Buffalo Chicken – A Tasty Twist on a Classic

Buffalo chicken has become a beloved dish in America, putting a spicy and tangy spin on good old chicken wings or tenders. Though it may seem like a modern creation, buffalo chicken actually has origins going back over 100 years tied to that most iconic of American animals – the buffalo.

A little history

Buffalo chicken as we know it today was invented in 1964 at the Anchor Bar in Buffalo, New York. But the city of Buffalo’s history has been intertwined with bison for much longer In fact, the city itself is named after the buffalo that once roamed the area Buffalo, New York was a major hub for the meat packing and tanning industries in the late 1800s thanks to all the buffalo in the region.

The “Buffalo wings” invented at the Anchor Bar used a spicy cayenne pepper hot sauce mixed with butter to coat the fried chicken wings giving them a spicy and buttery flavor. Since buffalo wings were created in Buffalo it only made sense to name them after the city’s iconic animal namesake.

Bringing the buffalo flavor nationwide

Though invented in Buffalo, buffalo chicken has expanded far beyond upstate New York to become a staple across the country. The unique combination of heat and tanginess pairs perfectly with the juicy chicken. Recipes call for buffalo sauce as the key ingredient. This sauce typically contains cayenne pepper and vinegar for that spicy, sour taste.

The simple buffalo chicken wing has spawned numerous creative recipes and variations Buffalo chicken dip is a game day favorite, mixing diced chicken with creamy cheese and buffalo sauce Buffalo chicken pizza and sandwiches are other popular ways to enjoy this zesty flavor. Even buffalo chicken salads bring the flavor minus the carbs.

Hometown pride

The city of Buffalo remains proud of its creation. Buffalo chicken is a signature dish celebrated throughout the city. Buffalo, New York invites visitors to come enjoy authentic buffalo wings and explore the culinary history. The annual Taste of Buffalo festival in July draws over 800,000 attendees to try food from dozens of vendors.

Buffalo chicken represents a delicious fusion of this city’s history and culture. The spicy kick of today’s buffalo chicken traces back to the bison that once inhabited the plains and waterways around Buffalo. This tasty dish will likely continue evolving but always with that distinctive Buffalo origin.