Malaysian Barbecue Chicken Wings Recipe
Grilled Chicken Wings with Savory Marinade
Looking for a flavorful way to prepare chicken wings? This recipe features a rich, savory marinade that infuses the wings with deep umami flavors, perfect for grilling. Easy to follow and packed with taste, it makes for an irresistible meal. Enjoy this dish with family or friends!
Ingredients
- 12 chicken wings
- 4 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons dark soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 2 tablespoons oyster sauce
- tablespoon garlic powder
- teaspoon onion powder
- Ground black pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon dried basil
Directions
Follow these steps to prepare perfectly grilled chicken wings:
- Step 1: In a shallow glass bowl, combine the soy sauce, dark soy sauce, sesame oil, oyster sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, ground black pepper, and dried basil. Stir well until all ingredients are thoroughly mixed.
- Step 2: Add the chicken wings to the bowl, ensuring they are fully coated with the marinade. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid and refrigerate for at least 8 hours, preferably overnight, to allow the flavors to meld.
- Step 3: The next day, give the wings a stir to ensure they are evenly coated in the marinade again.
- Step 4: Preheat your grill to high heat. Lightly oil the grill grates to prevent sticking.
- Step 5: Remove the wings from the marinade and discard any remaining marinade. Place the wings on the preheated grill.
- Step 6: Grill the wings for 8 to 12 minutes per side, or until the wings are fully cooked through and the juices run clear. Adjust the cooking time if necessary, depending on the size of the wings and your grill's heat level.
- Step 7: Once cooked, remove the wings from the grill and let them rest for a couple of minutes before serving.
Nutrition Facts
Per serving (2 servings in total):
- Calories: 755
- Total Fat: 54g (69% of Daily Value)
- Saturated Fat: 14g (71% of Daily Value)
- Cholesterol: 226mg (75% of Daily Value)
- Sodium: 3031mg (132% of Daily Value)
- Total Carbohydrate: 7g (3% of Daily Value)
- Dietary Fiber: 2g (5% of Daily Value)
- Total Sugars: 2g
- Protein: 58g (115% of Daily Value)
- Vitamin C: 4mg (4% of Daily Value)
- Calcium: 97mg (7% of Daily Value)
- Iron: 5mg (26% of Daily Value)
- Potassium: 670mg (14% of Daily Value)
Origin Story
The Malaysian Barbecue Chicken Wings recipe is rooted in the rich, diverse culinary traditions of Malaysia. Malaysias cuisine reflects the multicultural heritage of its people, with influences from Chinese, Indian, Thai, and indigenous Malay flavors. The vibrant use of spices, herbs, and sauces makes the country's food incredibly flavorful, and barbecue chicken wings are no exception. This dish combines the sweetness of soy sauce, the depth of oyster sauce, and the aromatic notes of sesame oil, creating a tantalizing glaze that's perfect for grilling. The recipe itself showcases a fusion of traditional flavors, highlighting the balance of salty, savory, and slightly sweet elements that characterize Malaysian food.
Regional Variations
In Malaysia, barbecue dishes like chicken wings are typically served during outdoor gatherings and festivals, where food is enjoyed in the company of family and friends. The specific preparation and cooking methods can vary from region to region, influenced by local ingredients and cultural practices. For example, in coastal areas, seafood versions of barbecued dishes are popular, often featuring shrimp or fish marinated in similar savory sauces. In contrast, inland regions may use chicken and pork more frequently, with varying levels of sweetness or spice depending on the local palate. This recipe, with its use of soy and oyster sauces, is a great example of how different ingredients converge to create a deliciously unique taste that has become a favorite in both local and international kitchens.
Comparison with Similar Dishes
Malaysian barbecue chicken wings share similarities with other Asian barbecue chicken recipes, such as the Korean-style wings or Chinese char siu chicken. However, what sets Malaysian wings apart is the use of dark soy sauce and sesame oil, which imparts a distinctive umami flavor. Additionally, the addition of oyster sauce in the marinade gives the chicken a deeper richness that is characteristic of Malaysian cuisine. While Korean wings often emphasize a spicy-sweet balance with gochujang (Korean chili paste), Malaysian wings tend to focus more on savory and earthy flavors, with just a hint of sweetness. The cooking method also differentiates the disheswhile Korean wings are often deep-fried before being coated in a sticky glaze, Malaysian wings are typically grilled, offering a smokier, charred finish that enhances the complexity of the marinade.
Where to Serve
Malaysian barbecue chicken wings are a popular dish at casual gatherings, barbecues, and celebrations. In Malaysia, they are often enjoyed in the company of loved ones, served as a side dish or appetizer. The wings are commonly paired with rice or noodles to balance the rich flavors of the marinade. These wings are also a fantastic addition to any party spread, as they are easy to prepare in large quantities and are loved by guests of all ages. Whether youre hosting a weekend barbecue or looking for a crowd-pleasing dish at a festive event, these wings are sure to be a hit.
Fun Facts
1. The use of dark soy sauce in this recipe is not just for flavor; it also gives the wings a deep, caramelized color when grilled, making them as visually appealing as they are delicious.
2. The addition of sesame oil in the marinade is a nod to the influence of Chinese cuisine in Malaysian food. Sesame oil is commonly used in many Asian cooking traditions for its nutty flavor and aroma.
