Crockpot Dr. Pepper Chicken Wings
I’ve got a brand new crockpot recipe for you today, and I’m going to be showing you how to make Dr. Pepper chicken wings in your slow cooker! I’ve experimented with so many different chicken recipes in my crockpot over the past few years, and this one is up there with my favorites right now. We’re talking tender, fall-off-the-bone chicken, coated in a sweet and smokey sauce with just the right amount of spicy kick. Finished off with a sprinkling of parsley for a little pop of color, these are lick-your-fingers delicious, and they’re perfect as an appetizer or even as a family dinner with a side dish or two.
Like most crockpot recipes, this one is also ridiculously easy. It’s the definition of dump and go, as we’ll be putting together a quick homemade sauce, pouring it over the wings, and that’s all the hands-on work done. I do recommend broiling them at the end for the most amazingly crispy bite, though that’s totally optional. I’ve also included side dish ideas and some sauce variation options in this post – I sometimes like to add some sriracha to turn the heat levels up!
Ingredients
- Frozen chicken wings
- Dr. Pepper
- Brown sugar
- Garlic
- BBQ sauce
- Red pepper flakes
- Cornstarch
- Parsley, to garnish (optional)
How To Make Dr. Pepper Chicken Wings In Your Crockpot – Step-by-Step Instructions
Want to grab a printable recipe card? No worries, you’ll find one at the bottom of this post!
- Place the wings in your crockpot.
- In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar, BBQ sauce, Dr. Pepper, red pepper flakes, and cornstarch.
- Reserve ¼ cup of the sauce, and pour the remaining over the wings.
- Cook on low for 4-6 or high 3-4 hours, or until tender and cooked through.
- Optional: Place the wings on a foil lined baking sheet. Brush them with the reserved sauce and broil until glazy.
- Sprinkle with parsley, if you like.
- Serve and enjoy!
Serving Suggestions for Crockpot Dr. Pepper Chicken Wings
I’ve served these wings as both an appetizer and as part of a main course, and I can confirm that they’re totally delish as either.
- As an Appetizer: Serve them up at game day parties, potlucks, or casual get-togethers. Arrange on a platter with extra BBQ sauce for dipping and plenty of napkins – they do get a bit messy!
- As a Main Dish: Pair the wings with sides like coleslaw, cornbread, roasted veggies, or potato wedges for a full meal. They also go great with mac and cheese or a crisp green salad for balance.
- Family Dinner Night: Let everyone dig in and enjoy these saucy wings from a big serving bowl—just add a veggie and a starch for an easy dinner the whole family will love.
Variations – Make These Wings Your Way!
Want to switch things up? This Dr. Pepper chicken wings recipe is super flexible! Here are a few variations you might want to try:
1. Make Them Spicier:
- Add hot sauce, sriracha, or extra red pepper flakes to bring the heat.
- Stir in a spoonful of chipotle in adobo for a smoky, spicy twist.
2. Try a Different Soda
- No Dr. Pepper? Use root beer or Coca-Cola for a similar sweet and sticky flavor. Diet soda also works fine if you want to make things a little lighter.
3. Switch Up the BBQ Sauce
- Use spicy BBQ, honey BBQ, or Korean gochujang BBQ sauce for a new flavor profile.
- Want to make it from scratch? Use your favorite homemade BBQ sauce instead of store-bought.
4. Make Them Crispier
- After slow cooking, place the wings under the broiler for a few minutes (as mentioned in the recipe) to get that delicious, caramelized glaze.
5. Use Fresh or Thawed Wings
- If you prefer, you can use fresh or thawed wings—just reduce the cooking time slightly and check for doneness earlier.
Crockpot Dr. Pepper Chicken Wings
Ingredients
- 4 pounds frozen chicken wings
- 1 cup Dr. Pepper
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 cup bbq sauce
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- Parsley optional, for garnish
Instructions
- Place the wings in your crockpot.
- In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar, BBQ sauce, Dr. Pepper, red pepper flakes, and cornstarch.
- Reserve ¼ cup of the sauce, and pour the remaining over the wings.
- Cook on low for 4-6 or high 3-4 hours, or until tender and cooked through.
- Optional: Place the wings on a foil lined baking sheet. Brush them with the reserved sauce and broil until glazy.
- Sprinkle with parsley.
- Serve and enjoy!
Once you’ve tried these wings, I think they’ll become a regular feature in your recipe rotation! Do you have a minute to leave a quick comment below and share your thoughts? I love hearing about how you’ve recreated my recipes at home, and your feedback helps me to create more that you’ll love! Don’t forget that you can also tag me in your recipe snaps on Instagram @slimmingviolet.
