Get ready to impress your palate with these Slow Cooker Buffalo Wings, a fantastic main dish or appetizer that you can easily create in your slow cooker! These wings are so tender they practically fall off the bone, delectably juicy, and slathered in a tangy buffalo sauce. The best part? It only takes 5 minutes of your time to prep!
I have a deep love for making chicken wings at home, and I find the slow cooker to be my favorite technique!
While my honey BBQ wings recipe is absolutely delicious, buffalo wings are undeniably a classic.
Preparing crockpot buffalo chicken wings is a piece of cake, making them perfect for a straightforward dinner or a fantastic option for entertaining guests!
Why This Recipe Stands Out?
- Simple ingredients – These are basic items you probably already have on hand!
- Effortless preparation – Spend just five minutes getting everything set up, then allow the slow cooker to handle the rest.
- Unmatched flavor and texture – The slow cooking process enables the chicken to soak up the spice mixture while becoming incredibly tender.
Expert Tips for a Perfect Recipe
This crockpot buffalo chicken wings recipe is wonderfully uncomplicated! Just five quick minutes of prep for a dish that the whole family will love.
Here, I’ll share some insider tricks for achieving the most mouthwatering buffalo wings in the slow cooker, ensuring your results are nothing short of spectacular.
Be sure to scroll down to the recipe card for complete information.
Ingredients & Substitutes
- Chicken Wings – Both fresh and previously frozen wings will work. Just make sure to thaw frozen wings in the fridge beforehand.
- Hot Sauce – I recommend Frank’s hot sauce, but feel free to choose any brand you prefer.
- Melted Butter – This combines with the hot sauce to create our homemade buffalo sauce.
- Spice Blend – Our dry rub consists of chili powder, salt, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper.
Check the recipe card at the end of the post for detailed measurements and ingredient specifics.
Innovative Variations on the Original Recipe
- BBQ Chicken Wings – Swap out the hot sauce for your favorite BBQ sauce. Whether it’s store-bought or homemade, it will surely be a hit!
- Oven-Baked Buffalo Chicken Wings – If you prefer not to use a crockpot, bake the wings at 425ºF for about 30 minutes, or until they reach a safe internal temperature of 165ºF. Flip them halfway through for even cooking.
- Honey Sriracha Wings – Combine honey with Sriracha for a wing sauce that balances sweet and heat, providing a delicious alternative to traditional buffalo sauce.
Detailed Step-by-Step Guide to the Recipe
- Begin by placing your chicken wing pieces snugly into your crockpot. Create a flavorful mixture by combining your selected spices in a bowl.
2. Evenly sprinkle the spice mix over the wings, stirring to ensure every piece is well coated. Set your slow cooker to high and allow them to cook for 4-5 hours, or choose low for a 6-7 hour cook time.
3. After the chicken finishes cooking, preheat the oven to 425ºF. Transfer the wings to a mixing bowl and coat them thoroughly with a mixture of spicy hot sauce and melted butter.
4. Arrange the wings on a baking sheet lined with foil and roast for 15-18 minutes. Once they are crispy, remove them from the oven, brush with additional sauce for enhanced flavor, and enjoy your delightful wings.
Recipe Tips
- Choose low heat – For chicken to reach maximum tenderness, it’s best to use the low setting while slow-cooking. This method retains moisture, ensuring the meat stays juicy and flavorful. If time is short, using the high setting can still yield great results.
- Aim for a drier exterior – To ensure the sauce clings well, select wings that are relatively dry. When moving them from the slow cooker to the bowl, be sure to drain off any excess moisture.
- Increase the heat – The hot sauce provides a nice kick, but for an extra layer of spice, sprinkle a bit of cayenne pepper to elevate the heat!
Recipe Shortcuts
In a rush but craving these delicious wings? Here are some ways to prepare them faster!
- Use fresh wings – Avoid thawing and select fresh chicken wings that can be cooked right away.
- Pre-mix your spices – Prepare your seasonings ahead of time and keep them handy in your pantry, ready for immediate use.
