Ultimate Crockpot Chicken Wings: Tender, Flavorful & Perfectly Crispy

Discover the secret to making the most incredible chicken wings right in your slow cooker! These Crockpot Chicken Wings are unbelievably tender, bursting with flavor, and boast that desirable fall-off-the-bone deliciousness. Slow-cooked to perfection, then optionally finished under the broiler for a touch of crispiness, and drenched in your favorite sauce, they are the ultimate easy appetizer, game day snack, or even a fun weeknight dinner.

Forget the hassle of deep frying and the constant tending required. The slow cooker takes care of all the hard work, infusing the wings with deep flavor and ensuring they are incredibly succulent. This hands-off method frees you up to enjoy your gathering or prepare other dishes, making entertaining a breeze. Whether you’re craving classic buffalo, tangy BBQ, or something entirely new, these slow cooker wings are versatile and guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser.

Why Choose the Crockpot for Chicken Wings?

Using a slow cooker for chicken wings is a game-changer. Here’s why this method stands out:

• Effortless & Hands-Off: Simply toss the wings with sauce, set the slow cooker, and walk away. There’s no constant monitoring or flipping required, unlike deep frying or even oven baking.
• Unbeatable Tenderness: The low and slow cooking process breaks down the connective tissues in the chicken, resulting in wings that are incredibly juicy and literally fall off the bone. This tenderness is hard to achieve with quicker cooking methods.
• Deep Flavor Infusion: Cooking in sauce for several hours allows the flavors to truly meld and penetrate the meat, creating a richer and more satisfying taste experience.
• Less Mess & Healthier Option: No splattering oil from deep frying means an easier cleanup. Plus, without the need for excessive oil, these wings can be a slightly healthier alternative to their fried counterparts.
• Versatility: The slow cooker is a blank canvas for any sauce you can imagine. From sweet Coca-Cola BBQ Sauce to spicy Buffalo, or even your own Homemade Barbecue Sauce, the method remains the same, allowing for endless flavor experiments.
• Perfect for Parties: Keep the wings warm directly in the slow cooker after broiling, making them ideal for serving at game day events, holiday parties, or any gathering where you want to keep food hot and fresh.

While the recipe calls for an optional finish under the broiler to get that desirable crispy skin, even without this step, the wings are incredibly delicious and satisfying. The broiler simply elevates them to a traditional wing texture that many know and love.

What You’ll Need to Make Slow Cooker Wings

For detailed measurements and the full recipe, please scroll to the bottom of the post for the PRINTABLE recipe card.

• Chicken Wings: You’ll need about 3 pounds of chicken wings. Both fresh or frozen wings work beautifully for this recipe. If using frozen, ensure they are separated before adding to the crockpot for even cooking. For best results with fresh wings, pat them very dry with paper towels to help any initial seasoning adhere better. You can use whole wings, or pre-cut flats and drumettes.
• Buffalo Sauce: Approximately 1 cup of your favorite buffalo sauce. Frank’s RedHot Buffalo Wing Sauce is a classic choice, but feel free to experiment with other brands or even make your own for a customized spice level. This sauce provides the base flavor for classic wings, but remember, this recipe is highly adaptable to other sauces too!
• Optional Seasonings: Before adding the sauce, you can toss fresh wings with a little salt, black pepper, garlic powder, or onion powder for an extra layer of flavor.

How To Make Easy Crockpot Chicken Wings

This method for making chicken wings in a slow cooker is incredibly straightforward, almost more of a technique than a rigid recipe. Here’s a simple breakdown:

• Prepare & Toss: Place your chicken wings (fresh or frozen) into the base of your slow cooker. If using fresh wings, you might want to pat them dry first. Pour about half of your chosen sauce over the wings and toss thoroughly to ensure they are evenly coated.
• Slow Cook: Cover the slow cooker with its lid. Cook the wings on the HIGH setting for 2-3 hours if using fresh wings, or 3-4 hours if starting with frozen wings. Alternatively, you can cook them on the LOW setting for 3-4 hours (fresh) or 4-5 hours (frozen). The goal is for the wings to reach an internal temperature of 165ºF and be incredibly tender.
• Broil for Crispiness (Optional but Recommended!): Once the wings are fully cooked and tender, carefully remove them from the slow cooker. Place them in a single layer on a wire rack set over a baking sheet. Brush the wings generously with the remaining sauce. Preheat your broiler and place the baking sheet under it for 5-10 minutes, keeping a very close eye on them. Flip them halfway through to ensure even crispiness and prevent burning. This step is key to achieving that desirable crispy skin.
• Serve: Remove the wings from the oven once they’ve reached your desired level of crispiness. If you wish, toss them with a little more fresh sauce for extra coating and flavor, and serve immediately with your favorite sides and dipping sauces.

Expert Recipe Tips & Tricks for Perfect Wings

Achieving the perfect slow cooker chicken wings is simple with these additional tips:

