How to Make Mouth-Watering Curry Chicken Wings (3 Amazing Methods!)

Hey there, fellow wing enthusiasts! Today I’m super excited to share my absolute favorite ways to make curry chicken wings. Seriously, these are game-changers whether you’re planning a game day spread or just want to switch up your weeknight dinner routine.

I’ve been experimenting with curry wings for years and let me tell you – once you try these flavor-packed beauties, plain buffalo wings might start feeling a bit… boring? Don’t get me wrong I love a classic wing, but there’s something magical about the warm, aromatic spices in curry that takes chicken wings to a whole new level!

So let’s dive right into the different methods for making these wings I’ll cover baking, air frying, and even a Caribbean-style curry stew method that’ll blow your mind!

What You’ll Need for Curry Chicken Wings

Before we get cooking, let’s gather our ingredients. The beauty of curry wings is that while they taste complex, the ingredient list is actually pretty simple:

Basic Ingredients:

• 1.5-2 lbs chicken wings (divided at joints, tips removed)
• Curry powder (2-3 tablespoons)
• Salt (to taste)
• Oil (olive, grapeseed, or vegetable)

For Crispy Baked/Air Fryer Wings:

• Baking powder (about 1/2 teaspoon)
• Cornstarch or potato starch (1 tablespoon)
• Garlic powder (1/2 teaspoon)
• Black pepper (1/4 teaspoon)
• Optional: cayenne pepper or other spices for heat
• Sugar (1 tablespoon – helps balance flavors)

For Asian-Style Curry Wings:

• Shallots (1 medium, finely chopped)
• Lemongrass (white part only, finely sliced)
• Garlic (1-2 cloves)
• Ginger (1 tablespoon, grated)
• Turmeric (1/2 tablespoon)
• Soy sauce (1 tablespoon)
• Shaoxing wine or dry sherry (2 teaspoons)
• Sugar (1/2 tablespoon)

For Caribbean Curry Stew Wings:

• Tomato (1 medium, diced)
• Onion (1 medium, diced)
• Caribbean green seasoning (2 tablespoons)
• Scotch bonnet pepper (adjust to your heat preference)
• Brown sugar (1 1/2 tablespoon)
• Scallions (chopped, for garnish)
• Celery leaves or parsley (for garnish)

Method 1: Crispy Baked Curry Wings (The Easy Way!)

This is my go-to method for busy weeknights when I want something delicious without a ton of effort.

Instructions:

1. Prep the oven and wings

   • Preheat your oven to 425°F
   • Pat your chicken wings dry with paper towels (this is super important for crispiness!)
   • Line a baking sheet with foil and place a wire rack on top
   • Spray the rack with a little oil to prevent sticking

2. Make the curry seasoning

   • In a large bowl, mix together curry powder, cornstarch (or potato starch), sugar, salt, baking powder, garlic powder, and black pepper
   • If you like heat, add a pinch of cayenne

3. Coat those wings!

   • Toss the wings in the seasoning mix until they’re evenly coated
   • Arrange them on the wire rack with space between each wing (don’t crowd them or they won’t crisp up properly)

4. Bake to crispy perfection

   • Bake for about 45-60 minutes total
   • Flip them halfway through (around the 25-minute mark)
   • They’re done when they reach an internal temperature of 175°F and the skin is nice and crispy

My Secret Tip: The combo of cornstarch and baking powder in the seasoning mix is what gives these wings that restaurant-quality crispiness without frying! Don’t skip these ingredients!

Method 2: Air Fryer Curry Wings (For Extra Crispiness!)

Got an air fryer? Even better! This method gives you super crispy wings in less time.

Instructions:

1. Season the wings the same way as the baked method above

2. Prep the air fryer

   • Lightly spray the basket with oil
   • Arrange wings in a single layer (you’ll likely need to cook in batches)
   • Give the wings a light spray of oil

3. Air fry those babies!

   • Cook at 375°F for about 24 minutes, flipping halfway
   • Then increase heat to 390°F for another 6-8 minutes to get them extra crispy
   • For subsequent batches, reduce the cooking time slightly as the air fryer will be hotter

Method 3: Caribbean Curry Stew Wings (My Weekend Special!)

