Chicken "wings" with hot sauce, from precooked
Common food
Photo: Wikipedia
These are tender, saucy chicken wings, typically coated in a spicy, vinegar-based hot sauce that clings to the skin. The texture is a satisfying mix of crispy skin (if baked or fried) and juicy, pull-apart meat. Nutritionally, they are a high-protein, high-fat, low-carb option, making them a staple in many high-protein diets.
Calorie split: 27% protein · 4% carbs · 69% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
People love them for the addictive combination of savory, spicy, and tangy flavors that hit every taste bud. They are the ultimate social food, deeply embedded in sports culture, parties, and casual gatherings as a shareable, hands-on comfort food.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
The high fat and sodium content can be a concern for heart health or those monitoring blood pressure. The hot sauce can cause digestive discomfort for some. To counteract, pair with a large, fiber-rich side salad or celery sticks to add volume and aid digestion, and practice portion control by limiting to a few wings as an appetizer rather than a full meal.
Key benefits
- Excellent source of high-quality protein for muscle maintenance.
- Very low in carbohydrates, suitable for keto and low-carb diets.
- Provides essential fats and calories for energy.
- Capsaicin in hot sauce may have a mild metabolism-boosting effect.
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
The original 'Buffalo' wing was invented in 1964 at the Anchor Bar in Buffalo, New York, when the owner's son and his friends asked for a late-night snack, and she deep-fried some wings and tossed them in a spicy sauce.
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 59.1 g |
| Energy | 254 kcal |
| Protein | 17.6 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 19.5 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 2.5 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 0.00 g |
| Total Sugars | 2.5 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 27.0 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 0.76 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 18.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 190 mg |
| Potassium, K | 221 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 741 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 1.2 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.05 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 28.5 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 0.20 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.06 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.13 mg |
| Niacin | 5.6 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.26 mg |
| Folate, total | 6.0 ug |
| Folic acid | 0.00 ug |
| Folate, food | 6.0 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 6.0 ug |
| Choline, total | 44.6 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.34 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 86.0 ug |
| Retinol | 79.0 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 73.0 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 3.0 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 4.0 ug |
| Lycopene | 0.00 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 0.66 mg |
| Vitamin E, added | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 0.10 ug |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 3.5 ug |
| Alcohol, ethyl | 0.00 g |
| Caffeine | 0.00 mg |
| Theobromine | 0.00 mg |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 6.0 g |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.10 g |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.07 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.04 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.09 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.11 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.42 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 4.0 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 1.1 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 7.0 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.92 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 6.0 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.04 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 2.6 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 2.4 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.18 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.03 g |
| PUFA 20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:5 n-3 (DPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 0.00 g |
| Cholesterol | 107 mg |
FAQ
Are chicken wings healthy?
They are a good source of protein but are also high in fat and calories, especially when fried and coated in sauce. Baking or air-frying can reduce the fat content compared to deep-frying.
Why are chicken wings so high in fat?
The skin is naturally high in fat, and the cooking method (often deep-frying) adds more. The sauce, typically made with butter, also contributes significantly to the fat content.
Can I eat chicken wings on a low-carb diet?
Yes, plain wings or those with a sugar-free hot sauce are very low in carbs. Avoid breaded wings or sweet, sugary sauces like barbecue or honey garlic to keep carbs minimal.
Nutrient density (calculated · NRF9.3)
Nutrient Rich Foods index: beneficial nutrients (protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals) minus saturated fat, added sugar & sodium, per 100 kcal.
NRF9.3 index — Fulgoni, Keast & Drewnowski, 2009. Computed from USDA nutrients.
Weight-loss friendliness (composite index)
Energy density 2.54 kcal/g · 28% calories from protein · 0.0 g fiber · 2.5 g sugar per 100 g.
Composite of energy density (Rolls et al., 1999), protein & fiber satiety, minus sugar. A calculated heuristic — ranks satiety-per-calorie, not a clinical measure.
Dietary load (calculated from USDA values)
Potential renal acid load. Positive = acid-forming, negative = alkaline-forming.
Sodium-to-potassium ratio: 3.35 (lower is better — aim for ≤ 1)
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.