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Home / Recipes / Sticky Sweet Chili Chicken Wings

Sticky Sweet Chili Chicken Wings

55 mins
| 39 Comments |
5 from 7 votes
Jump to Recipe 01/02/15 | Updated: 05/24/20 | by Nora

These Sticky Sweet Chili Chicken Wings are deliciously crispy underneath a sticky made-from-scratch Thai Sweet Chili Sauce full of Asian flavors. 

frontal view of sticky chili wings in light colored bowl

I’ve always felt like there’s two different kinds of people:

The ones who eat meat from bones like they’ve never done anything else in their lives and then those who cringe at the very thought of it.

I’ve belonged to the latter group for as long as I can remember – never would I have imagined myself eating something like chicken wings. But recently I decided to give them another try and I was blown away by how delicious bone-in meat actually can be.

Now if eating chicken wings is something sounding not in the least appealing to you – stick with me (no pun intended).

There is so much more punch and juiciness involved than you’d ever get with boneless chicken breasts – a whole new depth of flavor waiting to be discovered by your taste buds.

close up view of garlic peel on paper towel

We’ve been having an awful lot of snow lately, and today hasn’t turned out to be a friendly spring awakening either – it’s raining.

Not a downpour mind you, but just enough to take away the magic of winter and overshadow everything with a dull grayness. This is exactly the weather making me dream of sunny shores somewhere far away. Of white beaches and deep blue water. And of good food eaten in the sunset while the soft sound of distant music is blown away by a soft breeze.

top down view on bowl with wings and small bowl of chili sauce

And it is with a deep sigh I then return back to the wet and dreary reality – to whip up something reminiscent of my daydreams.

Enter Sticky Sweet Chili Chicken Wings to satisfy my cravings for a sunnier day. The crispy golden texture of fried chicken gets coated with the most delicious and fragrant homemade Thai sweet chili sauce – which is infinite times better than any bottled variety.

The result is a wonderful parining of flavors and textures you simply cannot get enough of.

image collage to show breaded chicken wings, and chicken wings being fried

After coating the wings with lightly seasoned cornstarch they are fried to crispy-golden perfection.

No need to be afraid of the deep frying process either – the trick is to allow the oil to get hot enough (test this with a wooden spoon – if bubbles appear around it you are good to go) and not crowding the pan.

If this means frying the chicken in three batches – so be it. It’s much more desirable to end up with something you’ll actually enjoy eating than with a half-done soggy pile of meat.

image collage to show fried chicken wings, and glazed chicken wings in skillet

Once the wings have all been fried and drained the sauce gets done in minutes.

This recipe couldn’t be any easier – a mix of vinegar, sugar, minced garlic and water gets boiled down a bit before stirring in chili paste and cornstarch. The crispy wings are then heated through right in the sauce for an irresistibly sticky finish.

frontal view of skillet with chili sauce, spoon and single chicken wing

Served hot immediately after finish them, these wings just beg to be eaten by hand even if this means getting a bit messy.

They are perfect as a part of a meal, as a snack or as simple finger food – just like their counterparts, these Honey Lime Crispy Chicken Wings. Gather your friends around and share the food love – or keep them all to yourself and devour them while watching your favorite show. Either way – there will not be a single one left, bone-in meat lover or not.

top down view on chili wings on parchment paper

Need more party food inspiration?

  • Sticky BBQ Slow Cooker Meatballs
  • Honey Lime Crispy Chicken Wings
  • Garlic Parmesan Easy Stuffed Mushrooms
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top down view on chili wings on parchment paper
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Sticky Sweet Chili Chicken Wings

These Sticky Sweet Chili Chicken Wings are deliciously crispy underneath a sticky made-from-scratch Thai Sweet Chili Sauce full of Asian flavors.
Recipe by Nora from Savory Nothings
made it? tap the stars to add your rating!
5 from 7 votes
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Recipe details

Prep 10 mins
Cook 45 mins
Total 55 mins
Servings 6 servings
Difficulty Medium

Ingredients
 

  • vegetable oil for frying
  • ½ cup cornstarch
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 2 pounds chicken wings rinsed and patted dry

To Make the Sauce

  • ½ cup rice vinegar
  • 1 ½ cups water
  • ⅔ cup sugar
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 3 cloves garlic finely minced
  • 1 ½ tablespoons chili paste
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch mixed with 3 tablespoons water to make a slurry

