Heritage Slow-Cooked Chicken Wings

🕒 Prep: 15 min
🔥 Cook: 4 hours
🍽 Serves: 8

Heritage Slow-Cooked Chicken Wings bring a comforting, savory flavor into your home. Perfect for gatherings or a cozy night in, this recipe turns simple ingredients into something special with minimal effort.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

  • Set it and forget it: Let your slow cooker do the hard work.
  • Sweet and savory mix: The perfect balance of flavors that pleases every palate.
  • No-fuss ingredients: Everything you need is probably already in your pantry.
  • Perfect for parties: Easily scales up for a crowd.

Ingredients

3 lbs chicken wings
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup soy sauce
1/2 cup ketchup
1/4 cup honey
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Ingredients Explained

Chicken wings are the star of the dish, offering a juicy base that absorbs all the flavors. The brown sugar adds a rich sweetness that caramelizes beautifully. Soy sauce provides a deep, umami flavor that complements the sweetness perfectly. Ketchup adds a tangy undertone and helps thicken the sauce. Honey adds another layer of sweetness and helps to glaze the wings. Minced garlic gives the dish a savory depth. Ground ginger adds warmth and a hint of spice. Onion powder enhances the savory profile. A touch of black pepper and cayenne pepper gives just the right amount of heat.

Tips & Tricks

  • If you want even more flavor, marinate the wings in the sauce overnight in the fridge before cooking.
  • For easy cleanup, use a slow cooker liner.
  • Adjust the cayenne pepper to your spice preference; a little goes a long way.

Detailed Instructions

Start by giving your chicken wings a good rinse under cold water and then pat them dry with paper towels. This helps the sauce stick better and ensures the skin crisps up nicely later. In a medium bowl, mix together your sauce ingredients: brown sugar, soy sauce, ketchup, honey, minced garlic, ground ginger, onion powder, black pepper, and cayenne pepper. Make sure everything is well blended; you want a smooth, consistent sauce.

Place the chicken wings into your slow cooker. Pour the sauce mixture over the wings, making sure they're all well-coated. This is where the magic starts! Set your slow cooker to low and let it cook for about 4 hours. The wings will become tender and juicy, absorbing all the delicious flavors.

Once the wings are cooked through, preheat your oven's broiler. Carefully transfer the wings to a baking sheet lined with foil. Broil them for 3-5 minutes. This step is optional, but it crisps up the skin and gives them that slightly charred finish that's oh-so-good.

Simplified Instructions

1. Rinse and pat dry the chicken wings with paper towels.
2. In a medium bowl, combine brown sugar, soy sauce, ketchup, honey, minced garlic, ground ginger, onion powder, black pepper, and cayenne pepper. Mix until well blended.
3. Place the chicken wings in the slow cooker and pour the sauce mixture over them, ensuring they are well coated.
4. Set the slow cooker to low and cook for 4 hours, or until the wings are tender.
5. Once cooked, preheat the broiler in your oven. Transfer wings to a baking sheet lined with foil and broil for 3-5 minutes to crisp up the skin if desired.

Serving Suggestions

Serve these wings as a main dish with a side of steamed rice or roasted vegetables. They also make for a fantastic appetizer alongside a crisp green salad or celery sticks with ranch or blue cheese dressing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use frozen chicken wings?
Yes, but thaw them first for even cooking and better sauce absorption.
How can I make this recipe gluten-free?
Use a gluten-free soy sauce or tamari in place of regular soy sauce.
Can I cook these on high instead of low?
Yes, cook on high for about 2 hours, but keep an eye on them to prevent overcooking.

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