Slow Cooker Magic: Finger-Licking Barbecue Chicken Wings Recipe

Slow cooker barbecue chicken wings bring magic to your weekend gatherings with minimal kitchen effort.

Tender meat falls right off the bone, creating instant crowd-pleasing moments.

Minimal prep means maximum flavor without hours of complicated cooking techniques.

Aromatic spices and rich sauce combine to deliver restaurant-quality results straight from your kitchen appliance.

Each bite promises a perfect balance of smoky and sweet flavors that dance across your palate.

Friends and relatives will wonder about your secret culinary skills when you serve these mouthwatering wings.

Dive into this simple recipe and become the ultimate home chef everyone admires.

Why Barbecue Chicken Wings Recipe Is So Simple And Tasty

• Minimal Prep Magic: Toss ingredients into the slow cooker and let it transform simple chicken wings into a mouthwatering meal with zero complicated cooking techniques.
• Crowd-Pleasing Comfort: Perfect for game days, family gatherings, and casual parties where everyone craves tender, saucy chicken wings packed with bold barbecue flavors.
• Customizable Cooking Style: Offers flexibility with cooking methods – enjoy super tender slow-cooked wings or add a quick crispy finish in the oven for those who love a crunchy exterior.
• Flavor-Packed Convenience: Combines sweet, smoky, and savory ingredients in a single marinade that infuses wings with rich taste while requiring minimal effort from the cook.

What You’ll Need For Barbecue Chicken Wings Recipe

• Chicken Wings: Tender meat perfect for absorbing rich barbecue flavors.

• Barbecue Sauce, Honey: Provides sweet and tangy base for coating the chicken.
• Soy Sauce: Adds depth and umami flavor to the marinade.
• Minced Garlic: Brings robust and aromatic undertones to the dish.

• Onion Powder, Smoked Paprika, Black Pepper, Salt: Creates a balanced and complex flavor profile that enhances the chicken wings.

• Green Onions: Adds fresh and light garnish for visual appeal and mild onion flavor.

Cooking Instructions For Barbecue Chicken Wings Recipe

Step 1: Create Flavor-Packed Marinade

• Barbecue sauce
• Honey
• Soy sauce
• Minced garlic
• Onion powder
• Smoked paprika
• Black pepper
• Salt

Stir everything together until the marinade looks smooth and well-blended.

Step 2: Coat Chicken Wings

Drop chicken wings directly into the slow cooker. Pour the prepared marinade over the wings, gently tossing to ensure each wing gets completely covered with the delicious sauce.

Step 3: Slow Cook to Perfection

Cover the slow cooker and set it to low heat for 6-8 hours or high heat for 3-4 hours. The wings will become incredibly tender and absorb all the mouthwatering flavors during cooking.

Step 4: Add Extra Crispiness

After cooking, transfer wings to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Preheat the oven to 400°F.

Step 5: Caramelize and Crisp

Brush wings with additional barbecue sauce. Bake in the oven for 10-15 minutes until edges turn golden and slightly crispy. Watch carefully to prevent burning.

Step 6: Garnish and Serve

Pull wings from the oven and let them rest briefly. Sprinkle with chopped green onions for extra freshness. Serve immediately with extra barbecue sauce on the side for dipping.

Pro Tips For Barbecue Chicken Wings Recipe Perfection

• Marinate Longer for Maximum Flavor: Let chicken wings sit in the marinade for 2-4 hours before cooking to help seasonings penetrate deeply and enhance taste.
• Choose Wing Quality: Select fresh, high-quality chicken wings with even sizing to ensure consistent cooking and optimal texture throughout the batch.
• Prevent Sauce Burning: Pour a thin layer of water or chicken broth at the bottom of the slow cooker to prevent sauce from scorching and maintain moisture.
• Trim Wing Fat: Remove excess fat from wings before cooking to reduce greasiness and help barbecue sauce adhere more effectively to the meat.
• Balance Sauce Sweetness: Adjust honey quantity based on your barbecue sauce's existing sweetness to prevent wings from becoming too sugary or overwhelming.

Ways To Change Up Barbecue Chicken Wings Recipe

• Spicy Buffalo Wing Variation: Replace barbecue sauce with hot buffalo sauce, add red pepper flakes for extra heat, and use cayenne pepper for a fiery kick.
• Asian-Inspired Glazed Wings: Swap barbecue sauce with hoisin sauce, add ginger, replace honey with brown sugar, and garnish with sesame seeds for an authentic Asian flavor profile.
• Low-Carb Keto Wings: Use sugar-free barbecue sauce, replace honey with erythritol, remove onion powder, and increase smoked paprika for deeper flavor while maintaining keto requirements.
• Herb-Infused Mediterranean Wings: Substitute barbecue sauce with olive oil and lemon juice, add dried oregano, fresh rosemary, and use za'atar spice blend for a Mediterranean-style transformation.

