What is Buffalo Chicken?
Buffalo chicken (Buffalo wings / Buffalo chicken) is an iconic American soul food made by tossing deep-fried chicken wings in a tangy and spicy signature sauce.
As a staple of sports bars and party spreads, it is loved across the United States and all around the world.
Key Features
- Crispy, Unbattered Skin: Cooked without batter (or with just a very light dusting of flour) and deep-fried, making the skin ultra-crispy and savory.
- Addictive “Spicy & Tangy” Sauce: Hot pepper sauce (like Frank’s RedHot) is blended with melted butter and thoroughly tossed with the piping-hot chicken. The rich butter, chili kick, and tangy vinegar create a perfectly balanced flavor.
- Served with Dip & Celery: To tame the heat, the authentic style is served with chilled blue cheese dressing (or ranch/Caesar dressing) alongside crisp, raw celery sticks to refresh the palate.
Origin & History Buffalo wings were invented in 1964 by Teressa Bellissimo, co-owner of the Anchor Bar in Buffalo, New York.
The dish was born late one night when her son and his friends arrived hungry, and she improvised by deep-frying chicken wings on hand and tossing them in a special sauce.
Fun Fact Buffalo chicken is famously consumed in massive quantities every February in the U.S. on Super Bowl Sunday (the NFL championship game), with over 1.4 billion chicken wings devoured in a single night!
The “Burning Spirit” of Tabasco in Japan
Did you know that Tabasco’s massive popularity in Japan is largely thanks to a professional wrestling legend?
In the 1970s, Antonio Inoki—the man who famously fought Muhammad Ali—owned the company that became the exclusive importer of Tabasco in Japan. With his incredible charisma, he promoted the spicy condiment nationwide.
Before Inoki, spicy chili sauces were rare in Japanese homes. He marketed it so successfully that it became the “standard” topping for pizza and pasta across the country. Every time you enjoy these wings, you’re tasting the fiery passion of Japan’s most famous wrestler!
Ingredients (Serves 2–3)
- The Meat
- Chicken Wings (Tebanaka): 12 pcs (approx. 720g)
- Seasoning
- Salt: 4g
- Pepper: Moderate
- Grated Garlic: 3g
- The Coating
- Wheat Flour: 20g
- Cooking Flour (Potato Starch): 30g
- Frying
- Cooking Oil: Moderate
- Buffalo Sauce
- Ketchup: 120g
- Tabasco: 10g
- Butter: 4g
- White Wine Vinegar: 10g
- Lemon Juice: 10g
- Paprika: 2g
- Cayenne Pepper*: 2g (Adjust to taste)
Spice Note:
A note on spices: We used S&B Cayenne Pepper for a pure, clean heat in this recipe. While chili powder can be used as a substitute, it typically contains cumin and oregano, which will give the dish a slightly more “Mexican” flavor profile.
Cooking Instructions
- Prep: Pat the chicken wings completely dry with paper towels. Moisture is the enemy of crispiness!
- Marinate: Rub with salt, pepper, and garlic. Let them sit for 10 minutes to let the flavors penetrate.
- The “Pro” Coating: * First, lightly toss the wings in wheat flour for adhesion.
- Next, coat with cooking flour. This creates a rugged surface that stays crunchy under the sauce.
- The Fry: Heat oil to medium. Fry wings for 10–15 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden brown and safe to eat.
- The Sauce: Whisk all sauce ingredients (except butter) in a bowl. Microwave for 30 seconds to mellow the vinegar. Stir in the butter while hot until glossy.
- The Toss: Place hot wings in a large bowl, pour the sauce over them, and toss vigorously until coated.
Pro-Tip: The Ultimate Platter
To take this fusion to the next level, serve with chilled celery and Homemade Garlic Cheese Sauce:
- The Sauce: Combine cheese, milk, grated garlic, salt, and pepper; heat until smooth. The creamy richness wraps around the fiery Tabasco kick for a “match made in heaven.” Add french fries for a complete American feast!
Nutrition Guide
[Per Serving (4 pieces / approx. 1/3 recipe)]
- Calories: approx. 385 kcal
- Protein: approx. 27.5 g
- Fat: approx. 26.0 g
- Carbohydrates: approx. 9.5 g
- Salt Equivalent: approx. 2.2 g
[Total (12 pieces / Serves 2–3)]
- Calories: approx. 1,155 kcal
- Protein: approx. 82.5 g
- Fat: approx. 78.0 g
- Carbohydrates: approx. 28.5 g
- Salt Equivalent: approx. 6.6 g
Related Links
While the spicy kick of Buffalo wings is hard to beat, you can’t go wrong with the classic Japanese ‘Amakara’ (Sweet & Savory) style! [Amakara Tebanaka Karaage : Japanese Fried Chicken Wings」
Read the Japanese version of this article here! [中毒確定！タバスコが決め手｜サクサク食感のバッファローチキンレシピ]
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