Friends of mine often order chicken wings as an appetizer, but I’ve never made them at home. It sounds like a messy task—traditionally deep fried—but I actually make wings for parties pretty often, and the secret is using the slow cooker. The meat gets so soft that it almost falls off the bone, and it’s easy to add all sorts of different flavors on top.
I’ve made them a lot of different ways, but my three favorite are Korean BBQ wings, party wings made with only three ingredients, and garlic parmesan ranch wings. The best part is that all three recipes are made exactly the same way until the last step. Because of this, it’s simple to make a big platter of wings for a party and mix and match flavors.
The first step is throwing a bag of frozen chicken wings into a large slow cooker. Think you can handle that? Then you’ll salt and pepper the wings and cover the slow cooker. After that, turn it on and forget about it for many hours. These chicken wings are a great recipe if you’re hosting a party at your home. While you’re cleaning up and prepping a million other things, the wings will be cooking themselves. Oh, how I love the slow cooker on days like this.
After the wings are tender, you’ll drain off all the liquid that is in the bottom of the slow cooker and place the chicken wings on a large cookie sheet. You’ll baste the wings with whatever sauce you like (recipes below) and broil for about five minutes. Place them on a platter and serve your hungry friends.
Chicken wings are a classic appetizer and game day snack that are always a crowd pleaser. While deep frying and oven baking are popular cooking methods, using a crock pot is a convenient and easy way to make tender, juicy chicken wings right at home.
At Kitchen Pearls, we love cooking chicken wings in the crock pot. The low, slow cookingtenderizes the meat and infuses it with flavor. Plus, it frees up your oven and stovetop, doesn’t require you to monitor a pot of hot oil, and minimizes cleanup.
If you’re new to making chicken wings in the crock pot you likely have questions about cook times. Read on as we provide a complete guide to how long to cook chicken wings in a crock pot as well as tips for preparation, seasoning, and serving perfectly cooked wings every time.
How Long Should You Cook Chicken Wings in a Crock Pot?
The exact cook time for chicken wings in a crock pot can vary based on the size of the wings and the settings on your particular crock pot However, most recipes call for cooking chicken wings for 2-4 hours on high or 4-6 hours on low.
Here are some general timelines to follow:
- Small chicken wings: 2-3 hours on high, 4-5 hours on low
- Medium chicken wings: 3-4 hours on high, 5-6 hours on low
- Large chicken wings: 3-4 hours on high, 6-8 hours on low
As a general rule of thumb, cooking chicken wings for at least 3 hours on high or 6 hours on low will result in tender meat that pulls away from the bone easily. If you prefer very fall-off-the-bone wings, cook them for the longer end of each time range.
Check the wings at the end of the minimum cooking time and keep cooking them if necessary until the meat inside reaches 165°F. A meat thermometer will tell you for sure when they’re fully cooked.
Why the Crock Pot is Ideal For Cooking Wings
There are several benefits that make a crock pot one of the best vessels for cooking chicken wings:
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Tender and moist meat – The long cook time allows the collagen in the wings to break down into gelatin, resulting in meat that is super tender and juicy.
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Full of flavor—chicken wings soak up sauces, herbs, and spices, which lets the flavor soak into the meat over a period of hours.
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It’s easy to use: just put the wings in the crock pot and leave it to do its thing. No need to watch over a stove or deep fryer.
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Makes them shine – Slow cooking transforms even the most inexpensive chicken wings into glistening, succulent appetizers.
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Convenience – Have perfectly cooked wings ready and waiting for you in the crock pot after a long day.
Pro Tips for Preparing Wings for the Crock Pot
It’s important to prepare your wings correctly before slow cooking them so that the flavor and texture are at their best. Follow these tips:
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Start with room temperature wings – Cook frozen wings thoroughly in the microwave before adding to the crock pot.
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Pat the wings dry – Dry wings help achieve crispy skin. Remove excess moisture with paper towels.
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Season generously – A flavorful dry rub adds lots of flavor. Apply your favorite mix of spices.
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Sauce later – Wait to add sticky sauces like barbecue until the last 30-60 minutes.
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Don’t overcrowd – Cook wings in a single layer; overcrowding steams rather than browns them.
Step-By-Step Guide to Cooking Wings in a Crock Pot
Follow these simple steps for cooking perfect chicken wings in your crock pot every time:
1. Prepare Your Wings
Rinse wings and pat them completely dry with paper towels. Season all sides with dry rub. Set aside.
2. Grease the Crock Pot
Coat the inside of the slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray or olive oil. This prevents sticking.
3. Arrange the Wings
Place wings in a single layer in the slow cooker. Overcrowding will lead to uneven cooking.
4. Cook on Low
Set the crock pot to low and cook for 4-6 hours or on high for 2-4 hours.
5. Add Sauce (Optional)
During the last 30-60 minutes of cooking, pour your desired sauce over the wings and toss to coat.
