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Buffalo Wings with Creamy Feta Dip

Buffalo Wings | My Halal Kitchen

One of my favorite summertime recipes is for Buffalo Wings. The first time I ever had them was way back in college- it was the late night food of choice with friends- we didn’t have a care in the world about eating spicy food at that hour, or any food at all for that matter. It was quick, easy, inexpensive, greasy and just so so good…

Halal Buffalo Wings

Fast forward to years later when I became Muslim and everything changed (particularly the late nights out), but most noticeably my food choices. If I wanted halal chicken, I would have to go to a live poultry house in Chicago, or if I was lucky, a halal butcher would have chicken- but it would take nearly 30 minutes of waiting for them to cut it up before I could get out the door. Never mind the instructions to cut the wings in half so I could make Buffalo Wings– huh?

Wall of Crescent Foods Halal Chicken Products at Walmart near Detroit, MI

 Crescent Foods Halal Poultry at Walmart near Detroit, MI

It took some time for me to find Crescent chicken products, but when I found them it was love at first sight. They were the first halal poultry product I saw that was packaged in neat and clean trays that were labeled. Labeled, telling me exactly what kind of cut of meat was there. They were a brand. They were a company I could call and ask and get answers from about their products. To some people, this may not have meant much- either they were used to and happy with buying the whole animal at all times from the butcher; perhaps they were buying non-dhabiha meats at the big box grocery store that was nicely packaged, too. But to me, this meant that a whole new world of cooking halal just got easier. Quicker. Better.

Not only was their meat halal, but I quickly learned that they took great care to make sure the chickens are well-kept (cage-free), well-fed (vegetarian), free of hormones and anything artificial. When I dug a little deeper and met the people at Crescent, I knew I had a found a gem- they care so much about doing things right and truly strive to serve the people (us) by doing things appropriately halal every step of the way.  You can read my interview with the founder and owner here.

Needless to say, I’ve been cooking with Crescent for many years and they have more products than I’m able to show you in just one recipe, but if you go to a Walmart, you may just find them since they’re now in 62 stores throughout the U.S., masha’allah. Read more about that here.

So began my own experimentation to re-create my favorite restaurant dishes with my newly-discovered halal chicken and out came this recipe my family loves for homemade Buffalo Wings. You can put them out on the grill or bake them in the oven. Either way, they really are good enough to stock up on the wings so that you can make them often this summer…

Ingredients for Buffalo Wings

I always try to start out with the best quality ingredients I can get my hands on. In this case, it’s freshly-ground pepper, sea salt, Hungarian paprika (smoked), tabasco or a Mexican hot sauce, butter (key ingredient- don’t replace with oil or margarine), and some good old-fashioned chili powder. 

Hungarian Paprika

Don’t worry- you can control the spice level to make them milder or hotter than my recipe. Just experiment until you get it the way your family loves it.

As I said about the butter- don’t replace it with a non-natural alternative. It just doesn’t taste the same. Go with any brand that’s pure, just as long as it’s REAL butter. Trust me.

As far as hot sauce goes, the above-photographed McIlhenny Co. is the most commonly found but it certainly isn’t the only one you can use. I love the ones found in Mexican stores, particularly the Valentina brand (they have mild and hot) and it’s the one I use most in this recipe.

On to yogurt and sour cream- you’ll need these plus some crumbly feta to make an amazing dip for your wings (and the celery sticks that must accompany them)

Get the good stuff without all the hormones. I like whole milk yogurt best- no fillers.

Yogurt and Sour Cream together

You can also get the Middle Eastern Style, Old Country Style, or Greek Style- that just means they’re nice and thick and creamy.

Crescent Wings TrayAnd then, of course, you need the wings…so they can look like something that (below) when done.

Buffalo Wings Plated

Buffalo Chicken Wings with Creamy Feta Dip

Whether you like mild or spicy chicken wings, with this recipe you can gauge the spice level to kick it up a notch or tone it down to a more mild spice flavor by changing the amounts of chili powder, paprika and tabasco according to your preference.  Whether grilled or cooked in the oven, these wings are fantastic with the accompanying creamy feta dip and, of course, some celery.

Makes 24 wings

Buffalo Wings- Final Plated

Ingredients for Buffalo Chicken Wings

2 pounds chicken wings

1 teaspoon chili powder

1 tablespoon paprika

½ cup hot sauce/Tabasco sauce

1/4 teaspoon sea salt

1 ¼ sticks butter, melted

1 head of Romaine lettuce leaves

12 celery sticks, cut in half

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 400º F.
  2. Mix all ingredients together in a large bowl.

-If using the oven-

  1. Line baking sheets with parchment paper. Place wings on the paper, several inches apart. Bake for 10 minutes and turn over. Bake another 10 minutes. Place wings under broiler for 2-3 minutes, remove and cool slightly before serving.

-If using the grill-

Line grill grates with aluminum foil and place wings several inches apart. Grill, covered, for 12-15 minutes per side or until the internal temperature of the chicken is at least 165° F.

