Mango Bourbon BBQ Wings: Easy Crockpot Dinner Tips, FAQ & printable recipe

Tips for success

For the best flavor, use a high-quality bourbon BBQ glaze that lists bourbon as an ingredient. If you prefer a less sweet dish, reduce the brown sugar to 2 tablespoons.

The mango should be ripe but not overripe; overly soft mango will break down during cooking, creating a more sauce-like texture. If you want a bit of heat, add a pinch of red pepper flakes along with the other ingredients.

To make the dish even more indulgent, serve the wings over garlic mashed potatoes as shown in the video, or with creamy polenta. The sauce is excellent for sopping up with crusty bread.

For a lighter meal, serve on a bed of greens or with steamed rice. The leftovers are delicious cold, straight from the fridge, or reheated gently in the microwave.

Variations

• Spicy Mango Habanero: Add 1 finely minced habanero pepper (seeds removed) along with the other ingredients for a fiery kick. Reduce the brown sugar to 2 tablespoons to balance the heat. Serve with a cooling lime crema or yogurt.
• Pineapple Bourbon Wings: Replace the mango cubes with an equal amount of fresh or canned pineapple chunks. The pineapple adds extra sweetness and acidity, which pairs beautifully with the bourbon glaze. Follow the same cooking method.
• Smoky Chipotle Mango: Stir 1-2 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce (minced) into the bourbon glaze before pouring over the chicken. This adds a smoky, earthy heat that complements the mango. Omit the brown sugar if you prefer a less sweet dish.
• Teriyaki Mango Wings: Substitute the bourbon BBQ glaze with 1 cup of teriyaki sauce and add 2 tablespoons of honey. The result is a sweet-savory Asian-inspired glaze. Serve with sesame seeds and sliced green onions.

Storage and make-ahead

Fridge

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The sauce will thicken; add a splash of water when reheating.

Freezer

Freeze cooked wings in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Reheat

Reheat gently in a saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally, or in the microwave in 30-second bursts.

Leftover mango bourbon wings can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The sauce will thicken as it cools; reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave, adding a splash of water or chicken broth if needed to loosen the sauce.

This recipe is ideal for making ahead. Prepare the layers in the slow cooker insert the night before, cover, and refrigerate. In the morning, place the insert in the slow cooker base and cook on low for 4 hours. You can also fully cook the wings and refrigerate them; reheat gently before serving.

Serving ideas

Serve these wings as a main course with creamy mashed potatoes or rice to soak up the luscious sauce. A simple green salad with a tangy vinaigrette balances the sweetness.

For a game-day spread, offer them alongside other appetizers like celery sticks and blue cheese dip, or sliders. The wings are also delicious over a bed of coleslaw for a crunchy contrast.

Garnish with fresh cilantro or sliced green onions if desired, though the video does not show this.

The dish is satisfying on its own, but the sauce is so good that you'll want bread or potatoes to mop it up. For a more elegant presentation, serve in shallow bowls with the sauce spooned over the top.

Frequently asked questions

Recipe card

Mango Bourbon BBQ Wings: Easy Crockpot Dinner

Prep 10 minCook 4 hTotal 4 h 10 minServes 4

Ingredients

• 2 lb split chicken wingettes and drumettes
• 1 1/2 cups ripe mango cubes
• 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 1 cup bourbon molasses BBQ glaze
• 1/4 cup dark brown sugar, packed

Instructions

1. Place the split chicken wingettes and drumettes in the bottom of a 6-quart slow cooker in an even layer. Scatter the ripe mango cubes and diced red bell pepper over the chicken. Pour the bourbon molasses BBQ glaze over everything, then sprinkle with the packed dark brown sugar. Do not stir.
2. Cover the slow cooker with the lid and cook on low for 4 hours, or until the chicken is tender and cooked through. Avoid opening the lid during cooking to maintain steady heat.
3. After 4 hours, check that the chicken is cooked through by inserting an instant-read thermometer into the thickest part of a wing, avoiding the bone. The temperature should read at least 165°F (74°C). The meat should be tender and pulling away from the bone.
4. If the sauce is thinner than desired, remove the chicken and vegetables to a platter and keep warm. Transfer the sauce to a small saucepan and simmer over medium heat for 5-8 minutes, until reduced and glossy. Return the sauce to the slow cooker and toss gently to coat.
5. Spoon the mango bourbon glazed chicken wings over a bed of creamy garlic mashed potatoes. Use a serving spoon to lift the wings and vegetables, letting the extra glaze drizzle over the top. Serve immediately.

Contains: milk, gluten, sulfites

Estimated nutrition per serving

Calories

520

Protein

30 g

Carbohydrates

35 g

Fat

28 g

Automatic estimate from the ingredient list, not laboratory-verified.