- Prepare, then freeze – Complete the slow-cooking stage of the recipe, but skip the baking part. Allow the wings to cool and freeze them for up to three months. When you’re ready, thaw them in the refrigerator overnight, bake, and toss with sauce before serving.
Pairing Suggestions for Buffalo Chicken Wings
The vibrant buffalo flavor of this dish pairs wonderfully with a range of traditional and modern side options.
Choose from this selection to create a well-rounded and delicious meal, featuring a blend of classic staples and lighter fare for balance.
Recommended Appetizer Pairings
- BBQ Chicken Naan Pizza – This savory naan topped with barbecue chicken combines sweet barbecue sauce, melty cheese, tender chicken, and onions, making it an excellent accompaniment to the wings.
- Mini Pigs in a Blanket – A crowd-pleaser, these bite-sized treats are quick to prepare and perfect for sharing, requiring less than 30 minutes to whip up.
- Chicken Bacon Ranch Roll-Ups – Complement the spice of the wings with these flavorful sliders filled with a creamy ranch chicken mixture, served on sweet Hawaiian rolls with a buttery finish.
Classic Side Dishes
There’s a plethora of sides that enhance the enjoyment of chicken wings. Here are some favorites:
- Classic Green Bean Casserole – Combine the tang of buffalo wings with this creamy casserole, using any kind of green beans and prepping it in just 5 minutes.
- Decadent Million Dollar Dip – This rich dip includes cream cheese and bacon, making it a splendid pairing with your wings. Serve it alongside bread, crackers, or fresh veggies.
- Delicious Deviled Egg Potato Salad – Enjoy a hearty side that merges the flavors of buffalo wings with this creamy, easy-to-make potato salad.
Using Leftover Buffalo Chicken Wings
If you’re fortunate enough to have leftover wings, you’re in luck! They store and reheat beautifully, giving you a head start on another tasty meal.
To preserve leftovers, portion them into meal-sized containers and store:
- In the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days
- In the freezer for no longer than one month
Common Questions about the Recipe
How can you ensure the buffalo sauce sticks well to the wings?
The secret lies in the wings’ dryness; if they are too wet, the sauce will slide off. For best results, pat the wings dry before applying the sauce.
Do you need to add liquid to the slow cooker for chicken recipes?
No additional liquid is necessary in this recipe; simply add the chicken and seasonings to the crockpot, and you’ll achieve a moisture-rich outcome!
What’s the best way to crisp wings cooked in a slow cooker?
After cooking in the slow cooker, you can achieve crispiness by baking the wings in the oven at a high temperature for about 15 minutes.
A Selection of Simple Chicken Recipes
If this recipe has caught your interest, consider exploring a variety of other easy dishes perfect for your busy evenings!
Each recipe is crafted for simplicity and satisfaction—discover all my simple chicken recipe insights or check out some of the popular favorites listed below.
Prep Time: 5 mins
Cook Time: 4 hrs 15 mins
Total Time: 4 hrs 20 mins
Servings: 5
Instructions
Begin by mixing chili powder, salt, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper in a small bowl.
Then, arrange the chicken wings in the crockpot and distribute the spice mixture over them, tossing to ensure an even coating.
Cover the crockpot with its lid and cook the wings on high for 4-5 hours, or on low for about 6-7 hours.
First, preheat your oven to 425˚F. After that, remove the chicken wings from the slow cooker and place them in a large bowl.
Tip: To allow the sauce to stick effectively, make sure to dry the wings as much as possible by shaking off any excess moisture before placing them in the bowl.
Mix the sauce with the melted butter until well combined. Then, pour this mixture over the wings, ensuring they get a good coat.
Arrange the wings on a baking sheet and bake them on the upper rack of the oven for 15-18 minutes. Once finished, baste them with any remaining sauce from the bowl and serve hot.
Recipe Notes
Using 4 pounds of wings should result in approximately 20-24 wings total.
Nutrition Information
Serving:
4
wings
,
Sugar:
1
g
(1%)
,
Vitamin A:
1250
IU
(25%)
,
Vitamin C:
37
mg
(45%)
,
Calcium:
38
mg
(4%)
,
Iron:
2
mg
(11%)
