Are you tired of the same old boring chicken wings? Want to try something that’s both easy and delicious? Cooking chicken wings in a crock pot might just be your new favorite method! Not only does it free up your time (hello set-it-and-forget-it cooking!) but it also results in tender, juicy wings that practically fall off the bone.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know about making mouthwatering chicken wings in your crock pot. Whether you’re prepping for game day, a family dinner, or just craving some tasty wings, this method is a game-changer!
Why Use a Crock Pot for Chicken Wings?
Before diving into the how-to, let’s talk about why you should consider cooking wings in a crock pot:
- Tender and juicy results: The slow cooking process breaks down connective tissues, giving you incredibly tender meat
- Hands-off cooking: Simply add everything to the pot and let it do the work
- Deep flavor infusion: The extended cooking time allows seasonings and sauces to really penetrate the meat
- Perfect for busy people: Ideal for those who want to come home to a delicious meal without standing over the stove
- Great for large batches: Perfect for feeding a crowd without much extra effort
What You’ll Need
Basic Ingredients:
- 2-4 pounds chicken wings (fresh or thawed)
- Your favorite sauce (buffalo, BBQ, honey mustard, etc.)
- Chicken broth or water (about 1/4 cup)
- Seasonings of your choice (garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper)
- Optional: butter for added richness
Equipment:
- Crock pot (at least 6 quarts is ideal)
- Tongs for handling the wings
- Meat thermometer (recommended)
- Baking sheet (if you want to crisp them up after slow cooking)
Fresh vs. Frozen Wings: Which to Use?
While fresh wings are ideal for crock pot cooking (they cook more evenly and have better texture), you can use frozen wings in a pinch. Here’s what you need to know:
For fresh wings Cook on LOW for 4-5 hours or HIGH for 2-3 hoursFor frozen wings Ideally, thaw them first If using directly from frozen, cook on LOW for 6-7 hours (not recommended by food safety experts, but sometimes reality happens!)
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Prep the Wings
- Rinse wings under cold water and pat them dry with paper towels
- If using whole wings, consider cutting them into segments (drumettes and flats)
- Trim any excess skin or fat if desired
Step 2: Season the Wings
- Place wings in a large bowl
- Add your preferred seasonings (salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, etc.)
- Toss to coat evenly
Step 3: Prepare the Crock Pot
- Lightly coat the inside of your crock pot with cooking spray (optional but helpful)
- Add 1/4 cup chicken broth or water to the bottom (this helps prevent sticking)
Step 4: Add Wings to Crock Pot
- Arrange wings in the crock pot, trying not to overcrowd them
- If you need to stack them, that’s okay, but try to keep them somewhat loose
Step 5: Cook the Wings
- Cover and cook on LOW for 4-5 hours or HIGH for 2-3 hours
- The wings are done when they reach an internal temperature of 165°F and the meat is tender
Step 6: Add Sauce (Optional)
- In the last 30 minutes of cooking, you can add your sauce if you want saucy wings
- Alternatively, remove wings and toss in sauce after cooking
Step 7: Crisp Them Up (Optional but Recommended)
Let’s be honest – the ONE downside to crock pot wings is that they won’t have crispy skin. But there’s a fix!
- Preheat your oven to 400°F
- Line a baking sheet with foil and place a wire rack on top
- Transfer wings from crock pot to the rack
- Brush with additional sauce if desired
- Broil for 3-5 minutes per side until crispy
Popular Sauce Options for Crock Pot Wings
The sauce you choose can make or break your wings. Here are some favorites:
- Classic Buffalo: Mix hot sauce (like Frank’s RedHot) with melted butter
- BBQ: Use your favorite barbecue sauce, homemade or store-bought
- Honey Garlic: Combine honey, soy sauce, garlic, and a touch of lime
- Teriyaki: Sweet and savory Asian-inspired flavor
- Lemon Pepper: For those who prefer a non-saucy wing with bright flavor
Awesome Slow Cooker Buffalo Wings Recipe
Here’s a tried-and-tested recipe adapted from Allrecipes that’s perfect for beginners:
Ingredients:
- 4 pounds chicken wings, thawed
- 12 oz bottle hot pepper sauce (like Frank’s RedHot)
- 1/2 cup butter
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 2 teaspoons onion powder
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
For the finishing sauce:
- 1/2 cup butter
- Another 12 oz bottle hot sauce
Instructions:
- Combine the first bottle of hot sauce, 1/2 cup butter, Worcestershire sauce, oregano, onion powder, and garlic powder in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes.
- Place wings in the slow cooker and pour the sauce mixture over them.
