These slow cooker chicken drumsticks are coated in a spice rub and barbecue sauce, then cooked to tender perfection in the crock pot. A super easy 3 ingredient dinner option that takes just minutes to assemble.
I’m all about my slow cooker these days, I’m constantly making teriyaki chicken and beef stroganoff. This chicken drumstick recipe is so simple, yet so very satisfying and it’s kid friendly too!
In my opinion, chicken drumsticks are an underutilized cut of meat. They’re inexpensive, widely available, flavorful and super kid friendly. It doesn’t get any easier than these slow cooker chicken drumsticks – 3 ingredients in a crock pot and you’re ready to go!
How do you make slow cooker chicken drumsticks?
For this recipe, you’ll need chicken drumsticks, BBQ spice rub and your favorite BBQ sauce. That’s it! The drumsticks are coated with seasoning then the sauce is poured over the top. The final step is to brush a little extra sauce onto the chicken and broil it to crispy perfection.
Can you put frozen drumsticks in a crock pot?
Yes, you can use frozen chicken drumsticks in this recipe. Just be aware that the spice rub won’t stick as well to frozen meat! If you’re using frozen chicken, you’ll want to cook it on low for 8-9 hours or on high for 4-5 hours.
Tips for slow cooker chicken drumsticks
- I like to use my homemade BBQ spice rub in this recipe, but your favorite store bought spice rub will also work fine.
- I also have an amazing recipe for homemade BBQ sauce! Don’t have time to make your own? Use your favorite store bought sauce instead.
- Leave the skin on your drumsticks, the skin helps to keep the meat from drying out.
- Watch your chicken carefully under the broiler! You want to crisp up the edges a bit, but you don’t want your drumsticks to burn.
- You can also make this recipe with boneless skinless chicken thighs or breasts for a shredded BBQ chicken alternative.
How long does it take to cook chicken drumsticks in a slow cooker?
You’ll want to cook your chicken drumsticks on low for 5-6 hours or high for 3-4 hours. You’ll know when the chicken is done because it will be so tender that it will practically fall off the bone!
Slow cooker chicken drumstick variations
This is a simple recipe with a simple ingredient list, but you can add other flavorings into the mix to make this recipe your own!
- Spicy: Stir 1 chopped chipotle pepper in adobo sauce into the barbecue sauce before you pour it into the slow cooker.
- Garlic Lovers: Add 2 teaspoons minced fresh garlic to the crock pot.
- Sweet and Tangy: Add 2 tablespoons brown sugar to the barbecue sauce before you pour it into the slow cooker.
How to serve slow cooker chicken drumsticks
I like to serve my crock pot drumsticks over mashed potatoes or another starch such as rice. I also include a veggie on the side. Here are some of my favorite side dish options.
- Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes
- Homemade Rice-A-Roni
- Parmesan Roasted Broccoli
- Garlic Butter Mushrooms
- Candied Carrots
Once you try these drumsticks, you’ll find yourself making them all the time! It’s so easy to keep the ingredients on hand for when you need to assemble dinner in a hurry. There’s only 5 minutes of prep time and the crock pot does the rest of the work!
Slow Cooker Chicken Drumsticks
Ingredients
- 3 pounds chicken drumsticks
- 2 tablespoons BBQ spice rub
- 2 1/2 cups BBQ sauce divided use
- cooking spray
Instructions
- Coat the inside of a slow cooker with cooking spray.
- Rub the BBQ spice all over the drumsticks, then place the drumsticks in the slow cooker in layers.
- Pour 2 cups of BBQ sauce into the slow cooker. Gently toss to coat.
- Cover and cook on low for 5-6 hours or high for 3-4 hours.
- Preheat the broiler.
- Remove the chicken drumsticks from the slow cooker and place them in a single layer on a sheet pan coated with cooking spray.
- Brush the remaining 1/2 cup sauce over the drumsticks. Broil for 3-5 minutes or until edges are starting to brown and crisp, then serve.
Trisha says
Do you take the skin off
Sara says
I do not but you can if you prefer!
Dayna says
These came out incredible! The chicken was so tender and flavorful. My husband is a Texan and said it was BBQ restaurant quality. I’ve made a lot of your recipes and they’ve all turned out great. This would be perfect for hosting because it is so low maintenance and comes out amazing.
Katie says
What temp did you set to broil?
Sara says
I broil on high!
Dianna James says
Can I double the recipe and put it in one big crock pot?
Sara says
Yes that’s fine!
Bea says
I used chicken drumettes and served them as an appetizer and they were gobbled up so fast! Next time I’ll double the recipe
Tanya says
Hi, can you do ribs????
Sara says
Here is my ribs version! https://www.dinneratthezoo.com/slow-cooker-ribs/
Byenia says
Worked great. I had about 2 lbs. of frozen drumsticks that were placed in my Crockpot for about 5 hours on low (that’s when I first checked in on them and a meat thermometer showed their temperature up in the 180s-190s F – just about to start falling off the bone). Sprinkled it with dry rub seasoning, followed by Sassy2Carb barbecue sauce by Ken Davis since it’s low-carb and tastes pretty good compared to other brands. Finished off under the broiler as directed. Thanks for the easy dinner idea!
Kelsey Ensinger says
Can I put the chicken in frozen and cook for 8 hours?
Sara says
I would cook it on high to make sure the chicken comes to a food safe temperature in the appropriate amount of time.
Charity Foreman says
How long should I cook5 lbs chicken drumsticks?
MEL says
Do all the drumsticks have to be entirely covered by BBQ sauce in the slow cooker? Planning on cooking 6 pounds of chicken (3 layers in crockpot). Thanks!
Sara says
They don’t need to be totally submerged!
Leah says
This recipe looks great! has anyone tried adding some potatoes or sweet potatoes to the crock-pot? i dont feel like making a side dish separately.
Megan says
Yes!! I’ve tried sweet potato, carrots and onion in the slow cooker with the chicken. My family devoured it.
Diane Neufeld says
I cook for 6 men… After I broil them can I put back into a clean crock pot to keep warm?
What is a good side? I was thinking Mushroom rice?
Sara says
Yes you can put them back in the crock pot. Mushroom rice would be a good choice!