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My Slow Cooker Chicken Wings are fall-off-the-bone tender, cooked low and slow, and filled with sweet, tangy, and spicy flavors. These wings in the crock pot are easy to make with just 15 minutes of prep and are perfect for a set-it-and-forget-it dinner or game-day gathering!
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Crock Pot Chicken Wings
My family is huge fans of chicken wings. Until I tried this recipe, traditional chicken wings were their favorites. The first time I made chicken wings in the slow cooker, they were amazed at how juicy, tender, and perfectly cooked they turned out! If you're worried about whether the wings will be crispy, don't be!
After cooking the wings, I transfer them to a wire rack and broil them for just a few minutes, giving them the crispy exterior every chicken wing needs. It's so easy. I love that I can cook the wings beforehand and then crisp them up right before serving. You know me—I am all about convenience.
When I make chicken wings at home, I like to change the flavors, but my family's favorite is my spicy barbecue recipe. It pairs so well with a simple serving of sour cream on the side. There is nothing better!
Nothing is easier than making these chicken wings for an easy Sunday Supper to enjoy during the big game. Crockpot chicken wings are a great appetizer for family gatherings or dinner parties. Keep some napkins on hand; you'll need them! 🙂
These are our new game day favorite! I love how easy they are to prepare.
Tara on Pinterest
Crockpot Wings Ingredients
- chicken wings
- sweet paprika
- brown sugar
- onion flakes
- salt
- cayenne
- garlic powder
- mustard powder
- ground black pepper
This recipe uses my all-purpose chicken wings seasoning.
Slow Cooker Wings Sauce Ingredients
- ketchup
- maple syrup
- apple cider vinegar
- soy sauce
Chicken Wings Crock Pot Recipe
- Cut the wings into three pieces - wing tips, wing flats, and drumettes. Discard the wing tips. Place the rest of the wings in a large bowl. Mix the spice mix ingredients in a separate bowl—reserve ¼ cup of the spices and set aside.
- Sprinkle the remaining spice mix over the chicken wing pieces. Mix well.
- Mix the sauce ingredients with the quarter cup of reserved spices.
- Spray the slow cooker bowl with oil, then add the seasoned chicken wings. Only pour over ¾ cup of the sauce mix (keep the rest aside).
- Toss wings in the sauce, and cook on low for 4-5 hours until cooked through and tender.
- Turn the broiler to high. Cover a large baking sheet in aluminum foil, then place a wire rack on top. Spray the rack with oil then sit the chicken wings in a single layer on the rack.
- Cook under the broiler for 5 minutes, then turn them over then cook for another 5 minutes. Brush liberally with the remaining sauce mix, broil for 2 minutes and repeat.
- Finally, sprinkle with chopped cilantro and serve with sour cream and vegetable strips. Enjoy!
Chicken Wings in Slow Cooker Tips
- You can cook frozen wings in a slow cooker on the high setting for 3-4 hours.
- Buying pre-cut chicken wings will save you a lot of time in the kitchen, especially if you are not confident in your knife skills (nobody's judging you here!). If you want to cut them yourself, here is my step-by-step guide to cutting chicken wings.
- Though it comes together in just minutes, my BBQ sauce is an excellent sauce to keep on hand for other recipes or as a quick dipping sauce! Sometimes I like to try this recipe with my easy Carolina sauce too.
- If you want to skip the broiling, no worries! This will add a nice crispy texture to the wings, but adding the BBQ to the slow cooker is also perfectly fine.
Love slow cooker chicken recipes? Try my Honey and Sesame Chicken!
Storing Chicken Wings
- Refrigeration: If you plan to eat the chicken wings within a few days, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Make sure they are cool before refrigerating them.
- Freezing: If you want to store them for a longer period, place the chicken wings in an airtight container or heavy-duty freezer bags. Remove as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn. Label the container with the date. Frozen chicken wings can be stored for up to three months.
- Divide into Portions: If you're storing a large batch, divide the wings into smaller portions before refrigerating or freezing. This will make it easier to reheat only what you need.
Reheating Chicken Wings
- Oven Method
- Preheat your oven to around 350°F (175°C).
- Place the chicken wings on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or aluminum foil.
- Bake for about 15-20 minutes or until they are heated through and the skin becomes crispy. This method helps maintain the crispiness and flavor.
- Air Fryer Method
- Preheat your air fryer to 350-375°F (175-190°C).
- Place the chicken wings in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
- Cook for 5-10 minutes, flipping them halfway through, until they are hot and crispy.
- Microwave Method (Quick but Less Crispy):
- Place the chicken wings on a microwave-safe plate.
- Cover them with a microwave-safe lid or microwave-safe paper towel.
- Heat in 30-second intervals, checking after each interval, until they are hot throughout.
Crock Pot Chicken Wings FAQs
Frozen chicken wings can be put in a slow cooker. However, you will need to turn the crockpot on the high setting for frozen wings and cook them for around 3-4 hours.
