Hey there, wing lovers! I’ve been making chicken wings for years, and lemme tell you – using a crock pot has been a total game-changer for my party appetizers The meat gets so tender it practically falls off the bone, and you don’t have to babysit a deep fryer or heat up your kitchen with the oven Win-win!
In this article, I’m gonna break down everything you need to know about cooking chicken wings in a crock pot – from cooking times to seasoning tips and even some of my favorite sauce recipes. Trust me, once you try this method, you might never go back to traditional frying!
Cooking Time: How Long Should Wings Spend in the Crock Pot?
The most common question I get is “exactly how long should I cook chicken wings in a crock pot?” Well, the answer depends on a few factors like wing size and your crock pot’s settings. Here’s a quick reference guide:
On HIGH setting:
- Small wings: 2-3 hours
- Medium wings: 3-4 hours
- Large wings: 3-4 hours
On LOW setting:
- Small wings: 4-5 hours
- Medium wings: 5-6 hours
- Large wings: 6-8 hours
Generally speaking, you should cook chicken wings in a crock pot for 2-4 hours on high or 4-6 hours on low, depending on your wing size and crock pot power.
The most important thing is making sure they reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) – that’s when you know they’re safe to eat. I always use a meat thermometer to check, especially when cooking for friends and family.
Why Choose a Crock Pot for Chicken Wings?
You might be wondering why you should even bother with a crock pot when traditional methods like frying and baking exist. I’ll tell ya why I love it:
- Super tender meat – The slow cooking process breaks down collagen into gelatin, creating that melt-in-your-mouth texture
- Deep flavor infusion – Wings have hours to soak up spices and sauces
- Set it and forget it – No need to monitor or flip constantly
- No oil splatters – Way less messy than deep frying
- Frees up your oven and stovetop – Perfect when cooking multiple dishes for a party
- Makes even inexpensive wings taste amazing – Budget-friendly option that still impresses
Preparation Tips: Setting Yourself Up for Success
Before you even turn on that crock pot, there are some prep steps that’ll make a huge difference in your final wings:
Choose Your Wings Wisely
- Size matters: Try to select wings of similar size for even cooking
- Fresh vs. frozen: Fresh wings give better texture, but frozen work too (just make sure they’re completely thawed first!)
- To cut or not to cut: You can leave wings whole or separate them at the joint into drumettes and wingettes. Cutting makes them cook a bit faster and easier to eat.
Season Like You Mean It
The crock pot is basically a flavor infusion machine, so don’t skimp on seasoning! Here’s what I do:
- Dry rub first: Apply a dry rub at least 30 minutes before cooking (overnight is even better!)
- Keep it simple: Even just salt and pepper works great as a base
- Get creative: My go-to dry rub combines paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, and a bit of chili powder
- Sauce strategy: Add some sauce at the beginning, but save most for after cooking
Step-by-Step Cooking Process
Alright, now let’s get to the actual cooking! Here’s my foolproof method:
- Prep the crock pot: Lightly grease the bottom with cooking spray or use a liner for easy cleanup
- Arrange wings: Place seasoned wings in a single layer if possible (avoid overcrowding)
- Add sauce: Pour some of your chosen sauce over the wings
- Set it and forget it: Cook on low for 4-6 hours or high for 2-4 hours
- Check doneness: Wings should reach 165°F and meat should easily pull away from bone
- Crisp ’em up (optional): Crock pot wings are tender but not crispy. For crispiness, transfer to a baking sheet, brush with more sauce, and broil for 3-5 minutes
My Favorite Crock Pot Wing Recipes
I’ve made wings a million different ways, but here are three crowd-pleasers that always disappear at parties:
1. Garlic Parmesan Ranch Wings
Ingredients:
- 4 pounds chicken wings
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ cup melted butter
- 2 Tbsp dried parsley
- 1 cup parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ of a 1 oz package Hidden Valley Ranch seasoning mix
Instructions:
- Place wings in crock pot, sprinkle with salt and pepper
- Cook on LOW for 4-6 hours or HIGH for 3-5 hours
- Meanwhile, mix butter, parsley, parmesan, garlic powder and ranch mix in a bowl
- Transfer cooked wings to a baking sheet
- Spoon parmesan mixture over wings
- Broil on LOW for 4-5 minutes until slightly browned
- Serve immediately!
