Chicken wings are a beloved snack and appetizer, but true wing aficionados know that the flats offer the most delicious meat If you’re on the hunt for flats only, you may be wondering where to find this specific cut I’ve done the research to bring you a complete guide to sourcing chicken wing flats only.
As a seasoned home cook and chicken wing enthusiast myself I understand the appeal of flats. The meat is juicier and more tender than the drumettes, with more surface area for sauce and seasoning. Unfortunately chicken wing flats can be harder to find than whole wings or a mix of flats and drumettes.
In this comprehensive guide I’ll share insider tips on where to buy flats-only chicken wings. You’ll learn about
- The best places to buy flats locally and online
- How to find the freshest, highest-quality flats
- Useful tips for prepping and cooking chicken wing flats
- Delicious recipe ideas to try
Arm yourself with this intel, and you’ll never be without the perfect chicken wing flats again!
Where to Find Chicken Wing Flats Locally
Searching for flats in your local grocery store or butcher shop? Here are the best places to look:
Specialty Butcher Shops
Your local specialty butcher is a prime place to find chicken wing flats. Butchers can cut whole wings to order, giving you exactly the flats you want. Building a relationship with a butcher has many advantages:
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Custom cuts: Ask them to cut flats to your ideal size.
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Freshness: Butchers source meat locally, so flats are fresher.
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Sales: Chat with your butcher about weekly specials or bulk discounts on flats.
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Special orders: Don’t see flats in the case? Ask if they can order them. Most butchers are happy to help source special requests.
Asian Markets
Chicken wings are popular in many Asian cuisines, so Asian grocery stores often stock flats. Check the meat department or freezer section to browse their selection. Prices may be lower than mainstream grocers.
Restaurant Supply Stores
Restaurant supply stores provide ingredients to foodservice businesses, but many are open to the public too. They sell large packages of fresh and frozen chicken wing flats at wholesale prices. Just be prepared to buy bigger quantities.
Farmer’s Markets
Ask vendors at your local farmer’s market if they sell chicken wings or parts. Small poultry farmers may have flats available seasonally. Farmer’s market flats are local and likely pasture-raised.
Store Meat Counters
The butcher counter at your mainstream grocery store is worth checking too. While they primarily stock whole wings, you can always request flats only. Some stores will even custom-cut them for you.
Frozen Wings Section
If the butcher counter comes up short, scope out the frozen section. Many stores now sell bags of frozen chicken wing flats. Just be vigilant about checking expiration dates.
Buying Chicken Wing Flats Online
Can’t find flats locally? Turn to the web for a wider selection:
Online Butcher Shops
Online meat delivery services like Porter Road and Crowd Cow work directly with farms and butchers to ship fresh cuts. Search for “chicken wings flats” on their sites. Prices are similar to high-end grocers.
Specialty Poultry Sites
Websites like MarxFoods and Schat’s Direct focus solely on poultry. They offer an amazing variety of chicken wing cuts, parts, and whole birds. Order flats in any quantity.
Amazon Fresh
Amazon Fresh includes wings and flats in their grocery delivery service. Search “chicken wing flats only” and filter by Prime eligibility for quick shipping.
Food Service Sites
Restaurant supply sites like WebstaurantStore have big packs of wings and flats for low prices. You’ll have to buy large-format restaurant packaging though.
Direct from Farms
Many chicken farms sell wings and parts directly to consumers through their websites. Search for “pasture-raised chicken wings flats” to find farms that ship flats nationwide.
Buying Chicken Wing Flats: What to Look For
However you source your flats, keep these tips in mind to get the best quality:
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Inspect for plumpness: Flats should look meaty and feel heavy for their size, without too much bone. Avoid scrawny flats.
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Check for bruising: Minor bruising is normal, but pass on flats with excessive darkened spots or blood in the packaging.
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Confirm freshness: Raw flats should look moist with a slightly glossy skin. The meat should be pale pink with red blood spots, not grayish.
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Seek organic: Opt for certified organic flats when possible to avoid antibiotics and hormones.
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Read the label: For frozen flats, the ingredients list should only read “chicken wings” with no additives or preservatives.
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Look at the date: Only buy frozen flats that are within their use-by date, ideally with at least 6 months remaining.
Handling and Cooking Chicken Wing Flats
Once you’ve sourced some spectacular flats, use these tips for prepping and cooking them:
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Thaw properly: Thaw frozen flats in the fridge overnight before cooking. Don’t thaw at room temp.
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Trim if needed: Use kitchen shears to trim off the wingtip and discard. It’s optional but reduces burning.
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Pat dry: Gently pat raw flats with paper towels to remove excess moisture before cooking.
