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Grilled Turmeric and Lemongrass Chicken Wings

3.9

(10)

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Grilled Turmeric and Lemongrass Chicken WingsTuukka Koski

Cooking the wings slowly over medium-low coals and turning them often makes for crisp results; the skin will brown while the meat cooks through. Be sure to begin 1 day ahead; the chicken needs to marinate overnight for the flavors to infuse.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    Makes 4 servings

Ingredients

1 cup canned unsweetened coconut milk
3 shallots, chopped
3 garlic cloves
2 lemongrass stalks (bottom third only, tough outer layers removed), finely chopped
2 jalapeños, stemmed
1 1" piece ginger, peeled, chopped
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
2 tablespoons tamarind juice concentrate (not paste or pulp) or 1 tablespoons fresh lime juice
1 tablespoons fish sauce (such as nuoc nam or nam pla)
2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 teaspoon turmeric
3 pounds whole chicken wings
Vegetable oil (for grill)
Lime wedges

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Combine coconut milk, shallots, garlic, lemongrass, jalapeños, ginger, lime juice, tamarind juice, fish sauce, kosher salt, turmeric, and 1 cup water in a blender. Purée mixture until a smooth marinade forms.

    Step 2

    Place chicken wings in a large baking dish. Pour marinade over; turn wings to coat evenly. Cover chicken and chill overnight.

    Step 3

    Remove chicken from marinade, shaking any excess marinade back into dish. Transfer chicken to a large platter. Let stand at room temperature for 15 minutes.

    Step 4

    Transfer marinade to a large saucepan and bring to a boil over medium heat. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, stirring occasionally, until marinade thickens, 10-15 minutes. Pour half of marinade into a small bowl; set aside for basting chicken while it grills. Keep remaining marinade in saucepan; cover and keep warm until ready to serve the chicken.

    Step 5

    Build a medium fire in a charcoal grill, or heat a gas grill to medium-high. Oil grill grates to prevent sticking. Grill chicken wings, turning every 5 minutes and basting occasionally with marinade in small bowl, until fat is rendered and skin is nicely charred in spots, 30-35 minutes. (The key here is to turn the wings often so the skin doesn't burn.)

    Step 6

    Continue cooking chicken without basting (so it will get crisp) until wings are cooked through, about 10 minutes longer.

    Step 7

    Transfer chicken to a large platter and let it rest for 5 minutes. Squeeze lime wedges over wings. Transfer marinade in saucepan to a small bowl. Serve warm marinade alongside chicken as a dipping sauce.

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