2. Easy 3-Ingredient Party Wings
This is my go-to when I’m short on time but need something delicious:
- Wings + your favorite bottled BBQ sauce + a splash of hot sauce
- Cook as directed, then broil with extra sauce at the end
3. Korean BBQ Wings
These are AMAZING and always the first to disappear:
- Wings + Korean BBQ sauce + honey + sesame seeds + green onions
- Garnish with extra seeds and sliced green onions before serving
FAQ: Your Burning Crock Pot Wing Questions Answered
I get tons of questions about making wings in the crock pot, so here are answers to the most common ones:
Can I use frozen chicken wings?
It’s not recommended. Frozen wings release too much water and spend too long in the bacterial “danger zone.” Always thaw wings completely before cooking.
Do I need to add water or broth?
Nope! The chicken releases plenty of moisture during cooking. Adding extra liquid will make your sauce watery.
How do I prevent sticking?
Grease the crock pot or use a liner. Also, arrange wings in a single layer when possible.
Can I leave wings on warm after cooking?
You can, but no more than 2 hours. The texture will start to degrade if left too long, even on the warm setting.
Why are my wings falling apart?
They’re probably overcooked. Next time, check them earlier or reduce cooking time.
How do I make them spicier?
Add cayenne pepper, hot sauce, or chili flakes to your rub or sauce. You can always adjust the heat level to your preference!
What sides go well with crock pot wings?
Classic options include coleslaw, potato salad, veggie sticks with ranch, cornbread, mac and cheese, or baked beans.
Can I double the recipe?
Yes, but you might need to cook in batches to avoid overcrowding, which can lead to uneven cooking.
What if my sauce is too thin?
After removing wings, turn crock pot to high and simmer sauce until thickened, or transfer to a saucepan and reduce on the stove.
Storage and Reheating Tips
Made too many wings? Lucky you! Here’s how to handle leftovers:
- Refrigerate in an airtight container for 3-4 days
- Freeze cooked wings for up to 3-6 months
- Reheat in a 400°F oven or air fryer for about 10 minutes until heated through
- Sauce separately if possible to prevent sogginess
Final Thoughts
Cooking chicken wings in a crock pot is seriously one of the easiest and most delicious ways to prepare them for a party or weeknight dinner. They come out super tender, packed with flavor, and they’re way less messy than traditional deep-fried wings.
The best part? You can prep them in the morning, let them cook while you’re at work or doing other things, and come home to perfect wings that just need a quick broil to finish them off. Talk about convenient!
Do you have a favorite wing flavor or crock pot tip? Drop it in the comments below – I’m always looking for new wing ideas to try!
Happy cooking!
How to Cook Chicken Wings in a Crockpot Step by Step
Make the sauce: In a small bowl, combine 1½ cups of Buffalo sauce, ¼ cup of melted unsalted butter, and 4 cloves of minced garlic.
Add ingredients to the crockpot: Place 4 pounds of bone-in, skin-on chicken wings in a 6-quart slow cooker. Cover the chicken wings with the Buffalo sauce mixture, tossing to combine.
Cook: Cook the wings on low heat for 3 hours. When almost finished, line a baking sheet with foil, then spray with olive oil spray (or brush with a thin layer of olive oil).
Prep: Once the wings have reached 165°F, remove from the slow cooker and place them on the prepared baking sheet. Preheat the broiler to high heat. Then brush the wings with additional Buffalo sauce.
Broil: Broil for 4-5 minutes, until they’re lightly browned. Flip and brush the other side, then broil for another 4-5 minutes.
Serve and enjoy: Serve crockpot wings with celery, carrots, extra buffalo sauce, and your favorite dipping sauce!
Store Crock Pot Chicken Wings in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven for best results.
These Crock Pot wings are always the star of the show at my game day parties, served with celery and carrot sticks, and plenty of dipping sauces. Ranch is my favorite. But I’ve been known to serve these wings up for dinner too, usually with a side of crispy French Fries, a fast and easy Coleslaw, creamy Ranch Potato Salad, or my favorite Parker House Rolls.