Crockpot chipotle lime chicken wings are flavorful wings cooked in a smoky, zesty sauce made with chipotle peppers, fresh lime juice, enchilada sauce, and simple spices. These slow cooker chicken wings are perfect for game days, parties, holidays, or aflavorful weeknight dinner. Instructions to make Instant Pot chipotle lime chicken wings are also included.
Ingredients For Slow Cooker Chipotle Lime Chicken Wings
- Chicken Wings: You will need 2 1/2 pounds of chicken wings. Party wings, which are already separated into drumettes and flats, are the easiest option. Whole chicken wings may also be used, but they will take up more room in the slow cooker.
- Red Enchilada Sauce: Forms the base of the chipotle lime sauce. Use your favorite store-bought or homemade enchilada sauce. Red enchilada sauce works particularly well with the smoky chipotle peppers.
- Chipotle Peppers in Adobo Sauce: Chipotle peppers are smoked and dried jalapeños. They are commonly sold canned in a rich, smoky adobo sauce. Use one chopped pepper for moderately spicy wings or two peppers for more heat. You can also add a small amount of the adobo sauce clinging to the peppers.
- Lime Juice: Brightens the rich, smoky sauce and provides the recipe’s signature citrus flavor. Freshly squeezed juice will give you the best results.
- Garlic: Adds savory flavor and complement the chipotle peppers and warm spices.
- Salt: Enhances the other flavors in the sauce.
- Cumin: Adds earthy warmth that pairs well with the chipotle peppers.
- Dried Oregano: Provides a subtle herbal flavor.
- Paprika: Adds color and a mild pepper flavor.
- Cinnamon: Adds warmth and depth to the sauce. The small amount of cinnamon will not make the wings taste sweet.
How To Make Slow Cooker Chipotle Lime Chicken Wings
- Add chicken wings to the slow cooker.
- In a small bowl, whisk together sauce ingredients. Pour the sauce on top of chicken wings.
- Cook on HIGH for 2 to 3 hours or LOW 4 to 6.
- See BROIL steps below. After broiling, pour the sauce from the slow cooker on top of the wings and serve.
- Pour 1 cup of water into the Instant Pot. Add the trivet.
- Pile the wings on top of the trivet.
- Close and lock the lid. Cook on high pressure for 5 minutes. When the cooking time is complete, quick-release the pressure.
- Carefully remove wings from Instant Pot with tongs. In a small bowl, whisk together sauce ingredients. Toss with half the sauce & then continue on to the broil steps below. After broiling, pour remaining sauce on top of wings.
BROIL (optional but recommended):
- When the wings are done cooking, remove wings from the appliance and lay them on a large baking sheet. Place the baking sheet under your oven’s broiler for 2-5 minutes or until wings are crisp to your liking.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
- Bold flavor: Smoky chipotle peppers, lime juice, and warm spices create a festive sauce.
- Easy preparation: Add everything to the crockpot and let the slow cooker do the work.
- Adjustable heat: Use 1 chipotle pepper for a milder flavor or 2 for spicier wings. For milder wings, omit the pepper and add a couple of tablespoons of the adobo sauce. Adobo sauce still contains some heat, so it will not make the wings completely non-spicy.
- Great for entertaining: These wings make an easy game-day snack, holiday appetizer, or party food.
- Optional crispy finish: A few minutes under the broiler or in the air fryer gives the tender wings crisp, lightly caramelized edges.
FAQs & Tips
How spicy are chipotle lime wings?
Chipotle peppers provide both heat and smoky flavor. One chipotle pepper creates moderately spicy wings, while two peppers produce a more noticeable kick. The heat can vary between brands, so start with one pepper if you are sensitive to spicy food. For a mild flavor, omit the pepper and add a couple of tablespoons of the adobo sauce.
What are chipotle peppers in adobo sauce?