- Cook on HIGH for 1 hour, then reduce to LOW for another hour.
- Preheat oven to 400°F.
- Transfer wings to greased baking sheets and bake until crisp, about 30 minutes.
- Meanwhile, make the finishing sauce by simmering the remaining butter and hot sauce together for about 20 minutes until thickened.
- Brush the sauce onto the wings just before serving.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Problem: Dry Wings
Solution: Cook for less time or add more liquid to the pot. Wings should be done in 2-3 hours on HIGH, not longer.
Problem: Soggy Skin
Solution: This is normal for crock pot cooking. Finish wings under the broiler for 3-5 minutes per side for crispiness.
Problem: Wings Falling Apart
Solution: They’re overcooked! Reduce cooking time next time, and handle them gently when transferring.
Problem: Bland Flavor
Solution: Season more aggressively before cooking, and finish with a flavorful sauce.
Creative Variations to Try
Want to mix things up? Try these creative spins:
- Dry Rub Wings: Skip the sauce and use a flavorful dry rub instead
- Asian-Inspired: Use soy sauce, ginger, garlic, and a touch of honey
- Garlic Parmesan: Toss finished wings in melted butter, minced garlic, and grated parmesan
- Caribbean Jerk: Use jerk seasoning for a spicy, complex flavor
- Lemon Pepper: Simple but delicious with bright citrus notes
Tips for Crock Pot Wing Success
- Don’t overcrowd: Give the wings some space for even cooking
- Check early: Wings can cook faster than you think – start checking at the minimum cook time
- Add aromatics: Throw in some onion or garlic cloves for added flavor
- Save the liquid: The cooking liquid makes an excellent base for soup or sauce
- Make ahead: These wings reheat well, making them perfect for meal prep
Can I Make These Wings Ahead of Time?
Absolutely! Crock pot wings are great for making ahead. Cook them fully, then refrigerate. When ready to serve:
- Preheat oven to 350°F
- Place wings on a baking sheet
- Heat for 10-15 minutes until warmed through
- Finish under broiler for 2-3 minutes to crisp up
Final Thoughts
Cooking chicken wings in a crock pot might not be the traditional method, but it’s definitely one of the easiest and most foolproof ways to get tender, flavorful wings without constant attention. The slow cooking process allows flavors to develop deeply, resulting in wings that are succulent and delicious.
While you won’t get the crispy skin that comes from frying or baking, the optional broiling step gives you the best of both worlds – tender meat from the slow cooker and crispy exterior from a quick finish in the oven.
So next time you’re craving wings but don’t want the hassle, pull out your crock pot and give this method a try. I promise you won’t be disappointed!
Do you have a favorite wing flavor or special trick for crock pot wings? I’d love to hear about it in the comments!
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do I need to add liquid to the crock pot when cooking wings?
A: Yes, adding a small amount of liquid (1/4 cup) helps prevent sticking and burning.
Q: Can I put frozen wings directly in the crock pot?
A: While possible (cook on LOW for 6-7 hours), it’s better to thaw them first for food safety and more even cooking.
Q: How do I know when the wings are done?
A: Wings are done when they reach an internal temperature of 165°F and the meat easily pulls away from the bone.
Q: Can I use boneless wings in a crock pot?
A: Yes, but they’ll cook much faster – check them after 2 hours on LOW.
Q: How many wings can I fit in a standard crock pot?
A: A 6-quart crock pot can typically handle 3-4 pounds of wings.
Chicken Wings Crock Pot Recipe
- Cut the wings into three pieces – wing tips, wing flats, and drumettes. Discard the wing tips. Place the rest of the wings in a large bowl. Mix the spice mix ingredients in a separate bowl—reserve ¼ cup of the spices and set aside.
- Sprinkle the remaining spice mix over the chicken wing pieces. Mix well.
- Mix the sauce ingredients with the quarter cup of reserved spices.
- Spray the slow cooker bowl with oil, then add the seasoned chicken wings. Only pour over ¾ cup of the sauce mix (keep the rest aside).
- Toss wings in the sauce, and 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!
Ingredients for Slow Cooker Chicken Wings
- Chicken Wings: If youre on a budget and want to save a little more, buy whole chicken wings and cut them following my guide on Cutting Chicken Wings. Its really easy and worth it!
- Seasoning: This recipe uses my all-purpose chicken wings seasoning, which has sweet paprika, brown sugar, onion flakes, salt, cayenne, garlic powder, mustard powder, and ground black pepper. I recommend using sea salt or kosher salt.
- Sauce: For the sauce, use ketchup, maple syrup, apple cider vinegar, and soy sauce. I recommend using real maple syrup.
