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You only need 5 ingredients to make easy and delicious Crockpot Chicken Drumsticks. Toss everything into your crock pot and dinner will be a breeze. Everyone will enjoy these tender and flavorful slow cooker drumsticks.
This Easy Chicken Drumsticks slow cooker chicken recipes is a must try. Whether you need something tasty and easy for game day or the next big party, this is the best and easy appetizer recipe with very little work.
It is delicious enough for company but easy enough to make on a busy weeknight. Our entire family loves this and the kids can’t get enough. These crock pot chicken drumsticks are requested weekly by my family. If you make the best crock pot drumsticks, then you must try Crockpot Barbecue Drumsticks, Grilled Chicken Legs or these Instant Pot BBQ Drumsticks.
What's in this post: Crockpot Chicken Drumsticks
Why We Love This Recipe
We love making slow cooker chicken legs for an easy weeknight dinner. They are inexpensive, made with simple ingredients and kid-friendly. Growing up we would always fry drumsticks but I wanted to try making them in the crockpot for a better version of drumsticks.
I was amazed how well they turned out cooking them in the crockpot. They were packed with flavor and so tender. It is such a time saver making these in your crockpot.
The meat literally falls off the bone it is so tender and delicious in this crock-pot recipes. This is the best appetizer for parties but filling enough to be the main meal. For another easy appetizer, try these Beanie Weenies.
Ingredients
- Chicken Drumsticks – You can also use chicken thighs, wings or boneless chicken breasts
- Paprika – See Best Paprika Substitute if you are out
- Cumin – If you are out check out these Best Substitute for Cumin
- Garlic Salt – We have even used fresh garlic cloves, garlic powder or minced garlic.
- BBQ sauce – We love using our Homemade BBQ Sauce but you use the store bought
Scroll to the bottom for the full recipe and ingredients in the recipe card.
Variations Ideas
We love recipes that you can change the recipes to use what you have or add in some extra spice. Here are favorite variations when making this recipe:
- Spicy – If you like your crockpot chicken legs a little spicy add in some chopped jalapeno’s or sprinkle with crushed peppers.
- Honey – Add in some honey for the honey BBQ flavor.
- Brown Sugar – You can also add in some brown sugar for a touch of sweetness.
- Seasoning – You can also omit the BBQ sauce and just add the seasoning if you don’t want to use BBQ Sauce. Onion powder or Italian Seasoning is a great addition.
- Soy Sauce – Instead of BBQ Sauce add in some soy sauce.
How to Make Slow Cooker Chicken Drumsticks
- Step 1 – In a small bowl whisk the tablespoons paprika, cumin, black pepper and garlic salt. Stir to combine.
- Step 2 – Sprinkle over the drum sticks and rub all over chicken skin.
- Step 3 – Place chicken drumsticks in slow cooker.
- Step 4 – Pour 1 cup of barbeque sauce over the chicken drumsticks.
- Step 5 – Cover and cook on low 4-6 hours until the chicken is tender. (You can cook on high if you prefer but reduce the hours on high.)
- Step 6 – When finished place the chicken on a baking sheet lined with foil and cooking spray.
- Step 7 – Brush half of the BBQ sauce on the drum sticks. Broil for 1-5 minutes until it begins to brown and has a crispy skin.
- Step 8 – Remove from oven, flip the drumsticks, and brush with the remaining BBQ sauce.
- Step 9 – Broil on high heat another 1-5 minutes until brown. Serve hot with ketchup to dip them into and Enjoy!
Tips for the Perfect Chicken Drumsticks
- BBQ Sauce – Have you ever tried making your Homemade Barbecue Sauce? It really is a simple process to make and it taste amazing. You can use the store bought also and they will still turn out great.
- Leave Skin on Chicken – Make sure to leave the skin on these juicy chicken drumsticks. This allows the skin to get crispy and from drying out.
- Broil Chicken – If you prefer your drumsticks crispy, make sure when you put them in the broiler to watch them closely. It doesn’t take long to get that crispy edge.
How Long Do Drumsticks Need to be Cooked For?
Cooking time will vary depending on the size of your chicken drumsticks. But our chicken drumsticks were ready in about 5 hours and then broiled them to get that crispy texture.
What to Serve with Chicken Drumsticks?
- We love serving with a side dish of Crockpot Mashed Potatoes Recipe or Roasted Red Potatoes topped with melted butter.
- Side of Steamed Broccoli, Crockpot Glazed Carrots or other vegetables would great with this recipe.
- Homemade Mac and Cheese is always a family favorite.
