Quick Answer
A single BBQ chicken wing contains around 50-80 calories on average, depending on the size and cooking method. Most chicken wings are around 1.5-2 oz (42-57g) when cooked, which provides 50-70 calories from protein and fat. Breading, sauce and cooking method can add 10-20 calories more per wing.
Calories in Chicken Wings
Chicken wings can vary in size and therefore calories. Here are some general estimates:
| Chicken wing size | Calories (kcal) |
| Small (1oz/28g) | 35 |
| Medium (1.5oz/43g) | 50 |
| Large (2oz/57g) | 70 |
| Jumbo (3oz/85g) | 100 |
As you can see, larger chicken wings around 3 oz can provide 100 calories each, while smaller 1 oz wings have just 35 calories.
The main nutrients in chicken wings are protein and fat. A 1.5 oz (43g) chicken wing contains:
| Protein | 6g |
| Fat | 4g |
| Carbs | 0g |
Protein and fat provide the majority of calories in chicken. There are around 4 calories per gram of protein and 9 calories per gram of fat. A typical wing with 6g protein and 4g fat would have about 50 calories (24 from protein + 36 from fat).
Calories Added from Cooking
The cooking method can also impact the calories in chicken wings. Here is how different cooking styles compare:
| Cooking Method | Extra Calories |
| Baked | 0 |
| Fried | +50-70 |
| Air fried | +10-20 |
| Grilled | 0 |
Frying chicken wings adds a significant amount of extra fat and calories from the oil. A fried wing may have 50-70 more calories than a grilled or baked wing. Air frying is slightly better than deep frying, adding around 10-20 calories.
The healthiest preparation methods are baking, grilling or broiling. These dry heat methods add minimal extra fat or calories if prepared without oil or butter.
Calories from Breading and Sauce
Breading and sauces also boost the calories in chicken wings:
| Breading/Sauce | Extra Calories |
| Flour coating | +20-30 |
| Breadcrumbs | +30-50 |
| BBQ sauce – 2 Tbsp | +60 |
| Ranch – 2 Tbsp | +130 |
Thicker breading like panko or cornflake crumbs adds more calories than a light flour dusting. Sauces can also range from 30-150+ calories depending on the type and amount. Watch out for creamy sauces like ranch, which packs a lot of calories into 2 tablespoons.
A good rule of thumb is to ask for sauces on the side if you are limiting calories. Dip or drizzle the sauce rather than dousing wings in extra sauce.
Nutrition Facts for BBQ Wings
Here are the full nutrition facts for a typical BBQ chicken wing based on a 1.5 oz (43g) wing that is fried and coated in 2 tablespoons of BBQ sauce:
| Amount Per Serving | |
|---|---|
| Calories | 140 |
| Total Fat 9g | Saturated 2.5g |
| Protein 8g | |
| Carbohydrates 6g | Sugar 4g |
| Sodium 300mg |
As you can see, the combination of frying and BBQ sauce brings the total up to 140 calories per wing. You can reduce the calories by baking instead of frying and limiting the amount of sauce.
Low Calorie Ways to Enjoy Wings
Here are some tips for lightening up chicken wings:
- Bake or grill instead of frying
- Use minimal breading – just a light flour dusting
- Ask for sauces on the side to control dipping
- Choose lower calorie sauces like hot sauce, mustard or vinegar-based BBQ
- Remove skin to reduce fat and calories
- Eat wings as an appetizer portion rather than a main meal
With smart choices, you can keep your wing meal under 500 calories while still enjoying the flavor. A serving of 6 baked wings with hot sauce has around 300 calories, for example.
How Many Wings Should You Eat?
The amount of wings you can eat depends on your daily calorie needs. Here are some wing serving recommendations based on diet:
| Diet | Recommended Serving |
| 2,000 calories | 12 wings |
| 2,500 calories | 18 wings |
| 3,000 calories | 24 wings |
On a 2,000 calorie diet, a serving of 12 wings provides 600 calories which is appropriate for a main meal. Those on higher calorie diets around 2,500-3,000 calories can comfortably enjoy 18-24 wings.
If you are having wings as an appetizer, limit it to about 6-8 pieces to keep your total meal calories in check. You can also split an order of wings as an appetizer for a group.
High Protein, Low Carb Option
Chicken wings are a good option if you are following a high protein, low carb diet. By removing the breadding and sauce, they can be an excellent source of protein without too many carbs or calories.
3 oz of chicken wing meat (about 2-3 wings) provides:
| Calories | 150 |
| Protein | 18g |
| Fat | 8g |
| Carbs | 0g |
This serving offers a hefty dose of protein to support muscle growth and recovery after exercise. And without the sauce or breading, the carbs are minimal as well.
Stick to dry seasoning like lemon pepper, Cajun spice or fresh herbs to keep the wings keto-friendly. Pair them with low carb dipping sauces like blue cheese dressing or ranch made with Greek yogurt.
Are Chicken Wings Healthy?
Chicken wings can be a healthy option when prepared baked or grilled without too much added breading or sauce. The lean protein provides nutrients like:
- Protein for muscle repair and fullness
- Iron to prevent anemia
- Zinc for immunity
- B vitamins for energy
The skin on wings does contain saturated fat. Removing it will further lighten their calorie load. But when eaten in moderation, the fat in wings provides flavor and helps you absorb the fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E and K.
Overall, wings are a good source of protein that can be part of a healthy diet when portion sizes are controlled and preparation methods are lean. Limit fried and heavily breaded wings to occasional treats.
Healthier Chicken Wing Alternatives
If you are looking for a lower fat and calorie alternative to traditional fried wings, consider these options:
- Cauliflower wings – florets coated in breading and baked
- Grilled chicken tenderloins – with wing sauce on the side
- Baked chicken nuggets – made from boneless, skinless breasts
- Plant-based chicken wings – made from soy or pea protein
- Turkey wings – similar flavor but lower fat than chicken
While not exactly the same, these alternatives provide the fun of dipping saucy pieces of protein with a healthier nutrition profile. Be mindful of breaded products which may still pack in extra carbs and fat.
Conclusion
A typical BBQ chicken wing contains around 50-80 calories. Exact counts vary based on size, cooking method, breading and sauce. While wings are a higher fat choice, they can be worked into a healthy diet when prepared baked, grilled or air fried. Limit portions to 6-8 wings as an appetizer or 12-24 wings for a main meal depending on your calorie needs. Remove skin or opt for lower cal alternatives to save calories. Overall, wings are a tasty source of protein that can be enjoyed in moderation on many types of eating plans.
