Sticky BBQ Chicken Wings Crock Pot Style

Close up of bbq wings from a slow cooker using 3 ingredients covered in sauce.

Sticky BBQ Chicken Wings Crock Pot Style

BBQ chicken wings made in the crock pot are tender, juicy, and loaded with sticky barbecue flavor. This easy recipe uses simple ingredients and minimal prep for stress-free entertaining. Perfect for game day or family dinners, these wings are finished under the broiler or air fryer for crispy edges and saucy flavor everyone will love.

Cuisine American

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 2 45

Total Time 2 50

Servings

Calories 544

Author Gina Dickson

Equipment

Slow Cooker Digital Programmable with Temp Probe

Ingredients

3 pounds chicken wings drumettes and flats, trimmed and cleaned
1 cup Dr. Pepper regular or diet (you could also use Coke or Pepsie)
1 cup barbecue sauce (Sweet Baby Ray’s recommended), divided into two ½-cup portions

Instructions

Prep the Wings

Rinse the wings under cold water and pat dry with paper towels.
3 pounds chicken wings
Use kitchen scissors to trim off any excess skin or fat.
Check for and remove any leftover pin feathers.

Layer in the Slow Cooker

Place the wings in a single layer in a 6-quart oval crockpot.
Pour in 1 cup of Dr. Pepper.
1 cup Dr. Pepper
Add ½ cup of barbecue sauce and gently stir to coat the wings.
1 cup barbecue sauce

Cook Low and Slow

Cover and cook on high for 2½ to 3 hours.
Check for doneness with a meat thermometer—the internal temperature should reach 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

Drain and Sauce Again

Remove the wings with tongs or a slotted spoon.
Drain and discard the liquid from the crockpot.
Return the wings to the crockpot and pour over the remaining ½ cup of barbecue sauce.
Gently stir or brush the sauce onto the wings.
Cover and cook on high for 15 more minutes.

Notes

Lower Calorie Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Wings

For this recipe, you can choose to make a lower-calorie sauce. I used Diet Dr. Pepper and no sugar added Sweet Baby Ray's BBQ sauce. The flavor is just as good. The only thing missing are some calories.

How can I tell if chicken wings are done?

When cooking chicken wings in a slow cooker, there are a few ways to tell if they are done:

Check the internal temperature: The internal temperature of chicken wings should reach 165°F (74°C) to be safe to eat. You can use a meat thermometer to check the temperature of the thickest part of the wings.
Check the meat texture: When chicken wings are fully cooked, the meat should be tender and easily come off the bone.
Check the color: Fully cooked chicken wings will have no pink or red meat.

It is important to note that slow cookers can vary in temperature and cooking time, so it is recommended to check the wings periodically to ensure they are cooked properly.

Storage and Reheating

Room Temperature: Keep wings out no more than 2 hours.
Fridge: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Freezer: Freeze in a sealed bag for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Reheat: Use the oven or air fryer to bring back crispness. Avoid microwaving unless you don’t mind softer skin.

Nutrition