Slow Cooker Wings with Spicy BBQ Sauce

Name: Slow Cooker Wings with Spicy BBQ Sauce
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 250 min
Total time: 265 min
Ingredients: 3 pounds chicken wings; 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; 1 cup tomato ketchup; ⅓ cup maple syrup; 2 Tablespoons cider vinegar; 1 Tablespoon soy; ½ cup blue cheese dressing (optional); 1 Tablespoon finely chopped cilantro (optional); Strips of cucumber and peppers (optional)

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My Slow Cooker Wings are fall-off-the-bone tender, cooked low and slow and filled with lots of sweet, tangy, and spicy flavors. These crockpot chicken wings are incredibly easy to make with just 15 minutes of prep, and perfect for a set-it-and-forget-it dinner or game day gathering!

Slow Cooker Wings with Spicy BBQ Sauce are fall off the bone tender chicken wings, cooked low and slow and filled with flavor. These are perfect party food, game day food - share food at it's best.

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Easy Slow Cooker Chicken Wings Recipe
FAQs
How to Portion Chicken Wings
How to Make Chicken Wings in the Slow Cooker
Recipe Tips
How to Store Cooked Chicken Wings
Can I freeze cooked BBQ chicken wings?
Best Slow Cooker Chicken Wing Sauces
More Slow Cooker Recipes
Game Day Recipe Ideas
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💬 Reviews

Easy Slow Cooker Chicken Wings Recipe

The first time I made chicken wings in the slow cooker, I was amazed at how juicy, tender, and perfectly cooked they turned out! If you’re worried about whether the wings will be crispy or not, don’t be!

After the wings are done cooking, 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.

When I make chicken wings at home, I like to change up the flavors, but my family’s favorite has got to be my spicy barbecue recipe. It pairs so well with a simple serving of sour cream on the side. There is nothing better!

There is nothing easier than making these chicken wings for an easy Sunday Supper to enjoy during the big game. Crock pot chicken wings are also a great appetizer dish to bring to a family gathering or dinner party. Keep some napkins on hand, you’ll need them! 🙂

Picking up a single slow cooker chicken wing on a plate of wings

FAQs

Can I put frozen wings in a slow cooker?

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.

How long do you cook chicken wings in a crockpot?

Crockpot wings do take longer than standard baked or fried wings, but you’re rewarded with super soft meat that falls off the bone. Chicken wings take around 4-5 hours to cook in a slow cooker.

Are crockpot chicken wings low carb?

My slow cooker chicken wings with spicy BBQ sauce avoid fry oil, and they are not dusted in flour, meaning this is a more wholesome alternative to traditional chicken wings. However, they are not a good fit for keto.

Are these chicken wings gluten-free?

The chicken wings without the spicy BBQ sauce are gluten-free, but as written, the sauce is not. To make a gluten-free spicy BBQ sauce, simply substitute gluten-free ketchup and gluten-free soy sauce!

Can I keep chicken wings in the crock pot too long?

Follow the recipe for the recommended 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.

What is a dry rub?

A dry rub is a mixture of herbs and spices, typically dry ingredients which are rubbed onto the surface of food (most often meat) to add flavor. The dry rub also creates a crust on the surface of food that is grilled or broiled. For this recipe, the rub adds a spicy touch.

Ingredients for BBQ sauce for slow cooker wings in individual bowls

How to Portion Chicken Wings

This is a totally optional step and you can put chicken wings into the slow cooker whole, but they are easier to eat when cut into pieces. You will need a sharp knife, as the goal is to separate the wing into its 3 distinct parts: the wingtips, wing flats, and drumettes.

Flip the whole chicken wing over so it is skin-side down and you can easily see the joints. Use your fingers to locate the first ridge between the drumette and the wingette portions.
Place a sharp knife just beside this ridge and also parallel to the long axis of the drumette. Cut all of the way through it, your knife should slide right through with very little resistance.
Next, locate the second ridge between the wingette and the tip portions.
Cut all of the way through this joint to separate the two pieces

How to Make Chicken Wings in the Slow Cooker

Cut the wings into 3 pieces – wing tips, wing flats and drumettes – following the instructions above. Discard the wing tips. Place the rest in a large bowl. In a separate bowl, mix together the spice mix ingredients. Reserve ¼ cup of the spices and tip the rest over the chicken wing pieces. Mix 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 wing pieces. Pour over ¾ cup of the sauce mix (keep the rest aside), then 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!

Crockpot chicken wings on a white plate with vegetables and sour cream

Recipe Tips

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.

How to Store Cooked Chicken Wings

Cooked crock pot chicken wings can be wrapped or sealed in an airtight container for up to four days in the fridge.

Slow cooker wings can be reheated in the oven at 350°F for 15-20 minutes, rotating halfway through on a lined baking sheet, with an air fryer, or by placing back into the slow cooker on low.

Can I freeze cooked BBQ chicken wings?

Cool cooked chicken wings to room temperature, then place them in a Ziplock freezer bag or airtight container and freeze for up to 6 months. This is a great time saver for quick meal or entertaining ideas!

To reheat frozen chicken wings, allow them to thaw completely in the refrigerator before reheating.

Best Slow Cooker Chicken Wing Sauces

A classic is with my Homemade Buffalo Sauce. Don’t forget to serve them with delicious Blue Cheese Dressing on the side!
The sauce from my Dragon Chicken is fabulous when used on chicken wings!
Chili Maple, Honey Orange, or one of my favorites, Teriyaki, also work well.

More Slow Cooker Recipes

Game Day Recipe Ideas

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