What are chicken wings?
Chicken wings are the sections of the chicken wing from the wing tip to the drumette. The wing is separated from the chicken’s body by cutting through the joint that connects the wing to the chicken’s body. Chicken wings contain three sections – the drumette, the wingette, and the wing tip.
The drumette is the thicker part of the chicken wing that is attached to the chicken’s body. It looks like a little drumstick. The drumette contains more bone than meat.
The wingette is the middle section of the chicken wing. It is sometimes referred to as the flat. It contains two bones and more meat.
The wing tip is the skinny end section of the chicken wing. It contains relatively little meat compared to the other sections. The wing tip is often trimmed off and discarded before cooking chicken wings.
Chicken wings can be prepared in many different ways, but some of the most popular include fried chicken wings, baked chicken wings, and grilled chicken wings. They are especially popular to eat during sporting events and parties.
Can you cook an entire chicken wing?
Yes, you can cook an entire chicken wing, including the drumette, wingette, and wing tip. However, it’s more common to separate the chicken wing into sections before cooking. Here are some key considerations when deciding whether to cook a whole chicken wing:
Benefits of cooking the whole wing
– Maximizes use of the chicken – There is still meat on the wing tip that can be eaten if it is cooked.
– Extra skin and collagen – Leaving the wing tip on provides more skin and collagen that can enhance flavor and texture.
– Presentation – Serving a whole wing with the tip on looks nice and rustic.
Drawbacks of cooking the whole wing
– Uneven cooking – The skinnier wing tip may overcook and dry out compared to the thicker drumette and wingette.
– Less meat – There is very little meat on the wing tip, so including it provides minimal extra edible chicken.
– Bones – The extra small bones in the wing tip can make eating messy and inconvenient.
– Waste – Even when cooked, the wing tip often gets discarded because of its lack of meat.
Tips for cooking whole wings
If you do want to cook a whole chicken wing, here are some tips:
– Grill or broil – Quick high-heat cooking methods work best to crisp the skin before the tip dries out.
– Braise or stew – Slow moist-heat cooking softens the cartilage so the tip gets tender.
– Deep fry – The oil helps conduct heat quickly and evenly to the whole wing.
– Season the tip – Rubbing or injecting seasoning directly into the wing tip adds extra flavor.
– Remove the tip later – Cook the whole wing, then simply cut off the tip before serving if it seems too awkward to eat.
Methods for cooking chicken wings
There are many different methods you can use for cooking chicken wings. Some popular cooking techniques include:
Fried Chicken Wings
Frying is one of the most popular ways to prepare chicken wings. It yields crispy skin and tender, juicy meat inside.
Ingredients:
Chicken wings, oil for frying (vegetable, canola, peanut, etc), all-purpose flour, salt, pepper, spices of choice
Instructions:
1. Rinse chicken wings and pat dry with paper towels. Season with salt and pepper or other spices like garlic powder, paprika, etc.
2. Pour oil into a heavy pot or Dutch oven to a depth of 2-3 inches. Heat oil to 350°F.
3. While oil heats, dredge chicken in flour until evenly coated.
4. Fry wings in batches. Don’t crowd the pot. Fry for 12-15 minutes until golden brown and cooked through.
5. Drain wings on paper towel lined plate. Season again with salt if desired. Serve hot.
Baked Chicken Wings
Baked chicken wings get crispy in the dry heat of the oven. Bake them plain or seasoned as desired.
Ingredients:
Chicken wings, olive oil, salt, pepper, optional seasonings (garlic powder, paprika, cayenne, etc)
Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 425°F. Line a baking sheet with foil or parchment.
2. Rinse wings and pat dry with paper towels. Toss in a large bowl with olive oil, salt and pepper. Add other seasonings like garlic powder, cayenne pepper, etc.
3. Arrange wings on baking sheet in a single layer, spacing apart.
4. Bake 25-30 minutes, flipping halfway, until skin is crisped and wings are cooked through.
5. Serve immediately, or keep warm in low oven if needed.
Grilled Chicken Wings
Grilling imparts delicious smoky flavor to chicken wings. You can grill them plain, marinated, or sauced.
Ingredients:
Chicken wings, cooking oil, desired marinade or seasoning
Instructions:
1. Rinse wings and pat dry. Coat lightly with cooking oil.
2. Marinate or season as desired. Refrigerate 30 mins – 2 hrs.
3. Preheat grill to medium high heat. Oil grates.
4. Grill wings about 15 minutes, turning occasionally, until cooked through and nicely charred.
5. Brush with barbecue sauce last 2-3 minutes if using.
6. Let rest 5 minutes before serving.
Air Fried Chicken Wings
Air fryers make delightfully crispy chicken wings without all the oil of deep frying. The convection heat crisps up the skin beautifully.
Ingredients:
Chicken wings, cooking spray or oil, desired seasonings
Instructions:
1. Pat chicken wings dry with paper towels. Coat lightly with cooking spray or vegetable oil.
2. Sprinkle wings with desired seasonings.
3. Air fry at 400°F for 18-22 minutes, flipping wings halfway, until crispy and cooked through.
4. Toss wings in sauce for the last few minutes if desired.
5. Let rest 5 minutes before serving.
Sauces and Rubs for Chicken Wings
Chicken wings really come alive when tossed or paired with flavorful sauces and spice rubs. Here are some popular options:
Traditional Buffalo Sauce
This classic hot sauce pairs perfectly with crispy fried or baked chicken wings.
