This Braised Chicken Wings with Peppercorns recipe is an easy-to-make Chinese dish that requires just four simple ingredients. The chicken wings are braised in a flavorful mixture of whole peppercorns, ginger, and soy sauce, resulting in a tender and aromatic dish. It’s a perfect, fuss-free option for a quick and tasty meal.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

• For the Chicken:

  • 10 chicken wings

  • 1 tbsp whole white or black peppercorns

  • 1 tbsp neutral cooking oil

  • 10 slices ginger

• For the Sauce:

  • 300 ml hot water (about 1 ¼ cups)

  • 2 tsp dark soy sauce

  • ½ tsp salt

  • Scallions (for garnishing, optional)

  • Fresh chilies (for garnishing, optional)

Directions

1. Prepare the Chicken:
   Chop each chicken wing into 3 pieces by cutting through its 2 joints.

2. Crush the Peppercorns:
   Gently crush the whole peppercorns with the side of a knife, but keep them intact (not powdered).

3. Fry the Aromatics:
   Heat oil in a wok, add ginger slices and crushed peppercorns. Fry over medium-high heat until fragrant.

4. Brown the Chicken:
   Add the chicken wings to the wok and stir-fry until lightly browned.

5. Add Sauce:
   Add hot water, dark soy sauce, and salt. Bring the mixture to a boil, then cover and simmer for 25 minutes, stirring halfway through.

6. Garnish and Serve:
   Garnish with chopped scallions and fresh chilies (optional), and serve hot.

Nutrients (per serving)

• Calories: 247

• Protein: 17g

• Carbohydrates: 26g

• Fat: 8g

• Sodium: 1211mg

• Cholesterol: 143mg

Why Braised Chicken Wings with Peppercorns is a Perfect Dish

What makes Braised Chicken Wings with Peppercorns stand out is its simplicity and depth of flavor. The braising process ensures that the chicken wings become tender and juicy, as they soak in the sauce, which is a perfect balance of soy sauce, ginger, and peppercorns. This dish relies on just a few basic ingredients, yet each element contributes to a well-rounded and savory flavor profile.

The chicken wings absorb the flavorful sauce while retaining their moisture, making them tender and juicy. The crushed peppercorns release their bold, aromatic oils, adding a mild heat and a delightful fragrance to the dish. The ginger slices add a touch of warmth and a subtle spiciness that complements the peppercorns and soy sauce. The dark soy sauce and salt provide depth and a touch of umami, creating a savory base that enhances the natural flavor of the chicken.

This dish is quick to prepare, requires minimal ingredients, and doesn’t involve any complicated cooking techniques. It’s an ideal recipe for a busy weeknight meal or when you want something hearty but easy to make. Plus, it’s highly customizable: you can adjust the level of spice by adding more or fewer peppercorns, or even spice it up with fresh chilies for an added kick.

Key Ingredients for Braised Chicken Wings with Peppercorns

The beauty of this dish lies in the simplicity of its ingredients:

• Chicken Wings: Chicken wings are the perfect choice for this recipe because they are flavorful, juicy, and absorb the sauce well. By cutting each wing into three pieces, you allow for more surface area to absorb the savory sauce, resulting in tender, flavorful bites.

• Whole Peppercorns: The key to this dish is the whole peppercorns. Crushing them lightly allows them to release their natural oils and flavors into the dish without turning them into a powder. The peppercorns provide the dish with a mild heat and a fragrant aroma that gives the braise its signature taste.

• Ginger: Fresh ginger slices are essential in this dish, adding warmth and a zesty, slightly spicy kick that complements the peppercorns. The ginger also adds a depth of flavor that balances the richness of the soy sauce and the heat from the peppercorns.

• Soy Sauce & Hot Water: Dark soy sauce is used in this recipe for its deep, umami-rich flavor, which helps season the chicken and sauce. The hot water helps to create the braising liquid, which, as it simmers, reduces and thickens, absorbing the flavors of the aromatics and seasonings.

• Salt: Salt brings all the flavors together and enhances the savory taste of the dish, but be mindful of the soy sauce, as it already adds saltiness to the sauce.

How to Prepare Braised Chicken Wings with Peppercorns

The preparation of this dish is straightforward, and the cooking process involves just a few steps:

1. Prepare the Chicken: Begin by chopping the chicken wings into three pieces. This helps the chicken cook evenly and ensures that the pieces are well coated with the sauce during the braising process. It also makes the dish more bite-sized and easy to serve.

2. Crush the Peppercorns: Using the side of a knife, gently crush the whole peppercorns. You don’t want to pulverize them into a powder—just crush them slightly to release their flavor while keeping the whole peppercorns intact. This step helps infuse the sauce with their bold, aromatic oils.

3. Fry the Aromatics: Heat oil in a wok or large pan over medium-high heat. Add the ginger slices and crushed peppercorns, frying them for a few seconds until they become fragrant. This step helps release the oils and flavors of the ginger and peppercorns into the oil, creating the base of the braising sauce.

4. Brown the Chicken: Add the chicken wings to the wok and stir-fry them until they are lightly browned on all sides. This step adds extra flavor to the chicken and helps it develop a slight crispness, even before braising.

5. Add the Sauce: Pour in the hot water, soy sauce, and salt. Stir to combine, and bring the mixture to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it simmer for 25 minutes, stirring halfway through. The chicken wings will become tender, and the sauce will reduce into a flavorful braising liquid that coats the wings.

6. Garnish and Serve: Once the chicken is tender and the sauce has thickened, remove the dish from heat. Garnish with chopped scallions and fresh chilies, if desired, for added color and flavor. Serve the chicken wings hot with steamed rice to soak up the savory sauce.

Serving Suggestions

Braised Chicken Wings with Peppercorns can be served on its own as a satisfying dish, or you can pair it with a variety of sides to round out the meal. Serving this dish with steamed white rice is a natural choice, as the rice helps absorb the flavorful sauce, making each bite even more delicious. You could also serve it with sautéed vegetables like bok choy, spinach, or broccoli to add some greenery and balance out the richness of the dish.

For a more festive meal, you could serve Braised Chicken Wings with Peppercorns alongside other Chinese-inspired dishes, such as stir-fried noodles, dumplings, or crispy spring rolls. The bold flavors of the chicken wings would complement the lighter, more delicate dishes, creating a well-rounded and satisfying meal.

Nutritional Information

Each serving of Braised Chicken Wings with Peppercorns provides approximately 247 calories, with 17 grams of protein. The dish is moderate in carbohydrates (26g), which come mainly from the chicken wings and any sides served with it. The fat content is 8 grams, which comes from the oil used in cooking the chicken. The sodium content is relatively high (1211mg), primarily due to the soy sauce and salt, so be mindful of your sodium intake if you’re watching it. The cholesterol content is also moderate (143mg), coming from the chicken, but this is balanced out by the protein content.

Conclusion: A Quick and Flavorful Dish

Braised Chicken Wings with Peppercorns is the perfect example of a simple, fuss-free Chinese dish that’s packed with flavor. The combination of tender chicken, aromatic ginger, peppercorns, and soy sauce creates a savory, satisfying dish that’s ideal for busy weeknights or special occasions. The braising process ensures that the chicken is juicy and flavorful, while the sauce thickens to create a rich, aromatic coating. It’s a perfect meal that requires minimal effort but delivers maximum flavor. Serve it with rice and vegetables for a complete, comforting meal that everyone will enjoy.