This method is a bit different and follows a Caribbean cooking technique that combines curry seasoning with a “stewing” process. The result is incredibly flavorful, saucy wings that’ll make you forget all about traditional wing recipes!

Instructions:

1. Season the wings

   • In a large bowl, combine wings with curry powder, salt, black pepper, diced tomato, diced onion, grated ginger, green seasoning, ketchup, and scotch bonnet pepper
   • Mix well and marinate for at least 2 hours (or overnight if you’ve got time)

2. Create the “stew” base

   • Heat oil in a heavy pot over medium-high heat
   • Add brown sugar and let it melt until it becomes a deep amber color
   • Careful not to burn it! If it turns black, stop and start over!

3. Cook the wings

   • Add the seasoned wings to the caramelized sugar and stir well
   • Reduce heat to medium-low, cover and cook for 5-7 minutes until natural juices form
   • Remove lid, increase heat, and cook until liquid evaporates

4. Finish the curry stew

   • Add 2 cups of water (use the same bowl from marinating to get all those flavors!)
   • Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer with lid slightly ajar
   • Cook for about 20 minutes until wings are fully cooked and sauce thickens
   • Garnish with scallions and celery leaves or parsley

Asian-Style Curry Wings (For East Asian Flavor Lovers)

If you’re a fan of Asian flavors, this variation is incredible! The addition of aromatics like lemongrass, shallots, and ginger gives these wings a complex flavor profile that’s totally addictive.

Instructions:

1. Prepare the aromatics

   • In a food processor, blender, or mortar and pestle, combine shallots, lemongrass, garlic, ginger, and salt
   • Pulverize until you have a paste

2. Season the wings

   • Pat dry the wings and place in a large bowl
   • Add the aromatic paste along with curry powder, turmeric, sugar, soy sauce, Shaoxing wine, and water
   • Mix thoroughly, then add potato starch and mix again

3. Choose your cooking method

   • You can bake these (400°F for about 35 minutes, flipping halfway)
   • Air fry (375°F for 20 minutes, flipping halfway)
   • Or deep fry (350°F for 5-7 minutes total)

Troubleshooting and FAQ

Q: My wings aren’t getting crispy enough. What am I doing wrong?

A: There could be a few issues:

• Wings weren’t dried properly before seasoning
• Oven temperature isn’t hot enough
• Wings are too close together on the baking sheet
• You didn’t use baking powder or cornstarch in your seasoning mix

Q: What kind of curry powder should I use?

A: This really depends on your taste preference! For an Asian-style wing, S&B Oriental Curry Powder works great. For Caribbean-style, look for a West Indian curry powder. If you’re not sure, a basic Madras curry powder from the grocery store works fine too!

Q: Can I make these wings ahead of time?

A: Absolutely! You can season them up to a day in advance and keep them in the fridge until you’re ready to cook. For the Caribbean stew method, they actually taste even better the next day as the flavors develop. Leftovers will keep for 3-4 days in the fridge.

Q: Are curry wings spicy?

A: Not necessarily! Curry powder itself isn’t usually very spicy. The heat level depends on whether you add cayenne, scotch bonnet, or other hot peppers. You can easily adjust to your preference.

What to Serve With Curry Wings

Unlike traditional buffalo wings that need blue cheese or ranch dressing, curry wings can stand on their own! But here are some great pairings:

• For Asian-style wings: steamed rice, stir-fried bok choy, or garlic green beans
• For Caribbean-style wings: rice and peas, plantains, or a simple salad
• For any style: a cooling cucumber raita or yogurt sauce makes a nice contrast

Final Tips for Wing Success

1. Quality matters – Fresh chicken wings without any odor will give you the best results
2. Don’t skip the drying step – Pat those wings dry before seasoning!
3. Use the right tools – A wire rack for baking makes a huge difference for crispiness
4. Temperature check – Wings are best when cooked to 175°F, not just the standard 165°F
5. Get creative – Once you master the basic recipe, try adding your own twist with different spices!

So there ya have it – my comprehensive guide to making amazing curry chicken wings! I hope you give one (or all!) of these methods a try. Trust me, they’re gonna be a hit at your next gathering or just a tasty way to spice up your dinner routine.

Happy cooking!