We wanted the crunch of fried chicken without the frying. So we took it outside.
SERVES4 to 6
GATHER YOUR INGREDIENTS
Salt and pepper
ÂĽ cup sugar
3 pounds chicken wings, cut at joints, wingtips discarded
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon granulated garlic
2 teaspoons paprika
½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
BEFORE YOU BEGIN
We prefer to buy whole chicken wings and butcher them ourselves because they tend to be larger than wings that come pre-split. If you can find only pre-split wings, opt for larger ones, if possible. Ideally, 12 whole wings should equal 3 pounds, which will yield 24 pieces of chicken (12 drumettes and 12 flats, tips discarded) once broken down. Do not brine the chicken for longer than 3 hours in step 1 or it will become too salty. Charcoal grills tend to produce more-intense heat than gas grills do, hence the difference in cooking times.
INSTRUCTIONS
Dissolve 1/4 cup salt and sugar in 2 quarts cold water in large container. Add chicken and refrigerate, covered, for at least 1 hour or up to 3 hours.
Set wire rack in rimmed baking sheet. Whisk flour, granulated garlic, paprika, cayenne, 1 tablespoon pepper, and 1 teaspoon salt together in large bowl. Remove chicken from brine. Working in batches of four, dredge chicken pieces in flour mixture, pressing to adhere. Place chicken on prepared rack. Refrigerate chicken, uncovered, for at least 30 minutes or up to 2 hours.
3A. FOR A CHARCOAL GRILL: Open bottom vent completely. Light large chimney starter mounded with charcoal briquettes (7 quarts). When top coals are partially covered with ash, pour into steeply banked pile against side of grill. Set cooking grate in place, cover, and open lid vent completely. Heat grill until hot, about 5 minutes.
3B. FOR A GAS GRILL: Turn all burners to high, cover, and heat grill until hot, about 15 minutes. Turn primary burner to high and turn off other burner(s). (Adjust primary burner [or, if using three-burner grill, primary burner and second burner] as needed to maintain grill temperature of 425 degrees.)
Clean and oil cooking grate. Place chicken, fatty side up, on cooler side of grill, arranging drumettes closest to coals. Cook chicken, covered, until lightly browned and coating is set, about 30 minutes for charcoal or about 45 minutes for gas.
Brush chicken with oil until no traces of flour remain (use all oil). Cover and continue to cook until coating is golden brown and chicken registers between 180 and 200 degrees, about 30 minutes longer for charcoal or about 45 minutes longer for gas.
Transfer chicken to clean wire rack and let cool for 10 minutes. Serve.
Dr. Pepper/Cola/Beer or Ale BBQ Chicken
12 inch Dutch oven, Rubdown interior with light coat of olive oil.
2.5 - 3 pounds chicken (wings, legs or thighs), skin side down.
about 10 thighs (1.5 per pound), 16 drumsticks (4 per pound), or 32 wingette & drumettes (16 per pound)
Combine, mix and pour over raw chicken:
12 ounces Dr. Pepper, Cola, Beer or Ale.
1 1/2 cup (12 ounces), Ketchup (or 12 oz bottle of BBQ sauce i.e. Kraft Original)
6 cloves garlic (2 tbs or 6 tsp)
2 tbs chili powder (skip if using bottled bbq sauce)
3/4 cup chopped onion
Charcoal:
8-10 on the bottom in a checker board pattern
12-14 on lid
45 minutes to 1 hour. rotate lid, then pot, 1/4 turn every 15 minutes.
350 degrees if done in oven
Main course serving size is 1/2 pound per person.
Ingredients
Honey Garlic Sauce Ingredients
Directions for the Sauce
Directions for Grilling or Baking the Wings
Chicken Wing Brine
2 Quarts Water
1/2 Cup Hot Sauce
1/4 Cup Salt
1/4 Cup Sugar
Whisk to dissolve
3 lbs of chicken wings
DO NOT Brine more than 3 hours
There is a large fraternity of diners who consider chicken wings one of life’s great culinary pleasures. Happily, chick winds are also very economical. If you are one of that number, you will enjoy this dish where the chicken wings are first lightly browned and then baked in a savory tomato sauce.
For 4 servings you will need:
16 chicken wings
1 Tbsp butter or margarine
1/2 cup canned chopped tomatoes with liquid
1/2 cup finely chopped celery
1/2 Tbsp. Soy sauce
1/2 Tbsp. Cider vinegar
1/2 tsp. Salt
Tips: Do not crowd the pan when browning the chicken wings.
Ingredients:
3 cups diced cooked chicken
2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
3/4 cup Frank's Red Hot pepper sauce, or other Louisiana-style hot sauce
1/2 cup blue cheese dressing
1/2 cup crumbled blue cheese
1/2 cup shredded pepper Jack cheese, plus a little for the top
1/2 tsp Old Bay Seasoning (if you can’t find, here is what’s in it)
cayenne, to taste
Here are some favorite common beers, with some food pairing and serving suggestions:
Some other tips:
Beer is a delicious aperitif. Choose a light beer to serve before a meal.
Serve pale beers with light soups and heavy, malty beers with stews.
Light beers are delicious with green salads and vegetable courses.
Serving a chocolate dessert? A rich, sweet, dark beer is the perfect match. Fruitier beers work well with fruit desserts.
A strong sweet beer is a nice digestif, with or without a separate dessert.