Ever stood at the meat counter in your local grocery store staring in disbelief at the price tag on chicken wings? You’re not alone! I’ve been there too, scratching my head and wondering how these once-cheap cuts became premium items that can break the bank.
It seems like just yesterday when wings were practically given away, and now they’re competing with steaks in terms of price per pound. So what happened? Let’s dive into the fascinating (and sometimes frustrating) reasons behind the sky-high cost of our favorite game day snack
The Evolution of Chicken Wings: From Trash to Treasure
Chicken wings weren’t always the star of the show. In fact, they were once considered the least desirable part of the chicken! Back in the day, wings were often used just for making stock or even thrown away. But oh, how times have changed.
Today wings have achieved cult-like status in American cuisine. From sports bars to family dinners these tasty morsels have captured our hearts (and stomachs). But this popularity comes at a price – literally!
The Anatomy of the Problem: Limited Supply
Let’s break it down first with some chicken anatomy. A chicken wing consists of three parts:
- The drumette (the meatier section)
- The flat (the middle portion with two bones)
- The tip (often discarded in restaurants)
Here’s the first big issue: each chicken only has two wings, providing about 5% of the bird’s total weight. That’s a tiny portion! When demand skyrockets for such a limited supply, prices naturally follow.
Demand Gone Wild: America’s Love Affair with Wings
The popularity of chicken wings has absolutely exploded over the past few decades. What started with the invention of Buffalo wings in the 1960s has turned into a national obsession. Wings are now synonymous with:
- Sports viewing parties (Super Bowl Sunday alone accounts for millions of wings consumed)
- Bar food menus
- Casual dining restaurants
- Family gatherings
- Fast food options
This sustained high demand creates constant pressure on the supply chain. And when everyone wants the same thing? You guessed it – prices go up!
Supply Chain Challenges: A Perfect Storm
The COVID-19 pandemic threw a massive wrench into an already strained system. Here’s what happened:
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Processing Plant Disruptions: Many meat processing facilities faced closures or reduced capacity due to outbreaks and staffing issues.
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Labor Shortages: The poultry industry has struggled to attract and maintain workers, especially during and after the pandemic. Fewer workers means slower processing, which reduces supply.
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Transportation Issues: Getting wings from processing plants to stores and restaurants became more difficult and expensive with rising fuel costs and logistical bottlenecks.
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Feed Cost Increases: The price of chicken feed (mainly corn and soybeans) has risen dramatically, affecting the cost of raising chickens.
The Feed Factor: Corn and Soybean Prices
We can’t ignore how much it costs to actually raise the chickens! Feed makes up a huge portion of poultry production expenses. When corn and soybean prices spike due to:
- Weather events affecting crops
- Global market fluctuations
- Increased demand for biofuels
…these costs get passed down the supply chain until they hit your wallet at the checkout counter.
The Global Appetite: International Demand
It’s not just Americans who love chicken wings! There’s significant international demand too, with countries like China and Mexico importing large quantities of U.S. chicken wings. This global competition for a limited resource drives domestic prices even higher.
Restaurant Economics: The Markup Reality
When you’re paying $15-20 for a dozen wings at your favorite restaurant, it’s easy to blame them for price gouging. But the reality is more complicated:
- Restaurants are paying higher wholesale prices
- Labor costs for prep and cooking have increased
- Additional ingredients like sauces and seasonings add to expenses
- Operating costs (rent, utilities, etc.) continue to rise
While there is certainly a markup (restaurants need to make a profit!), the underlying costs have genuinely increased across the board.
Are We Being Tricked? Boneless “Wings” Aren’t Wings!
Here’s a little industry secret: boneless “wings” aren’t wings at all! They’re actually made from chicken breast meat shaped to look like wings. Essentially, they’re glorified chicken nuggets marketed under a more appealing name.
Interestingly, these boneless options are often cheaper than traditional bone-in wings, despite being made from what is typically a more expensive cut of meat. This pricing quirk shows just how much traditional wings have appreciated in value.
When Will Prices Drop? Don’t Hold Your Breath
Unfortunately, experts don’t see wing prices returning to their historically low levels anytime soon. While there may be some fluctuations and occasional sales, the combination of limited supply and sustained high demand means wings are likely to remain relatively expensive for the foreseeable future.
Money-Saving Tips for Wing Lovers
Despite the sticker shock, there are ways to satisfy your wing cravings without breaking the bank:
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Buy in bulk: Look for family packs at grocery stores, which often have a lower per-pound price.
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DIY your wings: Making wings at home is almost always cheaper than restaurant prices, plus you can experiment with your own sauce recipes!
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Watch for sales: Grocery stores often discount wings around major sporting events.
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Consider alternatives: Chicken thighs and drumsticks can be prepared with similar flavors at a fraction of the cost.
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Explore frozen options: Pre-frozen wings are typically less expensive than fresh.
Regional Price Differences: Location Matters
Wing prices aren’t uniform across the country. States closer to major poultry production areas might see slightly lower prices, while areas with higher costs of living or transportation challenges might face even steeper wing prices.
