If you’re anything like me, you know that chicken wings can make or break a game day or casual dinner at home. This Crock Pot Garlic Parmesan Chicken Wings Recipe is my go-to when I crave wings that are tender, flavorful, and packed with that irresistible garlic parmesan zing. The slow cooker makes it so easy because you don’t have to babysit the wings, and finishing them under the broiler gives that perfect crispy edge I absolutely love.
What I really adore about these wings is how the flavors meld during the slow cook, making every bite juicy and rich. Whether you’re serving them for a weeknight family dinner or a get-together with friends, this recipe will quickly become your favorite, especially since it’s easy to prep AND crowd-pleasing. Once you try this Crock Pot Garlic Parmesan Chicken Wings Recipe, you’ll see why it’s become a staple in my kitchen.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Hands-off Cooking: Just season and slow cook, so you’re free to multitask or prep other dishes.
- Perfectly Tender Wings: The slow cooker makes the wings juicy and tender, almost fall-off-the-bone.
- Crisp Finish: Broiling at the end gives that irresistible crispy skin everyone loves.
- Simple Ingredients: Minimal pantry staples come together for a big, flavorful impact.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The ingredients for this Crock Pot Garlic Parmesan Chicken Wings Recipe are straightforward, but each one plays a key role. The garlic butter sauce really makes these wings sing, and the parmesan adds that perfect savory finish you’ll find yourself craving.
- Chicken wings: Make sure they’re separated into flats and drumettes for even cooking.
- Sea salt: Enhances the natural flavor without being overpowering.
- Black pepper: Adds subtle heat and depth.
- Unsalted butter: Melted to carry the garlic flavor evenly across the wings.
- Garlic: Fresh minced garlic is the hero here – avoid pre-minced for best flavor.
- Parmesan cheese: Freshly shredded melts beautifully and adds that nutty, salty kick.
- Green onions or chives: Optional but adds a fresh pop of color and mild onion flavor on top.
Variations
I love that this Crock Pot Garlic Parmesan Chicken Wings Recipe is so flexible – you can customize it to suit your cravings or dietary needs. I’ve experimented with different sauces and seasonings, and it’s always a hit.
- Spicy Kick: I sometimes add a pinch of chili flakes to the garlic butter for an extra layer of heat that my family adores.
- Herb Infusion: Fresh rosemary or thyme added to the slow cooker can deepen flavor and add an aromatic touch.
- Buffalo Style: After slow cooking, toss wings in buffalo sauce instead of garlic butter, then broil for a tangy twist.
- Low-Sodium: Use a low-sodium butter and less salt, plus extra garlic, to keep flavor without the salt overload.
How to Make Crock Pot Garlic Parmesan Chicken Wings Recipe
Step 1: Prep and Season the Wings
Start by patting your chicken wings dry if they’re a little wet—that helps the seasoning stick better. Place all the wings right into your slow cooker, then sprinkle the sea salt and black pepper evenly over them. Give everything a good toss right in the pot to coat each piece. I’m telling you, even a little seasoning makes a big difference here.
Step 2: Make the Garlic Parmesan Butter Sauce
Melt the unsalted butter in a small bowl or on the stove over low heat. If you want to really boost the garlic flavor, I recommend sautéing the minced garlic in the butter for about a minute before removing from heat—this softens the raw edge of garlic and deepens the taste. Pour this whole garlicky goodness over the chicken wings in the slow cooker, then mix again to ensure each wing is well coated.
Step 3: Slow Cook to Tender Perfection
Set your slow cooker to High and let your wings cook for about 2.5 to 3 hours, or choose Low and cook for 5 to 6 hours. I love using the High setting when short on time, but the Low setting makes the wings ultra tender. You’ll know they’re ready when they’re juicy and almost falling off the bone—so tender yet not mushy.
Step 4: Broil for Crispy, Golden Wings
Here’s the secret to the perfect texture: preheat your oven’s broiler while the wings finish cooking. Line a sheet pan with parchment paper or foil (just grease it well). Lay the wings in a single layer and broil them about 5 minutes per side until golden and crispy. Keep a close eye so they don’t burn—broilers are powerful!
Step 5: Add the Parmesan and Garnish
Remove the wings from the oven and sprinkle with a generous amount of shredded parmesan. Pop them back under the broiler for just 1 to 2 minutes until the cheese melts and slightly browns—this step is pure magic. Finish by garnishing with thinly sliced green onions or chives, which add freshness and a nice pop of color.
Pro Tips for Making Crock Pot Garlic Parmesan Chicken Wings Recipe
- Dry Wings for Crispiness: Pat your wings dry before seasoning to help the broiler crisp them up beautifully.
- Garlic Butter Boost: Sauté the garlic in butter for a minute to mellow out any harshness and amplify aroma.
- Watch the Broiler Closely: Since broilers work quickly, keep the oven door slightly open and check often to avoid burning.
- Even Coating: Stir the wings gently in the slow cooker to make sure every piece is evenly coated before cooking.
How to Serve Crock Pot Garlic Parmesan Chicken Wings Recipe
Garnishes
I’m a big fan of fresh green onions or chives as the garnish—they add a subtle sharpness that contrasts nicely with the rich parmesan butter. Sometimes I toss on a little extra parmesan for an indulgent finish, especially when serving to guests.