• Ensure Doneness: The most reliable way to know your chicken wings are fully cooked is by checking their internal temperature with a meat thermometer. The thickest part of the chicken should reach 165ºF (74ºC). At this point, they are safe to eat and ready for the broiling stage. The meat will be incredibly soft and tender.
• Fresh vs. Frozen Wings: Both fresh and frozen wings work wonderfully, offering flexibility.
  • Fresh/Thawed Wings: These allow you to season the wings directly with salt, pepper, garlic powder, smoked paprika, or a lemon pepper blend before adding the sauce. This extra seasoning can enhance the overall flavor profile.
  • Frozen Wings: They are convenient as they don’t require thawing. However, frozen wings will release a significant amount of liquid during the slow cooking process. This makes the broiling step even more important to achieve a crisp texture, as the skin will be quite soft from cooking in the liquid. If you plan to return the wings to the crockpot to keep warm after broiling, make sure to drain and discard any accumulated liquid from the slow cooker first to prevent them from becoming soggy.
• Mastering the Broil: After slow cooking, the wings will appear pale and the skin will be soft, not crispy. This is where the broiler becomes your best friend.
  • Crispiness Control: Broil the wings until they reach your desired level of crispness. This usually takes 5-10 minutes. Watch them closely, as broilers can vary greatly in intensity, and wings can go from perfectly crisp to burnt very quickly.
  • Even Browning: Place the wings in a single layer on a wire rack set over a baking sheet. This allows air to circulate around them and excess fat to drip off, promoting even crisping. Flipping them once halfway through ensures both sides get beautifully golden and crunchy.
  • Alternative Crisping Methods: If you don’t have a broiler, or prefer another method, you can bake them in a hot oven (around 400°F/200°C) for 15-20 minutes, or even use an air fryer at 375°F (190°C) for 8-12 minutes, flipping halfway.
• Sauce Experimentation: The slow cooking method itself doesn’t change, so feel free to get creative with your sauces!
  • Sweet & Tangy: Try a honey garlic, teriyaki, or a peach habanero BBQ sauce.
  • Spicy: Beyond buffalo, consider a sriracha-lime, gochujang, or a Nashville hot-inspired sauce.
  • Savory: Garlic parmesan, lemon herb, or a smoky chipotle sauce are excellent choices.
  • When to Add Sauce: Always coat with half the sauce for cooking and save the rest for brushing before broiling and for serving, ensuring maximum flavor.
• Make-Ahead & Storage: Cooked wings can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Reheat in the oven or air fryer to regain some crispness.

How To Serve Crockpot Chicken Wings

These versatile chicken wings are perfect for any occasion! Whether you are hosting an exciting game day event, a festive holiday party, or simply looking to spice up your weeknight dinner rotation, these wings are guaranteed to be a hit. For those moments when you’re truly pressed for time but still crave crispy wings, don’t forget the convenience of Air Fryer Chicken Wings as an alternative method.

Once your Crockpot Chicken Wings are broiled to your desired level of crispiness, you have a few options for serving. For parties or events, you can transfer them back to the slow cooker and set it to the “warm” setting. This keeps them perfectly hot and ready for guests to grab. Always serve your wings with classic accompaniments like fresh carrot and celery sticks. For dipping, a creamy side of Ranch Dressing is a fan favorite, or you can mix things up with a zesty Creamy Garlic Dressing. Don’t be afraid to offer a variety of dipping sauces to cater to all tastes!

Consider these additional serving suggestions to round out your meal or spread:

• Alongside a Hearty Salad: A crisp green salad can cut through the richness of the wings.
• With Potato Salad or Coleslaw: Classic BBQ sides pair wonderfully.
• Mini Slider Buns: Turn them into boneless wing sliders by pulling the meat off the bones.
• Baked Potatoes or Sweet Potato Fries: A substantial carb option that complements the wings.
• Corn on the Cob: A sweet and juicy counterpoint.

More Must-Try Appetizer Recipes

Looking for more delicious bites to share? Check out these fantastic appetizer ideas:

• Boneless Chicken Wings: All the flavor, none of the bones!
• Pepperoni Rolls: A savory, cheesy, and easy-to-make snack.
• Buffalo Chicken Sliders: The zesty taste of buffalo chicken in a miniature sandwich form.
• Taco Pinwheels: Fun, flavorful, and perfect for dipping.
• Pizza Monkey Bread: Pull-apart pizza goodness that’s great for sharing.

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Crockpot Chicken Wings

By
Erin Sellin

These Crockpot Chicken Wings are tender, flavorful, and fall-off-the-bone delicious! Slow-cooked to perfection and finished with your favorite sauce, they’re the ultimate easy appetizer or game day snack.

Prep:
5 mins

Cook:
4 hrs

Servings:
6

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Ingredients

• 3 pounds chicken wings, fresh or frozen
• 1 cup buffalo sauce

Instructions

1. Place the wings in the base of your slow cooker. Toss with 1/2 cup of the buffalo sauce, ensuring they are well coated.
2. Cover and cook on high for 2-3 hours (fresh wings) or 3-4 hours (frozen wings). Alternatively, cook on low for 3-4 hours (fresh) or 4-5 hours (frozen). Wings should reach an internal temperature of 165ºF.
3. Preheat your broiler.
4. Carefully remove the cooked chicken pieces from the crockpot and arrange them in a single layer on a wire rack set over a baking sheet (or on a foil-lined baking sheet for easier cleanup). Brush generously with the remaining 1/2 cup of sauce.
5. Place under the hot broiler for 5-10 minutes, monitoring them very closely. Flip the wings halfway through to ensure even crisping and prevent burning, until they reach your desired level of crispiness.
6. Remove from the oven and serve immediately. You can toss them with additional fresh sauce if desired, and pair with celery, carrots, and dipping sauces.

Nutrition

Calories: 272kcal |
Protein: 22g |
Fat: 20g |
Saturated Fat: 5g |
Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g |
Monounsaturated Fat: 8g |
Trans Fat: 0.2g |
Cholesterol: 94mg |
Sodium: 1316mg |
Potassium: 191mg |
Vitamin A: 180IU |
Vitamin C: 1mg |
Calcium: 15mg |
Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Author:
Erin Sellin

Prep Time:
5 minutes

Cook Time:
4 hours

Course:
Appetizer Recipes

Cuisine:
American

Servings:
6

Calories:
272

Like this recipe? Leave a comment below!

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