Uh, Why Are Chicken Wings Called Buffalo Wings? & Where to Get the Best Ones

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Let’s face it, we’re the ultimate wing man. We like to get saucy with finger lickin’ good chicken wings and Buffalo wings. Whether it’s game night, a party with friends, or an awesome pre-meal appetizer, wings are a crowd pleaser.

Have you ever wondered what the difference is between chicken wings and Buffalo wings? They’re not the same. Grab some napkins and take a bite into everything there is to know about chicken wings.

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What Are Chicken Wings?

As their name suggests, chicken wings are the wing part of a chicken, which is located in the chicken’s shoulder. Chicken wings have three parts, the drumette, the flat or wing, and the tip.

Chicken wings can be cooked in a variety of ways and are often fried or deep fried. Food explorers looking for healthier options can bake wings. Grill masters can grill or smoke wings for a bar-meets-barbecue vibe.

They are delicious on their own, but they come in a variety of flavors inspired by the places where they are popular. In the U.S., barbecue wings reign supreme at most bars. Buffalo chicken wings are popular in their birthplace of Buffalo, New York, and beyond. For the adventurous, hot wings are also a must-try. Fried wings are popular in the U.S. and Asia, particularly Korea while jerk wings are ubiquitous in Jamaica and the Caribbean.

No matter the wing style, these chicken drums and flats are often coated in wing sauces. They are slathered in savory and sweet sauces like Alabama white sauce, Barbecue, Lemon pepper, Sweet chile, and Teriyaki.

If this weren’t enough of a flavor explosion, chicken wings and Buffalo chicken wings are also served with creamy, cooling dipping sauces like Blue cheese dressing and Ranch dressing. They can also be served with sauces like a buttery hot Wing Sauce that turn up the heat, and are often served with a side of crudités like celery and/or carrot sticks. (Here are some other sides you could pair with them.)

In the last decade or so, “Boneless chicken wings” have become popular. They’re easier to eat and flavored the same way as chicken wings; however, they aren’t really chicken wings. Boneless chicken wings are glorified chicken nuggets. They were invented by the fast-casual chain Buffalo Wild Wings and are simply deep fried pieces of white meat chicken slathered in sauce.

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What Is The Difference Between Chicken Wings And Buffalo Chicken Wings?

The difference between chicken wings and Buffalo chicken wings is the flavor, sauce, and size. Both chicken wings and Buffalo wings are deep fried, but that is where the similarities end.

Hot wings are not the same as Buffalo wings. Hot wings are typically coated in a flaming hot chili pepper-based sauce.

Flavor And Sauce

Chicken wings may be unbreaded or breaded drumettes and flats. They can be served naked (plain) or coated in sweet, savory, or spicy sauces. They are usually served with carrot and celery sticks and dipping sauces like barbecue, blue cheese dressing, or ranch dressing.

Buffalo chicken wings are mildly spicy, unbreaded chicken drums and flats. These chicken pieces retain their skin. They are deep fried and then tossed and coated in a cayenne-based hot sauce like Frank’s RedHot. These orange-hued wings are served with cooling blue cheese dipping sauce and celery.

Size Of Wings

Size matters. Chicken wings are typically smaller and have less meat on them than Buffalo wings. Buffalo wings are plumper, juicier, and meatier.

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Why Are Chicken Wings Called Buffalo Wings?

Chicken wings are called Buffalo wings because they were invented in Buffalo, New York. These hot, orange-colored wings are slathered in Buffalo wing sauce. This wing sauce is made with butter, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, oil, paprika, salt, and vinegar.

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Try The Best Chicken And Buffalo Wings

Go ahead and wing it on game day and any day with the best chicken wings and Buffalo wings shipping nationwide!

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Anchor Bar

We have Buffalo, New York’s Anchor Bar to thank for fiery, tongue tingling, and messy Buffalo wings. Founded in 1935, it wasn’t until 1964 that Anchor Bar co-founder Teressa Bellissimo took chicken wings and paired them with cayenne pepper, garlic, margarine, salt, and vinegar to create these orange-hued beauties.

Have a wing ding with these legendary Buffalo wings and see if you handle the heat offered in three levels of intensity: Medium, Hotter & Extreme Heat.

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Magic City Kitchen

Flat Out, Atlanta, Georgia’s Magic City Kitchen has some of the most legendary fried chicken wings. The club known for launching rap careers also makes exceptional chicken wings in a variety of flavors like BBQ, Buffalo, Garlic Parmesan & more.

Image Credit: Goldbelly.

International Wings Factory

Since 2012, Deepak Ballaney has been frying craveworthy chicken wings on New York City’s Upper East Side. These wings from International Wings Factory are unbreaded, fried in canola oil, and studded in globetrotting sauces like:

  • Black Pepper Teriyaki with black pepper, honey, mirin, rice wine vinegar, salt, and sesame seeds
  • Buffalo with cayenne, margarine, tomato, and vinegar
  • Mexy Q with BBQ sauce and a blend of Mexican chiles
  • Vietnamese Chile Mango with chili paste, mango, spices, and vinegar

This article originally appeared on Goldbelly.com and was syndicated by MediaFeed.org.

Image Credit: Goldbelly.

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