Salt and Pepper Wings with Cilantro Lime Sauce

Serves: 2 to 4

Ingredients

For the wings:

• 2 lbs chicken wings

• 1 tbsp kosher salt

• 1 tsp white pepper

• 1 tsp black pepper

• 1 tsp garlic powder

• 1 tsp onion powder

• 2 tbsp cornstarch

• Neutral oil for frying

For the chili garlic topping:

• 2 jalapeno, thinly sliced

• 2 serrano, thinly sliced

• 1 to 2 Thai chilis, very thinly sliced

• 4 cloves garlic, minced

• 2 scallions, sliced

• 1 tbsp neutral oil

• 1 tbsp butter

• Pinch flaky salt

• Pinch white pepper

• Pinch MSG

Cilantro lime sauce:

• 1/2 cup sour cream

• 1/4 cup mayo

• Juice of 1/2 lime

• 1 tbsp chopped cilantro

• Salt and pepper

Instructions

1. Prep the wings

Pat the wings completely dry. Season with salt, white pepper, black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder.

Dust wings lightly with cornstarch. Set aside.

2. First Fry (soft fry)

Heat oil to 300 to 325 F.
Fry wings for 7 to 9 minutes until cooked through but still pale.

Remove and rest wings on a wire rack for 10 to 15 minutes.

3. Second Fry (crisping fry)

Increase oil to 375 to 400 F.
Fry wings for 2 to 4 minutes until deep golden and audibly crisp.

Drain well.

4. Flash fry the aromatics

In a hot skillet, heat oil and butter.
Add garlic for 15 to 30 seconds.
Add peppers and scallions for 45 to 60 seconds until fragrant and glossy.

Remove from heat.

5. Finish

Toss the hot wings in the chili garlic mixture.
Finish with flaky salt, white pepper, and optional MSG.

6. Sauce

Mix sour cream, mayo, lime, cilantro, salt, and pepper.
Chill before serving.