Spicy Sesame Garlic Chicken Wings

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These Spicy Sesame Garlic Chicken Wings combine the nutty savoriness of sesame oil with garlicky goodness and spicy chili heat, before being baked to crisp perfection. Topped with a quick drizzle of our spicy honey sauce, these wings are sure to please any game-day crowd.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again – I simply love chicken wings. Chicken wings are classic comfort food for weekend parties and game days. Part of that is just how creative you can get with them, and, of course, because what better finger food for game day than a pile of spicy chicken wings? Whether that spice comes from searing red chilis or a decadent buffalo sauce, spicy wings are one of my most beloved go-to recipes.

Like any good spicy wing recipe, these wings couldn’t be easier to prepare and use only affordable, simple ingredients. If you have chicken wings, sesame oil, some chili, and a few herbs, you can make this recipe. And before you ask – yes, these wings can be marinated ahead of time.

Now, let’s get to it. Read on for a printable recipe card, a complete recipe overview, and an ingredient checklist to ensure you have everything you’ll need to prepare this recipe.

What to Expect – Recipe Overview

Game Day meals should be all about ease, comfort, and satisfaction. Bonus points if “spicy” is thrown into the mix. And today’s recipe checks all of those boxes. However, if you’re wondering what, exactly, you can expect from this recipe in terms of taste, texture, and ease of preparation, read on.

Taste and Texture

Our Spicy Sesame Garlic Chicken wings are marinated in a savory spicy mix of garlic, sesame oil, and a Nongshim Shin soup packet – which is today’s secret shortcut to a burst of spicy chili flavor. That said, you can substitute in cayenne or your favorite red pepper mix to achieve comparable results (more on that below). After marinating, the wings are baked to golden perfection, giving them a delicious crispy coating, which works to lock in moisture, giving us tender, juicy wings. We’re pairing the wings with an optional honey sauce, for a little bit of sweet contrast.

Difficulty Level

Beginner friendly. You’d be hard-pressed to find a simpler spicy wings recipe. Our recipe utilizes only straightforward, easy-to-follow steps, and requires only minimal prep work. What’s more, the recipe requires only simple, easy-to-find ingredients. We’re also baking, rather than frying, which makes the process even easier. You can, however, fry the wings if preferred.

Preparation Process

The recipe starts off with marinating the wings in sesame oil, garlic powder, and the chili mix. I recommend letting the wings marinate for at least an hour, but you can let them marinate up to overnight if preferred. Once marinated, we dredge the wings in seasoned flour, and then bake until golden. While the wings bake, we prep the honey sauce, and we’re done. Simple.

Pairings

All your game-day favorites apply, but here are my top choices:

• Hardy Onion Rings: One of my favorite pairings for game day food is my Crispy Fried Onion Rings. Seriously, a plate of spicy wings and a basket of onion rings. If that doesn’t spell game day, I’m not sure what does.
• Crisp Veggie Sticks: Carrots, celery, or cucumber with ranch or blue cheese dip for a refreshing contrast.
• Asian-Inspired Slaw: A crunchy, tangy slaw would be another of my top picks, such as my Apple and Carrot Slaw.
• Drinks: A cold lager, or a dry white wine, such as a Sauvignon Blanc would be my go-to option,

Spicy Sesame Garlic Chicken Wings – Ingredient List

All right, if you’ve made it this far, it’s time to talk ingredients. Here’s everything you’ll need.

For the Chicken Wings

• 12–14 chicken wings (tips removed)
  • Tip: For how to pick the best wings possible, see my guide.
  • Substitution: Drumettes, thighs, and legs would all work fine. You could also opt for boneless options if desired.
• 2 tablespoons sesame oil
  • Tip: Plain sesame oil gets the job done, though if you prefer a deeper, nuttier flavor, you can of course use toasted sesame oil.
  • Substitution: Use olive oil if sesame oil is unavailable, but the flavor profile will differ.
• 1½ teaspoons garlic powder
  • Tip: I’m using garlic powder simply for ease of use since it gets the job done for the marinade.
  • Substitution: If you don’t mind a little extra prep, you can use 2 cloves of fresh garlic, be sure to either grate or crush, and then mince it for maximal release of the garlic juices.
• 2 tablespoons Nongshim Shin soup seasoning (from one packet)
  • Note: The soup packet delivers a savory-spicy chili flavor, and couldn’t be simpler to use.
  • Substitution: Any red pepper or cayenne mix will do. A dash of gochugaru or a little gochujang will also get the job done nicely. How much you use is entirely up to preference, but I would start with about a teaspoon and work your way up from there.
• ½ cup all-purpose flour
  • Tip: Sift the flour to ensure an even coating on the wings.
  • Substitution: As always, the gluten-free flour of your choice will work.
• 1 additional packet of Nongshim Shin soup seasoning (mixed with flour)
  • Tip: Combine thoroughly to ensure even seasoning throughout the flour.
• Olive oil (for drizzling)
  • Tip: Use extra-virgin olive oil for a lighter drizzle and crispier wings.
• Parchment paper
  • Tip: My number one kitchen tip. I say this every time I have the opportunity. Nothing helps save on cleanup time like parchment paper.

