Description
Hearty Crock Pot Chicken Drumsticks deliver comfort and flavor straight from your slow cooker. Juicy drumsticks bathed in rich seasonings promise a delightful meal that will satisfy hunger and warm hearts with minimal preparation effort.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 2 pounds (907 grams) chicken drumsticks (about 8–10 pieces)
Seasonings:
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
Sauces and Oils:
- ⅓ cup (79 milliliters) barbecue sauce (or your favorite sauce)
- ¼ cup (59 milliliters) honey (optional, for sweetness)
- 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) olive oil
Optional Garnishes:
- Chopped parsley
- Sesame seeds
Instructions
- Meticulously dry chicken drumsticks using paper towels to remove excess moisture, which helps enhance seasoning adherence and promotes better skin texture.
- Create a robust flavor profile by generously coating drumsticks with a harmonious blend of salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika, onion powder, and optional smoked paprika for depth.
- Whisk barbecue sauce, honey, and olive oil in a separate mixing vessel until the mixture transforms into a silky, uniform consistency that will envelop the chicken.
- Strategically arrange drumsticks inside the slow cooker, allowing each piece to nestle comfortably without overcrowding, then cascade the prepared sauce across the meat to ensure comprehensive coverage.
- Secure the crock pot lid and allow drumsticks to gently simmer on low temperature for approximately 5-6 hours or on high for 3-4 hours, monitoring until meat becomes fork-tender and internal temperature reaches the safe threshold of 165°F.
- For an elevated culinary experience, transfer cooked drumsticks to a foil-lined baking sheet, lavishly brush with additional barbecue sauce, and introduce to a preheated 425°F oven.
- Activate the broiler function, crisping the exterior for 3-5 minutes while vigilantly preventing burning, creating an irresistible caramelized exterior.
- Present the drumsticks adorned with fresh chopped parsley or toasted sesame seeds, accompanied by complementary side dishes like creamy mashed potatoes, fluffy rice, or a vibrant garden salad.
Notes
- Moisture Control: Pat chicken drumsticks completely dry before seasoning to ensure maximum flavor absorption and prevent excess liquid during cooking.
- Spice Flexibility: Customize spice blend based on dietary preferences or taste, using herbs like thyme or rosemary for different flavor profiles.
- Sauce Consistency: Choose thick barbecue sauce to prevent watery results, and consider reducing sauce beforehand for deeper flavor concentration.
- Crispy Skin Technique: If avoiding oven broiling, use high-heat setting in last 30 minutes of slow cooking or finish under air fryer for crispy exterior without drying meat.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 hours
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 9 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg