Slow Cooker Honey Mustard Chicken Wings for Easy Entertaining Tips, FAQ & printable recipe

Tips for success

To achieve a slightly crispier skin after slow cooking, you can transfer the wings to a baking sheet and broil them for 3 to 5 minutes. Watch them very closely during this step, as the honey in the mustard sauce can burn rapidly under high heat. This optional step adds a nice textural contrast to the otherwise tender, slow-cooked meat and deepens the caramelized flavor of the glaze.

If you find the sauce is too thin at the end of the cooking cycle, you can remove the wings and whisk in a small amount of cornstarch slurry to the remaining liquid in the slow cooker. Turn the heat to high for 10 minutes with the lid off to allow the sauce to thicken before tossing the wings back in. This ensures every piece is coated in a rich, velvety layer of honey mustard.

Variations

• Spicy Honey Mustard: Stir two tablespoons of your favorite hot sauce or a teaspoon of cayenne pepper into the honey mustard sauce before pouring it over the wings for a fiery kick.
• Herb-Infused Wings: Add two tablespoons of fresh chopped rosemary or thyme along with the garlic powder to introduce an earthy, aromatic layer that complements the sweetness of the honey.

Storage and make-ahead

Fridge

Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Freezer

Freeze in a freezer-safe bag for up to 2 months; thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.

Reheat

Reheat in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) until warmed through, about 10-15 minutes.

Allow any leftover wings to cool for no more than two hours before transferring them to an airtight container. Stored properly in the refrigerator, they will remain fresh for up to three days.

When reheating, it is best to use an oven or toaster oven rather than a microwave to maintain the best texture, as microwaves tend to make the skin soggy and the meat rubbery after the initial slow cooking process.

These wings are excellent for preparing in advance. You can assemble the raw ingredients in the slow cooker insert, cover it, and keep it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before cooking.

When you are ready to eat, simply place the insert into the slow cooker base and start the cooking cycle. This makes them a perfect option for hosting, as you can prep everything well before your guests arrive.

Serving ideas

Serve these wings hot, directly from the slow cooker or transferred to a large, warmed platter. They pair beautifully with crunchy vegetable sticks like carrots and celery, which provide a fresh, crisp contrast to the rich, tangy honey mustard glaze.

A side of creamy ranch or blue cheese dressing can also be offered, though the wings are flavorful enough to stand perfectly on their own without additional accompaniments.

For a more substantial meal, consider serving the wings alongside a light grain salad or roasted potatoes.

The honey mustard sauce is excellent for drizzling over simple sides, so do not hesitate to spoon the extra sauce from the bottom of the slow cooker over the wings just before serving. This ensures that every bite is as flavorful as possible and keeps the wings moist throughout the meal.

Frequently asked questions

Recipe card

Slow Cooker Honey Mustard Chicken Wings for Easy Entertaining

Prep 10 minCook 4 hRest 5 minTotal 4 h 15 minServes 4

Ingredients

• 3 lb chicken wings, tips removed and separated at the joint
• 1 cup yellow onion, finely diced
• 1 tbsp garlic powder
• 1 cup honey mustard sauce, store-bought or made ahead

Instructions

1. Place the raw chicken wings into the bottom of a clean slow cooker. Scatter the diced yellow onion evenly over the top of the wings to ensure the flavor permeates the meat during the slow cooking process.
2. Sprinkle the garlic powder evenly over the chicken and onions. Pour the honey mustard sauce over the entire mixture, ensuring all wings are coated as much as possible before covering with the lid.
3. Cover and cook on low for 4 hours. Once the time is up, check that the chicken wings have reached an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Allow them to rest for 5 minutes before transferring to a platter to serve.

Contains: mustard

Estimated nutrition per serving

Calories

320

Protein

22 g

Carbohydrates

12 g

Fat

20 g

Fiber

0.5 g

Sugar

10 g

Sodium

450 mg

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