The chicken wings in my crock pot are so tender they fall off the bone. They taste sweet, sour, and spicy. It only takes 15 minutes to prepare these wings in the crock pot. Perfect for a set-it-and-forget-it dinner or game-day gathering!.
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 youre worried about whether the wings will be crispy, dont 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. Its 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.
It’s fun for me to try new flavors when I make chicken wings at home, but my family loves my spicy barbecue recipe the most. It pairs so well with a simple serving of sour cream on the side. There is nothing better!.
Chicken wings are a classic appetizer that are always a hit at parties and gatherings. While fried chicken wings from your favorite restaurant or sports bar are hard to beat homemade slow cooker chicken wings can be just as delicious – and much easier on your waistline!
Cooking chicken wings in a crock pot results in wings that are meltingly tender, juicy, and packed with flavor. The low, slow cooking breaks down the collagen in the wings, making them practically fall off the bone. Not to mention, tossing the wings in your favorite sauce and letting them cook results in wings basted in finger-licking flavor.
Here is a simple, step-by-step guide to cooking tender, juicy chicken wings in a crock pot.
Ingredients
- 2-3 pounds chicken wings, tips removed, drumettes and flats separated
- 1⁄2 cup sauce or marinade of choice – barbecue sauce, buffalo sauce, teriyaki sauce, etc.
- 1⁄4 cup chicken broth or water
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1⁄2 teaspoon salt
- 1⁄4 teaspoon black pepper
Steps
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Prep the chicken wings: Rinse the chicken wings under cool running water and pat them dry thoroughly with paper towels. Using a sharp knife or kitchen shears, separate the drumettes from the flats by cutting through the joint. Discard the wing tips or reserve them to make chicken stock.
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Set the sauce aside. In a small bowl, mix the sauce, chicken broth, olive oil, garlic powder, salt, and pepper with a whisk.
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Pour the sauce over the wings Place the chicken wings in the crock pot and pour the sauce over top tossing lightly with tongs until the wings are evenly coated.
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Cover the crock pot and cook the wings on low for 4 to 6 hours. The low heat slowly cooks the wings, making them very tender while still keeping them moist.
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Uncover and cook on high: After 4-6 hours, remove the lid and turn the crock pot up to the high setting. Cook uncovered for 30-60 minutes more. This helps render out some excess fat and makes the sauce thicken and cling to the wings.
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Broil for crispy skin: Preheat your broiler to high. Place the cooked wings in a single layer on a baking sheet that has been lined with foil. Keep an eye on them so they don’t burn and broil for 5 to 7 minutes, until the skin gets crispy and brown.
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Toss with more sauce: Once broiled, toss the wings with a bit more sauce to coat.
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Serve and enjoy! Transfer the wings to a platter and serve hot with ranch or blue cheese dressing on the side.
Tips
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To save time, put the wings and sauce in a gallon-sized freezer bag the night before. Just dump everything into the crock pot in the morning.
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Use chicken wing sections, drummettes, or boneless wings depending on your preference. Adjust cooking time as needed.
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Try using different sauces like sweet chili, honey mustard, or teriyaki to change up the flavors.
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Add crushed garlic, ginger, citrus zest, or chopped herbs to the sauce for extra flavor.
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For crispier skin, coat wings in a bit of baking powder before cooking. The alkaline baking powder helps dehydrate the skin.
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Cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours. Check wings periodically and stir gently.
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Garnish cooked wings with chopped scallions, sesame seeds, or freshly grated Parmesan before serving.
FAQs
How long does it take to cook chicken wings in a crock pot?
Cooking time can vary based on the size of the wings and how crowded the crock pot is. Generally, whole chicken wings take 4-6 hours on low or 3-4 hours on high.
Should the crock pot lid be on or off?
Cook chicken wings covered for the majority of the time to allow them to slowly simmer in the sauce. Remove lid in the last 30-60 minutes to reduce sauce and crisp skin.
What temperature should chicken wings reach?
Chicken wings should reach an internal temperature of 165°F as measured by a food thermometer for food safety.
Can you cook frozen chicken wings in a crock pot?
Yes, but frozen wings will need extra time to thaw and cook through. Add 1-2 hours to the cooking time, and check temperature before serving.
How can I crisp up the skin on crock pot wings?
Broiling is the easiest way to make the skin crispy. You can also deep fry or air fry cooked crock pot wings to crisp them up.
Conclusion
Cooking chicken wings in a crock pot results in wings with juicy meat that falls right off the bone. The slow cooking gently breaks down the collagen while the sauce penetrates the meat, leaving you with wings brimming with finger-licking flavor. Follow this simple recipe for saucy, tender chicken wings, then experiment with different sauces and seasonings. With this easy method, you can enjoy restaurant-quality wings right from your crock pot!
Chicken Wings Crock Pot Recipe
- The wings should be split into three parts: the wing tips, the wing flats, and the drumettes. Discard the wing tips. Place the rest of the wings in a large bowl. Mix the spice mix ingredients in a different bowl. Set aside ¼ cup of the spices.
- Sprinkle the remaining spice mix over the chicken wing pieces. Mix well.
- Add the sauce ingredients to the quarter cup of spices you saved.
- Spray oil into the slow cooker bowl, then add the chicken wings that have been seasoned. Pour over only ¾ cup of the sauce mix; set the rest aside.
- Put the wings in the sauce and cook them on low for four to five hours, until they are tender and cooked all the way through.
- Turn the broiler to high. Cover a big baking sheet with foil and then put a wire rack on top of it. Spray oil on the rack, then arrange the chicken wings in a single layer on it.
- Broil them for five minutes, then flip them over and cook for another five minutes. Brush with a lot of the rest of the sauce mix, broil for two minutes, and do it again.
- Lastly, top with chopped cilantro and serve with sour cream and vegetable strips. Enjoy!.
Ingredients for Slow Cooker Chicken Wings
- Wings: If you’re on a budget and want to save even more money, buy whole chicken wings and cut them up using my guide on How to Cut Chicken Wings. Its really easy and worth it!.
- Seasoning: I use my all-purpose chicken wings seasoning in this recipe. It has ground black pepper, salt, cayenne pepper, sweet paprika, brown sugar, onion flakes, and garlic powder. I recommend using sea salt or kosher salt.
- Sauce: Use ketchup, maple syrup, apple cider vinegar, and soy sauce to make the sauce. I recommend using real maple syrup.
