Chinese Restaurant-Style Fried Chicken Wings – Crispy & Full of Flavor

There’s something undeniably irresistible about Chinese restaurant–style fried chicken wings. Perfectly seasoned, ultra crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, and packed with bold flavor, these wings deliver the exact taste and texture that people crave from their favorite takeout spot. Whether served as an appetizer, a party snack, or the main star of a homemade Asian-inspired dinner, these wings bring that nostalgic restaurant flavor straight to your kitchen—without the need for special equipment or complicated techniques.

What sets these wings apart is their simplicity. The seasoning is bold yet balanced, using pantry staples like garlic powder, white pepper, soy sauce, and a touch of sugar to create that signature Chinese-style taste. A light cornstarch coating helps the wings crisp up beautifully, creating a crunchy shell that stays crisp even minutes after frying. The result is a wing that’s flavorful all the way through—not just on the surface—with a texture that rivals any takeout restaurant.

Even better, these wings are extremely beginner-friendly. With just a few basic ingredients and a straightforward frying method, anyone can recreate these restaurant-quality wings at home. They cook quickly, require no marinating time unless you want extra depth of flavor, and they turn out perfect whether you fry them in a pot of oil or use an air fryer for a lighter version. They’re also incredibly versatile—you can leave them plain, toss them in your favorite sauce, or pair them with fried rice, noodles, or vegetables for a complete meal.

Chinese-style fried chicken wings are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser, perfect for game days, family nights, parties, and anytime you want that nostalgic takeout flavor without leaving the house. Once you try them homemade, you’ll wonder why you ever ordered them from a restaurant. This recipe shows you exactly how to achieve that crispy, golden, flavorful perfection—every single time.

Why You’ll Love These Chinese Restaurant–Style Wings

These wings capture everything people love about Chinese takeout—crispy, golden skin, juicy meat, and layers of savory, lightly sweet, distinctly Asian flavor. Unlike many fried wing recipes that rely heavily on sauces, these wings are seasoned deeply from the inside, meaning every bite is guaranteed to be flavorful. The combination of soy sauce, garlic, white pepper, and a touch of sugar creates that authentic restaurant-style profile you know from Chinese takeout spots.

One of the best things about this recipe is how straightforward it is. You don’t need a long list of ingredients or complicated techniques. The wings marinate directly in their seasonings (or can be cooked immediately), then receive a light coating of cornstarch to help achieve maximum crispiness. The method is simple, fast, and reliable—perfect for beginners and experienced cooks alike. And because you control the seasoning, heat level, and cooking method, you can customize the flavor exactly to your liking.

These wings are also incredibly versatile. Keep them crispy and plain, toss them in sauce, glaze them with honey, or spice them up with chili oil. Serve them as an appetizer, main dish, or party food. They pair beautifully with fried rice, noodles, steamed vegetables, or even a simple dipping sauce. No matter how you serve them, these wings always stand out as a crowd favorite.

Ingredients & Best Tips

These restaurant-style wings use simple ingredients, yet the combination creates bold, unforgettable flavor:

Main Ingredients

• Chicken wings (party wings preferred)

• Soy sauce

• Garlic powder

• Onion powder

• White pepper

• Sugar

• Salt

• Cornstarch

• Oil for frying

Each ingredient plays a key role. Soy sauce adds umami depth, garlic powder adds savory notes, white pepper brings traditional Chinese-style warmth, and sugar helps balance the flavors. Cornstarch is essential for crispiness—it forms a thin crust that fries beautifully.

Pro Tips for Perfect Wings

• Pat wings dry before seasoning—moisture prevents crisping.

• Use white pepper instead of black pepper for authentic flavor.

• Marinate 30 minutes if you want deeper seasoning (optional).

• Cornstarch, not flour, gives the best crispy texture.

• Do not overcrowd the pot—wings crisp better when fried in batches.

• For extra crunchy wings, double fry (instructions below).