Ingredients:
Butter, hot sauce (Frank’s RedHot or similar), white vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, cayenne pepper
Instructions:
1. Melt butter in saucepan over medium heat.
2. Add hot sauce, vinegar, Worcestershire, garlic powder and cayenne to taste.
3. Simmer until thickened slightly, about 5 minutes.
4. Toss cooked chicken wings in sauce until coated.
Honey Sriracha Glaze
For a sweet heat flavor, coat wings with this easy honey sriracha sauce.
Ingredients:
Honey, sriracha hot sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil
Instructions:
1. Whisk together equal parts honey and sriracha.
2. Add a splash of rice vinegar and sesame oil.
3. Simmer until slightly thickened, about 2-3 minutes.
4. Toss cooked wings in glaze until evenly coated.
Jamaican Jerk Dry Rub
Give wings a touch of the Caribbean with this bold and spicy dry seasoning blend.
Ingredients:
Brown sugar, allspice, thyme, cinnamon, nutmeg, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, salt
Instructions:
1. Mix together all dry ingredients in a small bowl until combined.
2. Generously season raw chicken wings on all sides with rub before cooking.
Lemongrass Ginger Marinade
Soak wings in this zesty Asian-inspired marinade before grilling.
Ingredients:
Lemongrass, ginger, soy sauce, lime, garlic, brown sugar
Instructions:
1. Puree lemongrass, ginger, garlic, lime zest and juice in a blender or food processor.
2. Add soy sauce, brown sugar and lime juice. Mix well.
3. Marinate raw chicken wings in mixture 1-2 hours before grilling.
Accompaniments for Chicken Wings
Chicken wings are fantastic on their own, but pairing them with sides and dips can take them to the next level. Here are some tasty ways to serve them:
Celery and Blue Cheese Dip
The classic accompaniment for Buffalo wings – cool, crunchy celery stalks and creamy blue cheese dressing provide balance to the spicy wings.
Ranch or Caesar Dressing
Creamy, herby ranch dressing or tangy Caesar dressing are both perfect dippers for chicken wings. Offer them alongside plain or sauced wings.
French Fries or Potato Wedges
Crispy french fries or spicy seasoned potato wedges are ideal starches for soaking up any sauces dripping down from chicken wings.
Coleslaw
A crisp, vinegar-based coleslaw pairs nicely next to sauced or spicy fried chicken wings to help cut through the richness.
Crudités
For lighter pairing, offer fresh raw veggies like carrot and celery sticks, radishes, broccoli, cauliflower, etc. The crunchy cool veggies balance the wings.
Cheesy Bread
Warm, soft bread and melted cheese soaks up wing sauce deliciously. Offer slices of garlic bread or cheese breadsticks on the side.
Hummus and Pita Chips
Nutty chickpea hummus served with crispy pita chips or raw veggies is an easy, delicious accompaniment for chicken wings.
Leftover Chicken Wing Ideas
Cooked chicken wings keep well refrigerated for 3-5 days. Here are some creative ways to use up leftovers:
Chicken Wing Soup
Simmer wings in broth with veggies and noodles for a hearty soup. Remove meat and shred before serving.
Chicken Wing Salad
Chop wings and toss with greens, tomatoes, cheese and ranch dressing for flavorful main dish salads.
Chicken Wing Pizza
Top baked pizzas with chopped wings, mozzarella and a drizzle of buffalo wing sauce.
Chicken Wing Fried Rice
Stir chopped wings into fried rice with veggies and eggs for an easy one-pan meal.
Chicken Wing Sliders
Pile wings onto small buns with extra sauce and toppings like lettuce, pickles, and blue cheese.
Chicken Wing Quesadillas
Warm a tortilla with shredded chicken, cheese, wing sauce and quick-sautéed peppers and onions.
Chicken Wing Omelette
Chop wings and add to an omelette along with cheese, veggies, and hot sauce for a hearty breakfast.
Chicken Wing Tacos
Pile chopped wings in warm tortillas or taco shells and top with all the fixings for hand-held tacos.
Nutrition Information for Chicken Wings
Here is some general nutrition information for chicken wings. Values can vary slightly depending on cooking method and sauces or seasonings used.
| Nutrition Facts | Per 3 oz cooked chicken wings (about 2 whole wings) |
|---|---|
| Calories | 220 |
| Fat | 17g |
| Saturated Fat | 4g |
| Trans Fat | 0g |
| Cholesterol | 85mg |
| Sodium | 180mg |
| Carbohydrates | 0g |
| Fiber | 0g |
| Sugar | 0g |
| Protein | 18g |
Chicken wings contain a good amount of protein and fat when eaten with the skin on. They are low in carbs since they come from the chicken and contain no breading. Calories, fat, and sodium content can go up quite a bit depending on cooking method and sauces used. Overall, chicken wings can be enjoyed in moderation as part of a balanced diet.
Conclusion
Chicken wings are a beloved appetizer or game day food. While the entire wing can be cooked, the best approach is often to separate the meatier drumette and wingette from the skinnier wing tip before cooking. Chicken wings can be prepared many ways including fried, baked, grilled or air fried. Serving wings plain, sauced or seasoned with dry rubs allows for lots of flavor variety. Pair them with classic accompaniments like celery and blue cheese, or creative leftovers like wing pizza or wing fried rice. Chicken wings pack a good amount of protein, fat and flavor that can be enjoyed as an occasional treat in an overall healthy eating pattern. With the right recipes and techniques, you can confidently cook up delicious chicken wings from whole to leftovers.