Slow Cooker Chicken Wings

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Slow Cooker Chicken Wings are fall-off-the-bone tender and coated in a bold, sticky-sweet BBQ sauce. After a quick broil for that irresistible crisp, they’re ready to serve as a no-fuss appetizer, game day snack, or even a casual dinner that everyone will love.

easy Slow Cooker Chicken Wings

Why You’ll Love These Slow Cooker Wings

  • Set-it-and-forget-it easy: Just dump, cook, and broil.
  • Perfect for parties and tailgates: Big flavor with minimal effort.
  • Crispy and saucy: The broil step gives you that crave-worthy texture.

Ingredients

  • 3 lbs chicken wings, party-style (drumettes and flats separated)
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • 1 cup barbecue sauce
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • ¼ cup ketchup
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder

best Slow Cooker Chicken Wings

How to Make Slow Cooker Chicken Wings

1. Season and Sauce

Place the chicken wings in a 4 to 6-quart slow cooker. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.

In a bowl, whisk together the barbecue sauce, brown sugar, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, and onion powder. Pour the sauce over the wings and toss to coat evenly.

2. Slow Cook

Cover and cook on HIGH for 2–3 hours or on LOW for 4–5 hours, until the wings are tender and fully cooked through.

3. Broil to Crisp

Preheat your oven broiler. Line a sheet pan with foil and place an oven-safe wire rack on top (for extra crispness). Arrange the wings on the rack and broil for 3–5 minutes, turning once, until crispy and caramelized.

4. Serve

Brush wings with extra sauce from the slow cooker and serve hot. Pair with ranch or blue cheese dressing if desired.

Tips for Success

  • Use party-style wings: They’re easier to eat and cook more evenly.
  • Don’t skip broiling: It adds a crisp exterior without drying them out.
  • Wire rack = crispier wings: Air circulation makes a big difference.
  • Reheat properly: Use the oven instead of the microwave to bring back that crispy texture.

Flavor Variations

  • Spicy twist: Add hot sauce, chipotle powder, or cayenne to the sauce.
  • Smoky depth: Mix in smoked paprika or a dash of liquid smoke.
  • Protein swaps: Try the sauce with chicken thighs, meatballs, or little smokies.
  • Extra sauce ideas: Serve with ranch, blue cheese, or even spicy honey mustard.

Serving Suggestions

These wings are a hit on game day alongside:

  • Celery and carrot sticks
  • Creamy ranch or blue cheese dressing
  • Honey cornbread
  • Black bean and corn salad

Storage and Reheating

  • Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
  • Reheat: Use a 350°F oven for 10–15 minutes to restore crispness.
  • Freezing not recommended for best texture.

Slow Cooker Chicken Wings

FAQs

What’s the best way to cook chicken wings without drying them out?
Slow cooking in sauce keeps them juicy, and finishing with a quick broil adds the perfect crispy finish.

Can I use frozen wings?
Yes, but thaw them first for even cooking and proper seasoning absorption.

Final Thoughts:
Slow Cooker Chicken Wings are the kind of recipe you’ll want to keep in your back pocket—easy, flavorful, and always a crowd-pleaser. Whether you’re hosting a party or just craving a casual weeknight treat, these wings will hit the spot every time.

Yield: 6

Slow Cooker Chicken Wings

easy Slow Cooker Chicken Wings

These slow cooker chicken wings are a total game-day favorite—fall-off-the-bone tender with loads of saucy flavor.

Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 5 hours
Total Time 5 hours 15 minutes

Ingredients

  • 3 pounds party-style chicken wings
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • ¼ cup ketchup
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1½ cups barbecue sauce
  • ¼ teaspoon onion powder
  • ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ¼ cup brown sugar
  • Cooking spray

Instructions

  1. Place the chicken wings in the slow cooker and season with salt and pepper.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the BBQ sauce, brown sugar, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, onion powder, and garlic powder until smooth and well blended.
  3. Pour the sauce over the wings and stir to coat evenly. Cover and cook on high for 2–3 hours or low for 4–5 hours, until the wings are fully cooked and tender.
  4. Carefully transfer the wings to a baking sheet lined with cooking spray.
  5. Set the broiler to high. Broil the wings for 3–4 minutes, or until they start to crisp and brown on top. Flip them over and broil the other side for another 1–2 minutes.
  6. Brush some of the leftover sauce from the slow cooker over the wings for extra flavor, then serve hot.

Notes

  • If you can, go with party-style wings, which means the drumette and flat pieces are already separated.
  • Feel free to use your go-to barbecue sauce, whether it’s homemade or store-bought.

Nutrition Information

Yield

6

Serving Size

1

Amount Per Serving Calories 907Total Fat 56gSaturated Fat 20gTrans Fat 1gUnsaturated Fat 31gCholesterol 186mgSodium 2090mgCarbohydrates 62gFiber 2gSugar 34gProtein 39g

dinnerbytes.com, occasionally offers nutritional information for recipes contained on this site. This information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. This information comes from online calculators. Although dinnerbytes.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures are only estimates.

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