Sweet and Sour Chicken Wings

Party hosts have enough to worry about without fiddling with fussy recipes at the last minute. These sweet and sour chicken wings are an easy slow-cooker appetizer, so you can set them up hours before guests arrive. Nobody will guess how simple the recipe is to put together.

The sauce, made from pantry staples like ketchup and red wine vinegar, has a complex flavor with sweet, tangy, savory and smoky notes. These sweet and sour wings make a crowd-pleasing potluck dish, but don’t overlook their potential as a festive dinner inspired by Chinese takeout.

Ingredients for Sweet and Sour Chicken Wings

• Chicken wings: Whole wings offer the perfect mix of drumettes and wingettes (or “flats”), but you have to separate them yourself. Or, look for party wings, which come pre-separated.
• Seasonings: Simply season the wings with salt and pepper before popping them in the broiler.
• Sweet and sour sauce: Our homemade tangy sauce requires everyday pantry staples like ketchup, brown sugar, red wine vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, minced garlic and liquid smoke. Be careful with the liquid smoke—a little goes a long way (you can also omit it if you like).
• Garnishes: For an extra punch of flavor, top the wings with sliced jalapeno peppers, finely chopped red onion and sesame seeds.

Directions

Step 1: Prepare the chicken

Using a sharp knife, cut through the two wing joints. Discard the wingtips. Sprinkle the chicken with pinches of salt and pepper.

Editor’s Tip: We recommend removing the wingtips because they have very little meat. They’re mostly bone and cartilage. But you can reserve and freeze them; they’re great for the next time you make homemade chicken broth or stock.

Step 2: Broil the wings

Broil the chicken wings 4 to 6 inches from the heat until golden brown, six to eight minutes on each side.

Editor’s Tip: Broiling the wings gives the skin a crispy bronze that’s impossible to achieve in the slow cooker.

Step 3: Sauce the wings

In a small bowl, combine the ketchup, brown sugar, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, garlic, liquid smoke (if desired) and remaining salt. Transfer the chicken to a greased 5-quart slow cooker. Pour the sauce over the wings in the slow cooker. Toss to coat.

Step 4: Cook and serve

Cover and cook on low until the chicken is tender, two to three hours. To serve, top with jalapenos, onions and sesame seeds as desired.

Sweet and Sour Chicken Wing Variations

• Change the chicken: Drumsticks would be equally tasty here. You could even use bone-in thighs or chicken breasts, though you may need to increase the cooking time.
• Turn up the heat: Add a dash of hot sauce, a pinch of cayenne pepper or a sprinkle of pepper flakes to the seasonings.
• Turn down the sweet: Replace 1/2 cup of ketchup with chili sauce.
• Finish under the broiler: For a sticky and crispy finish, pop the cooked wings back under the broiler for a few moments just before serving.

How to Store Sweet and Sour Chicken Wings

Store sweet and sour wings in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The saucy wings last up to four days.

Can you freeze sweet and sour chicken wings?

Yes, these sweet and sour wings freeze well. Let the cooked wings cool completely, then transfer them to an airtight freezer container. They’ll keep for up to three months. Before reheating, thaw them in the refrigerator overnight.

How do you reheat sweet and sour chicken wings?

We like to reheat wings in the oven because it helps crisp the chicken and caramelize the sauce. Transfer the wings and sauce to a foil-lined 15x10x1-inch baking pan and bake in a preheated 325° oven until heated through. If they’re browning too fast, cover the pan with foil.

Sweet and Sour Chicken Wing Tips

Do you need to precook chicken wings before adding them to a slow cooker?

No, you don’t need to precook the wings. Many of our favorite slow-cooker chicken wing recipes pop the poultry right into the slow cooker. It’s easier, though you’ll lose some of the browned flavor and crispness. Increase the cooking time by three hours and test the meat temperature to ensure it reaches 165°.

What can you serve with sweet and sour chicken wings?

These wings make a fantastic party appetizer, whether you’re at a casual football viewing or a festive New Year’s fete. Serve the wings as part of an appetizer spread that includes some contrast: Think creamy pizza dip and a crunchy fresh fruit and cheese board.

You can also serve these saucy wings as a main. They’re a fun, kicky alternative to your usual chicken dinner. Paired with rice and steamed broccoli or green beans, they taste like Chinese takeout. You could also go with a comfort food angle and serve them with mashed potatoes if the weather’s chilly; if it’s warm outside, go with potato salad.

Can you bake sweet and sour chicken wings?

Yes, you can bake sweet and sour chicken wings. If baking them, you don’t need to pre-broil them. Simply toss the wings in the sauce, spread them across a baking sheet, and bake at 350° for 50 to 60 minutes or until the chicken juices run clear.