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What are Wawa Chicken Bites Made Of?

Published in Wawa Food Ingredients 2 mins read

Wawa chicken bites are primarily made from boneless chicken breast with rib meat, coated in a seasoned breading.

Core Ingredients of Wawa Chicken Bites

The delicious flavor and texture of Wawa's chicken bites come from a blend of chicken, water, and a careful selection of ingredients for both the meat itself and its crispy breading.

Here's a detailed breakdown of what goes into Wawa chicken bites:

Component Ingredients
Chicken Base Boneless chicken breast with rib meat: The primary protein source, ensuring tender and juicy bites.
Water: Used to maintain moisture and texture.
Potato starch: Acts as a binder and helps with texture.
Salt: Enhances flavor.
Sodium phosphates: Helps retain moisture and preserve texture, contributing to the chicken's succulence.
Breading Bleached wheat flour: Forms the base of the breading for a crisp exterior.
Water: Essential for creating the batter.
Vital wheat gluten: Adds elasticity and structure to the breading.
Salt: For seasoning.
Rice flour: Contributes to crispiness.
Modified food starch: Helps with adhesion and texture.
Dried egg whites: Acts as a binder.
Spices: A blend of seasonings for distinct flavor.
Leavening (sodium acid pyrophosphate, sodium bicarbonate): Helps the breading become light and crispy.
Dextrose: A sugar that aids in browning and flavor development.
Paprika and annatto: Natural colorings that also add subtle flavor notes.

Understanding Key Ingredients

  • Chicken Breast with Rib Meat: Wawa specifies using boneless chicken breast with rib meat, which provides a balance of lean protein from the breast and a bit more flavor from the rib meat.
  • Moisture and Texture Enhancers: Ingredients like water, potato starch, and sodium phosphates are crucial for ensuring the chicken remains tender and moist, even after cooking. They help prevent the chicken from drying out.
  • The Breading's Role: The breading is a complex mix designed to provide a golden, crispy shell.
    • Flour Bases: Both bleached wheat flour and rice flour are used, contributing to different aspects of crispiness and texture.
    • Leavening Agents: Sodium acid pyrophosphate and sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) work together to create air pockets in the breading, making it light and crunchy when cooked.
    • Natural Colorants: Paprika and annatto are added not just for color, giving the bites their appealing golden-brown hue, but also for very subtle flavor contributions.

These carefully selected ingredients work in harmony to create the popular Wawa chicken bites, known for their tender interior and crispy, seasoned exterior.