12 Delicious Ways To Enjoy Chicken Wings

Forbes

4 days ago

It's hard to beat chicken wings. They offer tons of variation in technique and flavor, and while some of us prefer them crispy and spicy, others may love them smokey and saucy.
A great chicken wing merges crispy skin with tender meat, and is packed with flavor. But what that flavor is has so much variation, and that's a big part of the fun. National Chicken Wing Day will be celebrated on July 29, and it's a perfect excuse to try chicken wings in some new and undoubtedly delicious ways.
Spicy Peanut Wings a la Brasa
Spicy Peanut Wings a la Brasa at Bar Chuzo in Brooklyn, New York.
At Bar Chuzo in Brooklyn, New York, oven-roasted brasa marinated wings, smothered in an Ecuadorian spicy peanut sauce.
"I'm from Manabi in Ecuador where peanuts grow everywhere so they are a huge part of our food culture. The wings we make at Bar Chuzo pay homage to that- the juxtaposition of the savory, juicy wings with the spicy, salty and sweet heat of the spicy peanut sauce is unreal. 10/10 my favorite wings we have ever made," said Ronny Jaramillo, chef and co-owner of Bar Chuzo.
Black Garlic Chicken Wings
Black Garlic Chicken Wings at Circle City Tavern in Corona, California.
At Circle City Tavern in Corona, California, the Black Garlic Chicken Wings elevate a familiar favorite. Each wing is brined for two days, then breaded and fried. They're finished in a house sauce made from garlic that's been fermented for 30 days, then blended with hoisin and soy to deliver a rich, savory glaze with deep umami character. "We approached this dish the way we do everything on the menu—with respect for comfort food, but a desire to push it further. The fermented garlic brings this mellow sweetness and funk that transforms the wings into something truly memorable," said Chef Angel Garcia.
Nagoya Chicken Wing
Nagoya Chicken Wings at Sake No Hana.
In New York City, Sake No Hana's Nagoya Chicken Wing, from Chef Jason Hall , is made with black pepper spice and sweet and spicy soy.
'I love taking a classic chicken wing and giving it a twist, like with Japanese flavors like with our Nagoya Wings. In Japan they're really thoughtful about how they pair food with beverages and this has the perfect amount of salty and sweet that pairs really well with drinking, which is why you'll find it as a staple on our all-night bar menu. It's the perfect bite for those early Happy Hour get-togethers turned late-night that making summer dining in the city so much fun. You can always add a kick of togarashi at the end to spice it up more, and we serve ours with black pepper spice and a sweet and spicy soy," said Chef Jason Hall.
Oven Roasted Seasoned Wings
Oven Roasted Seasoned Wings at Crazy Horse 3 in Las Vegas.
At Crazy Horse 3 in Las Vegas, tender, oven-roasted chicken wings seasoned with a bold house blend.
'Our Oven Roasted Seasoned Wings have earned their spot as one of our top sellers for good reason. We slow-roast them for that fall-off-the-bone tenderness, then finish them with our signature seasoning blend that is loaded with umami, a little heat and serious flavor. Crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside and so delicious, you won't even think about reaching for the sauce. They offer an unexpected and high-end twist on a classic that never misses," said Nando Sostilio.
Garlic Black Pepper Wings
Garlic Black Pepper Wings at Founding Farmers in Alexandria, Virginia.
At Founding Farmers in Alexandria, Virginia, all-natural chicken wings marinated in a bold garlic black pepper blend, then baked, flash-fried, and tossed in a glaze of soy, garlic, and a touch of sweetness. Finished with fresh green onion and a squeeze of lime.
"It starts with all-natural premium chicken wings, but our chefs take it over the top with a rich and flavorful garlic black pepper marinade (which is where I think the magic happens), followed by a quick bake and flash fry. Then our wings are dressed with a perfectly balanced glaze of soy, sweetness, freshly minced garlic, and thinly sliced green onion. Squeeze that lime over 'em, and our wings are easily your new favorite," said Dan Simons.
