Slow Cooker Honey Teriyaki Chicken Wings

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Step aside, game day eats. There’s a new MVP in town.

Because these slow cooker honey teriyaki chicken wings take everything easy about your crockpot and pair it with everything delicious about America’s favorite finger food.

Imagine wings so tender they practically surrender at first bite or a delectable blend of sweet honey and savory teriyaki that’ll have you licking your fingers. It’s the ultimate culinary touchdown, combining effortless cooking with irresistible flavor.

So go ahead, set it, forget it, and get ready to up your wing game in the most delicious way.

What’s in these slow cooker honey teriyaki chicken wings?

In order to slow cook your own batch of these sweet teriyaki chicken wings, you’ll need the following ingredients:

• Chicken Wings: The star of the show! These will absorb the flavors of the marinade and become tender in the slow cooker.
• Honey: Adds natural sweetness and contributes to the “sticky” texture of the sauce.
• Brown Sugar: Enhances the sweetness and adds a molasses-like depth to the sauce.
• Balsamic Vinegar: Provides acidity and tanginess, balancing the sweetness of the honey and sugar.
• Soy Sauce: Adds saltiness and umami, a cornerstone of teriyaki flavor.
• Garlic: Adds a pungent kick that complements the sweetness.
• Sriracha: Introduces a touch of heat to the mix.
• Ground Ginger: Offers a warm, spicy note commonly found in teriyaki and Asian cuisine.
• Onion Powder: Adds a subtle, savory background flavor.
• Black Pepper: Provides a bit of spice and complexity.
• Cornstarch and Water: Used to create a slurry for thickening the sauce.

Can you use frozen chicken wings?

Technically, yes, you can. Slow cookers are known for how easily they can cook meats that are either fresh or frozen. However, any frozen meat will release liquid as it warms up, impacting any sauces and marinades that accompany the meat.

So, if you don’t mind the marinade being watered down while cooking, then yes, you can use frozen wings. However, if you would prefer the marinade to be thicker and able to penetrate the meat as designed, shoot for using thawed or fresh chicken wings.

And no matter what state your wings are in when they enter the slow cooker, be sure that they reach 165°F before consuming (as per the USDA Safe Minimum Internal Temperature Chart).

Can you make slow cooker wings crispy?

The beauty of a slow cooker is having ultra-tender, fall-off-the-bone meat. But that soft texture also comes with some sacrifices, such as losing crispy skin.

But fear not! There is something you can do to help give the outside of these wings a little more of a firm, sticky texture: broil them.

To Broil Slow Cooked Wings

• Once the wings are cooked in the slow cooker, transfer them to an aluminum-foiled lined baking sheet. Discard any marinade that’s still in the slow cooker. If the wings sit in the marinade again, they’ll soften up.
• Set oven to broil and cook wings for 4-5 minutes per side. Keep an eye on the wings to ensure they don’t burn.
• Return chicken wings to crockpot and set temperature to warm.
• If desired, whisk together a smaller portion of the honey teriyaki sauce and have it available for serving with the wings.

How long are they good for?

Once prepared and cooled, these slow cooker honey teriyaki wings can be stored in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to three to four days.

Can you freeze them?

Yes, you can definitely freeze your slow cooker chicken wings!

Once prepared, allow the chicken wings to cool to room temperature before transferring them to a sealed container or freezer bag, removing as much air as possible.

Once frozen, chicken wings can be stored for up to four months.

How to reheat chicken wings

To keep your honey teriyaki chicken wings tasting as good as new without drying them out, have your instant-read thermometer on hand and consider the following reheating methods:

SLOW COOKER METHOD

• Low Heat: Set the slow cooker to a low heat setting.
• Arrange: Place the wings in a single layer.
• Add Sauce: If the wings were originally cooked with a sauce, consider adding a small amount for moisture.
• Reheat: Cover and heat for about 1-2 hours, checking periodically.
• Check: Ensure the internal temperature reaches 165°F.

Oven Method

• Preheat: Preheat your oven to 350°F.
• Arrange: Place wings on a baking sheet in a single layer, about an inch apart.
• Reheat: Heat for about 5-6 minutes on one side, then flip and continue for another 5-6 minutes.
• Check: Make sure the internal temperature reaches 165°F.

Air Fryer Method

• Preheat: Set the air fryer to 350°F.
• Arrange: Place wings in the basket, ensuring they aren’t crammed.
• Reheat: Heat for up to 10 minutes, checking every few minutes.
• Check: Ensure the internal temperature reaches 165°F.

Microwave Method

• Microwave: Place wings on a microwave-safe plate, cover with a damp paper towel, and microwave for about 2 minutes.
• Check: Make sure they reach an internal temperature of 165°F.

Notes & tips for slow cooker honey teriyaki chicken wings

• Remember that these are slow cooker chicken wings; the meat will be ultra-tender and fall off the bone without much resistance. Because of this, I would recommend serving the wings directly from the slow cooker with the temperature set to warm. Provide a pair of tongs to assist in serving the wings, and possibly even forks for eating.
• Whenever you’re preparing meats, make sure that you’re heating it to a safe minimum internal temperature. For chicken, that’s 165°F, which you can measure with an instant-read thermometer. To learn more about minimum temperatures and cooking, check out this article: USDA Food Safety Inspection Service – Safe Minimum Internal Temperature Chart.
• This recipe dives straight into the cooking process, assuming your chicken wings are already prepped—washed, dried, cut into drumettes and wingettes, etc.—as desired. If you need guidance on preparing your wings for cooking, check out this article: How to cut chicken wings.
• A slow cooker with multiple pot sizes can be a practical choice for frequent users. The Crockpot offers 2.5 Quart, 4 Quart, and 6 Quart options, allowing for size flexibility depending on the dish. This feature can also simplify cleanup, as you’ll have another clean pot handy should one of the others be out of commission for intensive cleaning. The unit is versatile and suitable for preparing various meals as well as warming dips.
• If you love whipping up easy chicken dinners in your slow cooker, be sure to check out this recipe for chicken legs in crock pot.

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