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
1. 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.
2. 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 to 10 minutes. Drain on paper towels.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. Toss wings with sauce of your choice.
TOTAL TIME: Prep: 10 min. + chilling Cook: 20 min.
YIELD: about 4 dozen.
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!
Nutrition Facts
1 piece: 87 calories, 8g fat (2g saturated fat), 15mg cholesterol, 218mg sodium, 1g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 0 fiber), 4g protein.