Description
Buffalo Ranch Crockpot Chicken Wings bring together the classic flavors of spicy buffalo sauce and creamy ranch seasoning, slow cooked to tender perfection, then finished under the broiler for a crispy, caramelized finish. This easy recipe transforms simple chicken wings into a crowd-pleasing appetizer or meal that’s juicy, flavorful, and irresistibly delicious.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken Wings
- 2-3 pounds chicken wings (fresh, not frozen)
Sauce
- 1 cup Frank’s Wing Sauce (or your favorite brand)
- 2 tablespoons ranch seasoning mix (one packet)
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 4 tablespoons butter (cubed)
Instructions
- Add Wings to Slow Cooker: Place the fresh chicken wings in the basin of a 6-quart slow cooker, ensuring they are evenly distributed.
- Prepare Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the wing sauce, ranch seasoning, and brown sugar until fully combined to form a thick, flavorful sauce.
- Combine Wings and Sauce: Pour the prepared sauce over the chicken wings, making sure they are well coated. Place the cubed butter evenly on top of the wings to add richness as it melts during cooking.
- Slow Cook Wings: Cover the slow cooker and cook the wings on the LOW setting for 3-4 hours, or until the chicken is tender and cooked through, with meat that easily pulls away from the bone.
- Prepare for Broiling: While the wings are cooking, line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and set aside. This prepares for the final crisping step.
- Transfer Wings and Apply Sauce: Once slow cooking is complete, carefully transfer the wings to the prepared baking sheet. Use a pastry brush to generously coat the wings with the excess sauce left in the slow cooker to maximize flavor and moisture.
- Broil Wings for Crispiness: Place the baking sheet under the broiler. Broil the wings for about 2 minutes, then baste with additional sauce, and continue broiling for another 2-3 minutes or until the wings turn golden brown and crispy. Watch closely to avoid burning as broilers vary in intensity.
- Serve: Remove the wings from the broiler and serve hot with optional sides of ranch or blue cheese dressing, and crunchy carrot and celery sticks for a classic pairing.
Notes
- Combining buffalo sauce with ranch seasoning creates an addictive flavor that balances spicy, tangy, and creamy notes.
- Slow cooking ensures tender wings that fall off the bone before the broil step adds a perfect crispy finish.
- Use fresh chicken wings, not frozen, for best texture and flavor.
- Monitor the wings closely under the broiler to prevent burning due to varying broiler heat intensity.
- Serving with ranch or blue cheese and veggies adds cooling contrast and crunch.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 100 g
- Calories: 277 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 1722 mg
- Fat: 21 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 7 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 15 g
- Cholesterol: 83 mg