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Season generously: Flats have more surface area than drumettes, so you can really layer on the spices and sauces.
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Cook thoroughly: Flats should register 165°F internally and the juices should run clear when pierced.
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Consider methods: The oven, air fryer, and deep fryer are all great options. Grill with care to avoid flare-ups.
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Toss in sauce: After cooking, toss hot flats in your favorite savory sauce. Enjoy immediately or let cool before saucing.
Satisfying Chicken Wing Flat Recipes
Looking for tasty ways to serve your hard-won flats? These recipes are surefire crowd-pleasers:
Classic Buffalo Chicken Wing Flats
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Ingredients: Chicken wing flats, melted butter, hot sauce, salt
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Method: Deep fry flats until crispy, then toss in melted butter and hot sauce.
Honey Sriracha Chicken Wing Flats
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Ingredients: Chicken wing flats, sriracha, honey, soy sauce, garlic
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Method: Grill or bake flats, then glaze with a sriracha honey sauce.
Jerk Chicken Wing Flats
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Ingredients: Chicken wing flats, jerk seasoning, lime juice, cilantro
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Method: Marinate flats in a spicy jerk seasoning blend, then grill until charred.
Garlic Parmesan Chicken Wing Flats
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Ingredients: Chicken wing flats, garlic powder, parmesan, parsley
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Method: Oven-bake flats seasoned with garlic and parmesan for a savory, crispy snack.
Asian Chicken Wing Flats
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Ingredients: Chicken wing flats, sesame oil, soy sauce, ginger, garlic
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Method: Fry and toss flats in a flavorful Asian-inspired sauce.
Satisfy Your Chicken Wing Flat Cravings
For serious chicken wing lovers, flats offer the ultimate snacking experience. With the inside scoop provided here on sourcing and cooking flats, you’ll be able to keep a supply on hand anytime the wing craving strikes.
From local butchers to online specialty sites, use these tips to track down flats-only wings for your next watch party, potluck, or anytime snack attack. Just be prepared for some jealous looks when you unveil a platter of perfect chicken wing flats!
Are chicken wing flats gluten-free?
Chicken wing flats are naturally gluten-free, but be cautious of any sauces or seasonings that may contain gluten.
How do you store chicken wing flats?
Raw chicken wing flats should be stored in the refrigerator and cooked within a few days. Cooked chicken wing flats can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
How to Debone Chicken Wings (Flats Only) – Hot Thai Kitchen
FAQ
Can you buy just the flat part of chicken wings?
Yes, it is possible to buy just the flat part of chicken wings (also known as wingettes or flats) at many grocery stores and retailers.
What is another name for chicken flats?
Chicken flats, also known as Wingettes, refer to the middle part of a chicken’s wing which is located between the drum and the wing tip. They are called flats due to their leveled shape, and have two thin bones that run parallel to each other down the leg.
How many chicken wing flats per pound?
A: Typically, you’ll find about 4 to 5 whole chicken wings in a pound. If they’re split into flats and drums, expect around 8 to 10 pieces per pound.
Where to buy chicken wing flats?
Online Retailers Online retailers like Amazon Fresh and ButcherBox offer a wide selection of chicken wing flats, including both fresh and frozen options. The convenience of home delivery makes this a great choice for those who value their time. 4. Restaurant Supply Stores
Are chicken wing flats seasoned?
Yes, many stores offer pre-seasoned chicken wing flats. These are marinated or seasoned with various flavors, enhancing the taste and saving you time in the kitchen. 9. Are there any health food stores that sell chicken wing flats?
Why do chicken wing flats have a flat shape?
The flat shape of the chicken wing flat helps it hold the dressing or sauce well. Also, compared to the drumette cuts, the meat of the wingettes has less cartilage. This makes it easier to remove. See Also: Where to Buy Buffalo Meat Near Me How Many Calories Do Chicken Wing Flats Possess?
Are Chicken Wings Cheap?
Given, it’s quite easy to buy wings inexpensively in bulk (sometimes as disturbingly cheap as $1/pound), but if you prefers to buy local/cage-free/etc.-type chicken, it’s not exactly the cheapest way to approach what’s supposed to be the most economical kitchen ingredient, designed to use up scraps.
What are flat fried chicken wings?
These are flat, which is the reason why they are called that. These are fried chicken wings coated in a batter and deep-fried until they reach a crisp outer layer. The high skin-to-meat ratio and the flavorful taste of these chicken wings make them an ideal snack.
Can chicken wing flats be frozen?
Absolutely! Chicken wing flats can be stored in the freezer for several months. Ensure they are properly sealed to maintain their quality and freshness.