- A side of Instant pot White Rice Recipe also is a great option.
Frequently Asked Questions
I like my chicken drumsticks to have a little crisp to the edges. If you are concerned that they might be soggy in the slow cooker, we have a tip for you. When the chicken is finished cooking, place the drumsticks on a cookie sheet lined with foil. Broil for 1-5 minutes until it begins to brown.
Remove from oven, flip the drumsticks, and broil the other side for another 1-5 minutes until brown. This will give you just the right amount of crispiness to the outside of the drumsticks. This has quickly become one of our favorite Chicken drumstick slow cooker recipes easy and simple for any day of the week.
Yes, you can. Simply, follow the same instructions but increase the cooking time for the frozen chicken. If you chicken is frozen, the spices might not stick as well.
Frozen chicken legs in crock pot are just as easy and delicious. If you forget to take something out of the freezer, just toss frozen drumsticks in crockpot for a super easy and tasty meal. You can thaw in the fridge if you prefer.
The only liquid you need to add is the BBQ Sauce. The chicken will produce more liquid as it cooks and the chicken drumsticks will come out juicy and tender.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The leftovers will last about 4-5 days.
We like to reheat the leftovers in the oven so that they reheat evenly. Reheat in a preheated oven at 350 degrees for about 10 minutes.
More Easy Chicken Slow Cooker Recipes
Easy Slow Cooker
Crockpot Chicken and Stuffing
Easy Slow Cooker
Crock Pot Cashew Chicken
Easy Slow Cooker
Crock pot Shredded Chicken Quesadillas Recipe
Easy Slow Cooker
Crock Pot Chicken Thighs and Rice
If you make this crockpot drumsticks recipe, please leave us a comment or a star review. We love to hear from you.
Crockpot Chicken Drumsticks
Ingredients
- 3 lbs chicken drumsticks
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon garlic salt
- 1 ½ cups bbq sauce divided
Instructions
- In a small bowl combine the paprika, cumin, and garlic salt. Stir to combine.
- Sprinkle over the drum sticks and rub all over chicken skin.
- Place chicken drumsticks in slow cooker.
- Pour 1 cup of barbeque sauce over the chicken drum sticks.
- Cover and cook on low 4-6 hours until the chicken is tender. (You can cook on high if you prefer but reduce the hours on high.)
- When finished place the chicken on a cookie sheet lined with foil and cooking spray.
- Brush half of the bbq sauce on the drum sticks. Broil for 1-5 minutes until it begins to brown.
- Remove from oven, flip the drumsticks, and brush with the remaining bbq sauce.
- Broil another 1-5 minutes until brown.
- Serve hot. Enjoy!
Made this many times, don’t even broil and my husband loves it with corn on the cob or mashed potatoes ?
Will definitely be making this again. Was a hit with the family.
I’m so glad you enjoyed it Laurie! Thank you for sharing and thank you for the positive review.
Absolutely love this recipe!! Everyone in my family loves it. I will say that I scale it up, usually double it including all of the rub and BBQ sauce (I make my own). Honestly we never get to the crisping stage – not worth the wait as they mostly are falling off the bone anyway. A++
I’m so glad you enjoy them Tim! Thank you for the positive review.
Do you have to broil
No, you don’t have to but I highly recommend it as it add a ton of flavor this recipe!
Made this multiple tes, always great.
Good with corn on the cob and coleslaw
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for sharing!
Great recipe! My family loves it!
Is this recipe for full size chicken legs or is for the little drumettes?
This recipe is for full size chicken legs.
The family loved this recipe. Easy and delicious. Will certainly make these again.
I make this recipev3-4 times a month! Everyone loves it and so tasty too!
I’m so glad you love it!
What are the ingredients for the drumsticks
All the ingredients needed for this recipe are listed in the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
After putting the drumsticks under the broiler, is it okay to put them back in a clean crockpot to keep warm till serving? Thank you.
Yes you can do that.
First time doing this, and I love how easy it was to follow the recipe!
How would a mix of legs and thighs work?
Could I use this recipe with wings? Not a fan of legs.
I love this recipe. The drumsticks are always so good and we have them 2 or 3 times a month. Your recipes are so user friendly and taste great.
Excellent and easy. I used Cajun season instead of paprika and garlic and Chile salt for some spice. For the bbq sauce I used a hot and spicy sauce. This dish had amazing flavor and was cooked while I was at work. I have all boys and my husband so this was easy and they loved it!
I forgot to put them under the broiler and they were still delicious! Was a great pot-luck contribution.
Thanks for commenting! I’m so glad you loved it