By Dr. Leah Alexander | Published on September 20, 2023 | Last Updated on September 20, 2023
Thai Angel is a unique Thai restaurant located in Downtown New Bern, North Carolina. This popular eatery offers an extensive menu of classic and modern Thai cuisine, served with a twist of Southern hospitality.
Founded by husband-and-wife team Michael and Rula Grey, the restaurant specializes in authentic dishes like green curry, pad thai noodles, & tom yum soup. They also offer a wide range of delicious appetizers, including their signature dish – Angel Wings!
This delightful fried chicken wings is served with an irresistible Thai-style chili sauce and fresh basil leaves on top. If you’re looking for a unique way to impress your dinner guests, the famous Thai Angel Wings should be the perfect fit.
Keep reading to learn how to make this delicious dish in your own home. With these easy-to-follow instructions, you’ll be able to recreate the delightful taste of Thai Angel Wings right at your dinner table!
What are Thai Angel Wings?
Thai Angel Wings are a popular and delicious appetizer served at Thai restaurants across the United States. It’s an easy-to-make dish that combines fried chicken wings with a sweet and spicy homemade chili sauce.
The combination of flavors is unique yet incredibly satisfying, making it a great choice for family dinners or special occasions. The secret to the perfect Thai Angel Wings lies in the sauce.
The chili sauce is made with fresh herbs and spices, including garlic, ginger, turmeric, and lemongrass. This combination of ingredients creates a wonderfully fragrant sauce that’s both spicy and sweet at the same time.
What does it taste like?
Thai Angel Wings have a unique flavor that is both savory and sweet. The fried chicken wings are moist and juicy on the inside, while the crispy skin provides a delightful crunchy texture.
The chili sauce has a nice balance of sweet and spicy flavors from the herbs and spices used in its preparation. The basil leaves added to the chili sauce provide an extra layer of freshness and flavor.
The result is a unique dish that will surely be a hit at any gathering! To truly appreciate the full flavor of Thai Angel Wings, you should serve them hot right from the oven with an ice-cold beer or a refreshing glass of white wine.
With each bite, you’ll get hints of sweetness, heat, and savory flavors that will have your taste buds dancing with delight!
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How did I first get introduced to the Thai Angel Wings?
I first discovered Thai Angel Wings when I visited the restaurant on a trip to North Carolina. The dish was served as an appetizer and immediately caught my eye with its vibrant colors and tantalizing aroma.
It certainly didn’t disappoint either; the wings were juicy, flavorful, and incredibly delicious! Inspired by that incredible experience, I decided to recreate the dish at home.
After some research, I found a recipe that gave me the perfect combination of flavors and textures. With a little effort, I was able to make Thai Angel Wings just as good (if not better) than what I had tried in the restaurant!
Since then, Thai Angel Wings has become one of my go-to recipes when I’m entertaining. It’s always a hit with my guests and is sure to bring an exciting twist of Thai flavors to your dinner table!
How to make Thai Angel Wings?
Making Thai Angel Wings is surprisingly easy. You just need to follow the simple instructions and you’ll have a delicious dish that will impress your family or dinner guests!
Ingredients
- Vegetable oil: This is used for frying the chicken in hot oil.
- Chicken wingettes: You can buy these pre-prepared or make them yourself with a pack of chicken wings.
- Basil leaves: These add a nice flavor to the recipe and should be fresh if possible.
- Kikkoman Thai Style Chili Sauce: This sauce is available in most grocery stores and adds a great flavor to the angel wings.
- Celery salt: This is used for seasoning the wings and should not be omitted.
Step-by-step instructions
Step 1
Preheat the oven.
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- This will be used to bake the wings after they are fried.
Step 2
Heat oil for frying.
- Heat a pot of oil on medium-high heat until it registers 350°F (175°C) on a candy/deep-fry thermometer.
- Use caution when heating the oil and make sure it does not overheat or get too hot.
Step 3
Prepare the wings for frying.
- Rinse the wingettes under cold water and pat them dry with a paper towel.
- Place the wings in a large bowl and season with the celery salt.
- Toss to evenly coat the wings.
Step 4
Fry the wings
- Carefully add the wings into the hot oil in batches, making sure not to overcrowd the pot.
- Fry for 8-10 minutes until golden brown and cooked through.
- Remove from the oil and place on a plate lined with paper towels to absorb any excess oil.
Step 5
Place the wings in a baking dish
- Place the fried wings in a greased baking dish.
- Set aside.
Step 6
Prepare the sauce for coating
- In a medium bowl, combine the Kikkoman Thai-style chili sauce with fresh basil leaves.
- Mix until combined.
Step 7
Coat the wings in the sauce.
- Pour the sauce over the wings and mix to evenly coat.
- Make sure all of the wings are evenly coated with the sauce.
Step 8
Bake the wings
- Place the baking dish in your preheated oven and bake for 20 minutes, or until the sauce is bubbling and the wings are cooked through.