3. Though this recipe calls for chicken wings, the same marinade can be applied to other cuts of chicken or even pork. For a twist, try it with skewered chicken thighs or boneless chicken pieces.
4. In Malaysia, it's not uncommon for street food vendors to offer a variety of grilled meats, and chicken wings are often a favorite choice due to their easy-to-eat nature and rich, smoky flavor.
5. The sweet and savory combination of flavors in the marinade reflects Malaysias complex cultural influences, blending spices from India, the Chinese use of soy, and the local Malay affinity for rich, salty sauces like oyster sauce.
FAQ about Malaysian Barbecue Chicken Wings Recipe
Comments
MARGALITA4
10/06/2025 01:52:54 PM
Easy & delicious! I didn't have dark soy sauce the first time I made it and it was delicious. Made it a second time with dark soy sauce but reduced the amount and it was good. Careful with the dark soy sauce because it's very salty. Overall, an excellent, easy, delicious recipe. Update 2/23/2010 - I have made this recipe more than 50 times now, both on the grill and in the oven. Now I skip the dark soy sauce altogether because I don't think it needs it and the regular soy sauce gives it enough flavor. I also add some sugar for a bit of sweetness and I always let it marinate overnight. I have made this for BBQs so many times and everyone loves it! It's a great recipe.
Karen
12/20/2010 05:43:18 PM
Oh my gosh, these wings were the best.This was just what I was looking for.I used sodium reduced soya sauce and I didn't know I was out of sesame oil so I had to use some of my thai sesame dressing.I marinaded them all day then cooked them in the marinade for an hour @ 400 then a quick flash on the grill.I can't wait to make more.
Milly Jojy
04/22/2014 09:51:08 AM
These wings are delicious. Based on various reviews posted, I used half the seasoning, marinated over night and then baked it in the oven. At the time of baking I basted the wings using a mix of barbeque sauce and Franks Hot sauce. Simply Amazing :)
Kimco Trice
07/01/2019 09:43:20 PM
Due to some of the other comments saying it was a little bit salty, I omitted the dark soy sauce. Other than that, followed recipe. My family was amazed by the taste of this chicken. I will definitely be making this again
Justin Allen
10/05/2009 03:56:35 PM
Bro, quick, tasty, and legendary.
Lasting impression
12/31/2017 06:05:54 PM
Made this twice now. Followed the recipe to the tee. Except only marinaded for about 4 hours. Excellent. Only change the second time it was too cold for grilling so baked in 375 oven yummy
kac2research
07/15/2012 09:39:01 AM
Very good. I did make some amendments to this recipe to heighten the flavor to our liking. I didn't have oyster sauce, so I used fish sauce instead. I also only had 1 type of soy sauce on hand so I omitted the dark soy sauce. I added some crushed ginger, brown sugar, and red pepper flakes also. Makes a great recipe for party wings and easy to do.
Lynnell Taylor
05/09/2010 09:57:53 AM
Because I was lazy and didn't want to go to the store, I changed this just a bit and used what was in the cupboard. I did not use the dark soy sauce or oyster sauce. I added a cup of water (too water down the saltiness) and I added some ground ginger. They were GREAT...as my husband said!
Allrecipes Member
05/09/2010 09:57:53 AM
Because I was lazy and didn't want to go to the store, I changed this just a bit and used what was in the cupboard. I did not use the dark soy sauce or oyster sauce. I added a cup of water (too water down the saltiness) and I added some ground ginger. They were GREAT...as my husband said!
helloping
07/08/2011 05:25:34 PM
I reduced the amount of both soy sauce to half as suggested by others, and baked them in the oven. I also added a lot of white pepper. Mmmm, they were good!
Shane
10/05/2007 05:06:45 PM
This recipe was a hit with everybody! Everytime I have a BBQ everybody will insist I do this BBQ wings! Simple and easy to prepare. Over time I have added ginger and fresh garlic and onion instead of powdered ones. Also I halved the soya sauce, dark soya sauce and oyster sauce.
Kimberly Gould
05/12/2020 02:25:04 PM
It was VERY tasty and worked on the thighs I made (because it turned out the chicken I thawed wasn't wings after all!)
Hessian
06/13/2018 11:53:28 PM
I added Thai Chili powder, & sweet chili sauce, but a great sticky sweet wing sauce
BobR
05/31/2018 09:39:48 PM
Will make it again.
LYNN39SCAF
04/21/2017 04:00:51 PM
eh, it was ok. NOt my favorite but nothing wrong with the recipe.
swifty361
03/16/2016 09:48:20 AM
I followed this recipe to the'T', and found it very good.
Jason
07/02/2014 09:14:11 PM
Very good I tried it on thin sliced beef also wich was also tasty thank you for recipe
merlion
09/22/2012 09:15:30 PM
Very good I didn't find it salty at all at. that might be because I used the sweet soy sauce Or kecap manis instead of the dark soy sauce.
DiamondGirl amanecer
06/13/2012 07:31:13 AM
This is a good recipe. I didn`t use dark soy sauce and used 6 tablespoons light soy sauce. Next time I would probably skip oyster sauce. My wings turned out not too salty, just piquant. I baked them in the oven, but we think grill will be the perfect thing.
brisbois_c
12/09/2011 11:20:52 AM
Great recipe and easy to make too. I prefer it without dried basil, though. Made it at a BBQ and oh my, it flew off the plates like hot wings! :)