Classics: How to Create Signature Wings and Nuggets

Stand Out with Gourmet Wings and Chicken Nuggets  

Buffalo wings were only the beginning. Look at certain segments of food service today: casual dining, schools and colleges, sports bars, and family restaurants. It would be almost inconceivable for a menu to not have chicken wings, nuggets, or both. 

Like burgers, wings and nuggets are popularity-contest winners. Customer demand is only limited by the innovative ways that operators can prepare them. But also like burgers, it’s important, and tricky, to make these menu stalwarts stand apart from the competition. 

Use the best ingredients, a house sauce, and a specialty presentation to go above and beyond. With a little thought and care, you can take even a basic Buffalo to the next level.

Gourmet Wing-ing It 

In December 2023, chicken wings were the third most popular appetizer, only behind salad and soup. And all 5 of the top 5 fastest growing trends in appetizers were different varieties of wings.1  

These perennial favorites all respond to the same prep, menuing, and marketing strategies. 

The Quality Approach 

Emphasizing quality ingredients can pay off in customer loyalty and the ability to support premium pricing. Many operators are making the switch to gourmet chicken, including all-natural, never frozen, farm-raised, and boutique birds. (Think the West Coast’s Jidori chicken.) 

Healthier Sells 

Chicken wings and tenders have a reputation for being fattening and unhealthy, but not all wings need to be fried. Wing Nutz gained fame with a proprietary three-step process to create crispy chicken by steaming, baking, and finally oven-crisping it — with 75% fewer calories.2 

Marinades and Sauces 

Many have set themselves apart by offering multiple flavor profiles via gourmet wings sauces and dry rubs. Some of the most popular trends today include Honey Mustard, Lemon pepper, Sweet Chili, Barbecue, and Honey.1 

It’s also worth remembering that many cultures appreciate chicken wings, including the American South, the Caribbean, and Southeast Asia. Using ingredients and flavors associated with these cuisines helps to create specialty wings and gourmet chicken nuggets. 

Plating and Presentation 

Treating gourmet wings and chicken nuggets to distinctive plating and presentation is another way to set your offerings apart, especially in the age of Instagram and other visual social media. The following ideas don’t just make an impression: they also attract attention from customers who may not have ordered them yet. 

• Greaseproof paper cones 
• Miniature cast iron skillets 
• Individual enamelware pots 
• Plates set into bamboo steamers 
• Japanese bento-style boxes 
• Threaded onto skewers 
• Piled high and garnished with fresh herbs, shredded scallions, julienned red pepper, and other colorful toppings 

Salads and Sandwiches 

One of the advantages of gourmet chicken nuggets, boneless wings, and chicken tenders is how versatile they are. More than finger foods, they can topping entrée salads and fill delicious sandwiches. 

Salads and sandwiches not only create menuing opportunities beyond appetizers, they also represent the chance to add more flavor, texture, and signature appeal to either fried or baked boneless chicken.  

^{Sources:: 1 Datassentials Appetizers January ’24   2 Datassential MenuTrends Appetizers Keynote Report ‘15}