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You’d never guess these golden, juicy, flavorsome crock pot chicken drumsticks weren’t made on a barbecue – they look just as delicious as they taste!
When it comes to budget-friendly dinners, chicken drumsticks are a fantastic option that is also perfect for slow cooking. These BBQ drumsticks (made without lighting the grill) are juicy and delicious thanks to plenty of seasoning and plenty of tangy barbecue sauce. Plus, this no-fuss recipe uses pantry staples, needs just minimal prep time, and makes appetizing results every time.
Table of contents
Why choose a Crock Pot for cooking drumsticks
Crock pots are great for making delicious meals because the slow and steady cooking process allows the drumsticks to become incredibly juicy, tender, and infused with flavor. Moreover, you don’t need to do any prep – just add your ingredients to the pot and let it cook.
Ingredients
- Chicken Drumsticks: I recommend skin-on.
- Barbecue Sauce: You can make your own or buy it from the grocery store. BBQ sauces traditionally come in four flavors – sweet, tangy, salty, and spicy – so you can choose based on your palate. I portion mine out so I can keep one small bowl aside for broiling later.
- Seasonings: Chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, salt and black pepper.
Instructions
Season the chicken: Mix the spices in a small bowl. Then, pour the spice mix over the chicken drumsticks. Use your hands to rub in the spice and ensure the drumstick is completely covered. Arrange them in the crockpot and pour over half of the BBQ sauce.
Slow cook the drumsticks: Put the lid on top and cook on LOW for 4-6 hours or on HIGH for 2-3 hours until the chicken is cooked through. When ready, the chicken drumstick should be at an internal temperature of 165°F/75°C. If you can’t get a temperature reading, the well-cooked meat should move slightly up along the bone, revealing more of it than before it was cooked.
To Add Extra Flavor and Crispy Texture (Optional): This is an optional step to take this recipe to the next level – turning crockpot chicken drumsticks into BBQ drumsticks without using a grill.
Preheat the oven to 425°F/220°C. Transfer the cooked chicken drumsticks onto an oven rack or a baking tray and brush with the remaining barbecue sauce. Broil in the oven for 2-3 minutes until the outside appears caramelized or they reach your desired level of crispiness.
When removed, they should look as though they’ve been barbecued with a delicious crisp on the outside. Just remember to watch the drumsticks carefully so they don’t burn or overcook.
Serving suggestions
- Try pairing the crock pot chicken drumsticks with a side dish like mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese, or coleslaw.
- Make a hearty meal with a healthy serving of rice, collard greens, or orzo pasta.
- Fresh veggies are a good palate cleanser for the intense flavor of the drumsticks. Or, opt for roasted veggies for even more flavor.
- For a simple lunch, just serve the drumsticks with a fresh green salad.
Storage Instructions
- To Store: Allow leftovers to cool to room temperature, then refrigerate them within two hours of cooking. They’ll stay good for up to 3-4 days in an airtight container.
- To freeze: Place them in an airtight container, label with the date, and freeze for 3-4 months. To save space, you can remove the meat from the bones. And don’t throw away those bones, you can use them to make flavorful chicken broth later.
- To Reheat: Put the chicken drumsticks on a baking sheet and sprinkle with some water (you may also want to add a little more barbecue sauce). Put the tray in the oven for 5-10 minutes to make sure they’re warmed through – you might want to check the internal temperature too. This should stop it from drying out, but keep an eye on the chicken anyway.
FAQs
Yes! First, thaw them in the fridge overnight to allow for even and safe cooking. Then follow the same instructions as with fresh chicken drumsticks – adjust the cooking time if needed to allow the chicken to fully cook.
Yes! You can follow the same process for cooking them. You can use this recipe for any cut of meat – thighs, legs, breasts, and wings. Make sure to adjust the cooking time for each cut of meat as some take longer than others. Use a thermometer to judge as they should be around the same internal temperature as chicken drumsticks when fully cooked.
More crockpot chicken recipes
- Crockpot Chicken Enchiladas
- Crockpot Chicken Thighs
- Crockpot Mississippi Chicken
- Crockpot Whole Chicken
- Crockpot BBQ Chicken
If you try this crock pot chicken drumsticks recipe, let me know how it goes in the comments below. I’d appreciate a recipe card rating and would love to see your recipe recreations – tag me on Instagram @Alphafoodie!
Easy Crock Pot Chicken Drumsticks
Equipment
Ingredients
- 3 lb chicken drumsticks 12 pieces
- 2 cups BBQ sauce divided equally
- 1 Tbsp paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp cumin
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Mix the spices in a small bowl. Pour the spice mix over the chicken drumsticks. Use your hands to rub in the spice and ensure the drumsticks are completely covered.
- Place the drumsticks in the crockpot. Add half of the barbecue sauce, then put the lid on.
- Cook the chicken drumsticks on LOW for 4-6 hours or HIGH for 2-3 hours. The internal temperature should be at 165°F / 75 °C when fully cooked and the meat should have inched slightly up the bone.
Optional: Broiling
- Preheat the oven to 425°F/220°C. Place the cooked drumsticks on a baking tray and brush with the remaining barbecue sauce.
- Broil for 2-3 minutes until they become caramelized and a little crispy on the outside. They should be a deep red color and slightly crunchy to the touch.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
