Southern Fried Chicken Wings

Step 1

Remove and discard the tips of the chicken wings. If using full wings rather than already separated wings and drumettes, carefully separate the first and second joints of the wings using the tip of a sharp knife.

Step 2

In a shallow baking dish, combine the flour, Parmesan, paprika, mustard, oregano, if using, and salt and pepper and stir until well blended. Pour the milk in a shallow bowl.

Step 3

Working with 1 wing at a time, dip the chicken in the milk, dredge it in the flour mixture, and then tap off any excess flour. Place the wings on a plate.

Step 4

In a deep-fryer, deep-sided skillet, or Dutch oven, heat about 2 inches oil until it registers 350°F (177°C) to 365°F (185°C) on a deep-fry thermometer.

Step 5

Fry the chicken wings in small batches, being careful not to crowd the pan, nudging the wings so they don’t stick to the pan and turning them if necessary, until golden brown and cooked through, 8 to 10 minutes. (If the chicken wings are especially meaty, they may require a minute or so longer, just be careful not to fry them so long that they dry out.)

Step 6

Using tongs, transfer the wings to paper towels to drain. Rest assured, these chicken wings are just as good at room temperature as they are hot. Originally published February 19, 2014.