Instructions
 

  • Heat about 2 inches of vegetable oil in a large deep skillet or use a deep fat fryer.
  • Mix the cornstarch with the salt in a shallow dish and coat the chicken with the mixture. Shake off any excess.
  • Fry the chicken wings in the hot oil until the exterior is golden brown and crispy and they are cooked through on the inside, about 12 minutes. Turn a few times to ensure even cooking and avoid burning.
  • Once all the wings are ready, mix all sauce ingredients except for the chili paste and the cornstarch slurry in a large frying pan. Bring to the boil and cook until slightly thickened, about 3-4 minutes. Stir in the chili paste and bring to the boil again. Stir in the cornstarch slurry and continue cooking until thickened, about 1-2 minutes. Add the chicken wings to the sauce, toss until coated and cook over low heat until heated through. Serve immediately.
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Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 450kcal
Nutrition is an estimate.

More recipe information

Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American

Nora Rusev from Savory Nothings
About Nora 
When I got married to my professional chef husband, I realized I had to step up my game in the kitchen. Now I share my favorite foolproof family recipes here on Savory Nothings: Chef-approved, kid-vetted and easy enough for everyday home cooks like you and me!   Learn more.

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Comments

  1. Kim says

    August 09, 2021 at 8:49 pm

    5 stars
    Searched my city for awesome chili wings and turns out I make the best ones at home thanks to your recipe. I baked the wings instead of fry and just as crispy.

    Reply
    • Nora says

      September 25, 2021 at 5:48 pm

      I’m so glad, Kim!

      Reply
  2. Angela says

    October 02, 2015 at 3:37 am

    5 stars
    Tried the recipe, but with a few changes. It still came out great! I used boneless-skinless chicken thighs and, since I didn’t have rice vinegar, I used apple cider vinegar instead. Was spicy, but good-spicy. Also, mine didn’t come out as dark as in your pictures. But, like I said, good though. I will definitely make this again. Oh! I should mention that I usually have trouble using cornstarch as a thickener, but not here! Recipe was easy to follow. 🙂

    Reply
    • Nora says

      October 02, 2015 at 8:20 pm

      I’m so happy you liked the recipe, Angela! And I’m glad it worked out so well!

      Reply
  3. Billy Findlay says

    May 22, 2015 at 3:41 pm

    These are my “go to” wings now. Trying to find a way to add some heat without taking away from this flavor though. Delicious!!

    Reply
    • Nora says

      May 24, 2015 at 4:48 pm

      Awesome, Billy! You can definitely try to increase the amount of chili paste if you want more heat! Thanks so much for reporting back – you made my day 🙂

      Reply
  4. Nora says

    January 09, 2015 at 1:45 pm

    Thanks so much Yvonne! Oooh brave you for not eating sugar – I couldn’t do it! Happy New Year!

    Reply
  5. Michelle { A Latte Food } says

    January 05, 2015 at 8:33 pm

    Nora, these look amazing! I love wings, and this is the perfect time of the year for it, especially with the Superbowl coming up! I don’t particularly like football, but I do love the food that comes with all the football parties–and this will be a perfect addition! Pinned!

    Reply
    • Nora says

      January 09, 2015 at 1:53 pm

      Haha, any occasion involving food is great, isn’t it?! Thanks Michelle!

      Reply
  6. Jessica | A Happy Food Dance says

    January 05, 2015 at 4:57 pm

    I am a total chicken wings girl – they are one of my favorite things to eat and I love this sweet chili version. I could go for a whole plate of these!

    Reply
    • Nora says

      January 09, 2015 at 1:52 pm

      Haha, thanks Jessica!

      Reply
  7. Melanie @ Carmel Moments says

    January 05, 2015 at 3:38 pm

    These look utterly amazing! Love variations of the chicken wing. Yum. Pinned.

    Reply
    • Nora says

      January 09, 2015 at 1:52 pm

      Thanks Melanie!

      Reply
  8. Dan says

    January 04, 2015 at 9:27 pm

    All I can say is – wow, I need to make these! And I never liked anything on the bone either! Wings were always the exception though.

    Reply
    • Nora says

      January 09, 2015 at 1:51 pm

      Exceptions prove the rule – no? 🙂 Thanks Dan!