Perfect Pairings For Barbecue Chicken Wings Recipe

• Savor Complementary Flavors: Pair these succulent barbecue chicken wings with bold and refreshing accompaniments.
• Craft a Zesty Slaw Side: Prepare a tangy coleslaw with apple cider vinegar, shredded cabbage, and a hint of honey to cut through the wings' richness.
• Quench with Craft Beer: Select a hoppy IPA or amber ale that complements the smoky barbecue sauce, balancing the wings' sweet and savory profile.
• Cool Down with Ranch: Serve a creamy homemade ranch dressing on the side, featuring fresh dill, buttermilk, and a touch of garlic to provide a cooling contrast to the spicy wings.

How To Store Barbecue Chicken Wings Recipe Smartly

• Store leftover wings in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keep them in the refrigerator for 3-4 days, ensuring they're completely cooled before sealing.
• Wrap wings individually in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe bag. Freeze for up to 3 months. Label the bag with the date to track freshness.
• Place wings on a microwave-safe plate. Cover with a damp paper towel to prevent drying. Heat in 30-second intervals, checking temperature until warmed through.
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Spread wings on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Brush with extra barbecue sauce.

FAQ Guide For Barbecue Chicken Wings Recipe

• Can I use frozen chicken wings for this recipe?

Yes, you can use frozen wings, but thaw them completely before cooking. Pat them dry with paper towels to ensure better sauce absorption and prevent excess moisture.

• How do I know the chicken wings are fully cooked?

Use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). The meat should be white throughout with no pink areas and juices should run clear.

• What type of barbecue sauce works best for this recipe?

Choose a sauce with a balanced flavor profile – not too sweet or too tangy. Brands like Sweet Baby Ray’s or homemade sauces work great. Experiment to find your favorite.

Barbecue Chicken Wings Slow Cooker Recipe

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4.8 from 9 reviews

• Total Time: 6 hours 10 minutes to 8 hours 15 minutes (low) or 3 hours 10 minutes to 4 hours 15 minutes (high), plus optional crisping time
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Sizzling barbecue chicken wings from the slow cooker promise a flavor explosion that delights taste buds. Tender meat glazed with rich, smoky sauce invites you to savor each succulent bite of this crowd-pleasing classic.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Protein:

• 3 pounds (1.36 kilograms) chicken wings

Marinade and Seasonings:

• 1 cup barbecue sauce
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

Garnish and Serving:

• Chopped green onions
• Extra barbecue sauce

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Instructions

1. Craft a robust marinade by whisking together barbecue sauce, honey, soy sauce, minced garlic, onion powder, smoked paprika, black pepper, and salt until thoroughly blended.
2. Transfer chicken wings into slow cooker and generously coat with prepared marinade, ensuring each wing is thoroughly saturated with flavor-packed mixture.
3. Cover slow cooker and cook on low temperature for 6-8 hours or high temperature for 3-4 hours, allowing wings to become supremely tender and completely cooked through.
4. For enhanced texture, carefully transfer wings from slow cooker to parchment-lined baking sheet after primary cooking process.
5. Preheat oven to 400°F and optionally brush wings with additional barbecue sauce for caramelized exterior.
6. Bake wings for 10-15 minutes, monitoring closely to achieve crispy golden edges without burning.
7. Remove from oven and let rest momentarily to allow juices to redistribute and prevent scalding.
8. Garnish with chopped green onions, serve immediately with reserved barbecue sauce for dipping, and savor the succulent, flavor-packed chicken wings.

Notes

• Adjust marinade sweetness by balancing honey and barbecue sauce for personal taste preferences.
• Pat chicken wings dry before marinating to help sauce adhere better and create deeper flavor penetration.
• Use low-sodium soy sauce and sugar-free barbecue sauce for healthier dietary modifications.
• Gluten-free alternative: Replace soy sauce with coconut aminos or tamari for celiac-friendly version.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 6-8 hours (low) or 3-4 hours (high), plus 10-15 minutes (optional)
• Category: Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 370
• Sugar: 14 g
• Sodium: 1000 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 18 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 24 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg