Are Buffalo Wild Wings White Meat? The Ultimate Guide

December 8, 2025 •

3 min read

In a 2023 lawsuit that made headlines, Buffalo Wild Wings admitted that its boneless wings are not actually wings but are instead made from all-white meat chicken breast. The question of whether Buffalo Wild Wings serves white meat depends entirely on whether you order their traditional or boneless options. Understanding the distinction is key for anyone concerned about meat type, calories, or texture.

Quick Summary

Boneless wings at Buffalo Wild Wings are made from white meat chicken breast, while traditional bone-in wings are technically white meat from the wing, though they have a higher fat content similar to dark meat. The flavor and texture differ significantly between the two options, impacting nutritional value and cooking methods.

Key Points

Boneless Wings Are White Meat: Buffalo Wild Wings has publicly confirmed that their boneless wings are made from all-white chicken breast meat.
Traditional Wings are Technically White Meat: The meat from a chicken's wing is anatomically considered white meat because it is a fast-twitch muscle.
Traditional Wings Have Dark Meat Characteristics: Due to their higher fat and collagen content compared to the breast, traditional wings have a richer, juicier flavor profile similar to dark meat.
Flavor Differences Are Significant: Boneless wings have a milder flavor dominated by the breading and sauce, while traditional wings offer a deeper, more savory flavor enhanced by the bone.
Meat Type and Myoglobin: The white/dark meat distinction is based on the myoglobin protein content in the muscle fibers, which is lower in the rarely-used wing and breast muscles of farm-raised chickens.
Choosing Depends on Preference: If you prefer leaner, uniform, and clean-eating chicken, go with boneless. If you want a juicier, more flavorful, and authentic wing experience, choose traditional bone-in wings.

Unpacking the Great Meat Debate at Buffalo Wild Wings

For many, a trip to Buffalo Wild Wings is a pilgrimage for wings and sports, but the type of meat can be a point of confusion for new and regular customers alike. The simple answer is that it depends on what you order. Boneless wings are definitively white meat, but the classification of traditional bone-in wings is more nuanced and often debated by foodies and chefs. This guide breaks down the key differences, the science behind chicken meat classification, and how your menu choice affects your meal.

The Anatomy of Buffalo Wild Wings Boneless

Let’s start with the clearer-cut case: boneless wings. These popular menu items, as revealed by the company itself, are essentially glorified chicken nuggets. They are made from solid pieces of white meat chicken breast that are breaded, fried, and then coated in sauce. This makes them lean, tender, and easy to eat, but they are not anatomically from the chicken's wing. For those who prefer a less messy eating experience and the mild flavor of white meat, boneless wings are the obvious choice.

The Case of the Traditional Wing

Traditional bone-in wings, consisting of the drumette and the flat, present a more complex scenario. While technically derived from a fast-twitch muscle, which would classify them as white meat, they have a higher fat content than the breast. This higher fat and collagen content gives them a richer, juicier flavor profile and a cooking tolerance more akin to dark meat. The proximity of the bone also contributes to the flavor and juicy texture that many wing enthusiasts prize.

A Deeper Dive into Chicken Meat Science

The color difference between white and dark meat in poultry is due to myoglobin, a protein that carries oxygen to muscles. Muscles used for sustained, repetitive movement—like the legs and thighs of a chicken—have higher myoglobin content and are classified as dark meat. Muscles used for short, fast bursts of energy, like the wings and breast (since chickens rarely fly), have less myoglobin and are considered white meat. While a chicken wing is a flight muscle, its higher fat and collagen content set it apart nutritionally and texturally from the leaner breast meat.

Comparison Table: Boneless vs. Traditional Wings


Feature	Boneless Wings	Traditional Wings
Type of Meat	White meat (chicken breast)	Technically white meat (chicken wing)
Origin	Pieces of chicken breast	Actual wing portion (drumettes and flats)
Fat Content	Leaner and lower in fat	Richer, higher fat content
Bone Presence	None	Yes, bone-in
Texture	Tender, uniform, and nugget-like	Juicy, with varying texture from drumette and flat
Flavor	Mild, with flavor primarily from breading and sauce	Richer, with flavor enhanced by the bone and skin
Popularity	Most popular item for some years	Classic, but messy, wing experience

Which Option is Right for You?

Choosing between boneless and traditional wings at Buffalo Wild Wings boils down to personal preference. If you're seeking the leaner, simpler flavor of white meat and a clean eating experience, the boneless wings are the clear choice. They are consistent in size and texture, offering a reliable, nugget-like bite. However, for those who value a richer flavor, juicier texture, and don't mind getting messy, the traditional bone-in wings are unmatched. They offer a more authentic and flavorful experience, albeit with a higher fat content that makes them taste closer to dark meat.

Conclusion

Ultimately, the question of "Are Buffalo Wild Wings white meat?" has two different answers. Boneless wings are undoubtedly white meat from the breast. In contrast, traditional wings are technically white meat from the wing, but their higher fat content provides a richer, more flavorful profile similar to dark meat. Your order at Buffalo Wild Wings will directly determine the type of meat you receive, so knowing the difference is essential for making an informed choice based on your taste and nutritional priorities. For a further dive into the science behind chicken meat classification, the article 'Are Chicken Wings White or Dark Meat?' from America's Test Kitchen offers an excellent explanation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Boneless wings are made from chunks of white meat chicken breast, while traditional wings are the actual bone-in wing sections (drumettes and flats) from a chicken.

Technically, traditional chicken wings are white meat, as they are primarily composed of fast-twitch muscle fibers. However, their higher fat content compared to breast meat gives them a richer flavor and juicier texture, resembling dark meat.

The boneless wings are made from chunks of all-white meat chicken breast. They are breaded, fried, and then coated in a sauce, resembling a large chicken nugget.

The richer flavor of traditional wings comes from their higher fat content and the presence of the bone and skin, which contribute to moisture and flavor as they cook.

Yes, for commercially-farmed chickens, both the breast and wings are considered white meat because the birds do not fly and their flight muscles are composed of fast-twitch fibers. The leg and thigh meat, used for walking, is dark meat.

A 2023 lawsuit accused Buffalo Wild Wings of deceptive advertising for calling chicken breast chunks 'boneless wings'. The company responded with a joke, confirming the meat was chicken, not wing, but did not formally apologize.

A comparison of plain wings shows that boneless wings typically have lower fat and more carbs from the breading, while traditional wings have slightly more fat but higher protein. The nutritional impact is heavily influenced by the sauce and preparation method.