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Crockpot Chicken Wings

5 from 9 votes
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posted: 08/07/19

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy
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This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy

These delicious Crockpot Chicken Wings are so incredibly simple to make and can be done in any flavor you want! Make them for a party, a backyard BBQ, or game day! They are sure to steal the show.

crockpot chicken wings in wax paper and a wire basket

Chicken wings are one of my favorite recipes to make for a party – especially game day! These slow cooker chicken wing recipe is so easy to make and is perfect for a party. You will love this simple recipe.

Reader Review

I love a slow cooker recipe and this one was awesome! The wings turned out delicious. I used bbq sauce and the spices are the perfect combination.

How to Make Wings in the Crock Pot

The biggest thing I like about this recipe is how easy it is to make. Be sure to scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of the post for the full recipe including all measurements.

  • Add the chicken rub. Whether you use fresh, thawed, or frozen wings, rub them liberally with chicken rub. Then add them to the slow cooker and cover them in your favorite wing sauce.
  • Cook the wings. Cook on low for three hours for fresh or thawed wings, or two and a half hours on high for frozen wings.
  • Bake the chicken wings. If you want to crisp the skins (this is optional), pop the chicken wings in a hot oven for 10 minutes. Then pour sauce from the crock pot back over them or just throw them back in the slow cooker to keep warm.
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The Best Slow Cooker

This crockpot is a workhorse. I use it for so many recipes and it always gets the job done!
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overhead view of crockpot chicken wings in crock pot after cooking from frozen

Chicken Rub

You can use fresh or frozen wings, and start by rubbing them down with my Chicken Rub. I will be honest with you, this step is optional. However, I think it adds so much great flavor to the chicken and is a nice addition to this recipe without overpowering the sauce.

Chicken Rub

This Chicken Rub is very easy to throw together and is perfect for making delicious and flavorful chicken.
overhead view of chicken drumsticks on a white rectangular plate made with chicken spice rub

Different Sauces for Crock Pot Chicken Wings

Besides how quick these are to make, my other favorite thing about them is how versatile they are. You can enjoy them with any sauce you like! I love to make them with my homemade buffalo sauce. If you don’t like buffalo sauce, they would also be delicious with BBQ sauce, teriyaki sauce, or your favorite store-bought sauce.

Buffalo Sauce

This Buffalo Sauce sauce is a very easy 10-minute recipe that is perfect for buffalo wings, and so many other great Buffalo flavored recipes.
spoon dripping buffalo sauce into a mason jar full of it
up close picture of a chicken wing that has been cooked int he crock pot

Fresh or Frozen Chicken Wings

Using frozen chicken wings for this crock pot recipe makes it even more convenient and something you could do for a last-minute dinner. If you use frozen wings, you don’t need to thaw them first. They can go right into your slow cooker frozen. Here are the cooking times depending on whether you use fresh chicken wings from your butcher or frozen chicken wings.

  • Cook the fresh wings for three hours on low.
  • Cook frozen wings for two and a half hours on high.

Other Ways to Cook Chicken Wings

While making chicken wings in the crockpot is a great hands-off method, here are a few other ways you can make them.

Crispy Baked Chicken Wings

Making crispy Baked Chicken Wings isn’t hard, in fact it’s much easier than frying them. You just need the right combination of ingredients and oven temperature.
overhead of a basket of crispy baked chicken wings

Storing and Reheating Leftover Wings

Store any leftover chicken wings in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. Reheat only the portion you plan to eat in the air fryer or oven until heated through.

overhead view of a table filled with food for a party: crock pot chicken wings in the middle, corn that was grilled, fresh watermelon, potato chips, salads, and hamburgers
What to Serve with Slow Cooker Chicken Wings

I love to serve these wings with my homemade ranch dressing and my blue cheese dressing for dipping sauces. When I’m making a lot of recipes to feed a crowd, I love to have at least one that I can make ahead or that I can set and forget. These come together so fast and then cook on their own, they are great for parties.