Ingredients for Creamy Feta Dip

1/2 cup sour cream

1/2 cup whole milk yogurt

1/2 cup feta cheese

Sea salt, to taste

Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Directions for Dip

  1. Combine all ingredients in a food processor or large mixing bowl.
  2. Place dip in a large bowl and set aside.
  3. Arrange whole lettuce leaves around a platter and serve wings on top of the lettuce leaves, which are perfect for wrapping the wings topped with the creamy dip.

Would love to hear how you loved this dish in the comments below. 

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Responses

  1. I would love to find that cresent brand and those wings are awesome masha allah they look like they taste and smell wonderful definetly will be trying to make them insha allah

  2. To be honest, I’ve never tried Crescent halal products. Like you, I’m happy to see there is such a thing as pre-packaged chicken that is Halal! How exciting! But I don’t think they carry them in my local Walmart or I’m sure I would have seen it. Currently I buy from a Halal grocery and have to wait in line and then wait to get it cut up for me. I would love to know where I can find this in the Northern Virgina area!

  3. Oh my…wow! Yummy, I can’t wait to try these wings! I love wings (probably a little to much, lol!). They are simple, tasty and can be an appitizer or included with a meal.

    After reading the previous comments, I must say I’m lucky to live in the Twin Cities (Minnesota) where there is quite a large Muslim population, which means many places to by halal/zabiha foods. One of my favorite stores is to by Cresent Foods is Holy Land in Minneapolis. It was one of the first few (if not the first) Middle Eastern/Muslim store to by halal foods. I make it a point to go there at least one or two times every couple of weeks.

  4. i love seeing crescent chicken at my neighborhood walmart. my son loves chicken wings. i’ll be trying your recipe soon.

  5. Unfortunately, I live in Scottsdale Arizona and I haven’t seen them in Walmart here. I have been going across town to a halal market (Baiz) so that is where I purchase Crescent products.

  6. Jazikillah Khair. I’ve been wanting a recipe for this. I think i’m going to make this tomorrow InshaAllah!

  7. I usually buy my crescent chicken from mediterranean market in lombard. they sell all types of cuts of chicken so it makes it easier to buy what i need for my recipes.
    my favorite food to make with crescent chicken is whole roasted chicken, kebsa style.

  8. Sharifah, I live in the DC area where the Muslim population is enormous! We have tons of halal groceries, just not this specific brand that I know of.

  9. I get mine (Crescent’s) chicken from Michael’s fresh market. It is the closest store with the Crescent brand, which I love! I use them to make wonderful Thai recipes like cashew chicken and fried rice. I’ve also used them for chicken casseroles and chicken salad sandwiches.

  10. These chicken wings sound so yummy. I have tried chicken wings at home, we always order them from the pizza store but these are definitely worth trying. Here in Mississauga we usually buy halal poultry from a newly opened store called Paramount butchers. The good thing about this store is that it’s very neat and clean unlike other halal meat stores. The most frequently made chicken dishes in my home are tandoori chicken and chicken curry.

  11. I like to go to Costco and get the halal whole lamb I make so many things with it but my favorite is a lamb tagine really simple just lamb, onions and, white potatoes stewed and steam until fall off the bone tender served with crusty french bread! or better yet really warm soft pita bread! Oh no I am making myself hungry and I am fasting so can’t eat for 4 more hours.

  12. I LOVE Crescent chicken. I buy it at Holy Land in Minneapolis MN when they have it. It tastes so much better than other chicken I have had. Remarkably different. I’ve been wanting to make wings, but they haven’t had wings the last few times I’ve been there. I LOVE Crescent breasts for grilling/pan frying because they are juicy and taste so delicious. I also love the whole chickens – I have been making rotisserie chicken in the slow cooker and I LOVE it for recipes. Mmm!

  13. We moved to Hershey, PA last year from Chicago and had a really hard time trying to find good quality meat/chicken. Alhamdulillah, Crescent started supplying to our local Walmart right before Ramadan started and we have been blessed to enjoy their great chicken variety without having to go too far to get meat. It’s been a big help/ convenience this Ramadan to be able to get fresh meat as we need it rather than having to stalk up with a packed freezer. Our family favorites are the boneless chicken thighs and chicken wings. Can’t wait to try your buffalo wings recipe!

  14. LOVE Crescent chicken, esp the wings! I was very excited to see them in my local fruit market ‘Produce World’ near Chicago. Always make it a point to buy it there, besides getting my regular supply from the halal meat store. I’d like our neighborhood store to keep re-stocking it, for convenience sake.

  15. Its great that we now have more halaal options available to us. The fact that its hand processed, has no hormones and is cage free makes it the perfect option. I am hoping our walmarts will begin to stock crescent products soon. I will in the meantime definately request walmarts to do so.

  16. Oh I would make the buffalo chicken wings recipe here they look so good! I would got to my local halal mini market to by the chicken.

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