6. Finish on Broil
For crispy skin, broil the cooked wings for 3-5 minutes at end.
Handy Tips for Serving Your Cooked Wings
Here are some suggestions for finishing and serving your delicious slow cooker wings:
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Toss wings in sauce after cooking for maximum coverage.
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Serve wings with crunchy celery and carrot sticks and blue cheese or ranch dip.
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Keep cooked wings warm in a 200°F oven, not the crock pot to avoid overcooking.
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Transfer wings to an air fryer at 400°F for 5 minutes to make them extra crispy.
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Garnish wings with fresh herbs like parsley or scallions for a pop of color.
Storing and Reheating Leftover Crock Pot Wings
Have leftover wings? Here’s how to store and reheat them:
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Store cooked wings in an airtight container for up 3-4 days.
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Refrigerate sauce in a separate container to avoid soggy wings.
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Reheat wings in a 400° oven or air fryer until heated through, about 10 minutes.
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Toss reheated wings with sauce just before serving.
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Frozen cooked wings keep for 3-6 months. Reheat straight from frozen.
Making juicy, tender chicken wings in the crock pot couldn’t be easier. With this complete guide, you’ll be able to perfectly execute this crowd-pleasing appetizer. Now grab your favorite sauces and spices and get ready for your next game day wings feast!
Ingredients for the sauce:
- melted butter: ½ cup
- dried parsley: 2 Tbsp
- parmesan cheese: 1 cup
- garlic powder: 1 tsp
- Hidden Valley Original Ranch Salad Dressing & Seasoning Mix: . 5 oz (½ of [1 oz] package).
Step 1: Place chicken wings in the bottom of the slow cooker. Sprinkle with the salt and pepper. Cover and cook on LOW for 4–6 hours or HIGH for 3–5 hours, or until the chicken is 165oF on the inside and the juices run clear. (Note: If you are using a frozen bag of chicken wings like I did, then add 1–2 hours to the cooking time. ).
Step 2: Melt the butter and mix it with the parsley, Parmesan, garlic powder, and Hidden Valley Original Ranch Salad Dressing in a medium bowl.
Step 3: Heat your oven to broil. (My oven has the option of LOW broil or HIGH broil; I used LOW broil. ).
Step 4: Use tongs to put the chicken wings on a cookie sheet when they are done cooking and soft. (You may need to use two cookie sheets. ) Spoon the parmesan spread over the top of the wings.
Step 5: Place the wings in the oven under the broiler for about 4–5 minutes. Check the wings and when the parmesan starts to get just a little brown, the wings are done. Remove the pan from the oven and use tongs to place the wings on a platter and serve.
Ingredients for the wings:
- chicken wings: 4 pounds
- kosher salt: 1 tsp
- black pepper: ½ tsp
EASY Slow Cooker Chicken Wings Recipe
FAQ
How do you cook chicken wings in a crock pot?
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Dice the green onions and set aside. Dry the wing portions with a paper towel. In a medium bowl, mix together the baking powder, salt, and pepper. Add the wing portions and stir to coat. Grease a 7 x 11 baking dish. Pour in the wings and spread into an even layer. Bake the wings for 30 minutes.
How long do you cook chicken wings in a slow cooker?
Line a baking sheet with foil and turn your broiler to high. Arrange the wings on the baking sheet and spoon over some of the sauce from the slow cooker. Broil for 2-5 minutes, or until the sauce is caramelized. If you prefer to bake them, arrange them on the baking sheet and bake at 400℉ for about 15 minutes.
Can you cook frozen chicken wings in a crock pot?
There are typically two temperatures for sous vide chicken wings, and they produce different textures. You can totally throw frozen chicken wings directly into the sous vide if you are short on prep time. Just make sure to bag them in a single layer and add 30-45 minutes of cook time. You can season your wings before taking the finishing steps.
How long do chicken wings take in the slow cooker?
Cook on HIGH for two hours (or LOW for four hours), turning the chicken over once, or until it’s soft. May 1, 2025.
How long does it take to cook chicken in a crock pot?
Place the chicken and stock, broth, or water in a 4-quart or larger slow cooker. Cook the chicken. The chicken should be soft and have an internal temperature of 165°F after 4 to 5 hours on the LOW setting or 2 to 3 hours on the HIGH setting. Shred the chicken.
How much time do chicken wings take to cook?
In an oven preheated to 375 degrees F, the 10 wings should be fully crisped and cooked in about 30 to 45 minutes. If you stick an instant read thermometer into the meat (but not the bone), it should read at least 165 degrees F.
Is it better to cook crockpot chicken on high or low?
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS: Can this be cooked on high? Ideally, I’d stick to the low setting. The whole point of a slow cooker is to cook on low. Using the high setting may scorch the cream sauce and ruin it. If you need to cook this faster, I would suggest going with the stovetop version of Marry Me Chicken.