BEST EVER FRIED CHICKEN WINGS

Best Ever Fried Chicken Wings image

For game days, I shake up these saucy wings. When I run out, friends hover by the snack table until I bring out more. When they ask me how to fry chicken wings, they never believe it's so easy! -Nick Iverson, Denver, Colorado

Provided by Taste of Home

Time 30m

Yield about 4 dozen.

Number Of Ingredients 23

Ingredients

4 pounds chicken wings
2 teaspoons kosher salt
Oil for deep-fat frying
BUFFALO WING SAUCE:
3/4 cup Louisiana-style hot sauce
1/4 cup unsalted butter, cubed
2 tablespoons molasses
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
SPICY THAI SAUCE:
1 tablespoon canola oil
1 teaspoon grated fresh gingerroot
1 garlic clove, minced
1 minced Thai chile pepper or 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1/4 cup packed dark brown sugar
2 tablespoons lime juice
2 tablespoons minced fresh cilantro
1 tablespoon fish sauce
SPICY BARBECUE SAUCE:
3/4 cup barbecue sauce
2 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, finely chopped
2 tablespoons honey
1 tablespoon cider vinegar
Thinly sliced green onions, optional

Steps:

Using a sharp knife, cut through the 2 wing joints; discard wing tips. Pat chicken dry with paper towels. Toss wings with kosher salt. Place on a wire rack in a 15x10x1-in. baking pan. Refrigerate at least 1 hour or overnight., In an electric skillet or deep-fat fryer, heat oil to 375°. Fry wings in batches until skin is crisp and meat is tender, 8-10 minutes. Drain on paper towels., For Buffalo wing sauce, bring hot sauce just to a boil in a small saucepan. Remove from heat; whisk in butter 1 piece at a time. Stir in molasses and cayenne pepper., For Thai sauce, heat oil in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add ginger, garlic and chile pepper; cook and stir until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Stir in brown sugar and lime juice. Bring to a boil; cook until slightly thickened, about 5 minutes. Stir in cilantro and fish sauce., For barbecue sauce, heat prepared barbecue sauce in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir in chipotle peppers, honey and vinegar. Bring to a boil; cook and stir until slightly thickened, about 5 minutes. , Toss wings with 1 of the sauces. If desired, sprinkle with green onion slices.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 87 calories, Fat 8g fat (2g saturated fat), Cholesterol 15mg cholesterol, Sodium 218mg sodium, Carbohydrate 1g carbohydrate (1g sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 4g protein.