- Remove from the oven and serve.
Tips
- For extra flavor, add grated ginger or garlic to the sauce.
- You can also use other types of chili sauces such as Sriracha or Sambal Oelek for a different taste.
- For an even crispier texture, after baking you can either broil them for a few minutes until golden brown or place them in the air fryer at 375°F (190°C) for 5 minutes.
Nutrition Information
What to serve with Thai Angel Wings?
Here are some great dishes to serve with Thai Angel Wings:
- Steamed Jasmine Rice: Serve this fragrant rice as a side dish to bring out the spicy flavors of the wings.
- Pad Thai: Make your own version of this popular dish and enjoy it alongside the angel wings.
- Spring Rolls: Add some crunchy texture to your meal with these delightful snacks.
- Cucumber Salad: A refreshing salad to cool down the spiciness of the wings.
- Sticky Rice: This traditional Thai dish is a great accompaniment for the angel wings.
How to store leftover Thai Angel Wings?
Leftover Thai Angel Wings can be stored in an airtight container or a zip-locked bag in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, place them on a baking sheet and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 10 minutes. Alternatively, you can also heat them up in the microwave for 1-2 minutes.
When storing Thai Angel Wings in the freezer, make sure they are sealed in an airtight bag or container. When ready to eat, thaw them out in the fridge overnight and reheat as mentioned above.
Can pregnant women eat this?
Pregnant women can safely eat Thai Angel Wings as long as they are cooked properly. All ingredients used in the recipe should be thoroughly washed and cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
However, pregnant women should also take caution when eating any food that contains raw eggs or mayonnaise due to potential risks associated with salmonella and listeria bacteria. If you are not sure, it’s best to check with your doctor before consuming Thai Angel Wings.
Thai Angel Wings Recipe
Equipment
- Large Bowl
- large frying pan
- baking dish
Ingredients
- 6 pounds of chicken wingettes
- 1/2 ltr of Thai Kitchen Sweet Chili Sauce
- 2 tbsp salt
- 10 fresh basil leaves, chopped
- Vegetable oil for frying as needed
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). This will be used to bake the wings after they are fried.
- Heat a pot of oil on medium-high heat until it reaches 350°F (175°C) with a candy/deep-fry thermometer. Be sure to use caution when heating the oil to prevent it from getting too hot.
- Rinse the chicken wingettes under cold water, pat dry with a paper towel, and place in a large bowl. Season generously with celery salt and toss to coat evenly.
- Carefully add the wings to the hot oil in batches, making sure not to overcrowd the pot. Fry for 8-10 minutes until golden brown and cooked through. Once finished, remove the oil and transfer it to a plate lined with paper towels to absorb any excess oil.
- Place the fried wings in a greased baking dish and set aside.
- In a medium bowl, combine Kikkoman Thai Style Chili Sauce with fresh basil leaves. Mix until combined.
- Pour the sauce over the wings and mix to evenly coat. Make sure all of the wings are completely coated with the sauce.
- Place the baking dish in your preheated oven and bake for 20 minutes, or until the sauce is bubbling and the wings are cooked through. Once finished, remove from the oven and serve.
Notes
- For extra flavor, add grated ginger or garlic to the sauce.
- You can also use other types of chili sauces such as Sriracha or Sambal Oelek for a different taste.
- For an even crispier texture, after baking you can either broil them for a few minutes until golden brown or place them in the air fryer at 375°F (190°C) for 5 minutes.
FAQs
Can I make this without the chili sauce?
Yes, you can make Thai Angel Wings without the chili sauce. In this case, you would want to add other ingredients that will provide the desired flavors such as garlic, ginger, and Thai spices. You can also substitute the Kikkoman chili sauce with another type of chili sauce for a different taste.
Can I make this spicy?
Yes, you can make Thai Angel Wings spicy by adding more chili sauce and/or Thai chili peppers. Be sure to adjust the amount of heat according to your preference. You can also add a teaspoon of sriracha or sambal oelek for an extra kick.
Do I need to use fresh basil?
Fresh basil leaves are preferred in this recipe as they bring out the best flavors. However, if you don’t have fresh basil, you can substitute it with dried basil or use other herbs such as oregano and thyme to add flavor.
Wrapping Up
In this article, we have discussed how to make Thai Angel Wings – a delicious and easy-to-make dish. This only requires a few simple ingredients and is sure to be a hit with family and friends.
Thank you for reading. Please share this article with your friends and family if you have found it useful.
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Dr. Leah Alexander, M.D., is a board-certified Pediatrician in New Jersey and has been working at Elizabeth Pediatric Group of New Jersey since 2000.
She also has a passion for culinary arts that extends beyond the medical realm. After completing culinary school at the French Culinary Institute, she started Global Palate, LLC, a catering firm, in 2007. She ran her own six-year-old catering company and served small group parties as an owner and executive chef.