Side Dishes
For sides, my absolute favorites are crisp celery sticks and carrot batons paired with ranch or blue cheese dip. If you want something heartier, a simple side salad or roasted potatoes are perfect to round out the meal.
Creative Ways to Present
When I’m hosting a casual party, I love arranging the wings on a rustic wooden board with bowls of different dipping sauces—like classic ranch, buffalo sauce, and a honey mustard. Another fun idea is serving the wings with garlic breadsticks for a true flavor combo party.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I usually store any leftover wings in an airtight container in the fridge. They keep great for 3 to 4 days, and you can easily reheat them later without losing much flavor or texture.
Freezing
When I freeze wings, I like to lay them out on a sheet pan first so they don’t stick together, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag once frozen. They freeze well for up to 3 months, making this recipe great for meal prep or easy snacks.
Reheating
To reheat, I pop the wings under the broiler for a few minutes to revive their crispiness without drying them out. If you’re in a rush, warming them in the microwave then a quick broil works too.
FAQs
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Can I use frozen chicken wings for this Crock Pot Garlic Parmesan Chicken Wings Recipe?
Yes! You can start with frozen wings, but you’ll need to add extra cooking time in the slow cooker—expect about 1 to 1.5 hours longer on Low setting to ensure they’re fully cooked and tender. Just make sure to season and coat them well once thawed slightly during cooking.
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How can I make the wings crispier without broiling?
If you want to skip the broiler, another option is to transfer the cooked wings to a hot skillet with a bit of oil and sear them on each side until crispy. This method gives a nice crunch but requires some attention to avoid burning.
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Can I add other herbs or spices to the garlic parmesan sauce?
Absolutely! Fresh or dried herbs like rosemary, thyme, or parsley blend beautifully with garlic and parmesan. You can also add smoked paprika or chili flakes for extra warmth and depth; just be mindful not to overpower the garlic parmesan flavor.
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Is this recipe keto-friendly?
Yes, this recipe is naturally low in carbs and fits perfectly into a keto diet. The butter, garlic, and parmesan keep it rich and flavorful without any added sugars or high-carb ingredients.
Final Thoughts
I seriously can’t recommend this Crock Pot Garlic Parmesan Chicken Wings Recipe enough, especially if you want fast prep, hands-off cooking, and incredibly tasty results. It’s the perfect blend of comfort food and a little gourmet flair that’s sure to impress anyone at your table. Next time you want a no-fuss wing recipe that delivers big flavor with little effort, trust me—you’ll be thrilled you tried this one!
PrintCrock Pot Garlic Parmesan Chicken Wings Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 hours 10 minutes
- Total Time: 3 hours 20 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Crock Pot Garlic Parmesan Chicken Wings recipe offers tender, flavorful wings slow-cooked to perfection and finished under the broiler for a crispy golden finish. Coated in a rich garlic butter sauce and topped with savory Parmesan cheese and fresh green onions, these wings are ideal for a crowd-pleasing appetizer or game day snack with minimal hands-on time.
Ingredients
Wings
- 4 lb Chicken wings (separated into flats and drumettes)
- 1 tsp Sea salt
- 1/4 tsp Black pepper
Garlic Parmesan Sauce
- 1/2 cup Unsalted butter (melted)
- 6 cloves Garlic (minced)
Garnish
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese (shredded)
- Green onions (or chives, optional; sliced thinly for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the Wings: Place the chicken wings in the bottom of a slow cooker. Season evenly with sea salt and black pepper, mixing well to coat all pieces uniformly.
- Make the Garlic Butter Mixture: In a small bowl or saucepan, combine the melted butter and minced garlic. Optionally, melt the butter over low heat on the stove and sauté the garlic for about 1 minute before removing from heat to intensify garlic flavor.
- Coat the Chicken Wings: Pour the garlic butter mixture evenly over the seasoned wings in the slow cooker. Stir gently to fully coat every wing with the garlic butter sauce.
- Slow Cook: Set the slow cooker to High and cook the wings for 2.5 to 3 hours, or use the Low setting and cook for 5 to 6 hours. The wings should become tender and nearly fall off the bone once done.
- Crisp in the Oven: Near the end of cooking, preheat your oven to the Broil setting. Prepare a sheet pan lined with parchment paper or greased foil. Arrange the slow-cooked wings in a single layer and broil for 5 minutes per side until golden and crisp.
- Add Parmesan: Remove the wings from the oven and generously sprinkle shredded Parmesan cheese on top. Return the wings under the broiler for 1 to 2 minutes, just until the cheese melts and bubbles.
- Garnish and Serve: Garnish wings with fresh sliced green onions or chives if desired. Serve hot and enjoy the rich garlic Parmesan flavor and crispy texture.
Notes
- Serving Size: About 5 wings, which is approximately 1/8 of the recipe.
- Flavor Variations: Customize with buffalo sauce, BBQ sauce, teriyaki, or dry seasonings like paprika and chili flakes for different twists.
- Storage: Keep leftover wings in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3–4 days.
- Freezing: Freeze wings up to 3 months. Freeze on a sheet pan initially to prevent sticking, then transfer to freezer-safe bags.
- Meal Prep Tip: Cook wings fully in slow cooker, refrigerate, and broil fresh when ready to serve for maximum crispiness.
- Using Frozen Wings: Add extra cooking time in the slow cooker if starting from frozen wings.