Iced glazed chicken wings are a delicious appetizer or snack made by coating chicken wings in a sweet, sticky glaze and chilling them so the glaze hardens. The glaze is typically made from a mixture of ingredients like honey, brown sugar, soy sauce, vinegar, and spices. When chilled, the glaze forms a shiny, crispy coating over the juicy chicken wings.
What is the glaze made of?
There are many variations on iced glazed chicken wing glaze recipes, but most include a sticky sweetener like honey or brown sugar as the base. This provides the characteristic sticky texture when chilled. The sweetness is balanced out with an acidic liquid like vinegar or citrus juice. Soy sauce is also commonly used to add savory umami flavor. Spices like garlic, ginger, red pepper flakes, five spice powder, or black pepper may be used to add some heat and flavor complexity. The ingredients are combined and boiled until thickened to the desired consistency before tossing with the fried chicken wings. Here are some example ingredient combinations for popular iced glazed chicken wing glazes:
| Glaze Flavor | Sample Ingredients |
|---|---|
| Honey Sriracha | Honey, sriracha sauce, rice vinegar, minced garlic |
| Soy Ginger | Soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, minced ginger |
| Spicy Brown Sugar | Brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, sriracha, red pepper flakes |
| Orange Sesame | Orange juice, rice vinegar, toasted sesame oil, sesame seeds |
How to make iced glazed chicken wings
Here is a basic process for making crunchy, chilled iced glazed chicken wings at home:
- Pat chicken wings dry and season with salt and pepper. Fry the wings in a few batches at 350°F until crispy and cooked through, about 15-20 minutes total. Drain excess oil.
- Make the glaze by combining ingredients like honey, vinegar, soy sauce, garlic, and spices in a small saucepan. Simmer over medium heat for 5-10 minutes until thickened to a syrupy glaze consistency.
- Toss the cooked wings in the glaze until evenly coated. Place wings on a wire rack over a baking sheet.
- Refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or up to overnight. The glaze will harden into a shiny, sticky coating.
- Serve cold straight from the fridge for maximum crunch!
Tips for best results
- Let wings cool slightly before tossing in glaze – this helps the glaze stick better.
- Use a thick glaze that clings to the wings.
- Chill for at least 2 hours so the glaze fully sets.
- Store leftovers in fridge for up to 5 days.
- Re-crisp refrigerated wings in a 350°F oven for 10 minutes before serving if needed.
What do they taste like?
The dual temperatures and textures of cold, crispy glazed coating and hot, juicy chicken make for an addictive snack! The chilled glaze provides a pleasant sweet and salty crunch that crackles when you bite into it. Underneath, the warm, savory chicken wings provide a soft, succulent contrast. The flavors really pop since the cold dulls the taste buds – the spicy, sweet, and salty glazes all come through cleanly and brightly against the fatty, juicy chicken.
Compared to hot, fresh glazed wings, the chilling process allows the glaze to fully set for superior crunch. The wings also hold up better for snacking over time. Hot glazed wings can risk getting soggy if they sit out as the glaze softens. The chilled glaze stays crispy even when reheated or after sitting for a while.
Popular glaze flavors
From basic honey glaze to complex gourmet blends, there are endless options when it comes to glazing chicken wings. Here are some favorite iced glazed chicken wing flavors:
- Sweet and spicy: For a classic combo, try mixing a sweet glaze with Sriracha or cayenne pepper. The spicy heat cuts through the sugar nicely.
- Savory umami: Glazes made with soy sauce, miso, or fish sauce lend a rich, meaty flavor.
- Smokey: Add chipotle peppers, smoked paprika, liquid smoke, or bacon to the glaze for smoky flavor.
- Fruity: Pineapple juice, orange marmalade, apricot preserves, or cherry sauce make for tangy, tropical glazes.
- Herby: Rosemary, thyme, basil, cilantro, or sage amp up the flavor.
Glazes to avoid
Thinner, watery glazes don’t have the consistency to properly coat wings when chilled. Avoid any glaze made only with water, juice, or vinegar without thickeners like honey or corn starch. Oil-based glazes can also seperate and pool when chilled. And creamy glazes made with dairy ingredients won’t set up properly when cooled.
How to serve iced glazed chicken wings
These crunchy, sticky wings are the ultimate party appetizer. Serve them up a few different ways:
- Pile wings into a bowl or platter and let guests grab them by the handful.
- Skewer wings onto frilly toothpicks so they are easy finger food.
- Pair with dipping sauces like ranch, blue cheese, or barbecue sauce.
- Scatter individual wings across a large platter for a visually appealing display.
- Nestle wings into the hollows of a chilled ice sculpture for dramatic presentation.
