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You only need 5 ingredients to make easy and delicious Crock Pot Chicken Drumsticks. Toss everything into your crock pot and dinner will be a breeze. Everyone will enjoy these tender and flavorful slow cooker drumsticks.
Slow Cooker Chicken Drumsticks Recipe:
This Easy Chicken Drumsticks crock pot recipe 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.
I can’t believe it is that simple to make delicious slow cooker chicken drumsticks and absolutely love how easy it is in the crockpot!
Can I cook drumsticks in the crockpot?
We love chicken drumsticks. They are inexpensive 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.
My family loved it so much they asked me to always make chicken drumsticks this way! Slow Cooking has become my favorite of making these drumsticks.
Crockpot BBQ Drumsticks are so tender in the slow cooker!
The meat literally falls off the bone it is so tender and delicious. This is the best appetizer for parties but filling enough to be the main meal.
Serve these delicious crock pot chicken legs with ranch and blue cheese and oh my goodness. I also like to put out celery and carrots for a really simple meal.
Everyone loves it and you can’t beat this easy idea that everyone loves.
Can you put frozen drumsticks in a crockpot?
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.
How do I make crock pot drumsticks crispy?
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.
Ingredients for Crockpot Drumsticks:
- Chicken Drumsticks
- Paprika
- Cumin
- Garlic Salt
- BBQ sauce – We love using our Homemade BBQ Sauce but you use the store bought
How to make Slow Cooker Drumsticks?
- 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 drumsticks.
- 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 baking 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!
Tips for Crock Pot Chicken Drumsticks:
- Have you ever tried making your own BBQ 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.
- Make sure to leave the skin on the drumsticks. This allows the skin to get crispy and from drying out.
- 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.
- You can use these same ingredients to cook your chicken the crockpot using chicken thighs or boneless chicken breast.
Crockpot Drumstick Variations:
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:
- If you like your drumsticks a little spicy add in some chopped jalapeno’s or sprinkle with crushed peppers.
- Add in some honey for the honey BBQ flavor.
- You can also add in some brown sugar for a touch of sweetness.
- You can also omit the BBQ sauce and just add the seasoning if you don’t want to use BBQ Sauce.
- Instead of BBQ Sauce add in some soy sauce.
What to serve with drumsticks?
- We love serving with a side of Mashed Potatoes.
- Side of Steamed Broccoli or other vegetables would great with this recipe.
- Homemade Mac and Cheese is always a family favorite.
- A side of rice also is a great option.
BBQ Chicken Legs Crock Pot Recipe will be a hit with everyone!
We love this meal and have fun trying different variations. We have even cut up chicken breast or used regular chicken legs with this recipe.
You can certainly use store bought BBQ sauce but it is very simple to learn how to make homemade barbecue sauce with very little effort! If you like more of a sweet barbecue sauce, add a little brown sugar to the slow cooker chicken.
Another idea is to use your instant pot if you need dinner on the table at the last minute. Chicken drumstick recipes can be prepared so easily and without much work.
Print this BBQ Chicken Legs Crock Pot Recipe below:
Crock Pot Drumsticks – only 5 ingredients!
Ingredients
- 3 lbs chicken drumsticks
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon garlic salt
- 1 1/2 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!
I’m so glad you love it!
I make this recipev3-4 times a month! Everyone loves it and so tasty too!
Yes you can do that.
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.
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!
Thanks for commenting! I’m so glad you loved it
I forgot to put them under the broiler and they were still delicious! Was a great pot-luck contribution.
Really like to try, looks so yummy ?
So glad you love it.
Used Beef Ribs instead of chicken!
It came out so good. Much better then restraint here in Los Angeles. Just had to tell my butcher to cut the ribs 4” a piece.
Yes, you can. We do have a crock pot wings recipe as well – https://www.eatingonadime.com/crock-pot-buffalo-chicken-wings-recipe/
Can wings be used with this recipe?
That sounds amazing!
This was so easy and so delicious. I cooked jasmine rice and grilled pineapple on the side . Thank you
You might need to add a 1 hour cooking time.
If the recipe is doubled, should the cooking time be increased?
Thank you for taking the time to comment! I’m so glad you liked it.
Absolutely delicious! A wonderfully easy recipe! Everyone wanted more! Thank you!
Yes you can.
If I have 4.5lb of chicken drumsticks, could I just increase the amount of spices and BBQ sauce?
Yes that would work great!
Could this be prepped the night before, so I can have my daughter start it for me during the day?
This has become my new favorite drumstick recipe!! So easy and so delish! Thank you!!
I don’t like cumin…..something about the taste I could leave it out or reduce the amount but do you have a substitute ingredient to replace cumin? If so I would be so grateful as I could sub it in other recipes. Definitely going to try this!
What is best for freezing & reheating?
Made this it was Delicious
Sorry about that – This was a typo. We made approximately 3 lbs in this recipe. Generally we plan for 2-3 drumsticks per person. I have updated the recipe.
I love this recipe need more recipes thanks.
This is our favorite drumstick recipe!! We add BBQ sauce & then bake them
Just curious before I decide to make the recipe, is it really 6 lbs of chicken drumsticks? I lb per person? Looking at the picture of the drums on the cookie sheet it doesn’t appear to be that many. I counted 15 drumsticks. I hope my question doesn’t sound cheeky.
I tried this recipe after seeing your YouTube live where you made them. They were SO easy and yummy! I think I should have maybe added more sauce before I broiled them to make them crispier, but they were a hit with the family. LOVE that my crockpot had them ready for me and saved having to pick up food.
You can place them on a grill instead and that would work. Adding the high heat caramelizes the sauce on the drumsticks so I do recommend it. Thanks.
would it make a difference if you did not put them under the broiler? ours is not working right
It’s hard to find educated people for this topic, but you sound like you know what you’re talking about!
Thanks
I would cook on low for 6-7 hours for frozen drumsticks. Thank you!
How much time for frozen drumsticks?
Hi Carrie ….was wondering how to put recipes from Blog into my Favorites please ???