Follow the recipe for the recommended the cook time, but once the wings are cooked they can stay on the warm setting on your slow cooker for up to 3 more hours.
A chicken wing dry rub is a mixture of herbs and spices, typically dry ingredients, rubbed onto the wings' surface to add flavor. This rub adds a spicy touch and takes the flavor over the top!
Best Chicken Wing Sauces
- A classic is my Homemade Buffalo Sauce. Don't forget to serve them with delicious Blue Cheese Dressing on the side!
- Peri Peri Sauce
- Restaurant Ranch Dressing
- Honey Sriracha
- One of my favorites, Teriyaki, also works well.
Wing Recipes
- Smoked Chicken Wings
- Baked Chicken Wings
- Deep Fried Chicken Wings
- Air Fryer Chicken Wings
- Instant Pot Chicken Wings
These easy wings are one of my favorite football foods - get more Super Bowl Food Ideas!
Crock-Pot Chicken Wings
Video
Ingredients
- 3 pounds chicken wings
Spice mix:
- 3 tablespoons sweet paprika
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons onion flakes
- 1½ teaspoons salt
- 1½ teaspoons cayenne
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon mustard powder
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
BBQ Sauce:
- 1 cup ketchup
- ⅓ cup maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
Serve with:
- ½ cup blue cheese dressing - optional
- 1 tablespoon finely chopped cilantro - optional
- Strips of cucumber and peppers - optional
Instructions
- Cut the wings into 3 pieces – wing tips, wing flats and drumettes. Discard the wing tips. Place the rest of the wings in a large bowl. In a separate bowl, mix together the spice mix ingredients. Reserve ¼ cup of the spices and set aside.
- Sprinkle the remaining spice mix over the chicken wing pieces. Mix together well.
- To the quarter cup of reserved spices, add the sauce ingredients and mix well.
- Spray the slow cooker bowl with oil then add the seasoned chicken wings. Only pour over ¾ cup of the sauce mix (keep the rest aside).
- Toss wings in the sauce, and cook on low for 4-5 hours until cooked through and tender.
- Turn the broiler to high. Cover a large baking sheet in aluminum foil, then place a wire rack on top. Spray the rack with oil then sit the chicken wings in a single layer on the rack.
- Cook under the broiler for 5 minutes, then turn them over then cook for another 5 minutes. Brush liberally with the remaining sauce mix, broil for 2 minutes and repeat.
- Finally, sprinkle with chopped cilantro and serve with sour cream and vegetable strips. Enjoy!
Notes
- You can cook frozen wings in a slow cooker by using the high setting. Cook them for around 3-4 hours.
- Buying pre-cut chicken wings will save so much time in the kitchen, especially if you are not confident with your knife skills (nobody's judging you here!).
- Though it comes together in just minutes, my BBQ sauce is an excellent sauce to keep on hand for other recipes or as a quick dipping sauce!
- If you want to skip the broiling, no worries! This will add a nice crispy texture to the wings, but simply adding the BBQ to the slow cooker is perfectly fine as well.
Danielle says
Looks like the perfect wings recipe for the Super Bowl tomorrow!!! Thanks for sharing!
Em Beitel says
Thank you so much, Danielle! We hope you loved them!
Shanika @ Orchids + Sweet Tea says
These Wings look so amazing! I'm loving the sound of that Spicy BBQ sauce!
Em Beitel says
Thanks so much, Shanika! A good BBQ sauce is just the best... especially the spicy kind!
Alisha Rodrigues says
I'm drooling over that image. So tender and so full of flavor. That spice powder and sauce recipe is going to be my savior for many meals
Em Beitel says
Thank you, Alisha! The spicy BBQ is really so good. I've definitely used it for other recipes too.
Andrea Metlika says
I really like the rub and sauce on these wings. I can't wait to make these.
Em Beitel says
Thanks so much, Andrea! We hope you love them.
Beth says
Making these in the slow cooker was such a great idea! Love the flavor too!
Em Beitel says
Thanks so much, Beth! Slow cooker makes everything easier!
ann says
I've been making Buffalo wings since the early 80s. Actually earlier than that but that was before "Buffalo" was a thing, just plain with some type of dipping sauce and they were cooked whole. I grill them, slow-cook them, roast them, etc. They are so versatile. My sister and I always liked the wingtips growing up. To this day, they don't get discarded. They crisp up really well. But if someone doesn't want to eat or cook them, please don't toss them. Save them for the next time you make chicken stock!
Just wanted to add that the very first time I had to cut the wings up, no one showed me but I tended to be quite handy in the kitchen at a young age, watching my mother cook homemade meals practically every single day! After the first couple, I figured it out. So will those of you who are new to this. It's a skill worth knowing and will apply to breaking down a whole chicken later.
Thanks so much!
Em Beitel says
Hi Ann! So glad you enjoyed them! Thank you for your comment and for sharing your memories with us. The tip to save the wing tips is a great one!
Claire B says
These are fantastic!
Isabel Laessig says
Thanks so much, Claire! I'm glad you enjoyed them!