Categories: Freezer Friendly Recipes Main Course Recipes Sides, Snacks & Starters

Freezer-to-Crockpot Buffalo Chicken Wings

These easy buffalo chicken wings go straight from the freezer to crockpot for a simple meal or appetizer that is perfect for any occasion!

Are you ready for game time (or maybe just craving a fun new twist on the same old chicken?) These ridiculously easy buffalo chicken wings go straight from the freezer to crockpot for a simple meal or appetizer that is guaranteed to score points with the entire crew! Touchdown!

Our theory here at LWSL is that you can never have too many quick & easy freezer meals ready to go, especially ones that use budget-friendly chicken! Of course the same old chicken can get boring fast. These tender, juicy, flavor-packed Buffalo Chicken Wings were a huge hit in our house and I loved that it was another quick & easy freezer meal to add to my rotation! They are also perfect for game day!

To make it as part of a freezer cooking day, just split the sauce & chicken into multiple bags, then throw it right into the freezer–no pre-cooking required! Making it ahead of time is not necessary, though, as it is equally delicious just marinated in the fridge for about 30 minutes.

Freezer-to-Crockpot Buffalo Chicken Wings

Here is what you need:

4 pounds chicken wings
2 cups wing sauce
2-4 tablespoons butter (cooking day only)
salt and pepper
1 bunch green onions (optional, cooking day only)
1 stalk celery (optional, cooking day only)
1 container chunky blue cheese dressing (optional, cooking day only)

Step 1: Season wings with salt and pepper.

Step 2: Then divide wings into freezer bags,(be sure to label bags first) Then pour one cup of wing sauce into each bag and make sure sauce covers all wings. Freeze until needed.

Step 3: Thaw in refrigerator for 24 hours; pour contents into slow cooker and add butter. Cook on low 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours.

Step 4:  Once wings are fully cooked, carefully take them out of slow cooker and place on pan that has been sprayed with cooking spray and broil for 3-4 minutes. This really increases the flavor and makes for a crisper wing! Then place wings in a bowl and toss with more wing sauce and garnish with green onions (optional). Serve with celery and blue cheese dressing.

Instant Pot recipe update: Place frozen wings in Instant Pot with 1 cup of the above sauce. Then cook on high pressure for 10 minutes. Then do a quick release and broil for a couple minutes to make them crispy.

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3 from 2 votes
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FREEZER TO CROCKPOT BUFFALO CHICKEN WINGS

This all time favorite can be made in the crock pot for easy clean up!
Course Appetizer
Cuisine American
Keyword Buffalo Chicken Wings
Prep Time 7 minutes
Cook Time 6 hours
Broil 3 minutes
Total Time 6 hours 7 minutes
Servings 4 people
Author Ruth Soukup

Ingredients

  • 4 pounds chicken wings
  • 2 cups wing sauce
  • 2-4 tablespoons butter cooking day only
  • salt and pepper
  • 1 bunch green onions optional, cooking day only
  • 1 stalk celery optional, cooking day only
  • 1 container chunky blue cheese dressing optional, cooking day only

Instructions

  1. Season wings with salt and pepper. 

  2. Then divide wings into freezer bags,(be sure to label bags first) Then pour one cup of wing sauce into each bag and make sure sauce covers all wings. Freeze until needed. 

  3. Thaw in refrigerator for 24 hours; pour contents into slow cooker and add butter. Cook on low 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours. 

  4. Once wings are fully cooked, carefully take them out of slow cooker and place on pan that has been sprayed with cooking spray and broil for 3-4 minutes. This really increases the flavor and makes for a crisper wing! Then place wings in a bowl and toss with more wing sauce and garnish with green onions (optional). Serve with celery and blue cheese dressing. 

Recipe Notes

Instant Pot recipe update: Place frozen wings in Instant Pot with 1 cup of the above sauce. Then cook on high pressure for 10 minutes. Then do a quick release and broil for a couple minutes to make them crispy.

PIN FOR LATER:


Ruth Soukup

Ruth Soukup is dedicated to helping people everywhere create a life they love by follwing their dreams and achieving their biggest goals. She is the host of the wildly popular Do It Scared podcast, as well as the founder of Living Well Spending Less® and Elite Blog Academy®. She is also the New York Times bestselling author of six books, including Do It Scared®: Finding the Courage to Face Your Fears, Overcome Obstacles, and Create a Life You Love, which was the inspiration for this book. She lives in Florida with her husband Chuck, and 2 daughters Maggie & Annie.

View Comments

  • it's not "freezer to crockpot" if you have to thaw them in the refrigerator. wow!

  • Hi! Are you using fresh or frozen chicken wings for this recipe?

    • Hello. Can I use buffaloes style wings that is fully cook in buffaloe sauce in my crockpot

    • Hi Beth,
      We used frozen wings for this recipe but you could also use fresh and just adjust the cooking time.

    • HI Frances,
      We used Buffalo Pete bottled wing sauce for this recipe. Hope that helps. :)

  • Thank you so much Ruth for the Instant Pot update!!! I was reading this recipe and just thinking if only there was an Instant Pot version then I wouldn’t have to figure out how to set a timer on my ancient crock pot. Thank you so much!!!!

  • Great Idea! Would be awesome to have on hand for weekends / entertaining. I'm thinking legs would work beautifully too!

    • I think chicken legs or drummettes would work really well. Let us know :)

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Ruth Soukup

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