How many carbs are in chicken wings with skin?

December 29, 2025 •

4 min read

According to nutritional data, plain, unbreaded chicken wings with the skin contain zero grams of carbohydrates. The carb count in a wing dish is determined entirely by the cooking method and any added sauces or coatings.

Quick Summary

Pure chicken wings, including the skin, naturally contain no carbohydrates. Their final carb count depends entirely on preparation, with breading and sugary sauces adding significant carbs, while baking, grilling, or air-frying keeps them keto-friendly.

Key Points

Zero Carbs by Nature: Plain chicken wings, including the meat and skin, have no carbohydrates.
Preparation Determines Carb Count: The final carb count depends entirely on the cooking method and any added ingredients like breading or sugary sauces.
Avoid Breading and Sugary Sauces: Deep-frying with batter and coating wings in sauces like BBQ or teriyaki can add a significant number of carbs.
Choose Low-Carb Cooking Methods: Baking, grilling, and air-frying are excellent ways to prepare wings to keep them naturally carb-free.
Opt for Dry Rubs and Keto Sauces: Season with herbs and spices or make a homemade, low-sugar sauce to maintain a low carb intake.
Read Labels Carefully: Always check the ingredients and nutritional information on any pre-made wings, rubs, or sauces for hidden sugars and carbs.

Zero Carbs in the Wing Itself

For many following low-carb diets like keto, the natural carb count of foods is a critical piece of information. When it comes to chicken wings, the answer is straightforward: the meat and skin of a pure, unadulterated chicken wing contain 0 grams of carbohydrates. This makes the ingredient itself an excellent foundation for a high-fat, high-protein, and low-carb meal. The confusion arises from the common ways wings are prepared and served.

The Preparation Process is Key

Most chicken wings served in restaurants or purchased pre-made are not plain. They are typically deep-fried, battered, or coated in sugary sauces. Each of these additions drastically alters the nutritional profile and adds carbohydrates.

Deep-Frying: When wings are deep-fried without a coating, they remain carb-free, but they absorb additional fat from the oil. If a flour or starch-based batter is used, the carb count can jump significantly. A single breaded and fried wing can contain 5-10 grams of carbs.
Breaded Coatings: The primary source of carbs in many wings comes from the breading. This often involves a mixture of flour, cornstarch, or breadcrumbs. While it provides a crispy texture, it makes the wings unsuitable for a strict low-carb diet.
Sugary Sauces: Many classic wing sauces, such as honey BBQ, teriyaki, and sweet and sour, are high in sugar. These sauces can add anywhere from a few grams to over 20 grams of carbs per serving, turning a naturally keto-friendly food into a carb-heavy meal.

Comparing Different Chicken Wing Preparations

To illustrate how preparation impacts the carb count, here is a comparison table showing the estimated nutritional difference per 100g serving of wings. The figures are approximate and can vary based on the specific recipe and portion size.


Preparation Method	Carbohydrates	Protein	Fat	Notes
Raw, with skin	~0g	~18g	~13g	Base nutritional value before cooking.
Baked/Grilled, no coating	~0g	~25g	~18g	Healthy, low-carb option. Moisture loss during cooking increases protein and fat density per gram.
Lightly Floured & Fried	~1g	~8g	~7g	Adds minimal carbs but still not zero.
Battered & Deep-Fried	~5-11g	~20g	~22g	Higher carb count due to batter.
Coated in Sugary Sauce	Varies widely	Depends on sauce	Depends on sauce	Can add a significant amount of carbs and sugar.

How to Enjoy Low-Carb Chicken Wings

For those on a keto or low-carb diet, enjoying chicken wings is simple by focusing on carb-free cooking methods and ingredients. The key is to control what goes onto the wings from start to finish. Here is a list of ways to prepare them while keeping the carb count low:

Bake them: Baking wings in the oven until crispy is a fantastic way to cook them without adding carbs. A simple seasoning of salt, pepper, and spices works perfectly.
Air-fry them: An air fryer is another excellent tool for achieving extra crispy wings with very little added fat or carbs. It circulates hot air to mimic the effects of deep-frying.
Grill them: Grilling adds a smoky flavor without any extra carbs. Make sure to use a non-sugary rub.
Use a dry rub: Opt for dry rubs made from herbs and spices like paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and chili powder. These add immense flavor without any sugar.
Make your own sauce: If you love sauce, create a homemade keto-friendly version. Base it on ingredients like butter and hot sauce (classic buffalo), or use low-carb sweeteners and spices for a BBQ-style alternative.
Be cautious at restaurants: When ordering out, always ask if the wings are breaded and what's in the sauce. Many places use flour in their wing recipes. Ask for plain, unbreaded wings with a dry rub or a side of hot sauce mixed with butter.

Conclusion: It's All About the Additions

In summary, the chicken wing itself, with its skin, is a carb-free protein and fat source. The answer to "how many carbs are in chicken wings with skin?" is zero, assuming no breading or sugary sauce is used. Therefore, enjoying a plate of delicious chicken wings while following a low-carb diet is not only possible but simple. By controlling the preparation—choosing baking, grilling, or air-frying over battering and deep-frying, and opting for dry rubs or homemade keto-friendly sauces—you can maintain your dietary goals without sacrificing flavor. This knowledge empowers you to make informed decisions and enjoy your favorite dish guilt-free.

The Importance of Making Informed Choices

For health-conscious individuals, understanding the nutritional details of your food is crucial. With chicken wings, the myth that they are inherently unhealthy or carb-heavy is easily debunked. The skin, while adding fat and calories, does not add carbs. Knowing this allows for healthy and delicious meal planning. By avoiding processed sauces and coatings, and focusing on simple, clean preparations, chicken wings can be a part of a balanced diet for almost anyone.

Here is a fantastic, keto-friendly buffalo wing recipe that uses an air fryer for a delicious, low-carb meal idea.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, plain chicken wings with the skin are keto-friendly because they contain zero carbohydrates. The fat in the skin and the protein in the meat fit perfectly within a ketogenic diet's macronutrient requirements.

To make carb-free chicken wings, cook them by baking, grilling, or air-frying without any breading. Season with a blend of salt, pepper, and other carb-free spices like garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika.

Frying itself does not add carbs unless a flour-based batter or coating is used. Plain, unbreaded wings can be fried in oil without adding carbohydrates, though it will increase the fat content.

For low-carb sauces, choose a classic buffalo sauce (hot sauce and butter), a dry rub, or a homemade sauce using a keto-friendly sweetener. Avoid sauces that list sugar, honey, or corn syrup as key ingredients.

Chicken skin is primarily fat and adds extra calories and fat to the wings. While not necessarily 'unhealthy' in moderation, especially on a high-fat diet, it significantly increases the overall fat content of the dish.

No, but many do. It is important to ask the restaurant if their wings are breaded or if their sauce contains sugar. Always specify that you want them unbreaded and ask for a low-carb sauce option or a dry rub.

Both skinless and skin-on chicken wings contain zero carbohydrates. The skin adds fat and calories but does not change the carb count.