Iced wings also make great portable snacks. Wrap up leftover wings to enjoy as midday finger food or a sweet and salty on-the-go treat.
Sides and drinks that go well with iced wings
Balance the rich wings with lighter sides and beverages. Here are some tasty pairings:
- Celery and carrot sticks – The fresh crunch complements the wings.
- Dips like ranch, blue cheese, or vinegar-based coleslaw dressing.
- Cool drinks like lemonade, iced tea, or cold beer. The chill matches the wings.
- Leafy green salad with vinaigrette dressing.
- Crudités like cucumber slices, bell pepper spears, or jicama sticks.
Are chilled glazed wings safe?
Yes, properly prepared iced glazed wings stored at food safe refrigeration temperatures are safe to eat. Here are some tips for safety:
- Start with fresh, properly handled raw chicken wings.
- Cook wings to an internal temperature of 165°F before glazing.
- Only use glazes made with precooked ingredients or that are properly simmered before using.
- Refrigerate glazed wings within 2 hours of cooking.
- Store glazed wings in the fridge at 40°F or below.
- Discard wings if they have been left out of refrigeration for more than 2 hours.
- Reheat wings to 165°F before serving if they were refrigerated more than 24 hours.
Can you freeze them?
Glazed wings freeze well for longer term storage. Here’s how:
- Cook wings thoroughly and toss in glaze as directed.
- Chill wings completely in refrigerator until glaze hardens, about 2-4 hours.
- Arrange wings in single layer on waxed paper-lined baking sheet. Freeze until solid, at least 2 hours.
- Transfer frozen wings to freezer bags or airtight container. Squeeze out air and seal.
- Store frozen for up to 3 months.
- Reheat frozen wings straight from freezer by baking at 375°F for 15-20 minutes until hot.
The history of iced glazed chicken wings
Chicken wings became popular bar food in the 1960s in Buffalo, New York. According to legend, the iconic Buffalo wing was invented by Teressa Bellissimo at the Anchor Bar in 1964. She deep fried leftover chicken wings and tossed them in a buttery hot sauce. The concept spread to other restaurants, kickstarting the chicken wing craze.
At some point in the 1970s or 80s, cooks realized that tossing fried wings in a glaze and chilling them yielded a whole new experience with crispy, sticky coating and tender meat. The sweet glazes proved even more craveable as a contrast to the spicy Buffalo style wings. Iced glazed wings became a staple appetizer and sports bar snack nationwide by the 1990s.
Today, chicken wings are among the most popular foods for sharing and snacking. Over 1.4 billion wings are consumed during Super Bowl weekend alone! The concepts pioneered in Buffalo – deep frying, then tossing in flavorful sauces – became the template for the modern chicken wing. Iced glazed wings remain a favorite thanks to the irresistible sweet and salty crunch.
Regional American wing styles
Chicken wings are beloved across all regions of the United States. Here are some of the top regional wing preparation styles:
- Northeast: Buffalo, NY is considered the birthplace of the chicken wing. Northeastern wings are all about the spicy, buttery Buffalo sauce.
- Southeast: Wings with a sweet and tangy glaze or barbecue sauce are popular in the Southeast.
- Midwest: Wings with dry rub seasoning blends prevail rather than saucy wings.
- Southwest: Lime, chili powder, and cilantro give wings a tex-mex twist.
- Pacific Northwest: Sweet-tart fruit glazes made with cherries, berries, and citrus reflect the region’s produce.
Nutrition facts for iced glazed chicken wings
Chicken wings are a lean, protein-rich food. A typical serving of 5 glazed wings provides:
- Calories: 250-400
- Fat: 15-25g
- Carbs: 15-30g
- Protein: 15-25g
The exact nutrition varies based on the recipe. Baked, not fried wings are lower in fat and calories. The sweet glaze adds more sugar than spicy Buffalo wings. But overall, wings are a healthier party food compared to many fried or cheese-laden snacks. Pair wings with vegetable sides to make for a more balanced snack.
Keto and low carb diets
Wings can fit into low carb, keto, and paleo diets when prepared without breading. Focus on wings glazed with low sugar ingredients like soy sauce, vinegar, and spices. Skip sugary commercial glazes or coatings. Baked, unbreaded wings with a simple savory glaze make a delicious high protein, low carb snack.
Conclusion
With their craveably crispy coating enveloping juicy, meaty chicken, it’s no wonder chilled iced glazed wings have become a beloved snack and appetizer. Their sweet, salty, spicy flavors excite taste buds, while the messiness and hand-held portability make them fun sharing food for crowds. From sports bars to backyard grilling, Americans can’t get enough of these tasty wings!