Recently, after finishing a TV cooking demo for a noontime show called “Mass Appeal” at our local NBC affiliate, the host asked me what I’d like to cook for my next demo at the end of February. Before I could answer he suggested a Mardi Gras dish since I would be on air several days before “Fat Tuesday.” I spent much of my childhood visiting New Orleans and went to college in the Crescent City, so I enthusiastically said yes and began searching my files for a Creole recipe to celebrate this special day,
What could be better to serve on Mardi Gras than an appetizer of spicy chicken wings with Creole dipping sauce! Marinated in buttermilk that is scented with Tabasco, then seasoned with both cayenne and black pepper, these wings are coated with yellow cornmeal and pan fried until golden and crispy. A classic Creole sauce makes a perfect accompaniment to these crunchy morsels.
The sauce, which takes only minutes to whiz together in a processor or blender, can be prepared two days ahead. It is mild by some heat lovers’ standards, but you can easily kick it up with extra Tabasco and cayenne.
“Laissez les bon temps rouler,”as they say in New Orleans!
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Crispy Cornmeal-Coated Chicken Wings with Creole Dipping Sauce
Creole Dipping Sauce
1/2 cup canola oil
1 garlic clove
1/4 cup coarsely chopped green onions (including 2 inches of the green stems)
1/4 cup coarsely chopped celery
1/2 tsp kosher salt
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
3 drops hot pepper sauce such as Tabasco
1 1/2 tsp paprika
1 tbsp ketchup
1/4 cup tarragon vinegar (cider vinegar works too)
2 tbsp horseradish mustard or Dijon mustard
Wings
1 cup buttermilk
1 large egg
1 tsp hot pepper sauce such as Tabasco
1 tsp kosher salt plus extra if needed
1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
1 1/2 cups yellow cornmeal plus more if needed
1 1/2 to 1 3/4 pds chicken drumettes and wingettes (See note.)
Canola oil for sautéing the chicken
1 tbsp green onion, thinly sliced on the diagonal plus one bunch green onions with all but 2 inches of stems cut off and ends trimmed for garnish
4 tsp chopped flat leaf parsley for garnish
1.For Creole Sauce: Place all the ingredients in a blender or food processor and process until the mixture is smooth, about 1 minute. Taste and add extra drops of Tabasco and an extra pinch or two of cayenne if you want a hotter, spicier taste. (Sauce can be made 2 days ahead. Cover and refrigerate.) Makes about 1 cup.
2.For Wings: In a large shallow bowl or dish, whisk together the buttermilk, egg, and Tabasco sauce until well blended. Combine the kosher salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper in small bowl. Spread the cornmeal on a dinner plate.
3.Add the wings to the bowl of buttermilk, tossing to coat well. Set aside for 10 minutes. Remove and drain the wings in a strainer. Season them with the cayenne/black pepper mixture. Coat the wings in the cornmeal, shaking off any excess.
4.Add 1/4 inch of canola oil to a large, 10 -to 11-inch heavy skillet with a lid (cast iron works particularly well) set over medium heat. When oil is quite hot, add enough wings to fit comfortably in a single layer, making sure to leave space around each wing. Sauté, turning several times, until the coating is golden and crisp, 6 minutes or longer.
5.Reduce the heat to low and place the lid on the skillet (or skillets) lightly ajar. Cook until the wings are tender when pierced with a sharp knife, 10 to 15 minutes. Remove wings to a plate and cover loosely with foil. Discard the drippings from the skillet, and when the pan is cool enough to handle, wipe out the skillet with paper towels. Repeat adding more oil to the pan, cooking the remaining wings the same way. If you prefer, you can use two skillets to cook all the wings at the same time.
6.Transfer the sauce to a bowl and sprinkle with some of the sliced green onions. Arrange the bowl on a serving plate and surround with the wings and the trimmed green onions. Sprinkle wings with parsley, and if you like with some extra salt.
Serves 4
Market note: Many supermarkets sell chicken wings with the tips removed and the wings split into two pieces at the joints referred to as drumettes and wingettes. Air-chilled wings are particularly good in this recipe.
Copyright Betty Rosbottom 2025
