Introduction

Oh, friends, can you smell that? That warm, comforting aroma that just screams “game day,” “movie night,” or “casual get-together”? I’m talking about chicken wings, of course! And today, we’re diving into a recipe that’s so ridiculously easy, it almost feels like cheating. We’re talking about Crock Pot Chicken Wings, a dish that will become your go-to for effortless entertaining or just a delicious weeknight treat. No fancy equipment, no complicated steps, just pure wing bliss straight from your slow cooker.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Fast: Seriously, your slow cooker does all the heavy lifting!
Easy: Minimal prep, maximum flavor. It’s a weeknight hero!
Giftable: Make a batch for a potluck or as a delicious housewarming treat.
Crowd-pleasing: Everyone loves a good chicken wing, and these are undeniably tasty.

Ingredients

Alright, let’s gather our goodies! This recipe is wonderfully straightforward, which is exactly what we love, right?

4 lbs chicken wings: Make sure they’re separated into flats and drumettes. This makes them easier to eat and cook evenly.
1 tsp sea salt: Just enough to bring out all those delicious chicken flavors.
1/4 tsp black pepper: A classic pairing that adds a gentle warmth.
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted: The luscious base that makes everything so rich and delicious.
6 cloves garlic, minced: Oh, garlic, my favorite! It adds that irresistible savory punch.
1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese: This is our secret weapon for a golden, cheesy crust!
Green onions or chives, thinly sliced for garnish (optional): A pop of freshness and color – totally worth it if you have them!

How to Make It

Get ready to feel like a culinary superstar with these simple steps. Your slow cooker is about to become your best friend.

First things first, toss those beautiful chicken wings, sea salt, and black pepper right into your slow cooker. Give them a little shake to get everything nicely coated.
Now, in a separate bowl, let’s whip up our flavor magic! Whisk together that melted butter and all that glorious minced garlic. Imagine that aroma already!
Pour this buttery garlic mixture all over the chicken wings in the slow cooker. Make sure every wing gets a nice coating.
Time to let the magic happen! Cover your slow cooker and cook on HIGH for 2-3 hours, or if you have a little more time, cook on LOW for 4-5 hours. You want the chicken to be cooked through and super tender.
Once they’re done, carefully drain any excess liquid from the slow cooker. We want juicy wings, not soupy ones!
Now for the grand finale! Sprinkle that shredded Parmesan cheese all over the wings. You can even give them a gentle stir to distribute it evenly.
Serve these beauties hot! If you’re feeling fancy (and I always recommend it!), garnish with those thinly sliced green onions or chives. They add a lovely freshness and a beautiful pop of color. Enjoy every single bite!

Substitutions & Additions

The beauty of this recipe is its adaptability! Feel free to play around and make it your own.

Spice it Up: Love a little heat? Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the butter mixture or drizzle with your favorite hot sauce before serving.
Different Cheeses: Not a Parmesan fan? Try shredded cheddar, Monterey Jack, or even a spicy pepper jack for a different flavor profile.
Herbs Galore: Instead of or in addition to green onions, try fresh parsley, cilantro, or even some dried Italian seasoning in the butter mixture.
BBQ Bliss: After cooking and draining, toss the wings in your favorite BBQ sauce for a classic flavor.

Tips for Success

A few little secrets to ensure your wings are absolutely perfect every time.

Don’t Overcrowd the Slow Cooker: If your slow cooker is too full, the wings might steam instead of cook evenly. If you have a lot of wings, consider using two slow cookers.
Pat Your Wings Dry: Before you start, patting the chicken wings dry with paper towels helps the seasonings stick better and can lead to a slightly crispier texture.
Prep Ahead: You can mince your garlic and melt your butter the day before to save even more time on cooking day.
Crisp Them Up (Optional): For an extra crispy finish, after draining the liquid and before adding the Parmesan, you can spread the wings on a baking sheet and broil them for a few minutes until golden brown and crispy. Keep a close eye on them to prevent burning!

How to Store It

Leftovers are rare in my house, but if you happen to have any of these amazing wings, here’s how to keep them tasting great.

Store any leftover Crock Pot Chicken Wings in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, I find the best method is to pop them in a moderate oven (around 350°F or 175°C) for about 10-15 minutes until warmed through. You can also reheat them in an air fryer for a minute or two to bring back some crispiness!

FAQs

Got questions? I’ve got answers!

Q: Can I cook these wings from frozen?
A: It’s best to thaw your chicken wings before cooking them in the slow cooker for even cooking. Frozen wings might take longer and can result in a less desirable texture.

Q: How do I know when the wings are cooked through?
A: The wings should be tender and cooked through. You can check by piercing the thickest part of a wing with a fork; the juices should run clear, and the meat should easily pull away from the bone.

Q: Can I skip the Parmesan cheese?
A: Absolutely! If you’re not a fan of cheese or have a dairy allergy, you can simply skip the Parmesan. They’ll still be delicious with just the butter and garlic!

Q: How do I get them crispy in the slow cooker?
A: The slow cooker itself won’t make them truly crispy. For crispier wings, I recommend the broiling method mentioned in the “Tips for Success” section after they’ve finished cooking and draining.

Crock Pot Chicken Wings

The EASIEST Appetizer You'll Ever Make! This recipe is ridiculously easy, calling for minimal prep and maximum flavor, making it a weeknight hero or a go-to for effortless entertaining.

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Prep Time 10

Cook Time 4

Servings 8 people

Equipment

Slow Cooker
bowl For mixing butter and garlic
Baking Sheet Optional, for crisping

Ingredients

Main ingredients

4 lbs chicken wings separated into flats and drumettes
1 tsp sea salt
0.25 tsp black pepper
0.5 cup unsalted butter melted
6 cloves garlic minced
1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
Green onions or chives thinly sliced for garnish (optional)

Instructions

First things first, toss those beautiful chicken wings, sea salt, and black pepper right into your slow cooker. Give them a little shake to get everything nicely coated.
Now, in a separate bowl, let's whip up our flavor magic! Whisk together that melted butter and all that glorious minced garlic. Imagine that aroma already!
Pour this buttery garlic mixture all over the chicken wings in the slow cooker. Make sure every wing gets a nice coating.
Time to let the magic happen! Cover your slow cooker and cook on HIGH for 2-3 hours, or if you have a little more time, cook on LOW for 4-5 hours. You want the chicken to be cooked through and super tender.
Once they're done, carefully drain any excess liquid from the slow cooker. We want juicy wings, not soupy ones!
Now for the grand finale! Sprinkle that shredded Parmesan cheese all over the wings. You can even give them a gentle stir to distribute it evenly.
Serve these beauties hot! If you're feeling fancy (and I always recommend it!), garnish with those thinly sliced green onions or chives. They add a lovely freshness and a beautiful pop of color. Enjoy every single bite!

Notes

For an extra crispy finish, after draining the liquid and before adding the Parmesan, you can spread the wings on a baking sheet and broil them for a few minutes until golden brown and crispy. Keep a close eye on them to prevent burning!

To reheat, pop them in a moderate oven (around 350°F or 175°C) for about 10-15 minutes until warmed through, or in an air fryer for a minute or two to bring back some crispiness.