Chipotle peppers are ripe jalapeños that have been dried and smoked. Adobo is the seasoned tomato-and-vinegar sauce in which the peppers are canned. Together, they provide smoky, tangy, and spicy flavor. Unused chipotle peppers can be transferred to an airtight container and refrigerated or frozen in small portions for another recipe.
What kind of enchilada sauce should you use?
Use your preferred store-bought or homemade red enchilada sauce. You can find a homemade enchilada sauce recipe in my cookbook, The Low-Sodium Slow Cooker Cookbook.
Will these crockpot chicken wings get crispy?
Unfortunately no. Slow cooking uses moist heat, so the wings will be very tender but will not have crispy skin. Broiling or air frying the cooked wings is optional but highly recommended if you prefer crisp edges.
How do you crisp the skin in the air fryer?
Arrange the cooked wings in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Air fry at 400°F for 3 to 5 minutes or until the skin is lightly crisp. Work in batches if necessary.
Can you use frozen wings?
I do not recommend it. Thaw the wings completely before adding them to the slow cooker.
Can you use whole chicken wings?
Yes. Whole wings may be used in place of separated drumettes and flats. Depending on the size of your slow cooker, you may need to arrange them more carefully so they fit beneath the lid.
How do you store leftovers?
Store leftover crockpot chipotle lime chicken wings in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
What size slow cooker should you use?
I use a 3.5-quart slow cooker for this recipe. Feeding a larger crowd? Double the recipe and use a larger slow cooker.
Chicken Wing Recipes
PrintCrockpot Chipotle Lime Chicken Wings
Crockpot chipotle lime chicken wings are flavorful wings cooked in a smoky, zesty sauce made with chipotle peppers, fresh lime juice, enchilada sauce, and simple spices. These slow cooker chicken wings are perfect for game days, parties, holidays, or flavorful weeknight dinners. Instructions to make Instant Pot chipotle lime chicken wings are also included.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 hours
- Total Time: 3 hours, 10 minutes
- Yield: 3 to 4 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizer, Side Dish, Snack
- Method: Pressure Cooking, Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Dairy-Free, Gluten-Free, Keto, Low-Carb, Paleo, Whole30
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 pounds chicken wings
Sauce
- 1 cup red enchilada sauce
- 1 or 2 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, chopped
- Juice of 2 limes
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
Instructions
Slow Cooker
- Add chicken wings to the slow cooker.
- In a small bowl, whisk together sauce ingredients. Pour sauce on top of chicken wings.
- Cook on HIGH for 2 to 3 hours or LOW 4 to 6.
- See BROIL steps below. After broiling, pour the sauce from the slow cooker on top of the wings and serve.
Instant Pot
- Pour 1 cup of water into the Instant Pot. Add the trivet.
- Pile the wings on top of the trivet.
- Close and lock the lid. Cook on high pressure for 5 minutes. When the cooking time is complete, quick-release the pressure.
- Carefully remove wings from Instant Pot with tongs. In a small bowl, whisk together sauce ingredients. Toss with half the sauce & then continue on to the broil steps below. After broiling, pour remaining sauce on top of wings.
BROIL (optional but recommended):
- When the wings are done cooking, remove wings from the appliance and lay them on a large baking sheet. Place the baking sheet under your oven’s broiler for 2-5 minutes or until wings are crisp to your liking.
Notes
The wings are done when they reach an internal temperature of 165°F.
The slow cooker chicken wings recipe is inspired by the chili-lime chicken breast recipe found in my 2nd cookbook, The Low Sodium Slow Cooker Cookbook.
For this to be keto, low-carb, paleo, and Whole30, use a compatible enchilada sauce and chipotle peppers in adobo. Some brands contain added sugar or other ingredients that may not fit those diets.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4 wings
- Calories: 96
- Sugar: 4.2 g
- Sodium: 1200.5 mg
- Fat: 1.6 g
- Saturated Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 19.2 g
- Fiber: 1.8 g
- Protein: 4.7 g
- Cholesterol: 8.1 mg
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