The Future of Wing Prices
Will we ever see cheap wings again? It’s hard to say for sure, but it seems unlikely in the near term. The factors driving up prices—limited supply, high demand, production costs, and global appetites—show no signs of changing significantly.
Some industry experts suggest that advancements in poultry breeding or processing efficiency might eventually help stabilize prices, but don’t expect a return to the dirt-cheap wings of yesteryear.
Despite their increased cost, wings remain incredibly popular. There’s just something about that perfect combination of crispy skin, tender meat, and flavorful sauce that keeps us coming back for more, even as prices climb.
So the next time you’re enjoying a plate of wings, you’ll understand why they cost what they do—and maybe that knowledge will make them taste even better. Well, probably not, but at least you’ll know you’re not being ripped off!
What do you think? Are chicken wings worth their current prices, or have you found good alternatives? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!
P.S. If you’re looking for more budget-friendly chicken recipes, check out our article on affordable chicken meals that won’t break the bank!
The Price Journey: A Historical Exploration of Chicken Wing Prices
In 2019 and early 2020, wing prices were around $2.50 to $3.00 per pound. Typically, wings are a relatively cheap part of the chicken, meaning they’re easy to find and have a decent market value. Then, during the pandemic, chicken wing prices fluctuated wildly, going up to about $3.90 per pound in the spring of 2022.
In some areas, wing prices inflated, and supplies were so limited that foodservice establishments had to list their wings at “market price.” Fortunately, those days didn’t last too long, and the numbers came tumbling back down in the latter half of 2022. By early 2023, things had leveled out, and wings were back to around $2.70 per pound. This allowed operators to take advantage of Super Bowl demand, as Americans regularly eat over 1.4 billion wings during the game.
Behind the Numbers: Unraveling the Factors Influencing Wing Price Movements
Seeing wing prices fluctuate so wildly is one thing, but it’s imperative to understand what drives such tumultuous economics. Here are the factors that affected this last bout of wingflation, so operators can anticipate when another “perfect storm” may arrive again.
First, chicken wing prices reflect a matter of supply and demand. Demand for wings is always high, with about one billion servings of wings being ordered throughout any given year. Even at home, people love to cook wings because they’re cheap, hard to ruin, and delicious.
So, during the COVID-19 pandemic, supply levels dried up almost overnight. Because meat packing and processing plants had to close for health reasons, wings weren’t being produced like before. Although some processing plants reopened relatively quickly, the interruption caused a domino effect. Those interruptions took about three years to get smoothed out, allowing prices to fall back to pre-pandemic levels.
Finally, demand for wings can fluctuate throughout the year. Super Bowl season is typically in peak demand but can also fluctuate for other reasons. For example, if wings are unavailable for a time, customers are more likely to order them when they come back on the menu. This creates higher demand and lower supplies, so the cycle continues anew.
Why Are Chicken Wings so Expensive compared to Regular Chicken? $9.99/lb at Von’s for Wings.
FAQ
Are chicken wings expensive?
Yes, chicken wings are expensive. The main reason for this is their high popularity and demand. Additionally, there are only two wings in a chicken, and since chicken wings are small and full of bones, you’ll need more of them.
Why did the price of chicken wings increase?
If the price increase was large, then the supply shift in the market for chicken wings must have been larger than the demand shift. Whichever change occurred first must have been the primary cause of the change in the price of chicken wings.
Will the price of chicken wings go down?
The price of chicken wings is likely to go down once a new staple dish emerges and reduces demand for wings. However, this is not expected to happen soon.
Why are buffalo wings expensive?
Buffalo wings are expensive due to their popularity and traditional origin. The flavors associated with them make them pricier compared to other styles. This is also the case for Hooters wings.
Why are Pizza Hut wings expensive?
Pizza Hut wings are expensive due to the cost of preparation and service charges. Although you can pay less by buying and cooking wings at home, eating wings at Pizza Hut involves the staff’s effort, preparation, and the costs of utensils, among other things.
Why are wings over so expensive?
It’s all about supply and demand. Demand is high, therefore the price is high. Before they exploded in popularity they were so cheap that places were practically giving them away.
What is the average cost of a chicken wing?
In 2019 and early 2020, wing prices were around $2.50 to $3.00 per pound. Typically, wings are a relatively cheap part of the chicken, meaning they’re easy to find and have a decent market value. Then, during the pandemic, chicken wing prices fluctuated wildly, going up to about $3.90 per pound in the spring of 2022.
Why are wings so expensive in 2025?
In July 2025, the median price of an order of wings was $13.71, up 2.2% compared to July 2024. A recent avian flu outbreak in the U.S. sent egg prices soaring, prompting some restaurants to add egg surcharges, reduce the number of eggs they serve, or switch to liquid eggs to keep costs and prices low.
Why is there a shortage of chicken wings?
Increased Demand: As restaurants reopened and consumer demand surged, the need for chicken wings increased, leading to shortages. Rising Costs: The cost of feed and other inputs for poultry farming has risen, which can affect the supply and pricing of chicken wings.