Easy Slow Cooker Hot Honey Chicken Wings Tips, FAQ & printable recipe

Tips for success

To add extra depth to the flavor, you can briefly toast the red pepper flakes in a dry pan for a few seconds before adding them to the slow cooker, though this is optional.

This helps to release the essential oils in the flakes, resulting in a more pronounced spicy aroma and flavor profile throughout the dish.

If you find that the sauce is a bit too thin after the cooking time is up, you can remove the wings and continue to cook the sauce on high with the lid off for 10 to 15 minutes. This allows some of the moisture to evaporate, which will naturally thicken the glaze to your desired consistency.

Variations

• Garlic-Herb Wings: Omit the red pepper flakes and replace half of the honey with maple syrup. Add one tablespoon of dried Italian herb seasoning to the sauce mixture for a fragrant, savory profile that highlights the garlic.
• Extra Spicy Wings: Increase the red pepper flakes to two teaspoons and add a teaspoon of cayenne pepper to the honey and hot sauce mixture. This variation is for those who prefer a significantly higher heat level in their wings.

Storage and make-ahead

Fridge

Keep in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Freezer

Freeze in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 2 months.

Reheat

Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until warmed through and the skin is slightly crispy.

Store any leftover wings in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Ensure the wings have cooled to room temperature for no more than 2 hours before placing them in the fridge.

When storing, keep the wings in a single layer if possible to prevent them from becoming too soggy, or store the sauce separately if you have a large amount remaining.

These wings are excellent for making ahead. You can prepare the raw ingredients in the slow cooker insert, cover it, and keep it in the refrigerator for a few hours before you are ready to cook.

Simply remove the insert from the fridge and let it sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes before starting the slow cooker to ensure the cooking time remains consistent.

Serving ideas

Serve these wings hot, directly from the slow cooker or arranged on a large platter. They pair beautifully with cooling sides like celery sticks, carrot sticks, or a creamy ranch or blue cheese dressing, which help balance the heat from the hot sauce and the sweetness of the honey.

For a complete meal, consider serving the wings alongside a fresh garden salad or a side of coleslaw. The crisp, fresh vegetables provide a nice contrast to the rich, sticky glaze of the wings.

Ensure you provide plenty of napkins, as these wings are best enjoyed by hand and can be quite sticky.

Frequently asked questions

Recipe card

Easy Slow Cooker Hot Honey Chicken Wings

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

Ingredients

• 2 lbs chicken wings, flats and drumettes
• 1 tbsp minced garlic
• 1 tsp red pepper flakes
• 1/2 cup honey
• 1/3 cup hot sauce

Instructions

1. Place the chicken wings into the slow cooker insert. Add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes directly over the top of the chicken pieces, ensuring they are evenly distributed.
2. In a separate small bowl or measuring cup, whisk together the honey and the hot sauce until well combined. Drizzle this mixture evenly over the chicken wings in the slow cooker.
3. Cover and cook on high for 3 to 4 hours, or until the wings are tender and reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Remove the wings from the slow cooker, let them rest for 5 minutes, and serve on a platter with the remaining sauce.

Estimated nutrition per serving

Calories

350

Protein

22 g

Carbohydrates

28 g

Fat

16 g

Fiber

0.5 g

Sugar

25 g

Sodium

850 mg

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