Do you love indulging in Chinese-style chicken wings from your favorite restaurant but don’t feel like going out? Make these Best Chinese Salt and Pepper Chicken Wings Recipe using your crockpot. These wings have a mouthwatering blend of peppery heat and are coated in a delicious sticky hot honey sauce drizzled over them just before serving.
The best part is they are not fried, so these Chines wings have a healthier twist with less fat and calories. So skip the Chinese takeout and treat yourself to these irresistible salt and pepper wings.
Why This Chinese Salt and Pepper Chicken Wing Recipe Is So Good
- No Fry: Making this classic Chinese restaurant takeaway in the crockpot can be an excellent option for those who want flavor-infused wings with a healthier twist since they are not deep-fried chicken wings. By using a crockpot, you can avoid deep frying the chicken wings, which can reduce the amount of added fats and calories.
- Convenience: Using a crockpot to make chicken wings only takes a few minutes to prep, and then you can set it and forget it. Slow cooking makes the chicken wings tender and juicy without requiring constant attentional wings that are moist and tender.
- Crowd Pleaser: Chicken wings are a popular dish that can be served as an appetizer or main course for gatherings, parties, or special events. This is sure to be a favorite wings recipe for everyone.
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Salt and Pepper Chicken Wings Ingredients
This wing recipe has only a few simple ingredients. A spicy black pepper mixture, chicken wings, and a hot honey glaze.
- Wings: For this recipe, you will need the drumettes, flats, and no wing tip.  If you have whole wings, visit my How To Cut Chicken Wings Into Drums and Flats post to learn all the tips and how-to for cutting fresh chicken wings.Â
- Salt: The best salt for this recipe is fine sea salt or kosher salt. These types of salt have a clean taste and dissolve easily, making them perfect for seasoning chicken wings evenly.
- Pepper: Freshly ground black pepper is best because it has a more potent flavor than pre-ground pepper, giving your wings a more pronounced peppery taste. If you use pre-ground pepper, be sure it is fresh and not past its expiration date. You could use fresh ground white pepper so your wings do not have black flakes all over them.
- Sesame Oil: Sesame oil adds flavor and helps your spices adhere to the wings while cooking.
- Garlic: Only use freshly minced garlic for the best flavor. The pre-minced garlic in a jar is not a good option for this recipe.
- Crushed Red Pepper Flakes: The recipe calls for 1/4 teaspoon; however, if your personal preference is extra spicy wings, add 1/2 teaspoon of the red chili peppers.
- Hot Honey: The hot honey adds some sweetness to balance the heat from the black pepper and chili flakes. To learn how to make your own hot honey visit my post How To Make Hot Honey. If you prefer less heat, you could use plain honey.
Preparing The Wings For Cooking
For this step, I like to use pink disposable kitchen gloves when handling raw meat. It helps to avoid cross-contamination of bacteria. Also, I hate chicken goo under my nails.
- Remove the chicken wings from their packaging and place them in a colander in your sink.
- Rinse the wings under cold running water, making sure to wash all surfaces of the wings, including any crevices or folds.
3. Pat chicken wings dry with paper towels to remove any excess moisture. This will help the seasonings stick to the wings.
4. Dispose of the paper towels and any packaging in the trash. Be sure to wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds.
Safety Note: Do not rinse chicken wings under hot water as it can create a breeding ground for bacteria, and do not soak the chicken wings in water as it can also cause cross-contamination of bacteria.
Preparing the Salt and Pepper Sauce For Cooking
1. Mix the salt, crushed black pepper, minced garlic, and crushed red pepper flakes in a small bowl. Set aside the seasoning mix.
2. In a large mixing bowl, add the chicken wings. Drizzle the sesame oil over the chicken wings. Using a large spoon or tongs, toss the wings in the oil, ensuring they are evenly coated.
3. Once the wings are coated in sesame oil, sprinkle your salt and pepper seasoning mixture over the wings. Toss with a large spoon or tongs. You could also use your hands if you prefer.
Cooking Chicken Wings In The Crock Pot
1. Place the wings in an even layer in the bottom of the crockpot. *Note: Do not add any liquid.
2. Place the lid onto your crock pot and cook on high heat for 2 1/2 hours.
3. After 2 1/2 hours, check the internal temperature of the chicken wings. If it is below 165 in any of the wings, place the lid back on and cook for another 30 minutes or until the wings have an internal temperature of 165 degrees F.
Reminder: Cooking time can vary when using an older-style crockpot or a different brand. The temperature and cooking speed can vary from model to model and from one manufacturer to another. Also, older crockpots may not heat as evenly or consistently as newer models, affecting cooking times.
Adding Sauce To The Wings
Adding the hot honey or plain honey adds some sweetness to balance the heat from the black pepper and chili flakes. To learn how to make your own hot honey visit my post How To Make Hot Honey. It’s a simple recipe for a great condiment to keep on hand.
1. After the wings are cooked, remove them from the crockpot and put them into a large bowl. Do not put any of the broth juices in the bowl. Just discard it.
