Buffalo wing

Coast Guard buffalo chicken wings

Chicken wings at O'Learys

Buffalo wings, also known simply as wings, are American deep-fried chicken wings coated or dipped in a sauce consisting of a vinegar-based cayenne pepper hot sauce and melted butter. They are traditionally served hot, along with celery sticks and blue cheese or ranch dressing for dipping. Buffalo wings are named after their place of origin, Buffalo, New York, where they were first created.

History

The creation of Buffalo wings is attributed to the Anchor Bar in Buffalo, New York, in 1964. Teressa Bellissimo, co-owner of the bar, is credited with the invention of the dish. According to the story, Bellissimo prepared the wings as a late-night snack for her son and his friends by deep-frying leftover wings, tossing them in homemade hot sauce, and serving them with celery slices and blue cheese dressing. The dish quickly gained popularity and became a signature offering at the Anchor Bar.

Preparation

Buffalo wings are prepared by first deep-frying the chicken wings without any breading until they are well browned and crispy. After frying, the wings are tossed in a sauce made from a mixture of hot sauce and melted butter. The ratio of hot sauce to butter can vary according to the desired level of spiciness. The wings are often served with side dishes of celery sticks and blue cheese dressing to help cool the palate from the spicy wings.

Variations

Over the years, numerous variations of Buffalo wings have emerged. Some variations change the type of sauce used, incorporating ingredients such as barbecue sauce, honey, garlic, or mustard to create different flavors. Others modify the cooking method, with baking, grilling, or smoking as alternatives to deep-frying. Additionally, some restaurants offer "boneless" Buffalo wings, which are essentially small pieces of chicken breast meat prepared and served in a similar manner to traditional wings.

Cultural Impact

Buffalo wings have become a staple of American cuisine, particularly popular during sporting events, such as the Super Bowl. Their popularity has led to the creation of numerous wing-focused restaurants and chains, as well as wing-eating contests and festivals. The dish's influence has also spread internationally, with variations of Buffalo wings served in restaurants worldwide.

Nutritional Information

Buffalo wings are high in calories and fat, largely due to the deep-frying process and the butter in the sauce. However, they also provide protein. Nutritional content can vary significantly based on the preparation method and the proportion of sauce to chicken.

See Also

• Chicken as food
• American cuisine
• Deep frying
• Hot sauce