👩🍳 How to Make Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Wings
1. Prepare the Wings 🍗
Pat the chicken wings thoroughly dry with paper towels. This helps the seasoning stick and gives you better results when you finish the wings under the broiler or in the oven.
Place the wings in a large bowl.
Add the salt, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and chili powder. Drizzle with olive oil and toss until every wing is evenly coated.
2. Make the BBQ Sauce 🍖
In a bowl, whisk together:
- BBQ sauce
- Honey
- Brown sugar
- Ketchup
- Apple cider vinegar
- Worcestershire sauce
- Garlic
- Smoked paprika
- Onion powder
- Chili powder
- Hot sauce, if using
Taste and adjust the sauce to your liking. Want it sweeter? Add a little more honey. 🌶️ Want more heat? Add extra hot sauce!
3. Add Everything to the Slow Cooker
Place the seasoned chicken wings into the slow cooker.
Pour about ¾ of the BBQ sauce over the wings and gently toss to coat.
Spread the wings into an even layer as much as possible.
Reserve the remaining sauce for finishing.
4. Slow Cook Until Tender ⏰
Cover and cook:
LOW: 3–4 hours
HIGH: 1½–2½ hours
The exact cooking time will depend on the size of your wings and your slow cooker.
The chicken should be completely cooked through and tender, reaching an internal temperature of 165°F / 74°C.
⚠️ Important: Chicken wings release quite a bit of liquid during slow cooking. Don’t add extra water or broth—the wings can become watery.
5. Make Them Sticky & Caramelized 🔥
Slow cooking makes the wings tender and saucy, but for that gorgeous sticky, caramelized exterior shown in the photo, don’t skip this step!
Carefully remove the wings from the slow cooker and place them on a foil-lined baking sheet.
Brush generously with the reserved BBQ sauce.
Broil/grill under high heat for about 3–6 minutes, watching closely, until the sauce becomes glossy, sticky, and slightly charred.
Alternatively, place them in a 425°F / 220°C oven for 10–15 minutes, brushing with additional BBQ sauce halfway through.
🔥 Keep a close eye on them because the honey and brown sugar can caramelize quickly.
6. Serve! 😍
Transfer the sticky BBQ wings to a serving platter.
Brush with one final layer of BBQ sauce and garnish with sesame seeds, parsley, or sliced green onions.
Serve immediately with plenty of napkins! 😂🍗
