National Chicken Wing Day: Healthy Chicken Wing Recipes For Eating At Home & Discount Deals For Eating Out

Unless you don’t eat meat, chicken wings are usually an American favorite. So much much so, in 1977, it became a national day of recognition when former Buffalo, New York Mayor Stan Makowski proclaimed July 29 as a day to celebrate buffalo wings. Decades later, the celebration of the beloved chicken part has expanded to wings of all kind. 

According to reports by USA TODAY, Circana CREST tracking data research says Americans eat billions of wings annually. 

“Wing chains offer a seemingly unending array of flavors, spices, sauces, and dry rubs to accompany their wing sections,” Tom Super, spokesman for the National Chicken Council, told USA TODAY. “No other part of the chicken comes close to be offered in so many tasty ways from mild to super spicy hot.” 

Popular restaurants like Wingstop, Buffalo Wild Wings, Popeyes, and Hooters are offering discounted deals to commemorate the day of the versatile chicken wing. 

• Wingstop: 5 free wings with any purchase (code: FREEWINGS)
• Popeyes: Purchase one order of 6-piece wings, get another for $1
• Buffalo Wild Wings: 6 free wings with the purchase of any burger (code: WINGDAY)
• Hooters: Buy 10 wings, get 10 free

If you’re looking for a larger and healthier option, though, below are four healthy chicken wing recipes to try! 

1. Pomegranate Honey Wings Recipe

INGREDIENTS:

• 1/2 cup pomegranate juice
• 1/4 cup honey
• 3 tablespoons brown sugar
• 2 pounds chicken wings disjointed
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• Optional: Pomegranate seeds, green onions and herbs for garnish

INSTRUCTIONS: 

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
2. Whisk together pomegranate juice, honey and brown sugar in a saucepan over medium heat. Allow the mixture to reduce to 1/2 the original ingredients or until it has thickened.
3. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and evenly season both sides of wings with salt and pepper, garlic powder, onion powder and cayenne pepper.
4. Bake for 16-20 minutes or until clear juices run out of the wings then baste or dip each wing in the pomegranate sauce and bake until sticky and golden brown for another 6-10 minutes (watch them carefully). If you want, you can double baste if there is enough sauce left for extra sticky love.
5. Garnish with pomegranate seeds, green onions and herbs if desired and serve.

Recipe by Jocelyn Delk Adams/Grandbaby Cakes

2. Jerk Chicken Wings Recipe

INGREDIENTS:

• 3 – 4 lbs. chicken wings
• 1 1/2 tsp. seasoned salt
• 1 tsp. garlic powder
• 1 tsp. onion powder
• 2 tbsp. jerk seasoning I use Grace’s or Walker’s Wood
• 1 tbsp. brown sugar
• Jerk sauce
• 4 tbsp. unsalted butter
• 1/3 cup ketchup
• 1 tbsp honey
• 2 tbsp. brown sugar
• 1/4 cup jerk seasoning
• 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
• 1 tbsp. parsley

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. If using whole wings, separate the drum from the flat using a knife.
2. In a large bowl, season chicken wings with seasoned salt, onion powder, garlic powder, jerk seasoning and brown sugar. Use hand or large spatula to make sure all wings are coated.
3. Place chicken wings on a parchment or foiled lined baking sheet. You can also lined the baking sheet with foil, and place an oven safe baking rack on top, and place the wings on the baking rack. Cook in preheated oven for 45 minutes.
4. Heat a skillet over medium low or medium heat. Add butter, ketchup, honey, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar and jerk seasoning. Mix together and bring to a simmer, Simmer for 2 minutes, while stirring.
5. Add wings to large bowl, along with sauce mixture. Toss until all wings are coated. Serve immediately with ranch or dressing of choice.

Recipe by Danielle/Yel’s Kitchen

3. Vietnamese Inspired Chicken Wings Recipe

INGREDIENTS:

Chicken:

• 1.5 lb of Chicken Wings and Drumettes 
• 1 tsp of Baking Powder
• 0.5 tbsp of Garlic Powder 
• Salt and Pepper (to season) 
• 1/2 cup of CORN STARCH
• 1 tablespoon fish sauce (optional)
• 2 tablespoon oil

Sauce: 

• 6 cloves of Garlic (minced) 
• 3 tbsp of Fish Sauce 
• 2 tbsp of Sugar 
• 1 tbsp of Red Pepper Flakes 
• 0.5 tbsp of Chicken Powder 
• 1 tsp of White Pepper (optional) 
• 2 Lime’s Juice 
• Cilantro 

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Mix chicken wings, baking powder, garlic powder, ¼ cup of rice flour, salt, and pepper in a large bowl. Make sure that every piece of chicken is coated in rice flour; add more if needed.
2. Preheat the air-fryer to 350F for 5 minutes. After 5 minutes, spray the air fryer to prevent the chicken from sticking, and add in the chicken. Spray on some oil on top of the chicken (optional), and fry at 350F for 12 minutes.
3. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to do this in batches. Leave some space in between the chicken so it can be crispy up easier.
4. After 12 minutes, toss the chicken around, spray a little more oil (optional) and bring the temperature up to 400F to fry for another 10-15 minutes. Every air fryer is slightly different, so keep an eye out to prevent it from burning.
5. Add minced garlic, fish sauce, sugar, red pepper flakes, chicken powder, white pepper (optional), and lime juice in a large mixing bowl. Mix and taste; if you find the fish sauce too salty, add in a little bit more sugar.
6. Once the chicken is fried, add the chicken to the sauce and toss with chopped cilantro.

Recipe by Tiffy Cooks

4. Baked Buffalo Chicken Wings Recipe

INGREDIENTS: 

• 2 tablespoons avocado oil
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• ½ teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
• 2 ½ pounds chicken wings 
• ½ cup buffalo hot sauce
• 2 tablespoons butter melted (preferably grass-fed or dairy-free)
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. In a small bowl, whisk together oil, salt, paprika and black pepper.
2. Place wings or drumettes in a plastic bag and pour marinate over them. Allow to sit for at least 30 minutes.
3. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
4. Arrange chicken on baking sheets in a single layer. Bake for 40 minutes, until cooked through.
5. While chicken is baking, combine buffalo sauce, butter, vinegar and cayenne pepper in a small saucepan.
6. Cook over low heat until the butter is melted.
7. Transfer wings to a large bowl and toss with sauce and serve.

Recipe by Wendy Polisi

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