The BEST Fried Chicken Wings (Flieten)
Summer has me craving Fried Chicken Wings (also called Flieten), a German specialty from my hometown Trier. These are crispy, non-breaded chicken wings that are dry-rubbed with an addictive homemade seasoning. The seasoning is heavy in sweet paprika powder with hints of curry, oregano and cayenne pepper and it's SO GOOD! Also check out my baked chicken drumsticks for a super delicious baked chicken alternative!
Servings: 2 servings
Calories: 541kcal
Equipment
- deep fryer
- large, deep pot
- splatter guard
- rimmed baking pan
Ingredients
- 10 large chicken wings Ideally the whole wing. If using small ones, double the amount
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 teaspoon ground pepper
- 1 teaspoon sweet paprika powder
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper powder
- ¼ teaspoon curry powder
- ¼ teaspoon dried oregano
- 2 liters frying oil I use avocado or peanut oil, but any oil with a high smoke point will work.
Instructions
- Combine all spices in a small bowl and set aside. You will not season your chicken before frying, but after frying.1 teaspoon ground pepper, 1 teaspoon sweet paprika powder, ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper powder, ¼ teaspoon curry powder, ¼ teaspoon dried oregano
- Set up your frying station by filling your pot with frying oil (about 3 inches or 7 centimeters from the bottom of the pot would be ideal) and clipping a frying thermometer to it. Heat over high heat until you have reached your ideal frying temperature (325 to 350 degrees Fahrenheit). Preheat your oven to 150 to 180 degrees and set up a baking sheet with a cooling rack sitting on top of it, keeping it near your frying station.2 liters frying oil
- While the oil heats up, pat dry your chicken. Once the oil is heated to the 350° Fahrenheit (175°C), carefully using the first pair of tongs, submerge the chicken into the hot oil, holding a splatter guard with your other hand to protect yourself from hot oil spraying on you and burning you. Only add in as any chicken wings as you can fit on the bottom of the pan. The temperature will drop a little when adding the chicken to the oil and that is okay. Play with the heat setting a bit to get your oil to stay within the 325° to 350°F range (163°-175°C). Cook chicken for 10 to 15 minutes or until browned to your desired degree and the internal temperature reads 165°F (74°C) or higher. This INSTANT, professional-grade meat thermometer is worth the money.10 large chicken wings
- Carefully remove the cooked chicken wings using the second pair of tongs, and place it on the cooling rack to allow excess oil to drip off for a minute. Then rub in the dry seasoning.
- If you’re working in batches, transfer the cooked chicken to the warm oven while the next round of chicken fries. Repeat process until all chicken is prepared.
- Traditionally, Flieten are served with slices of rustic farm bread or fries. You can also add a small salad as a side. Guten Appetit!
Notes
Tips for Frying Chicken Wings
- Pat Dry The Chicken. The first thing you'll do with your chicken wings is to pat them down with paper towels to remove any excess moisture. Taking this step reduces the splatter when they enter the hot oil making it safer for you to fry the chicken.
- Keep Temperature Even. I dial the heat up and down all the time when frying anything. Ideally, your frying oil will be on the higher end of the frying temperature spectrum (350 Fahrenheit or 175 Celsius) when adding the chicken wings, as the cold chicken will cool down the oil by 20 degrees or more.
- Work In Batches. Only fry as many wings as will fit NEXT TO each other in the pot you're using. Ideally you want the wings to be submerged completely in the hot oil, so all the pores close when the chicken first enters the pot.
- Keep Chicken Wings Warm. Turn your oven at 150 to 180 degrees Fahrenheit (65 to 80 degrees Celsius). Remove finished fried chicken wings using a fresh pair of tongs to avoid food contamination, then transfer onto a baking sheet topped with a cooling grate. After one minute or so, rub the seasoning into your chicken. Transfer to your warm oven until you are done frying all of your chicken.
Nutrition
Calories: 541kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 44g | Fat: 39g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 8g | Monounsaturated Fat: 15g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 185mg | Sodium: 193mg | Potassium: 429mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 1253IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 40mg | Iron: 3mg