Slow Cooker Chicken Drumsticks

Need a dinner everyone will actually agree on? These slow cooker chicken drumsticks are sweet, saucy, and unbelievably easy with minimal prep.

Flavor: Each bite of drumstick is coated in a smoky, sweet BBQ sauce with a hint of spice.
Skill Level: This is an easy recipe for beginners that uses just a few simple ingredients.
Prep Note: Poking the chicken with a fork helps the sauce seep into the drumsticks for more flavor.
Time-Saving Tip: On busy weeknights, I season the drumsticks, pour store-bought sauce on top, and let the crockpot do the rest of the work. It’s just a few minutes of prep time with no browning and no pre-cooking.
Serving Suggestions: Serve these up with cornbread and a simple green salad for an easy weeknight dinner.

honey , bbq sauce , garlic powder , cajun seasoning and chicken with labels to make Slow Cooker Chicken Drumsticks

Key Ingredients

Chicken: Choose evenly-sized skin-on chicken drumsticks. Bone-in chicken thighs will also work.
BBQ Sauce: Choose your favorite BBQ sauce! I love Sweet Baby Ray’s for its sweet, tangy flavor, but smoky or spicy BBQ sauces work too.
Seasoning: Buy a Cajun seasoning or try our homemade version and have it on hand for other recipes. Add a pinch of smoked paprika to boost the smoky flavor.

adding seasonings to chicken in slow cooker to make Slow Cooker Chicken Drumsticks

adding sauce to chicken in slow cooker to make Slow Cooker Chicken Drumsticks

How to Cook Slow Cooker Chicken Drumsticks

Dry drumsticks and poke with a fork.
Sprinkle with seasoning, and add to the slow cooker.
Mix the sauce ingredients (full recipe below) and pour over the drumsticks.
Cook in the crock pot, and serve with extra sauce.

For easy clean-up, try using a slow cooker liner.
Patting the drumsticks dry will help the seasoning stick and create extra crispy skin after broiling.
Use a thick BBQ sauce to avoid a watery finish. The sauce may look thin in the slow cooker, but it will thicken after broiling as well.
If doubling the recipe, rotate the drumsticks halfway through for even cooking.
Use an instant-read meat thermometer to ensure the chicken is fully cooked and reaches a safe internal temperature of 165°F.

Slow Cooker Chicken Drumsticks on a sheet pan

Save and Reheat

Keep leftover slow cooker chicken drumsticks in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat by adding a little extra sauce and popping it in the air fryer or under the broiler.

Cooled drumsticks will keep in the freezer for 3 months, making them great for meal prep. Thaw in the refrigerator and reheat in the oven in a covered dish until heated through. Broil for a few minutes.

BBQ Night at Home

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image of Everyday Comfort cookbook by Holly Nilsson of Spend With Pennies plus text

Prep Time 5 minutes

Cook Time 2 hours

Total Time 2 hours 5 minutes

Pat the drumsticks dry with paper towels and poke each one a few times with a fork.
Sprinkle the Cajun seasoning evenly over the drumsticks and rub it in to coat.
Place the drumsticks in a single layer in the bottom of a 6 quart slow cooker.
In a small bowl, stir together the barbecue sauce, honey, and garlic powder and pour the sauce mixture over the drumsticks.
Cover and cook on high for 2 to 4 hours or on low for 4 to 5 hours, until the chicken is cooked through and tender.
Optional: For a sticky glaze and crispy edges, transfer the drumsticks to a foil-lined baking sheet and broil 4 to 6 inches from the heat for 3 to 4 minutes, or until lightly caramelized.
Serve with extra barbecue sauce for dipping.

*If your Cajun seasoning is salty, reduce the amount to taste or use a homemade Cajun seasoning blend.
Use any barbecue sauce; I like Sweet Baby Ray’s.
Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 4 days. They will also keep in the freezer for 3 months.

Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.

Course Chicken, Dinner, Entree

Cuisine American

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