Applebee's 20 Free Boneless Wings To Go Copycat Recipe (Unbeatable Deal)
Applebee's is giving away TWENTY boneless wings with this NFL Draft promo, and we couldn't resist! The wings are perfectly crispy on the outside, juicy inside, and you can mix and match sauces—we went with classic buffalo and sweet Asian chili. Twenty wings is enough to feed 3-4 people (or one very hungry football fan), and the fact that they're free with any entrée makes this one of the best sports promo deals we've seen. Perfect timing for draft watch parties. 🍗🏈
Ingredients
Main ingredients
- boneless skinless chicken breasts 2 lbs
- buttermilk 1 cup
- all-purpose flour 1.5 cups
- cornstarch 0.5 cup
- eggs 2 large
- vegetable oil 3 cups
Seasonings/Sauce
- kosher salt 2 tsp
- black pepper 1 tsp
- garlic powder 1 tsp
- smoked paprika 1 tsp
- cayenne pepper 0.5 tsp
- Buffalo wing sauce 0.5 cup
- Sweet Asian chili sauce 0.5 cup
Nutrition summary
Carbohydrates
36 g
27%
Protein
36 g
27%
Fat
27 g
46%
Cooking steps
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1
Slice chicken breasts into 1-inch pieces, aiming for 20–24 boneless 'wing' portions. For juiciness like Applebee's, try to cut consistent, even shapes.
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2
In a large bowl, whisk buttermilk, 1 tsp salt, 1⁄2 tsp black pepper, and eggs. Add chicken pieces, toss to coat, then marinate in the fridge at least 30 minutes and up to 4 hours for maximum flavor penetration.
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3
In a separate bowl, combine flour, cornstarch, remaining salt, pepper, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and cayenne. Dredge each marinated chicken piece in flour mixture, pressing firmly to create a thick, crispy coating that mimics Applebee's signature crunch.
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4
Preheat vegetable oil to 350°F in a large heavy-bottomed pot. Fry chicken in batches for 4–5 minutes per batch, until deeply golden, firm, and cooked through (internal temp 165°F). Drain well on wire rack—avoiding paper towels helps keep wings crisp like in the restaurant.
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5
Toss hot wings in Buffalo wing sauce or sweet Asian chili sauce, coating generously. Serve immediately, garnished with green onions and a side of ranch or blue cheese if desired. Grill Tip: High-temp oil and a cornstarch-flour blend deliver that true Applebee's crispy bite!
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6
Optional: Place sauced wings on a baking rack and broil for 1–2 minutes to caramelize if you love that restaurant-level finish. Watch closely to avoid burning!
Personalized Q&A
Q. Does this actually taste like Applebee's?
Absolutely! The buttermilk marinade guarantees juicy chicken, and the cornstarch-flour crust fried at 350°F creates a signature Applebee's-style crunch. Tossing with Buffalo and sweet Asian chili sauces gives you those craveable, bold flavors just like the restaurant.
Q. Do I need special equipment for this?
No special restaurant equipment is needed! All you need is a sturdy pot or Dutch oven for frying, a thermometer for oil temperature, and a bowl for tossing the sauces. A broiler is a nice bonus for caramelizing the sauces, but not required.
Q. Can I make this less spicy or use different sauces?
Definitely. Adjust the cayenne pepper to your heat preference, or skip it for mild wings. Swap in BBQ, teriyaki, honey mustard, or any favorite sauce in place of Buffalo or Asian chili to tailor the flavor to your taste.
Q. How many calories are in these wings?
Each serving (about 220g, or 5 wings) contains roughly 540 kcal, with 36g carbs (27%), 36g protein (27%), and 27g fat (46%)—similar to Applebee's nutrition profile for boneless wings.
Q. How much cheaper is this than ordering from Applebee's?
Making 20 boneless wings at home usually costs $10–$12 for all ingredients, compared to $18–$20 (or 'free' with promo) in the restaurant. You’ll also get larger portions and control over every ingredient!
