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 slow cooker chicken thighs, crockpot BBQ chicken, slow cooker teriyaki chicken and slow cooker 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!
Table of Contents
Slow Cooker Chicken Drumsticks Ingredients
To make this recipe, you will need chicken drumsticks, BBQ rub and your favorite BBQ sauce.
How Do You Make Slow Cooker Chicken Drumsticks?
Start by coating your chicken in BBQ rub. Place the drumsticks in a slow cooker and add BBQ sauce. Gently toss everything together, then cover the slow cooker and let the chicken cook. When the chicken is tender, remove it from the pot and transfer to a baking sheet. Broil the chicken in the oven for a few minutes until it’s starting to get crispy and brown, then serve and enjoy.
Tips For The Perfect Dish
- I like to use my homemade BBQ 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.
- Watch your chicken carefully under the oven 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 whole chicken legs, boneless skinless chicken thighs or breasts for a shredded BBQ chicken alternative.
- Serve your finished dish with a variety of sides. I like to offer a potato dish such as baked french fries, cauliflower mashed potatoes, roasted red potatoes or Instant Pot mashed potatoes. Homemade Rice-A-Roni is also a great choice. I also do a colorful veggie like broccoli casserole, roasted cherry tomatoes, collard greens, parmesan roasted broccoli, garlic mushrooms or candied carrots.
Quick Tip
Leave the skin on your drumsticks, the skin helps to keep the meat from drying out.
Recipe FAQs
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.
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!
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Slow Cooker Chicken Drumstick Variations
This is a simple recipe with a simple ingredient list. However, 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 or honey to the barbecue sauce before you pour it into the slow cooker.
- Add-Ins: Feel free to stir in some other flavorings such as soy sauce, onion powder or even ketchup.
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!
More Slow Cooker Recipes
Slow Cooker Beef Bourguignon
8 hrs 40 mins
Crock Pot Baked Potatoes
4 hrs 5 mins
Crock Pot Baked Beans
2 hrs 30 mins
Crock Pot Spaghetti
4 hrs 35 mins
Slow Cooker Ribs
4 hrs 10 mins
Love This Recipe?
Please leave a 5-star 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 rating in the recipe card below & a review in the comments section further down the page.
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.
Notes
- 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.
Can I cook the chicken in the slow cooker ahead of time and then broil it when ready to serve! Planning on making this for a dinner party and want minimise dirty dishes!
Yes that’s totally fine!
Is this recipe for fresh or frozen drumsticks? If fresh, do you know how one would adjust for frozen?
It’s best to thaw the chicken before you use it. If your chicken is frozen, you can add 2 hours to the cooking time.
I love Slow Cooker Drumsticks!
Such a simple recipe that turned out SO good!
I love how easy these are and that final time under the broiler really finishes them up perfectly.
I’m always up for an easy, dump and go recipe. These chicken drumsticks are tender and juicy and I love that it uses a rub and sauce. Yum!
My favorite way to eat drumsticks. Easy and delicious!
My mouth is watering just looking at the pictures and love that I can throw them in my slow cooker! The sauce is amazing!
Made these for dinner last night and let me tell you, they were a huge hit! Very flavorful. I’ll make these again, thanks1
Should I add any water to the cockpot
You don’t need to add water!
I have not made them yet, but I think you’re going to save me a lot of stress with this! It’s looking like all but one of our grown children and our grandchildren will be here next weekend! The FIRST time we’re all together at the same time! I plan to make these and also bake a ham. I’m thinking meal time just got easier!
If I were to double this would the time also be doubled? Thanks!
The cook time will stay the same so long as the crock pot isn’t overly full, it should be more than 2/3 full.
Thank you! I am always looking for new economical recipes. This definitely qualifies. I had a pack of five frozen drumsticks and a smoked sausage rope. I semi thawed both, seasoned, seared with a bit of bacon, and put in crockpot with bbq sauce. Amazing! (And it freezes very well for later!)
This is a delightful and easy idea. I am very happy with the result. Also, it tickled me to read your story about how you feel like a zoo at meal times. I am 79 and can remember the self same feeling with 4 children under 5!!!
I tried this and found it great! One question, would the addition of 1/2 cup of brandy and some garlic interfere with the taste? I have some visitors coming who I think would like the addition of brandy.
I think it would be fine but I haven’t tested the recipe this way myself!
Super easy and delish. Took meat off the bone to save for leftovers w rice.
Used frozen chicken and it worked very well.
Love it!
Everyone should try this recipe!!! It is incredible!!
I have used this recipe a few times , it’s is such a hit with the kids. I’ve used it on game days so we can come home to food ready. I skip the broiler due to time and hunger levels. Thank you for this easy win recipe!