Ingredients
Method
- Prepare the sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the honey, sriracha, soy sauce, ketchup, rice vinegar, minced garlic, and grated ginger. The mixture should look a deep reddish-orange and smell pungently sweet with a sharp vinegar tang. Set aside.
- Season the wings: Place the dried chicken wings in a large bowl. Drizzle with the vegetable oil and sesame oil, then sprinkle with salt and pepper. Toss with your hands until every piece is lightly coated and glistening.
- Heat the pan: Place a large frying pan or skillet over medium-high heat. Let it sit for a full two minutes — you should feel a strong heat rising when you hold your hand a few inches above the surface. A drop of water should sizzle and evaporate instantly.
- Sear the wings: Lay the wings in a single layer in the hot pan — do not overcrowd; work in two batches if needed. Leave them undisturbed for 5 minutes. You will hear a loud, steady sizzle and smell toasted chicken skin. When the undersides are deep golden brown, flip each wing with tongs.
- Cook the second side: Continue cooking for another 5 minutes, until the wings are evenly bronzed and the skin feels crisp to the touch. The meat near the bone should look opaque, not pink.
- Add the sauce: Pour the prepared sauce over the wings. Turn the heat down to medium-low. Stir gently to coat every wing, then let the sauce bubble and reduce for 3-4 minutes. You will see it thicken from a runny liquid into a glossy, sticky glaze that clings to the chicken.
- Finish and garnish: Remove the pan from the heat. Sprinkle the sesame seeds and spring onions over the top. The wings should look lacquered and shiny, with dark caramelised edges and a fragrant, spicy-sweet aroma.
Notes
For extra crispiness, pat the wings dry thoroughly before seasoning. You can adjust the sriracha amount to control heat level. Tamari works well as a gluten-free soy sauce substitute.