2. Drizzle the wings with hot honey or use regular honey if you prefer less heat.
3. Top with thinly sliced green onions and serve.
Safety Note: Do not leave chicken wings at room temperature for more than two hours, as bacteria can grow quickly at room temperature and cause food poisoning. So always store your leftovers in the refrigerator within two hours of cooking or eating them.
How To Store Left Over Chicken Wings
- Let the chicken wings cool down to room temperature before storing them. This will prevent excess moisture from forming in the container, making the wings soggy.
- Place the chicken wings in an airtight container, ensuring they are not overcrowded. You can also use a resealable plastic bag if you don’t have a container.
- Label the container or bag with the date and contents to easily identify them later.
- Store the container or bag in the refrigerator for up to four days.
Best Way To Reheat Chicken Wings
When you’re ready to eat your leftover chicken wings, here are 2 easy ways to reheat the already-cooked chicken wings. Of course, you could always eat them cold. This is my favorite way.
Microwave Method:Â
- Take the chicken wings out of the refrigerator and let them sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes.
- Place the chicken wings in a microwave-safe dish, leaving space between each wing so they can heat evenly.
- Cover the dish with a damp paper towel to help prevent the chicken wings from drying out.
- Microwave the chicken wings on high for 1-2 minutes, depending on the quantity and size of the wings. Stop the microwave every 30 seconds to check on the wings and rotate them to ensure even heating.
- If the wings are still not hot enough, you can microwave them for an additional 30 seconds, again checking and rotating them every 15 seconds to avoid overcooking.
Oven Method:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Line a baking tray with parchment paper.
- Place the cooked chicken wings on the baking sheet in a single layer. Be sure to leave some space between them so they can heat evenly.
- Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and cook the chicken wings for 10-15 minutes or until they are heated through.
- It is best to use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the chicken wings. The reheated wings should be at least 165°F (74°C) to ensure they are warmed all the way through and safe to eat.
- Drizzle a little honey over the wings and top with chopped spring onions.
It’s important to note that reheating times may vary based on the size of the chicken wings and the oven, so keep an eye on them to avoid overcooking or burning.
What is Chinese salt and pepper seasoning made of?
Chinese salt and pepper seasoning typically consists of a mixture of salt, ground peppercorns, red pepper chili flakes, and garlic. Chinese restaurants each have their own special blend of salt and pepper seasoning, however. Some add Chinese 5 spice and ground ginger to their mixture.
Easy Chinese Salt and Pepper Chicken Wings Recipe: Crockpot
Note: Be sure to read through the recipe’s post for tips and details about this recipe.
Ingredients
- 3 lbs chicken wings, flats and drumettes
- 2 teaspoons sea salt, You could also use kosher salt instead
- 2 teaspoons black pepper, Freshly course ground
- 4 cloves garlic, Garlic cloves vary in size, your goal is about 2 tablespoons of fresh minced garlic.
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper chili flakes, Optional. If you want more heat, add 1/2 teaspoon.
- 4 teaspoons sesame oil
- 3 green onions, Wash and sliced thin. Use the white and green part of the onion.
Sauce
- 2 tablespoons hot honey, If you like it less spicy, use plain honey. If you want a sweeter tasting wing, drizzle a little more honey on the wings before serving.
Equipment
Instructions
Preparing The Wings For Cooking
- Remove the chicken wings from their packaging and place them in a colander in your sink.
- Rinse the wings under cold running water, making sure to wash all surfaces of the wings, including any crevices or folds.
- Pat chicken wings dry with paper towels to remove any excess moisture. This will help the seasonings stick to the wings.
- Dispose of the paper towels and any packaging in the trash. Be sure to wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds.
Preparing the Slat and Pepper Sauce for Cooking
- Mix the salt, crushed black pepper, minced garlic, and crushed red pepper flakes in a small bowl. Set aside the seasoning mix.
- In a large mixing bowl, add the chicken wings. Drizzle the sesame oil over the chicken wings. Using a large spoon or tongs, toss the wings in the oil, ensuring they are evenly coated.
- Once the wings are coated in sesame oil, sprinkle your salt and pepper seasoning mixture over the wings. Toss with a large spoon or tongs. You could also use your hands if you prefer.
Cooking Chicken Wings In The Crocpot
- Place the wings in an even layer in the bottom of the crockpot. *Note: Do not add any liquid.
- Place the lid onto your crock pot and cook on high heat for 2 1/2 hours.
- After 2 1/2 hours, check the internal temperature of the chicken wings. If it is below 165 in any of the wings, place the lid back on and cook for another 30 minutes or until the wings have an internal temperature of 165 degrees F.
Adding Sauce To The Wings
- After the wings are cooked, remove them from the crockpot and put them into a large bowl. Do not put any of the broth juices in the bowl. Just discard it.
- Drizzle the wings with hot honey or use regular honey if you prefer less heat.
- Top with thinly sliced green onions and serve.