Slow Cooker Bang Bang Chicken


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These slow cooker bang bang chicken drumsticks are bold, creamy, and perfect for spooning over rice with an extra drizzle of sauce.

If you love easy chicken drumstick recipes, also try my slow cooker chicken drumsticks recipe.

chicken drumsticks cooked in bang bang sauce in slow cooker

If you’ve never tried Bang Bang Chicken, you’re in for a treat—the sauce is bold, creamy, and totally addictive. It’s amazing on these slow-cooked drumsticks, but it’s also the same sauce that makes bang bang shrimp so popular.

chickendrumsticks and bang bang sauce on white table

Ingredients for Bang Bang Chicken

Here’s what you’ll need to make these saucy, flavorful drumsticks:

  • Chicken Drumsticks: Budget-friendly and perfect for slow cooking—they soak up the sauce and stay tender.
  • What Makes Bang Bang Sauce So Good: A bold combo of mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, and sriracha creates a creamy, sweet-heat glaze that caramelizes beautifully under the broiler.
  • Salt & Pepper: Simple seasoning that balances the richness of the sauce.
  • Green Onions: A fresh, crisp topping that adds color and contrast when serving.
drumsticks in bang bang sauce in slow cooker before cooking.

Cook’s Tips & Variations

Optional Marination: You can marinate this chicken in the sauce the night before (be sure to only use half of the sauce, the other half is for serving).

Spicier: Double the sriracha in this recipe or add a few shakes of Tabasco. Additionally, you can add red pepper flakes if desired; approximately a half teaspoon will do.

Other cuts of chicken: Bone-in Chicken thighs work well too. If you choose to use boneless chicken (thighs or breasts), there is no need to brown the chicken before serving.

bang bang chicken with sauce, cooked in slow cooker

Serving Suggestions

These bold drumsticks are perfect over white or jasmine rice to soak up the flavorful sauce. Right before serving, sprinkle with sliced green onions and don’t forget that extra bang bang sauce on the side—cool, creamy, and perfect for dipping.

Other Sides we love with this dish are crockpot mac and cheese, slow cooker collard greens, crockpot cabbage and our favorite is crockpot corn on the cob.

bang bang chicken on sheet pan, browned with green onions on top.
cooked bang bang chicken in slow cooker

Slow Cooker Bang Bang Chicken

5 from 14 votes
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 4 hours
Total Time: 4 hours 10 minutes
Servings: 5
Creamy sweet and spicy chicken drumsticks cooked until tender in the slow cooker then broiled in the oven to make a crispy skin.
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How to Video

Ingredients 
 

  • 2-3 lbs. chicken drumsticks
  • 2 tsp. sriracha
  • 1 cup mayonnaise
  • 1 cup sweet chili sauce, I use Frank's Red Hot brand sweet chili sauce
  • 1 tsp. salt
  • 1/2 tsp. fresh ground black pepper
  • 1 bunch green onions, for serving

Instructions 

  • Add the drumsticks to the slow cooker.
  • In a medium-sized bowl, add the mayo, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, salt and pepper. Stir.
  • Place half of the sauce in another bowl and place in the fridge for serving. Pour the other half of the sauce over the chicken.
  • Place the lid on the slow cooker. Cook on HIGH for 3.5-4 hours or LOW for 5 hours.
  • Preheat the oven to broil.
  • If you have a wire rack, place that on a sheet pan. When the cooking time is up place the chicken on the wire rack that is on the sheet pan (or directly on the sheet pan if you don't have a rack).
  • Broil for about 5 minutes or until browned. Keep an eye on them so they don't burn.
  • Sprinkle the green onions over the chicken when serving.
  • You can serve the chicken with the hot sauce poured over the chicken (great over rice). And also serve it with a side of the cold reserved bang bang sauce. We love these drumsticks with rice.

Nutrition

Calories: 626kcal | Carbohydrates: 25g | Protein: 40g | Fat: 39g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 146mg | Sodium: 1359mg | Potassium: 424mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 25g | Vitamin A: 123IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 25mg | Iron: 2mg

Nutrition info is auto-generated. This information is an estimate; if you are on a special diet, please use your own calculations.

Made this recipe? Leave a comment below!

More chicken recipes

Thai Peanut Chicken and Slow Cooker Sweet and Sour Chicken both bring bold, saucy flavors with an easy prep.

If you like a little heat, try Buffalo Ranch Drumsticks or Orange Chicken Drumsticks—both are full of flavor and perfect for busy weeknights. For something sweet and tangy, Pineapple Chicken Drumsticks hit the spot.

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Recipe Rating




73 Comments

  1. Lori says:

    Can this be done in an instant pot?

    1. Sarah Olson says:

      You will have to add more liquid I think.

  2. Faith says:

    Hello, my crockpot only has the 8 hour, or 10 hour low setting. I would have to set this to cook while I am at work from 8:00-4:30. After the 8 hours, my crock pot switches over to the “warm” setting instead of continuing to cook. Do you think I will be safe to let them cook for 8 hours on low?

    1. Sarah Olson says:

      They will be fine but will be falling off the bone and be more like shredded chicken.

  3. Paula says:

    5 stars
    So good! And so easy! The only thing I changed was that I used 2.5 lbs. of boneless chicken breast. I cooked it for the shortest amount of time suggested, which was 3 1/2 hours on high. The chicken was so tender and perfect. And the sauce is TOO DIE FOR!

  4. pat peichel says:

    morning,may i use chicken thighs if so how long.thank you stay safe.

    1. Sarah Olson says:

      The same amount of time should work. I would do 4 hours on high or 6 hours on low.

  5. Mariann S. says:

    5 stars
    Loved this!! I used two large (and thick) chicken breasts instead of drumsticks. Turned out great! Thanks for the recipe, will make again!

  6. Mike says:

    5 stars
    I have made this recipie 4 times now it’s awesome. The sauce also makes a great dip for chips and crackers imho.

  7. Faye says:

    Hi! I am trying to not eat as much dairy! Can I substitute the Mayo in the bang bang recipe for primal kitchen Mayo made out of avocado oil?

    1. Sarah Olson says:

      Mayo does not have dairy in it (made from oil and eggs). So either will work.

  8. Colleen K. says:

    Is there a way to make it so it’s not that spicy? I can’t eat spicy.

    1. Sarah Olson says:

      You can skip the sriracha. I didn’t think the chili sauce is hot at all, almost tastes like sweet and sour sauce.

  9. Shelly says:

    Please confirm; sweet chili sauce or Frank’s Red Hot? These are two very different items.
    Thanks!

    1. Sarah Olson says:

      Sweey chili. I will clarify the instructions.

  10. Ariane says:

    What can I substitute for the mayonnaise to make it less fattening?

    1. Sarah Olson says:

      Hard to say without testing. I personally would use low-fat mayonnaise (or half fat-free).

    2. Anonymous says:

      Yogurt