Slow Cooker Chicken Wings with Blackberry Plum Glaze

Temperatures have hit triple digits here in Atlanta. The heat is sweltering. And I thought the last couple of weeks were rough when temps were in the 90’s. Outdoor entertaining simply is not happening. I’ve even taken a break from grilling until it cools down a little. So what to do? It’s easy! Make Slow Cooker Chicken Wings with Blackberry Plum Sauce for a tasty appetizer.

Slow cookers are so handy. For the most part, all you have to do is put everything in and turn it on. The magic happens while you are away. These wings do have a little time in the oven though. It’s only a little while to get them started. Then they are plopped in the sauce, given a toss, and slow simmer their way to fall off the bone tenderness.

What made me decide to make wings? Well, it started with the arrival of bottle of wine. I was so excited to try it because it is from the area we are planning to go on vacation. This time I thought of a wine adventure other than Napa and Sonoma. Anyway, as soon as I read “This blend shows a beautiful nose of blackberry preserves and plums with a touch of caramel” the wheels started turning.

I scoured through my cookbooks and magazines. Then I ran across a recipe that almost fit. Almost. Yet is needed some tweaking. I added a little sriracha for a touch of heat. It needed more depth and blackberry preserves did the trick. It also made the Slow Cooker Chicken Wings with Blackberry Plum Sauce pair beautifully with 2013 Mercer Estates Sharp Sisters Red Blend.

How are the wings? They are tender, juicy, and coated with a fruity glaze. The skin is soft feels like it melts in the mouth. The glaze, oh the glaze! I’ll be making it to use with cutlets and more. There are so many possibilities. It would make a fantastic dipping sauce too.

More about the wine: Mercer Estates Sharp Sisters Red Blend is 47% Merlot, 41% Syrah, and 26% Other (Cabernet Sauvignon, Sangiovese, Petit Verdot). Ripe fruit and sleek tannins combine to make it an elegant blend with a soft finish. It’s a wine I’ll enjoy with friends. I’m glad the kind folks at Mercer Estates sent a bottle to me. I look forward to trying more of their wines too.

What’s your favorite slow cooker appetizer? I admit I’ve only used mine for meals until now. A couple of my favorites are Spiced Beef Stew and Cuban Pork. Oh, and Kheer (Indian Rice Pudding) is a totally yummy dessert. So stay cool, slow simmer something tasty, open a bottle of wine, and share it with friends. Cheers!

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Slow Cooker Chicken Wings with Blackberry Plum Glaze

Slow Cooker Chicken Wings with Blackberry Plum Glaze is an easy to make an appetizer with wonderful Asian flavors. Make them for your next party!

Course Appetizer

Cuisine American

Prep Time 20 minutes

Cook Time 3 hours 5 minutes

Total Time 3 hours 25 minutes

Servings 8 servings

Author Renee Dobbs

Ingredients

• 2 1/2 pounds chicken wings
• 1 cup bottled plum sauce
• 2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons dry sherry or seasoned rice vinegar
• 2 tablespoons seedless blackberry preserves
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
• 2 teaspoons grated fresh ginger
• 2 teaspoons sriracha
• 1 garlic clove minced
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
• 1 teaspoon toasted sesame seeds
• 1 teaspoon cornstarch optional

Instructions

1. Heat oven to 375°F. Line a rimmed baking sheet (15X10X1-inch) with aluminum foil.
2. Cut off tips of chicken wings and discard tips. Cut wings at joints to make 2 pieces.
3. Arrange pieces on baking sheet in a single layer. Bake for 20 minutes.
4. Whisk together plum sauce, soy sauce, sherry, blackberry preserves, butter, ginger, sriracha, and garlic in a 3 1/2 to 4-quart slow cooker.
5. Add chicken wings and stir to coat wings with sauce.
6. Cover and cook on low for 4 hours or on high for 2 hours.
7. Serve in the slow cooker on low heat setting or transfer to a serving dish or bowl.
8. Optional: Pour liquid into a saucepan. Stir together cornstarch and 1 tablespoon of water. Whisk cornstarch slurry into the liquid. Bring to a slow boil and cook, stirring constantly, until thickened. Pour thickened glaze over wings.
9. Sprinkle cilantro and sesame seeds over wings just prior to serving.

Recipe Notes

Slow Cooker Chicken Wings with Blackberry Plum Glaze is an easy to make an appetizer with wonderful Asian flavors. Make them for your next party!

Recipe adapted from one in the Publix Grape magazine Fall 2013 edition.

Disclosure: I received a bottle of Mercer Estates Sharp Sisters Red Blend wine at no charge. I was under no obligation to post a review. All opinions are my own unless otherwise stated or contained within a guest post.