Boneless wings, sometimes called chicken tenders or chicken strips, are a popular appetizer and meal option at many restaurants. But what exactly is the meat in boneless wings? Let’s take a closer look.
The Origins of Boneless Wings
Traditional chicken wings are made from the meaty sections of a chicken wing, drumettes and flats. The bones are left in, making them messy and inconvenient to eat. Boneless wings were created as an easier and neater option by using breast meat instead of bone-in wings.
Restaurants realized they could shape and bread chicken breast filets to look like miniature wings but without the bones. This allowed customers to enjoy the signature flavors of wings in a more accessible form. The name “boneless wings” was coined to draw the connection between this new menu item and traditional wings.
What Cut of Chicken is Used?
The vast majority of boneless wings are made from breast meat. Chicken breasts are an ideal choice for several reasons:
- They are naturally tender and boneless, making them easy to eat.
- Chicken breasts are very versatile and can be easily shaped into various forms.
- Breast meat has a mild flavor that works well with a variety of sauces and seasonings.
- Chicken breast is affordable and readily available.
Using breast meat provides restaurants with a low-cost way to offer boneless wings on their menu. It also gives customers the mild chicken flavor they expect in a boneless wing.
How Boneless Wings Are Made
Making boneless wings is a simple process:
- Start with skinless, boneless chicken breast fillets.
- Trim the fillets into strips roughly 2-3 inches long.
- Marinate the strips in seasoned buttermilk or beaten eggs.
- Coat the strips in seasoned flour or breadcrumbs.
- Deep fry the coated strips until golden brown and crispy.
- Toss fried strips in your choice of sauce.
This breading and frying method seals in moisture and gives the boneless wings a crispy exterior. Restaurants typically fry boneless wings in large batches then toss them with sauce to order for each customer.
Other Meats Used for Boneless Wings
While chicken breast is the standard, some restaurants use other meats for their boneless wings:
Turkey Breast
Sliced turkey breast filets can be used to make a lower-fat version of boneless wings. The preparation method is the same.
Chicken Tenders
The tenders are a long, thin cut taken from the underside of chicken breasts. Using tenders is an easy shortcut since they don’t require trimming.
Chicken Thigh Meat
Dark chicken thigh meat has a richer flavor than breast meat. Thighs may be used alone or mixed with breast meat.
Cauliflower
For low-carb diets or vegetarian options, restaurants sometimes bread and fry riced cauliflower florets. These “wings” are tossed in the same sauces.
Popular Sauces and Flavors
One of the appeals of boneless wings is the array of sauces and dry rubs they can be tossed in. Here are some customer favorites:
Classic Buffalo Sauce
The tangy, buttery red sauce that started it all. Made with hot sauce and butter.
BBQ Sauce
Sweet and smoky barbecue flavor.
Teriyaki Sauce
Savory glaze with soy sauce, garlic, ginger and other Asian spices.
Garlic Parmesan
A blend of garlicky butter and grated Parmesan cheese.
Honey Mustard
Sweet honey and zesty mustard make a flavorful duo.
Jamaican Jerk Sauce
Caribbean-inspired blend with a kick of heat.
Lemon Pepper
Tart lemon and savory black pepper seasoning.
How Restaurants Price Boneless Wings
Pricing strategies for boneless wings vary by restaurant. Some common approaches include:
- By the pound – Prices per pound range from $6-10 on average.
- By the piece – About $0.50-0.75 per boneless wing.
- By the serving – Such as an order of 5, 10 or 20 pieces.
- As a combo meal – With sides and a drink included.
Higher-end restaurants or those in expensive markets may charge more. Prices also fluctuate based on the chicken market. Specials and discounts are commonly offered to drive business on slower days.
Are Boneless Wings Healthy?
While boneless wings may seem like a healthier alternative to fried bone-in wings, they are still a fried food. A few health considerations include:
- Chicken breast is a lean source of protein but frying adds a lot of calories and fat.
- Frying destroys any natural vitamins and nutrients in the chicken.
- Breading and frying makes them high in carbohydrates.
- Most sauces and seasonings add extra sugar, salt and preservatives.
In moderation, boneless wings can be part of a balanced diet. Going for leaner grilled chicken and fresh vegetable options more often is recommended for health.
How Many Calories in Boneless Wings?
| Serving Size | Calories | Fat (g) | Carbs (g) | Protein (g) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 boneless wings (75g) | 290 | 16 | 15 | 20 |
| 10 boneless wings (150g) | 580 | 32 | 30 | 40 |
Calorie counts can vary based on the size of wings, cooking method and sauces. On average, approximately 100g of boneless wings contains around 400 calories.
Are Boneless Wings Gluten Free?
Plain boneless wings made only from chicken, egg and seasoning are gluten-free. However, the breading mix may contain gluten:
- Flour coating likely has wheat flour, not gluten free.
- Breading with panko (Japanese) crumbs is gluten-free.
- Cornmeal breading is also gluten-free.
Check ingredient lists carefully if gluten is a concern. Many sauces are gluten-free but thickened sauces may contain wheat flour or soy sauce.
Where to Order Boneless Wings
Most major pizza chains like Pizza Hut, Domino’s and Papa John’s offer boneless wings. Casual dining chains like Applebee’s, Chili’s and TGI Friday’s have them on the menu as well. Regional fast food chains like Raising Cane’s specialize in chicken fingers and tenders.
Of course, sports bars and pubs with a focus on wings almost always serve a boneless version too. Check out Wingstop, Buffalo Wild Wings or local wing joints. Be sure to ask about available sauces and seasonings to get exactly the flavor you crave.
How to Make Boneless Wings at Home
You can easily replicate boneless wings at home. Follow this recipe:
Ingredients:
- 2 lbs chicken breast, cut into 1-2 inch chunks
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 cup flour
- 2 tbsp seasoning blend (garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, etc)
- Oil for frying
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Sauce of choice
Instructions:
- Heat 1-2 inches oil to 375°F in pot or deep fryer.
- Mix chicken and buttermilk in a bowl. Refrigerate 30 mins.
- In separate bowl, mix flour and seasonings.
- Coat chicken chunks in flour mixture.
- Fry chicken in batches 3-5 minutes until golden and 165°F.
- Toss fried chicken in sauce and enjoy!
Conclusion
Boneless wings provide all the great flavor of wings in a convenient, easy to eat form. Chicken breast is the typical meat used to create the ideal mild flavor and texture when breaded and fried. While not the healthiest option, boneless wings can be enjoyed guilt-free in moderation. Now that you know what they’re made of, try some boneless wings from your favorite restaurant or make them at home.