Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Wings
These tender Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Wings are the ultimate game day treat that requires minimal effort but delivers maximum flavor. The slow cooker does all the heavy lifting, cooking these wings to fall-off-the-bone perfection in just 3-4 hours. A quick trip under the broiler gives them that irresistible crispiness and caramelized BBQ glaze that everyone loves.
No need to spend hours monitoring a hot grill or deep fryer. These crockpot chicken wings are incredibly simple to prepare and free up your time for other party preparations. Plus, your kitchen will fill with the mouthwatering aroma of sweet and smoky BBQ sauce as they cook!
Looking for more crowd-pleasing appetizers? These Air Fryer Hot Pockets with Ham and Cheese are perfect for hungry guests, and this Meatball Party Appetizer: Easy Sweet & Spicy Bang Bang Meatballs is always a hit!
Table of Contents
Reasons You’ll Love This Recipe
- Set and forget convenience: Just add your ingredients to the crockpot, set the timer, and let the magic happen while you focus on other tasks.
- Budget-friendly: Chicken wings are an affordable protein option, especially when purchased in bulk or on sale, making this recipe perfect for feeding a crowd without breaking the bank.
- Customizable flavor: Use your favorite barbecue sauce as the base and adjust the seasonings to suit your taste preferences – make them as sweet, spicy, or tangy as you like!
- No special equipment needed: Besides a basic slow cooker and baking sheet for the finishing touch, this recipe doesn’t require any specialized kitchen tools or equipment.
What Are Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Wings?
Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Wings are a convenient, mess-free way to prepare everyone’s favorite party food. Unlike traditional wings that require deep frying or grilling, these wings in the slow cooker are cooked low and slow in a flavorful BBQ sauce mixture until they’re incredibly tender.
The slow cooking process allows the meat to absorb all those delicious flavors while breaking down the connective tissues for that perfect fall-off-the-bone texture. A final quick broil creates the sticky, caramelized exterior that makes BBQ wings so irresistible. It’s the best of both worlds—tender, flavorful meat with a slightly crispy, glazed exterior!
Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Wings Ingredients
See the recipe card below for a complete list of ingredients and measurements.
- Chicken wings – You’ll need about 4 pounds of wings for this recipe. You can use fresh or frozen party wings that are already separated into flats and drumettes, saving you prep time. This versatile protein absorbs all the wonderful BBQ flavors.
- BBQ sauce – Use 1 ½ cups of your favorite barbecue sauce as the base of your wing sauce. I recommend Stubb’s Sticky Sweet, but feel free to use any brand you prefer. The sauce provides that classic tangy, sweet flavor that makes these wings irresistible.
- Brown sugar – A quarter cup adds extra sweetness and helps create that beautiful caramelized glaze when the wings go under the broiler. It also balances the tangy elements in the BBQ sauce.
- Smoked paprika – One teaspoon of this spice adds a wonderful smoky depth that mimics the flavor of wings cooked on a grill. It’s a key ingredient for authentic BBQ flavor without the actual smoke.
- Salt – One teaspoon seasons the meat and enhances all the other flavors in the dish. Don’t skip this basic but essential ingredient.
- Black pepper – Half a teaspoon adds a mild heat and depth to the flavor profile. It complements the sweetness of the BBQ sauce and brown sugar.
- Garlic powder – Half a teaspoon provides aromatic flavor without the risk of burning that comes with fresh garlic. It infuses the sauce with a savory note that rounds out the overall taste.
Substitutions and Additions
- Chicken substitutions: Instead of wings, try using chicken thighs or drumsticks for a meatier option. The cooking time may need to be adjusted slightly.
- BBQ sauce options: Experiment with different BBQ sauce flavors like honey BBQ, spicy, or bourbon-infused for variety. You could even try making my Copycat Chick Fil A Sauce for a unique twist.
- Heat level: Add cayenne pepper, red pepper flakes, or hot sauce if you prefer spicier wings. Start with a small amount and adjust to taste.
- Extra flavors: Try adding a tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce, a splash of apple cider vinegar, or a teaspoon of liquid smoke for deeper flavor.
- Sweetener options: Replace brown sugar with honey or maple syrup for a different type of sweetness.
- Asian-inspired: Create an Asian flavor profile by adding soy sauce, ginger, and a touch of sesame oil to the sauce mixture, similar to my Crockpot Sticky Asian Sesame Meatballs.
How to Make Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Wings (step-by-step directions)
STEP 1. Place 4 pounds of chicken wings into your 7qt slow cooker pot. (Photo 1)
STEP 2. In a bowl, mix 1 ½ cups BBQ sauce, ¼ cup brown sugar, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper, and ½ teaspoon garlic powder until well combined. (Photos 2 & 3)
STEP 3. Pour the BBQ sauce mixture over the chicken wings in the slow cooker, making sure all pieces are coated. (Photo 4)
STEP 4. Cover with the lid and cook frozen wings on HIGH for 3-4 hours OR defrosted/fresh wings on LOW for 4-5 hours, until the chicken is fully cooked, tender, and has reached an internal temperature of 165°F. (Photo 5)
STEP 5. Once cooked, preheat your oven broiler and line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil. Spray with cooking spray or lightly grease with butter to prevent sticking.
STEP 6. Transfer the cooked wings to the prepared baking sheet and baste with additional BBQ sauce. (Photo 6)
STEP 7. Broil for 6-8 minutes, flipping halfway through, until your desired crispiness is reached and the sauce is caramelized. (Photo 7)
STEP 8. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired and serve hot with your favorite dipping sauces. (Photo 8)
Recipe Tips
- For even cooking, avoid overcrowding your slow cooker. Use a large enough slow cooker (7 qt recommended) to fit all the wings in no more than two layers.