These simple tips ensure consistent, restaurant-quality results every time.

How to Make Chinese Fried Chicken Wings (Step-by-Step)

1. Season the Wings

Place cleaned wings in a bowl. Add soy sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, white pepper, sugar, and salt. Toss well to coat the wings evenly. Let them sit for 10–30 minutes (optional but recommended).

2. Add Cornstarch

Sprinkle cornstarch over the wings and toss to coat. The coating should be light—not thick—just enough to create a crisp exterior.

3. Heat the Oil

In a deep pan, pot, or fryer, heat oil to 350°F (175°C). Proper oil temperature is key to crispiness.

4. Fry the Wings

Carefully add wings in batches. Fry for 8–10 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden brown and crispy. Remove and place on a wire rack or paper towels.

5. Optional: Double Fry for Extra Crispiness

Let wings rest 5 minutes, then fry again for 2–3 minutes.
This is how restaurants achieve ultra-crispy skin.

6. Serve Hot

Enjoy plain, or toss in your favorite sauce.

Variations & Flavor Options

One of the best things about these wings is how easily they can transform into different styles.

Spicy Asian Wings

Add chili powder or toss finished wings in chili crisp or Sriracha.

Honey Garlic Wings

Mix honey, soy sauce, and garlic; toss wings while hot.

Sweet & Sticky Wings

Use a glaze made from brown sugar, soy sauce, and ginger.

Salt & Pepper Chinese Wings

Toss wings with sautéed garlic, sliced chilies, and salt + pepper seasoning.

Ginger-Soy Wings

Add grated ginger to the marinade for a brighter flavor.

With just a few adjustments, you can create endless variations using the same base recipe.

Air Fryer & Oven Instructions

Not everyone wants to deep fry, so here are two lighter (but still crispy) methods:

Air Fryer Method

1. Preheat air fryer to 400°F (200°C).

2. Spray basket lightly with oil.

3. Place wings in a single layer.

4. Air fry 20–24 minutes, flipping halfway, until crispy.

5. Spray wings lightly with oil for extra crunch.

Oven Method

1. Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).

2. Line a baking sheet with parchment and place wings on top.

3. Spray generously with cooking spray.

4. Bake 40–45 minutes, flipping halfway, until crispy.

These methods give you excellent texture with far less oil.

Storage & Reheating

Refrigerator

Store wings in an airtight container for 3–4 days.

Freezer

Freeze wings (cooked) for up to 3 months.
Reheat directly from frozen.

Reheating Tips

• Air fryer: 5–7 minutes at 375°F

• Oven: 10–12 minutes at 400°F

• Avoid microwave — makes the skin soggy

What to Serve With These Wings

These wings pair perfectly with so many side dishes:

• Fried rice (Chinese, egg, or vegetable)

• Lo mein or chow mein

• Steamed rice

• Stir-fried vegetables

• Asian-style salads

• French fries or potato wedges

• Steamed buns or bao

They also work great as a party appetizer or game-day snack.

Final Thoughts 

Chinese restaurant–style fried chicken wings are one of those dishes that instantly bring joy to the table. Crispy, flavorful, and incredibly satisfying, they capture everything people love about takeout—but made fresh at home with simple ingredients and no stress. Once you understand the basic steps and flavor profile, the recipe becomes almost effortless. The wings marinate quickly, fry beautifully, and deliver golden crunch every single time.

What makes this dish even more special is the flexibility to make it your own. You can keep the wings classic, toss them in sauce, add heat, brighten them with ginger, or coat them in sticky glaze. Whether you prefer them mild, spicy, sweet, or savory, this recipe provides the perfect foundation to explore different flavors and create wings tailored to your taste.

They’re perfect for family dinners, casual gatherings, parties, or weekend cravings. And because they reheat well and can be made in big batches, they’re practical too. Once you experience how easy and delicious these wings are at home, they’ll quickly become a recipe you return to again and again—just like your favorite Chinese restaurant.