Description
This Crock Pot Chicken Wings recipe delivers tender, flavorful wings effortlessly cooked in a slow cooker and finished under the broiler for a crispy exterior. Coated in a tangy Buffalo sauce infused with brown sugar, garlic, and onion, these wings are perfect for game day or casual gatherings. Served with crisp celery, carrots, and a side of ranch or blue cheese dressing, they offer a crowd-pleasing snack with minimal hands-on time.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken Wings
- 4 pounds chicken wings (fresh or frozen)
Buffalo Wing Sauce
- 1 ½ cups Buffalo sauce
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- ½ onion, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
For Serving
- Carrot sticks
- Celery sticks
- Ranch dressing or blue cheese dressing
Instructions
- Prepare the Buffalo Sauce: In a bowl, combine the Buffalo sauce, brown sugar, diced onion, and minced garlic. Mix well and set aside to allow the flavors to meld.
- Place Wings in Slow Cooker: Arrange the chicken wings in a 6-quart slow cooker. Pour the prepared Buffalo wing sauce over the wings and stir gently to coat them evenly.
- Cook the Wings: For frozen wings, cook on high for 2 ½ to 3 hours. For fresh wings, cook on low for 3 hours. Make sure the internal temperature of the wings reaches 165°F to ensure they are fully cooked and safe to eat.
- Prepare for Broiling: Once the wings are cooked, carefully remove them from the slow cooker, discarding the cooking liquid. Place the wings on a foil-lined baking pan.
- Broil for Crispiness: Preheat your broiler to high. Brush the wings with additional Buffalo sauce, then broil them for about 5 minutes on each side until they are lightly browned and have a crispy texture. Watch closely to avoid burning.
- Serve: Arrange the wings on a serving platter alongside celery sticks, carrot sticks, extra Buffalo sauce, and ranch or blue cheese dressing for dipping.
Notes
- Using frozen wings slightly increases cooking time; always verify internal temperature for safety.
- Broiling at the end gives the wings a crispy finish, balancing the slow cooked tenderness.
- Adjust spice level by using milder or hotter Buffalo sauce according to preference.
- Leftover sauce can be refrigerated and used as a dip or marinade.
- For a gluten-free version, ensure the Buffalo sauce is certified gluten-free.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 hours
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Chicken wings, Crock Pot wings, Buffalo wings, slow cooker recipe, party appetizer, game day food