      Reply
  9. Cyndi @ My Kitchen Craze says

    January 04, 2015 at 9:01 pm

    Nora, these look amazing. I used to be the no bone girl also, until I met my hubby and all Pakistani foods are bone in so I had to get used to it real quick or have an unhappy hubby. Hehe. It actually does make the meat taste better and its fun too. These look awesome. Pinned! Ps love the changes you made to the blog! Love the red color!! 🙂

    Reply
    • Nora says

      January 09, 2015 at 1:50 pm

      Haha Cyndi, I can SO relate to this! My husband’s family is Croatian and most meat/fish dishes are on the bone – I had to learn coping, haha 🙂 Now I’m starting to love it more and more 🙂 Thanks so much, you’re the sweetest xoxo

      Reply
  10. Amy says

    January 04, 2015 at 5:01 pm

    Wow these look so delicious. Chicken wings are definitely one of my secret guilty pleasures! and that sauce……yummy

    Reply
    • Nora says

      January 09, 2015 at 1:48 pm

      Thanks Amy!

      Reply
  11. Anne says

    January 04, 2015 at 4:11 pm

    5 stars
    Yum! These look delicious – and I love that the sauce is completely homemade. On my recipe bucket list now! I am not iffy about bones, but I would think this sauce would be just as good on chicken breasts or maybe thighs (for a slightly better meat/bone ratio 🙂

    Reply
    • Nora says

      January 09, 2015 at 1:48 pm

      Yes! Definitely good on any chicken part! Thanks Anne!

      Reply
  12. Tracy says

    January 04, 2015 at 1:03 pm

    I couldn’t agree more regarding the homemade Thai sweet chili sauce. It was one of the best thing that you can make at home. Thanks for sharing. 🙂

    Reply
    • Nora says

      January 09, 2015 at 1:48 pm

      It really is! Definitely never going back 🙂 Thanks for stopping by Tracy!

      Reply
  13. Claudia @ HomeMade with love says

    January 04, 2015 at 12:53 pm

    Wow Nora your chicken wings look perfect, so sticky and delicious. Love your photography.

    Reply
    • Nora says

      January 09, 2015 at 1:47 pm

      Thank you SO much Claudia!

      Reply
  14. Thalia @ butter and brioche says

    January 04, 2015 at 7:10 am

    All that sticky sauce is just making me drool! Looks delicious Nora!

    Reply
    • Nora says

      January 09, 2015 at 1:47 pm

      Thanks Thalia!

      Reply
  15. Christina @ Bake with Christina says

    January 03, 2015 at 8:27 pm

    Omg those chicken wings look PERFECT!! So savory and delicious looking! Pinned 🙂

    Reply
    • Nora says

      January 09, 2015 at 1:47 pm

      Awww thanks Christina and thanks for pinning too 🙂

      Reply
  16. Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says

    January 03, 2015 at 5:33 pm

    Love these wings, Nora! I could definitely go for a plate of these right about now. The chili flavor sounds so finger-lickin’ good! Delish!

    Reply
    • Nora says

      January 09, 2015 at 1:47 pm

      Thanks so much Gayle!

      Reply
  17. Isadora @ she likes food says

    January 03, 2015 at 5:19 am

    I have always been in the group that is too scared to eat the meat on the bone! I admit that I’m kind of a wimp! But the sauce on these looks so sticky and delicious!! I think I might make an exception for these 🙂

    Reply
    • Nora says

      January 09, 2015 at 1:47 pm

      Isadora, you wouldn’t regret trying it! I’m so happy I did 🙂

      Reply
  18. katie says

    January 03, 2015 at 1:32 am

    5 stars
    Nora these wings look outstanding! I am a person that can pick a wing bone clean. My husband actually took a picture of a plate of wing bones I left behind telling me it looked like vultures had attacked them (he thought is was funny :-). He can’t stand eating meat off a bone; I love it! I’m making these soon! Pinning 🙂

    Reply
    • Nora says

      January 09, 2015 at 1:46 pm

      Haha, it used to be just the other way around with us – but my husband’s entire family loves eating meat off the bone and I was always the odd woman out, haha! Hope you’ll like them 🙂

      Reply
  19. Liz @ Tip Top Shape says

    January 03, 2015 at 12:32 am

    These look great!!!

    Reply
    • Nora says

      January 09, 2015 at 1:45 pm

      Awww thanks Liz!

      Reply
  20. Shinee says

    January 02, 2015 at 8:24 pm

    Love, love those chicken wings. All the Asian flavors make my mouth salivate. (Sorry, but can’t help!)

    Reply
    • Nora says

      January 09, 2015 at 1:45 pm

      Haha Shinee, I’m not blaming you 😀

      Reply

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Nora Rusev from Savory Nothings

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Hi, I'm Nora! I wasn't always a good cook, but then I fell in love with a professional chef and learned my way around the kitchen. Now I share all my secrets to effortlessly great food here on my blog, bite-sized for home cooks just like me and you.

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