Southeast Asian traditional chicken wings easy recipe, marinade with Asian spices and herbs, then poked with skewers and grilled to golden perfection!
It’s May!
The temperature is definitely rising and the sun has been coming out to play.
In Irvine, we have been getting really warm days.
Today, the highest temperature is in the low 90’s, and in the past few days, the mouthwatering smell of barbeque has been wafting in the air around my neighborhood.
It’s never too early to break out your grill even though summer is not officially here.
With warm and gorgeous days like this, I just couldn’t wait and had to fire up my grill and made these Southeast Asian chicken wings.
If you have been following me on Rasa Malaysia, you should probably know by now that Asia, especially Southeast Asia, is my favorite region in the whole world.
(That’s one of the reasons why this blog is all about Asian cooking.) There is nowhere else quite like Southeast Asia: the friendly people, happiest smiles, breathtaking landscapes, and the scrumptious foods; Southeast Asia captures my heart.
It’s the place I will always call home, the place I have longed to be every single day, and the place millions of tourists flock to every year.
This Southeast Asian chicken wing is the epitome of the colorful and exotic cooking of the region.
Creamy coconut milk, fragrant lemongrass, aromatics such as ginger, garlic, cilantro, and the extra zing of lime juice and Thai chilies make these wings bursting with the flavors of the street food fare in countries such as Thailand , Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia.
They are absolutely pleasing to the palate, and the flavor is deep and complex.
I came back from the region two months ago, but I have been aching to go back.
I have a Vietnam trip planned in end of May and I just can’t wait to soak in the warm and humid days in Southeast Asia again.
Until then, I have these Southeast Asian chicken wings to satiate my craving and soothe my soul.
Summer is a few weeks away, and you can certainly bookmark this recipe to welcome summer.
When you fire up your grill for this recipe, you will know why I am forever hooked on the exotic flavors of the region.
Enjoy!
Southeast Asian Chicken Wings Recipe
Southeast Asian Chicken Wings Recipe.
Ingredients
- 3 pounds whole chicken wings (12-14)
The Marinade:
- 1/2 cup coconut milk (125 ml)
- 2 stalks fresh lemongrass, white part only, coarsely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, coarsely chopped
- 2 scallions, white part only, coarsely chopped
- 2 Thai chilies with seeds, coarsely chopped
- 1/4 cup cilantro, coarsely chopped
- 1 tablespoon minced ginger
- 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
- 3 tablespoons fish sauce
- 1 tablespoon sugar
Other
- 12-14 long bamboo skewers, soaked in water for at least 30 minutes
- oiled paper towel or cloth
- 1/2 cup Thai sweet chili sauce, (Mae Ploy)
- banana leaf, (optional)
- 2 scallions, green part only, thinly sliced for garnishing
Instructions
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Use paper towels to pat the chicken wings dry. Transfer the chicken wings into a 1-gallon storage/freezer bag.
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In a blender or food processor, puree the Marinade until smooth.
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Pour the Marinade over the chicken wings in the storage bag. Close the bag tightly and coat the chicken wings evenly with the marinade. Chill for at least 2-4 hours or overnight.
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Remove any excess marinade on the chicken wings. Thread each chicken wing on a bamboo skewer, from the drumette to the wingtip to stretch out the wing.
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Prepare the gas/charcoal grill for grilling. Wipe the grate with an oiled paper towel or cloth.
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Grill the chicken wings with skin side down until golden brown, about 8-12 minutes, depending on the heat. Turn over and grill the other side, another 8-12 minutes or until desired tenderness.
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Brush both sides of the chicken wings with the Thai sweet chili sauce and grill until the glaze sizzles, 1-2 minutes each side. Transfer the chicken wings to a plate lined with banana leaf, garnish with scallion greens, and serve.
Recipe Notes
You can also use an instant-read thermometer to check the chicken wing. Insert it into the thickest part of the wing and if it reads 165°F, it should be cooked.
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Julia Postres
I love chicken wings, and this recipe is new for me, I hope to try it very soon, thank you
Rasa Malaysia
Thanks Julia.
Daniel - Comedera.Com
The chicken wings are the most delicious part of the chicken!
i want to try this recipe :D
Sally Ann Tews via Facebook
these look soooo good:-) Tempeture sure has changed here in Ca.what happened to the 90’s?:-(
Kavita
Hi Bee
Your evocative description makes me want to transport myself to Southeast Asia this very instant! I love it there. So the next best thing is your uniquely threaded chicken wings … Thanks
Jayne
That’s a very Thai-esque type marinade. I can imagine the well rounded flavour everything added to the wings. Somehow, wings is always summer party food, right? Nam Yee wings are also one of my favourite.
ChristineT
I love your recipes and can’t wait to try this one. However, I live in an apartment and don’t have a BBQ outdoor grill. Can I roast the chicken wings in the oven instead?
Rasa Malaysia
Yes, you can.
Susan Chan
Hi Bee
I have been following your sites for a while now and have enjoyed your receipes very much. Thank you very much for sharing it with us. I live in Bangkok for 17 years now and hv tried many interesting local restaurants as well as western cuisines, would welcome to bring you around on your next visit in this region if the timing is right.
I am a Singaporean married to a American with 2 grown up sons. My elder boy is currently finishing his bachelor degree in culinary at (CIA) Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park NY campus. Do call on me anytime if you need any help or info…
Rasa Malaysia
Hi Susan, thanks for your sweet note. I go to Bangkok almost every year. I hope we will meet one day in the future. :)
Regina
Hi bee, I love your website and I have tried some of your nyonya recipes, I love it! I have a question here regarding the southeast Asian chicken wing. Can I baked the chicken wings in the oven instead of grill? If can bake in the oven then what temperature should I go for? Thank you so much for always sharing delicious recipes.
Mark Tankersley via Facebook
I can’t wait to try these babies – thanks Bee! :p
Scott Borel
Geez these look and sound amazing! Great blog by the way!
Simon @ Rice & Sticks
Looks really delicious. This dish looks heavily similar to the thai street food classic “gai yang”. We share a similar love for southeast asian cuisine. It’s so diverse, packed with flavor and exciting.
One thing thats great about Malaysia and Thailand is that everyone compromise lessly go for only the best quality ingredients. The “hole in the wall” at Jalan Alor KL can often be both cheaper and better than the expensive fine dining place.
Rasa Malaysia
Jalar Alor Wong Ah Wah’s chicken wings are the best wings in the whole world.
Simon @ Rice & Sticks
Wong Ah WAh. Noted down, thanks for the recommendation;) There’s another place named Guilin who serve pretty good chinese food as well, and tried sting ray at another place i didn’t quite remember the name of.