This post may contain affiliate links, please see the privacy policy for details.
Get ready to wow your crowd with these rich, smoky slow cooker BBQ wings. Tender chicken wings bathe all day in a savory blend of BBQ sauce, garlic, brown sugar, and smoked paprika, soaking up every drop of that finger-licking flavor. When they’re fall-off-the-bone tender, a quick stint under the broiler turns them gloriously crispy on the outside. Serve them alongside cool, crunchy coleslaw or shredded cabbage (or your favorite sides) to balance the sweet-savory punch. If you’re craving an easy Crockpot wings recipe that skips the heat of buffalo sauce but still delivers big on taste, these sticky, caramelized beauties are exactly what you need.
Slow cooker BBQ wings deliver sweet and smoky flavors. The chicken comes out so tender and moist and the BBQ flavors are so good. If you like wings, you’ll love these.
You might also want to try peach bourbon wings, chipotle chicken wings or these BBQ chicken nachos. This Hawaiian BBQ chicken is also amazing.
Why You’ll Love It
Simple to make: This recipe is really easy. After slow cooking the wings in sauce, you just need to broil them briefly to crisp them up and that’s all!
A versatile dish: Enjoy these sweet and smoky BBQ chicken wings as a snack, appetizer or even a main dish with sides. They’re great for any occasion from a casual get-together to game day or a party.
Gluten-free and dairy-free: As long as you’re using a gluten-free, dairy-free BBQ sauce, this dish doesn’t have gluten or dairy ingredients.
Amazing flavors: The sweetness of the brown sugar contrasts wonderfully with the savory garlic and smoked paprika flavors in the dish.
Crockpot BBQ Wings Ingredients
A complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.
Chicken wings: Use a combination of drums and flats, or even whole wings or drumsticks if you like. Larger chicken pieces will need a longer cooking time.
Smoked paprika: For a smoky hint.
Brown sugar: For a rich sweetness with a hint of caramel.
Garlic powder: Add a complementary savory flavor.
BBQ sauce: I used Stubb’s sticky sweet BBQ sauce.
How to Make BBQ Slow Cooker Chicken Wings
For more detailed instructions with weights and measurements, jump to the printable recipe card.
Make the BBQ sauce: Whisk together everything in a large mixing bowl except the wings and garnishes.
Add ingredients to the slow cooker: Place chicken wings in the slow cooker. Pour the BBQ sauce mixture over them. Add cubes of butter on top.
Cook the wings: Cover the slow cooker and cook until the chicken is tender and fully cooked through.
Broil them: Broil the wings on prepared baking sheet, brushing more BBQ sauce over them. Flip and broil a little more until they’re crispy. Serve hot, garnished with parsley and/or green onions if liked.
Substitutions and Variations
Chicken wings: Use drums and flats, whole wings or your preferred cut of chicken, adjusting the cooking time if needed.
Smoked paprika: If you’re using a smoky BBQ sauce, you could use regular sweet paprika instead, since the BBQ sauce will add the smoky flavor.
Add some spice: Add cayenne pepper, chili powder or a dash of your favorite hot sauce if you want to take the heat up a notch.
Gluten Free: Try this gluten free BBQ sauce recipe which is so tasty!
Fresh parsley: Fresh cilantro would also be good as a garnish.
Serving Suggestions
As an appetizer: Enjoy these BBQ chicken wings as an appetizer, perhaps with other snacks too such as Cajun shrimp deviled eggs and cheeseburger tacos. Serve the remaining BBQ sauce or ranch on the side if you like. Balsamic onion hummus, blue cheese dressing or blue cheese dip would also work.
As a main dish: These wings are good with ranch sauce for dipping and perhaps some classic fried cabbage, a crispy smashed potato salad or a coleslaw pasta salad. Celery sticks and carrot sticks are a tasty pairing too.
How to Store BBQ Wings
Store: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator and eat within 3 days.
Freeze: You can freeze these in an airtight container for up to 3 months.
Thaw: Defrost them in the refrigerator overnight.
Reheat: You can warm them back up in a pan on the stove.
Top Tips
If using frozen wings: These release liquid as they cook, so discard any excess liquid left after transferring the slow cooked wings onto the sheet pan.
Use a big slow cooker: I recommend using a 7-quart slow cooker or bigger. If you overcrowd the Crockpot, the wings won’t cook evenly.
Coating thickness: If you want an extra-thick sauce, baste your wings every few minutes as they broil.
Crockpot BBQ Chicken Wings FAQs
I wouldn’t recommend cooking frozen chicken wings on low because they’d spend too long in the danger zone (between 40 and 140°F) and pose a food safety risk. Crockpots do take a while to reach a safe temperature. But for thawed or fresh wings, it’s fine to cook on low because they only have to cook from chilled and not from frozen.
You can, but do keep in mind they might take longer to cook through. You’ll want to check for doneness with a meat thermometer (this one works great!) Once they reach 165°F in the thickest part, they’re done.
Crockpot BBQ Chicken Wings Recipe
Slow Cooker BBQ Wings
Equipment
- Slow Cooker Large
- Baking Sheet Rimmed
Ingredients
- 4 Pounds chicken wings, fresh or frozen
- 1 Teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 ½ Cups BBQ sauce, plus more for basting
- ½ Teaspoon black pepper
- ½ Teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ Cup brown sugar
- 1 Teaspoon salt
Optional Garnishes:
- fresh parsley, chopped
- green onions, sliced
Instructions
- Add the wings to your slow cooker.
- Whisk the BBQ sauce with the sugar, salt, paprika, black pepper, garlic powder, and brown sugar.
- Pour this sauce mixture over the wings in the Crockpot.
To Cook Frozen Wings:
- Cover the slow cooker and cook for 3 to 4 hours on HIGH.
To Cook Fresh or Thawed Wings:
- Cover the slow cooker and cook for 4 to 5 hours on LOW.
- Check the chicken is tender, cooked through and 165°F in the thickest part.
Broil the Wings:
- Preheat the oven broiler.
- Line a baking sheet with foil and then grease it to prevent sticking.
- Arrange the wings on the prepared baking sheet and brush more BBQ sauce over them.
- Broil for 6 to 8 minutes, flipping halfway through, or until they’re crispy.
- Garnish with fresh parsley and/or green onions if liked.
- Serve with shredded cabbage or coleslaw.
Notes
Use a big slow cooker: I recommend using a 7-quart slow cooker or bigger. If you overcrowd the Crockpot, the wings won’t cook evenly.
Coating thickness: If you want an extra-thick sauce, baste your wings every few minutes as they broil.
Nutrition
Slow cooker BBQ wings are always a popular dish, whether you’re preparing appetizers or you want to cook chicken wings for the main course and pair with your preferred sides. This dish delivers sweet, savory and smoky flavors in every lip-smacking bite. If you’re a fan of wings, you won’t want to miss out on these smoky, sweet fresh chicken wings!
Other Recipes to Try
Bella Bucchiotti
Bella Bucchiotti is a Canadian-based syndicated food, travel, and lifestyle writer, photographer, and creator at xoxoBella. She founded xoxoBella in 2015, where she shares her love for food, dogs, sustainability, fitness, crafts, outdoor adventures, travel, and philanthropy to encourage others to run the extra mile, try new recipes, visit unfamiliar places, and stand for a cause. Bella creates stress-free and family-friendly recipes for weeknight dinners and festive feasts.