- If using frozen wings, cook on HIGH to reduce the time the chicken spends in the temperature danger zone (40°F to 140°F).
- For extra crispy wings, pat them dry with paper towels before placing them under the broiler.
- Watch the wings carefully while broiling, as BBQ sauce can burn quickly due to its sugar content.
- For an extra thick sauce coating, baste the wings every few minutes during broiling, flipping and adding more sauce as you go.
- If you prefer a thicker sauce, reduce some of the cooking liquid from the slow cooker in a saucepan before using it to baste the wings.
- For a flavor boost, season the wings with a little salt and pepper before adding the BBQ sauce mixture.
Storing Tips
- Storage: Allow wings to cool completely before storing. This prevents excess moisture from making them soggy.
- Refrigerator: Store leftover wings in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. The flavors actually continue to develop, making them even tastier the next day.
- Freezing: These wings freeze well for up to 3 months. Place in a freezer-safe container or bag after cooling completely. For best results, freeze them before adding the final BBQ sauce glaze.
- Reheating: To maintain their texture, reheat refrigerated wings in a 350°F oven for 10-15 minutes or in an air fryer at 380°F for 3-4 minutes. Microwave reheating works but may make them less crispy. If frozen, thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Serving Suggestions
These Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Wings are perfect for game day gatherings or casual entertaining. Serve them alongside my Easy Broccoli Salad for a fresh contrast to the rich wings. For a complete spread, add Pull Apart Pepperoni & Mozzarella Pizza Monkey Bread and Pull-apart Garlic Cheesy Bread to the table.
For dipping, offer ranch dressing, blue cheese dressing, or extra BBQ sauce. A platter of fresh celery and carrot sticks provides a crisp, cooling contrast to the sweet and tangy wings. If you’re creating a full BBQ-themed meal, my Homemade Creamy Baked Mac and Cheese Recipe or Chick-Fil-A Coleslaw Recipe (Copycat) would make excellent sides.
Recipe FAQs
Yes, frozen wings work great in this slow cooker BBQ chicken wings recipe. Just adjust the cooking time by using the HIGH setting for 3-4 hours instead of the LOW setting to ensure food safety. The slow cooker may take longer to come to temperature with frozen meat, so this helps reduce the time in the danger zone.
While technically the wings are fully cooked after the slow cooker process, broiling them afterward is highly recommended. This step creates that crispy exterior and caramelizes the BBQ sauce, giving the wings their signature sticky glaze. Without broiling, the wings will be tender but lack that wonderful contrast in texture.
Absolutely! Cook the wings in the slow cooker a day ahead, refrigerate them overnight, and then broil them just before serving. This makes party prep much easier and allows you to focus on other aspects of entertaining. The wings actually develop more flavor as they sit in the sauce overnight.
To increase the heat level, add cayenne pepper, red pepper flakes, or hot sauce to your BBQ sauce mixture. Start with a small amount and adjust to taste. You could also try mixing in some Sriracha Aioli (Spicy Dip Recipe) to the BBQ sauce for a creamy, spicy kick.
The most accurate way to check doneness is with an instant-read meat thermometer. The internal temperature should reach 165°F at the thickest part of the wing. Additionally, the meat should be very tender and starting to pull away from the bone – a good visual indicator that they’re ready for the broiler.
Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Wings
Equipment
- Slow Cooker (7 qt)
Ingredients
- 4 pounds chicken wings fresh or frozen
- 1 ½ cups BBQ sauce I used Stubb’s Sticky Sweet BBQ sauce, plus more for basting
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Place 4 pounds of chicken wings into your 7qt slow cooker pot.4 pounds chicken wings
- In a bowl, mix 1½ cups BBQ sauce, ¼ cup brown sugar, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper, and ½ teaspoon garlic powder until well combined.1 ½ cups BBQ sauce,¼ cup brown sugar,1 teaspoon smoked paprika,1 teaspoon salt,½ teaspoon black pepper,½ teaspoon garlic powder
- Pour the BBQ sauce mixture over the chicken wings in the slow cooker, making sure all pieces are coated.1 ½ cups BBQ sauce,4 pounds chicken wings
- Cover with the lid and cook frozen wings on HIGH for 3-4 hours OR defrosted/fresh wings on LOW for 4-5 hours, until the chicken is fully cooked, tender, and has reached an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Once cooked, preheat your oven broiler and line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil. Spray with cooking spray or lightly grease with butter to prevent sticking.
- Transfer the cooked wings to the prepared baking sheet and baste with additional BBQ sauce.
- Broil for 6-8 minutes, flipping halfway through, until your desired crispiness is reached and the sauce is caramelized.
- Garnish with fresh parsley if desired and serve hot with your favorite dipping sauces.Fresh parsley
Notes
- For even cooking, avoid overcrowding your slow cooker. Use a large enough slow cooker (7qt recommended) to fit all the wings in no more than two layers.
- If using frozen wings, cook on HIGH to reduce the time the chicken spends in the temperature danger zone (40°F to 140°F).
- For extra crispy wings, pat them dry with paper towels before placing them under the broiler.
- Watch the wings carefully while broiling as BBQ sauce can burn quickly due to its sugar content.
- For an extra thick sauce coating, baste the wings every few minutes during broiling, flipping and adding more sauce as you go.
- If you prefer a thicker sauce, reduce some of the cooking liquid from the slow cooker in a saucepan before using it to baste the wings.
- For a flavor boost, season the wings with a little salt and pepper before adding the BBQ sauce mixture.
Nutrition Information
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