Chinese Cola Wings

Kele Jichi (可乐鸡翅)

Sticky, sweet chicken wings with delicious Chinese flavors. This is a modern classic - a perfect fusion of Eastern and Western ingredients. Cola Wings are great for a mouthwatering appetizer or an amazing side.

This recipe is simple enough that anyone can make it, but so satisfying that you'll be surprised you didn't order it from a restaurant. Cola wings are commonly a home cooked dish prepared alongside many others at a banquet style meal with family.

While I’m not entirely sure where this method of cooking meat in cola originated, it’s clear that Cola Braised Dishes are extremely popular throughout China. In fact, the first time I met my father-in-law he cooked a similar dish for me using pork ribs. Chicken Wings are even easier to prepare than pork ribs, but they’re not your only option. My nephew successfully and quite easily prepared Cola Braised Chicken Drumettes using this exact same recipe. With a little practice there are dozens of other Cola Braised Dishes just waiting to be discovered.

This is obviously a new cooking method, but traditionally, Coke is the cola of choice. This is undoubtedly the most famous cola in China and the company has made their product not only synonymous with cola but soft drinks in general. Other popular colas in China include Pepsi and Laoshan Cola (Laoshan Cola is definitely an acquired taste and far less sweet than either Coke or Pepsi). Nevertheless, freely experiment with your favorite colas or sodas to find the perfect one for you.

Prep Time: 15 min

Cook Time: 35 min

Total Time: 50 min

Serving: 2 - 4 people

Ingredients

15 to 20 Chicken Wings

Marinade
1 Tbsp. Light Soy Sauce

Aromatics
4 green stalks of Scallion (香葱)
3 cloves of Garlic
1 3-inch block of Ginger

1/4 cup Peanut Oil

Sauces and Seasonings
16 oz (500 ml) Coke
3 Tbsp. Light Soy Sauce
1/2 tsp. Dark Soy Sauce
1 Tbsp White Sugar
1/2 tsp Onion Powder (Optional)
1/4 tsp Salt
1/4 tsp MSG

Garnish
1 tsp Sesame Seeds

Directions

1.) Wash the Chicken Wings thoroughly and place them in a bowl along with the 1 tablespoon of Soy Sauce. Allow to marinate for at least 10 minutes.

(Occasionally the Wings are scored with three shallow cuts on either side of each Wing to allow the flavor to penetrate further. However, marinating the Wings for about 15 – 20 minutes will ensure every bite is full of flavor).

2.) Prepare the Aromatics:

• Tie the Scallions into a knot.
• Peel and lightly smash the Garlic.
• Slice the Ginger into thin disks.

3.) Heat about 1/4 cup of Peanut Oil in a seasoned wok until super-hot. While the Oil is heating, pat the Chicken Wings dry with paper towels.

(Try to get the Chicken Wings as dry as possible before adding them to the Oil. This will prevent the Oil from popping and also give the wings crispier skin. Ideally, the Wings will have just a bit of char around the edges and be full of wok flavor 锅气 after pan-frying them).

4.) Add the Ginger and Garlic to the wok and stir-fry them just a few seconds to flavor the Oil.

5.) Quickly slide the Chicken Wings into the wok one at a time by placing the wing against the inner side of the wok and allowing it to slide down into the basin.

6.) Pan-fry the Wings in a single layer on the bottom of the wok for about 2 minutes, swirling them in the bottom of the wok occasionally. Quickly flip the Wings and cook them on the other side for another 2 minutes swirling them occasionally. Finally, gently stir-fry the Chicken Wings for 2 minutes.

7.) Pour in the bottle of Coke along with the other Sauces and Seasonings (Light Soy Sauce, Dark Soy Sauce, White Sugar, Onion Powder, Salt, and MSG) and add the Scallion.

8.) Reduce the heat to medium and gently boil for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce has reduced by at least half.

9.) After 15 minutes, remove the Garlic, Ginger, and Scallion. Then, boil the Chicken Wings for another 10 to 15 minutes, stirring increasingly often, until the sauce has reduced to a very thick syrup.

10.) Remove the Chicken Wings using chopsticks and arrange them on a plate. Finally, Garnish with Sesame Seeds and serve immediately.

 

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