Kerala Fried Chicken Wings
Crispy chicken wings coated in a bold Kerala-style spice mix with ginger, garlic, curry leaves, and black pepper. They fry up deeply savory with a warm heat and pair beautifully with onion rings and a squeeze of lime.
For 16 servings
- prep · ~10 min
Prepare the wings and spice paste.
1.Pat the chicken wings dry and make 2 to 3 small slits on each piece.2.Crush the ginger, garlic, and green chili into a coarse paste.3.Finely chop the curry leaves.TIPDry wings hold the marinade better and fry up crisper. - mix · ~5 min
Mix the Kerala-style marinade.
1.In a bowl, combine the ginger-garlic-chili paste, red chili powder, black pepper, turmeric powder, coriander powder, fennel seeds, chopped curry leaves, lemon juice, rice flour, corn flour, and salt.2.Add 2 tbsp water only if the mixture feels too thick.3.Mix into a thick, clingy marinade. - rest · ~20 min
Coat the wings and let them rest.
Rub the marinade all over the chicken wings, pushing some into the slits. Rest for 20 minutes so the spices and salt can season the meat well.
TIPA thick coating works best; avoid adding extra water. - fry · ~10 min
Heat the oil and fry the first batch.
1.Heat the oil in a deep kadai over medium heat until hot.2.Slide in half the wings without crowding the pan.3.Fry, turning now and then, until deep golden and cooked through, 8 to 10 minutes.TIPUse medium heat so the coating browns without burning before the chicken cooks through. - fry · ~10 min
Fry the remaining wings and curry leaves.
1.Fry the remaining wings the same way until crisp and golden.2.In the last 20 seconds, add a few whole curry leaves to the oil.3.Lift everything out and drain briefly. - serve
Serve the wings hot.
Arrange the fried chicken wings on a plate and scatter the fried curry leaves on top. Serve hot while the coating is still crisp.
What to keep in mind.
7 tips from the recipe — small details that make a real difference to the final dish.
- 1Push the marinade into the slits so the Kerala spice paste seasons the meat, not just the surface.
- 2Keep the marinade thick; too much water makes the rice flour and corn flour coating slide off in the oil.
- 3Let the coated wings sit the full 20 minutes so the salt and lemon juice can penetrate before frying.
- 4Fry on medium heat, not high, so the ginger-garlic paste cooks out without turning bitter.
- 5Do not overcrowd the kadai; crowded wings steam and lose the crisp crust this recipe is known for.
- 6Add the whole curry leaves only at the end, as they splutter fast and can darken in seconds.
- 7Serve immediately with lime wedges and onion rings, because the flour coating softens as it sits.
Adapt it for your goals.
Air-fryer
Brush the marinated wings lightly with oil and air-fry until crisp for a less greasy version with the same spice profile.
extra spicyExtra-spicy
Increase green chili and black pepper for a sharper Kerala-style heat that pepper lovers will enjoy.
bonelessBoneless
Use chicken thigh strips instead of wings for easier eating and faster frying while keeping the same marinade.
low oilLow-oil
Bake on a rack at high heat, then broil briefly to crisp the coating if you want a lighter alternative to deep frying.
Why this is on our healthy list.
Good Protein Base
Chicken wings provide protein, making the dish filling and satisfying when served as a starter or snack.
Aromatic Spice Benefits
Ginger, garlic, black pepper, turmeric, and curry leaves add flavor along with plant compounds commonly valued in home cooking.
No Heavy Batter
The coating relies on a small amount of rice flour and corn flour rather than a thick batter, keeping the crust relatively light.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can refrigerate them for a few hours for deeper flavor, but keep the marinade thick so it still clings well when frying.
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