How Many Carbohydrates Are in Chicken Wings?

December 7, 2025 •

3 min read

The average unbreaded chicken wing contains zero grams of carbohydrates. The total carb count of a chicken wing dish is almost entirely determined by the cooking method and any added sauces or coatings, not the meat itself. This makes understanding preparation key to controlling how many carbohydrates are in chicken wings.

Quick Summary

The carb content of chicken wings depends on preparation. Plain wings have zero carbs, but breading and sugary sauces add significant carbohydrates. Cooking methods like baking or air frying, along with low-carb sauces, keep wings keto-friendly and low-carb.

Key Points

Plain wings have zero carbs: Unseasoned, unbreaded chicken wings contain no carbohydrates.
Breading and coatings add carbs: Using flour or cornstarch for frying can add 5-10 grams of carbs per wing.
Sauces are a major carb source: Sweet or sugary sauces like BBQ or teriyaki can add a significant amount of carbs.
Baking and air frying keep carbs low: These cooking methods produce crispy wings without needing carb-heavy coatings.
Low-carb alternatives exist: Use almond flour, crushed pork rinds, or dry rubs to keep wings keto-friendly.

Plain Chicken Wings: A Zero-Carb Foundation

At its core, a raw or plain, unseasoned chicken wing is a zero-carb food. Chicken meat is a protein source, containing no carbohydrates. This applies to the raw wing, whether it includes the skin or not. The natural composition of poultry muscle and fat contains no sugars or starches. The addition of seasonings and other ingredients is where the carbohydrate content begins to change.

The Impact of Coatings and Sauces

When people ask, "how many carbohydrates are in chicken wings?", they are usually thinking of the popular varieties found in restaurants and delis. These versions are often far from zero-carb due due to added coatings and sweet sauces.

Breading and Flour: Battering and breading wings with flour, cornstarch, or other high-carb ingredients can add anywhere from 5 to 10 grams of carbs per wing. This quickly turns a low-carb appetizer into a high-carb dish, especially when deep-fried.
Sugary Sauces: Sauces like barbecue, teriyaki, and some sweet chili varieties are loaded with sugar. A single serving (a dozen wings) with a sugary sauce can add upwards of 32 grams of sugar and carbs. Even hot sauce can add a small number of carbs, though far less than sweet sauces.
Keto-Friendly Coatings: For those following a low-carb or ketogenic diet, alternative coatings can be used. Ingredients such as crushed pork rinds, almond flour, or coconut flour can provide a crispy texture with minimal carbohydrate addition.

Cooking Methods and Carb Content

How you cook your chicken wings is just as important as what you put on them. The cooking method can either keep the carbs at zero or introduce them through additional ingredients.

Baking and Air Frying: These methods are excellent for keeping carbs low. By simply baking or air frying plain, unbreaded wings, you can achieve a crispy texture without adding any carbs from a coating. This is the ideal approach for maintaining a zero-carb base.
Deep Frying: Deep frying the wings can be done in two ways. Frying plain, unbreaded wings will keep the carbs at zero, though it will increase the fat and calorie content. Frying breaded wings, however, will introduce a significant number of carbs from the flour or batter. The oil used for frying does not add carbs directly but contributes to the overall nutritional profile.
Grilling: Grilling is another carb-free cooking method, relying on dry heat to cook the wings. As with baking, the carb count will depend entirely on the rub or sauce applied before, during, or after cooking.

Comparison Table: Baked vs. Fried Wings


Feature	Baked (Plain)	Fried (Breaded)
Carbohydrates	0g	~5-10g per wing
Calories	Lower (~86 kcal/wing)	Higher (~159 kcal/wing)
Fat Content	Lower	Higher
Preparation	Simple seasoning	Requires batter/breading
Texture	Crispy skin	Crispy crust
Keto/Low Carb	Yes	No

Making Low-Carb Chicken Wings at Home

Creating delicious, low-carb chicken wings is simple once you understand the sources of hidden carbohydrates. The key is to avoid flour-based breadings and sugary sauces.

Here is a simple, zero-carb recipe idea:

Preparation: Pat dry chicken wings with paper towels to ensure crispy skin.
Seasoning: Toss the wings in a bowl with a mix of salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. Make sure to use spices without added fillers or sugars.
Cooking: Arrange the wings on a wire rack over a baking sheet and bake at a high temperature (around 450°F) until golden brown and crispy. Alternatively, use an air fryer for a similar result.
Sauce (Optional): If you desire sauce, use a hot sauce like Frank's RedHot, which is naturally low-carb. Alternatively, make a butter-based sauce with garlic and Parmesan cheese for a richer flavor profile.

Conclusion

In summary, the carbohydrate content of chicken wings is not inherent to the chicken itself but rather to the way they are prepared. Plain chicken wings, whether baked, grilled, or fried without a coating, contain virtually zero carbs. The moment breading, batter, or a sugary sauce is introduced, the carb count rises significantly. For anyone managing their carb intake, particularly those on a ketogenic or low-carb diet, it is crucial to pay attention to these extra ingredients. Opting for baked or air-fried wings with dry rubs or low-carb sauces is the most effective way to enjoy this popular food while keeping your diet on track. Making smart choices in preparation allows you to enjoy chicken wings without the unexpected carb load.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, chicken wings, when plain and unseasoned, contain zero grams of carbohydrates. The meat and skin of the chicken are comprised of protein and fat, not carbs.

Fried chicken wings are only high in carbs if they are breaded with a flour or starch-based coating. If they are fried without any breading, they remain a zero-carb food.

The sauces highest in carbs are typically those with a high sugar content, such as barbecue, teriyaki, and honey-based sauces. It is best to avoid these for low-carb diets.

Yes, chicken wings can be very keto-friendly. You should choose plain, unbreaded wings (baked, air-fried, or unbreaded fried) and pair them with low-carb sauces like buffalo sauce or butter-based sauces.

For plain wings, there is no significant carb difference. However, if the fried wings are breaded, they will contain far more carbs than baked wings seasoned with a dry rub.

To make crispy, low-carb wings, pat them dry and toss in a dry rub. Baking at a high temperature on a wire rack or using an air fryer will yield excellent results without adding carbs.

When ordering out, specifically ask if the wings are breaded or battered. Always choose plain wings (sometimes called 'naked') and opt for a hot sauce or a different, non-sugary sauce instead of a sweet glaze or dressing.