Boneless wings have become an increasingly popular menu item at restaurants and bars over the last few years. But are these boneless “wings” really worth ordering? There are pros and cons to consider when deciding between traditional bone-in wings and boneless wings.
What are boneless wings?
Boneless wings are essentially just chicken breast chunks that are breaded or battered and deep fried or baked. They are served with the same sauces and flavors as traditional bone-in wings, but without the bones.
Boneless wings are often made from sliced chicken breast or tenderloins that are cut into smaller pieces to resemble the drumette or flat wing sections of a chicken wing. They may also be made from chopped or pulverized chicken meat that is shaped and breaded to look like a wing.
Pros of boneless wings
There are some advantages to choosing boneless wings over bone-in wings:
- Easier to eat – There are no bones to navigate around or remove. You can easily pick up and eat a boneless wing.
- More chicken – With no bones, you get more ounces of actual chicken with each boneless wing compared to a traditional wing.
- Less messy – Boneless wings do not typically result in a pile of discarded bones on your plate or fingers covered in sauce.
- Kid-friendly – Boneless wings may be a better option for children who cannot easily handle a bone-in wing.
Cons of boneless wings
However, there are some downsides to boneless wings as well:
- Lack of flavor – Bones contribute flavor, fat, and juices when chicken is cooked on the bone. Boneless wings may end up drier, chewier, and less flavorful.
- Not as filling – Despite having more chicken ounce for ounce, many find that boneless wings are not as satiating or filling as wings with bones.
- Not as fun – There is something fun and primal about picking up and eating chicken wings with your hands. Boneless wings seem a bit more processed and less finger-licking good.
- Higher cost – You tend to get fewer total pieces with boneless wings, even though the total chicken weight may be similar. So you may end up paying more per wing.
Nutrition comparison
How do boneless and bone-in wings compare nutritionally? Here is a nutrition table comparing 3 oz (about 5-6 pieces) of boneless buffalo style chicken wings versus traditional bone-in wings:
Nutrition Facts | Boneless Wings (3oz) | Bone-in Wings (3oz) |
---|---|---|
Calories | 220 | 290 |
Total Fat | 12 g | 22 g |
Saturated Fat | 3 g | 5 g |
Cholesterol | 60 mg | 105 mg |
Sodium | 460 mg | 650 mg |
Carbohydrates | 8 g | 0 g |
Fiber | 0 g | 0 g |
Sugars | 0 g | 0 g |
Protein | 24 g | 24 g |
As you can see, boneless wings are lower in calories, fat, and cholesterol compared to bone-in wings. However, bone-in wings contain more flavorful fats and are free of carbohydrates and sugars that come from the breading on boneless wings. Both have similar protein content.
Price comparison
In addition to nutrition, cost is another factor to weigh. Below is a table comparing average prices of boneless wings vs bone-in wings from 3 major US wing chains – Buffalo Wild Wings, Wingstop, and Wings Over.
Restaurant | Boneless Wings | Bone-in Wings |
---|---|---|
Buffalo Wild Wings | $7.99 for 12 wings | $10.99 for 14 wings |
Wingstop | $6.49 for 10 wings | $11.00 for 14 wings |
Wings Over | $8.50 for 10 wings | $10.00 for 10 wings |
Boneless wings range from $0.60 – $0.85 per wing, while bone-in wings average $0.70 – $1.00 per wing depending on location. So boneless wings offer more ounces of chicken but less value per wing.
Taste comparison
In the end, taste preferences may play the biggest role in determining if boneless wings are “worth it” for you. Here is a subjective taste comparison between the two types of wings:
Boneless Wings | Bone-in Wings | |
---|---|---|
Breading | Crispy, crunchy | No breading |
Sauce | Thicker, gathers on surface | Penetrates meat, messier |
Texture | Tender, uniform chunks | Variable textures |
Flavor | Milder chicken flavor | Rich chicken flavor |
Juiciness | Can be dry | Typically juicy |
Satiety | Less filling per wing | More filling per wing |
Bone-in wings tend to have bolder chicken flavor, more tender and juicy meat, and be more satiating due to fat content. But some prefer the crunchy coating, uniform texture, and sauce adherence of boneless wings. It ultimately comes down to your taste preferences.
Making a decision
When deciding between boneless and bone-in wings, consider these final tips:
- If you don’t like navigating around bones, get boneless.
- If you want to avoid excess carbs/breading, opt for bone-in.
- For easier eating and kid-friendly meal, go boneless.
- For maximum flavor and fat content, choose bone-in.
- Watch portion size as boneless may seem deceivingly healthier.
- Compare prices – you often get fewer boneless wings for the money.
At the end of the day, it comes down to your personal priorities. If convenience, ease of eating, and perceived health benefits are most important – boneless wings may be “worth it” to you. But wing purists will continue to argue the superiority and value of traditional bone-in chicken wings.
Conclusion
Boneless wings have gained popularity for good reason – they are easier to eat and percieved as healthier. But they lack the skin, fat, bones, and overall flavor that make bone-in wings an iconic appetizer. For many wing lovers, boneless wings are inferior imitators that don’t provide the same enjoyment or satiety. Yet proponents may find the taste and convience of boneless wings to be worth the typically higher price per wing. There are valid pros and cons to consider for each option.
In the battle of boneless vs bone-in, there is no unanimous winner. The verdict on whether boneless wings are truly “worth it” ultimately depends on your personal preferences around flavor, texture, price, health, and convenience. By weighing all the factors, you can decide which type of wing is right for your situation and cravings.