If you decide to make these amazing Crockpot Wings or any of my other recipes, leave me a comment and let me know!

crockpot chicken wings in wax paper and a wire basket
5 from 9 votes

Crockpot Chicken Wings

Serves: 4 people
(tap # to scale)
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 3 hours
Total: 3 hours 10 minutes
These delicious Crockpot Chicken Wings are so incredibly simple to make and can be done in any flavor you want! Make them for a party, a backyard BBQ, or game day! They are sure to steal the show.

Ingredients

  • 3 pounds chicken wings fresh or frozen (1360.78)
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar packed
  • 2 tablespoons kosher salt
  • 2 tablespoons paprika
  • 1/2 tablespoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 12 ounces buffalo sauce or your favorite wing sauce

Instructions

  • In a small bowl combine the brown sugar, kosher salt, paprika, ground cumin, black pepper, and cayenne pepper. Rub the chicken (even if frozen) liberally with the spices.
    3 pounds chicken wings, 2 tablespoons brown sugar, 2 tablespoons kosher salt, 2 tablespoons paprika, 1/2 tablespoon ground cumin, 1 teaspoon black pepper, 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • Spray the inside of the slow cooker with cooking spray.
  • Add the chicken that has been well rubbed with seasoning. Pour desired flavor of wing sauce over it.
    12 ounces buffalo sauce
  • For fresh chicken cook on low for 3 hours. For frozen chicken cook on high for 2.5 hours.
  • Once done cooking, remove the chicken with tongs. Transfer to a wire rack that is placed on a baking sheet lined with foil. Bake chicken at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 10 minutes (optional).
Author: Lisa Longley
Course: Appetizer

Equipment

  • slow cooker
crockpot chicken wings in wax paper and a wire basket

did you make this

Crockpot Chicken Wings

I’d love to see what you made! Tag me @lisasimplejoy and hashtag it #simplejoyrecipes!

Hi! I'm Lisa Longley, and I am committed to giving you simple dinner ideas and recipes that are easy to make; recipes that will fill your home with joy. I am the owner and author of SimpleJoy.com and I'm so glad that you are here.

Reader Interactions

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  1. Richard Tunner says

    5 stars
    thank you! my wings came out great. I want them to look like yours but I’m very pleased with the recipe. so delicious

    • Lisa Longley says

      I’m so happy you liked them!

    • Bonnie Smith says

      Will be trying this in the near future. Sounds really easy and yummy. Thanks

      • Lisa Longley says

        I hope you love it!

  2. Jennifer Denham says

    5 stars
    Delicious! Thanks for such a good and EASY wing recipe!

    • Lisa Longley says

      I’m so gad you liked them Jennifer!

  3. Lori Radcliff says

    5 stars
    These were by far the best hot wings I’ve eermade! My husband and son absolutely loved them! 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

    • Lisa Longley says

      So happy to hear this Lori!

  4. MaryTessier says

    I live in Nevada and can’t get Meijer’s wing sauce. What do you suggest/

    • Lisa Longley says

      You can use buffalo sauce. There are lots of different brands available. Check the salad dressing aisle at the grocery store. There are lots of bottled marinades too that would work.

    • Danielle says

      What sides would you recommend with this

  5. Kathy Soule says

    I have a son that is a hot spicy fobe I added bbq sauce and the hot sauce. I used Franks. Mine are cooking in my Ninja Foodi. They were frozen. Cooking on Hi for 2 hrs then will put on low until done.

  6. Michelle says

    Can I use Texas Pete wing sauce?

    • Lisa Longley says

      I haven’t tried that particular brand, but I don’t see why it wouldn’t work.

  7. Troy says

    Does the cook time go up for 5-6 lbs of fresh wings? TIA

    • Lisa Longley says

      Hey Troy, I haven’t tried doubling this recipe so I can’t tell you for sure. If I was going to give it a try, I would guess that they would be fully cooked after 4 1/2 hours. But again, this is just a guess as I haven’t tried it.

  8. Linda says

    Made this tonight and they turned out great. After putting them in the oven for the ten minutes in the recipe, I also put hem under a low broiler for an additional 5 minutes from some additional color.

    • Lisa Longley says

      I’m really glad you liked them Linda!

  9. Catherine Dickey says

    What sauce can I use thats not TOO spicy taste wise?

  10. Catherine Dickey says

    Loss your answer to ny question about sauce choice(non spicy)

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