Black Berry Chicken Wings: A Sweet and Savory Party Snack

A Brief History of Chicken Wings

Chicken wings were once an unwanted byproduct of chicken processing. But leaving them whole and cooking them became popular in the 1960s-70s. Deep frying and saucing techniques created the Buffalo wing which sparked a nationwide craze.

This inspired endless flavor variations on the humble chicken wing. Coating or saucing wings in fruit flavors like blackberry has emerged over the last decade as a creative twist on sweet and savory chicken wings.

The Rising Popularity of Black Berry Wings

Capitalizing on the trend of bold fruit flavors, blackberry chicken wings have taken off on restaurant menus and food blogs. Their dynamic sweet and tangy flavor profile appeals to bold millennial palates. Easy to make at home yet special enough for parties, black berry wings popularity continues rising.

Benefits of Cooking with Blackberries

Using fresh or frozen blackberries to make a sauce for chicken provides:

Natural Sweetness

- Berries add sweetness without relying on added sugars.

Deep Fruit Flavor

- Blackberries impart a rich, jammy fruit taste.

Healthy Polyphenols

- Compounds that act as antioxidants and fight inflammation.

Fresh Summertime Vibes

- Bright fruit flavors evoke warm weather any time of year.

Selecting the Best Chicken Wings

While any wings work, look for:

Meatiness

- Plump wings with good coverage of meat.

Freshness

- Choose refrigerated wings, not frozen.

Single Segment

- The middle wing section. Easier to coat evenly.

Step-By-Step Black Berry Chicken Wings Recipe

Make these sweet and savory wings at home with this easy method:

Ingredients

• 3 lbs chicken wings
• 1 cup blackberry jam
• 1⁄4 cup balsamic vinegar
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 2 tsp Dijon mustard
• 1 tsp chili powder

Instructions

1. Bake wings at 400F for 30 minutes until crisp.
2. In a saucepot, stir together remaining ingredients and simmer until thickened to a glaze.
3. Toss cooked wings in blackberry glaze until fully coated.
4. Bake 5 minutes more to caramelize glaze.
5. Garnish with sesame seeds, scallions, and extra berries if desired.

Serving Suggestions

Black berry wings pair perfectly with:

Dips

- Ranch, bleu cheese, honey mustard

Sides

- Celery sticks, baby carrots, cucumber slices

Starch

- Cornbread, biscuits, garlic mashed potatoes

Storage and Reheating

For best texture and flavor, serve wings right after cooking. To store:

• Refrigerate glazed wings up to 4 days.
• Reheat at 350F until warmed through.
• Toss with extra glaze to coat again before serving.

Conclusion

Sweet and tangy black berry sauce takes chicken wings to new heights. An easy weeknight dinner or party snack, these wings please both savory and sweet tooths. Make a batch to satisfy any cravings!

FAQs

Can you use a different berry like raspberry?

Yes, raspberries or other berries can be substituted for the blackberries.

How long do the uncooked wings keep in the fridge?

Store raw wings refrigerated for 1-2 days before cooking.

Do the wings need to be baked then fried?

Baking helps render fat first. But you can skip baking if you fully fry until crisp.

Can you make the glaze spicier?

Yes, add cayenne, red pepper flakes or hot sauce for extra heat.

Is cornstarch needed to thicken the glaze?

No, reducing the jam mixture yields a nice thick glaze without cornstarch.

Loaded with fruit flavor, these black berry wings offer the perfect sweet and savory combo for any occasion.