For the Honey Sauce

• 3 tablespoons honey
  • Tip: I’d recommend a decent raw honey for best results.
• 2 teaspoons sesame oil
  • Tip: Adds a nutty depth to the sauce. Adjust to taste if you want less sesame flavor.
• 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
  • Note: I’m using cider vinegar primarily because it’s what I had on hand.
  • Substitution: Rice vinegar or white wine vinegar would both work fine.
• 1 teaspoon sesame seeds
  • Tip: Toast the seeds lightly before adding for an extra layer of flavor.
• 1 teaspoon chili paste (optional)
  • Tip: Perhaps the easiest way to achieve a spicy kick is chili paste. It gives a nice chili flavor along with a moderate amount of heat. It’s also super versatile.
  • Substitution: Gochujang, sriracha, or a few dashes of your favorite red pepper will all work just fine. Once again, the amount is entirely up to preference.

Tips for Preparing Sesame Garlic Shin Chicken Wings

Preparation Tips

1. Marinating the Wings
   • This is the key to the recipe’s flavor. You need to allow the wings to marinate for at least an hour. For the best results, however, let them marinate overnight.
   • If using a large bowl, make sure to cover the bowl. However, a sealable plastic bag also works well.
2. Prepping for Coating
   • Once the marinating is done, let any excess drip off the wings before dredging them to prevent clumping. Clumping leads to uneven cooking.
3. Handling the Flour Mixture
   • For the flour mixture, be sure that the seasonings are evenly distributed. Even distribution means even flavor.
   • For an extra crispy coating, pat the flour mixture onto the wings lightly after dredging.
   • Secret Tip: Corn starch. Add a little cornstarch to the flour mix for a crispier exterior.

Cooking Tips

1. Lining the Baking Sheet
   • Yes, I said this above, but let me reiterate that lining the baking sheets with parchment reduces cleanup time by a lot, and prevents sticking better than anything else in my opinion.
   • If you don’t have parchment paper, lightly grease the baking sheet with olive oil or corn oil.
2. Drizzling the Olive Oil
   • Yes, the olive oil drizzle matters. You want to drizzle a little over each wing, but be careful not to over-saturate them. A little oil helps them crisp, too much makes them soggy.
3. Baking the Wings
   • Rotate the baking sheet halfway through the cooking time to ensure even browning.
   • Check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer to ensure it reaches 165°F.

Honey Sauce Tips

1. Mixing the Sauce
   • Not a whole lot to say on this one, other than to make sure that you’ve stirred until you have a smooth, thoroughly combined sauce.
2. Adjusting the Heat
   • Taste as you go: Even for those of us who enjoy searing heat, I do suggest adding the chili paste (and red pepper if using it) as you go until you find your preferred heat level.
   • Secret Tip: Gochujang. If you have gochujang, add a little into the sauce, and stir until smooth for extra chili flavor.

Serving and Presentation Tips

1. Garnish
   • A sprinkle of sesame seeds and some chopped scallions will help brighten the presentation.
   • For herbs, think fresh cilantro or curly leaf parsley for an extra pop of color.
2. Serving Temperature
   • Serve the wings immediately after baking for maximum crispiness.
   • If reheating, place them back in the oven at 350°F for 10 minutes to maintain their texture.

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And those are our Spicy Sesame Garlic Wings. If you enjoyed today’s recipe, or have any questions or suggestions, be sure to let us know in the comments below, we always love hearing from you!

Happy Cooking!

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