm water will allow the salt and sugar to dissolve easily. Now top with ice cold water and stir.
The goal is the get the water cold so its safe for the raw chicken. Now add the prepared wings to the brine, stir and set in the fridge for 2 hours. I topped it with ice cubs to chill it down quickly.
Two hours later drain, rinse and pat dry with paper towels. Then toss with the corn starch and get ready to fry. I’m sure these will work in your air fryer if you so choose.
Prepare the other ingredients and set aside.
Create a frying station. The wings, wok (pot or frying pan) with hot oil and a draining area with a wire rack over a sheet pan. I don’t like draining fried foods on paper towels as they tend to go soggy. With the wire rack the air will circulate around them and keep them crisp.
Fry in batches (avg temp 375) 12 to 17 minutes, depending on how large your wings are. Set to drain on the wire rack and continue frying the remainder. TIP, stir after you place the wings in the hot oil so they don’t stick together since they’re coated with the corn starch.
Yes, you can use a deep fryer should you own one and prefer to go that route.
Take/use 5 tablespoon of the oil we fried the wings in, in a wide pot on a medium flame. Add the onion, thyme (just the leaves), garlic, scallions and scotch bonnet pepper. Turn the heat down to low and crack the chili peppers and add to the pot.
The goal is to flavor that oil with the FIRE from the peppers and flavors of the garlic, onion and thyme.
5 minutes later, add the pre-fried wings to the pot and toss well to coat with the fiery goodness we created.
I like doing this recipe outdoors for two reasons. the ‘fried’ scent will not be in my house and MOST IMPORTANT!… venting the fried peppers scent. If doing this indoors, do open a window and turn the fan on over your stove. The hot oil and fiery peppers is the perfect combination to choke you.
Here is where the corn starch will play it’s part, the flavors will stick to the chicken wings and you’ll get the banging flavors on the outside. The brine would have already added those similar flavors deep within the wings.
Finish with the black pepper, toss and get ready to serve. These are usually served with cold beer and enjoyed with friends.
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