Chicken Lollipops
Chicken Lollipops at Lotus of Siam in Las Vegas.
At Lotus of Siam in Las Vegas, Chicken Lollipops are fried chicken wings cooked in a choice of sweet & spicy sauce, garlic pepper rub or tom yum rub.
'Our Chicken Lollipops offer a fun and flavorful twist on classic wings - crispy, bold and ideal for sharing. Choose from a sweet & spicy, garlic pepper, or our signature tom yum rub. Each bite is crafted to deliver a satisfying burst of flavor," said Penny Chutima, Co-Owner & Managing Partner.
Curry Chicken Wings
Curry Chicken Wings at Pilot Project Brewing in Chicago.
At Pilot Project Brewing in Chicago, chicken wings, golden curry, cucumber raita, crudites. These crispy beer-battered chicken wings tossed in Japanese golden curry, topped with toasted sesame seeds and fresh cilantro, served with a take on cucumber raita and a side of Persian cucumbers and grilled carrots.
'This dish embodies the concept of our new location. International street food —bold flavors, messy hands, and unexpected pairings from a variety of food-loving cultures that just work together," said Javi Ayala, Executive Chef.
Lemon Pepper Wings
Lemon Pepper Wings at RoofTop at Exchange Place in Jersey City.
At RoofTop at Exchange Place in Jersey City, these zesty, golden wings are a flavor-packed favorite, tossed in a bold lemon pepper seasoning that hits the perfect balance of tang and heat. Finished with a sprinkle of fresh cilantro and served with cool, house-made ranch for dipping, they're a crave-worthy classic with a fresh twist.
'Golden wings meet vibrant kimchi on one plate—plated to showcase their contrast of tang and heat, it's a moment that teases your taste buds before you even take a bite," said Trevon Brown, Executive Chef at RoofTop at Exchange Place.
Mike's Hot Honey Wings
Mike's Hot Honey Wings at Harta.
At Harta in New York City, Mike's Hot Honey Wings are available exclusively during happy hour, and sweet and spicy-glazed wings are paired with buttermilk blue cheese for that perfect flavor contrast.
'I love the hot honey movement because it hits that sweet spot between comfort and kick. Our wings at Harta take that trend and elevate it, pairing the glaze with a classic yet bold buttermilk blue cheese that cuts through the spice and adds depth," said Chef Joe Quintana.
Chicken Wings with Harissa Glaze and Cilantro Ranch
Chicken Wings with Harissa Glaze and Cilantro Ranch at Silan by Chef Alon Shaya.
At Silan by Chef Alon Shaya in Paradise Island, Bahamas, the Chicken Wings with Harissa Glaze and Cilantro Ranch feature crispy wings tossed in a smoky, spicy harissa glaze and served with a vibrant, cooling cilantro ranch.
Dave Style Chicken Wings
Dave Style Chicken Wings at Lebowski's Taproom in Colorado Springs.
At Lebowski's Taproom in Colorado Springs, fried, tossed in Buffalo sauce, thrown on the fajita griller to get a little char, then finished in a sweet and spicy Asian sauce. The perfect combination of heat, sweet and char!
"The secret is the char that ties the flavor profiles together. Our Dave Style Chicken Wings were awarded two First Place Awards at the Best of the West Wingfest in September 2024. We won for Best Traditional Wing and Best Sauce!" said Dave Kowalski, founder of Lebowski's Taproom.
Chicken Wing Lollipops
Chicken Wing Lollipops at Lady Madison in Washington, D.C.
At Lady Madison in Washington, D.C. the lollipop-style chicken drumsticks are frenched and seasoned with a bold, globally inspired blend of paprika, cumin, ground clove, thyme, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. The result is a rich, aromatic flavor profile.
'These chicken lollipops are more than just a crowd-pleaser – they're a piece of my heritage,' says David Nvodjo, Executive Chef for the Le Méridien DC Madison hotel which houses Lady Madison. 'We start by frenching the drumsticks and marinating them in buttermilk for 24 hours, then season them with a spice blend passed down from my grandmother in Ghana. It's a dish rooted in tradition, prepared with care, and finished with bold, unforgettable flavors.'