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Whether you find it in restaurants and bars across the country or in your freezer at home, one of the most common and beloved snacks in America is the chicken wing. Spicy Buffalo wings are a classic, but you can find fried wings covered in a whole variety of other sauces on supermarket shelves. You may even see baked and unbreaded wings for a low-carb approach. The distinguishing feature of this dish is that it's made with the wings of the chicken, but it has been elevated to something unforgettable. Below, learn what the chicken wing is and how it has evolved. 

What Is in a Chicken Wing?

There are four wing-like pieces on a chicken. There are two pieces that come from right below the shoulders, and two from further out on the wing. These are small pieces with a relatively large amount of bone for their size, so you have to work for the few small bites of meat each produces. Because of this, the wings used to be the cheapest, least-liked part of the chicken. But in 1964, a bar owner in Buffalo, NY, found a way to turn this overlooked cut of meat into an American staple. 

How Have Wings Transformed? 

Chicken WingsTeresa Bellissimo of the Anchor Bar was the first to create Buffalo wings. She achieved this by breading and frying each wing, then coating them in hot sauce. These wings were served with celery sticks and blue cheese dressing. Each wing is full of crispy texture and a blend of spicy, salty, buttery, zesty, and savory flavors. Variations on the saucy and spicy Buffalo wing spread across America, growing wildly in popularity.

What Are the Different Flavors? 

Today, you can find chicken wings served in a variety of styles. Since Teresa Bellissimo first shined a spotlight on this cut of meat, it has been dunked in honey, slathered in barbecue sauce, coated with mustard, topped with chili lime glaze, and drizzled with teriyaki sauce. It is offered in multiple cuisines in mild, medium, and hot varieties. Whichever is your favorite, you still get to enjoy the fun of eating it with your fingers and sharing in an American tradition that goes back over five decades.

 

For the best chicken wings on the Gulf Coast, visit Crico's Pizza & Subs. Based in Gulf Shores, AL, this family-owned pizza place offers a full selection of pizza and sandwich toppings and other classic finger foods. Their food is always made fresh and is available for delivery. Call (251) 948-3100 or visit their website for questions about their menu.

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