Slow Cooker Buffalo Ranch Drumsticks


31 Comments


This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

Slow Cooker Buffalo Ranch Chicken Drumsticks are a spicy dinner that I can’t get enough of!

If you love chicken drumsticks, also try my BBQ Drumsticks, Bang Bang Chicken Drumsticks or my Pineapple Barbecue Drumsticks recipes.

cooked drumsticks in a slow cooker in buffalo sauce with chives on top.
Save Recipe
Save this recipe!
Get this sent to your inbox, plus get new recipes from us every week!
Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.

Buffalo wings are one of my top 10 favorite foods and probably always will be. This recipe uses skinless drumsticks mostly because I don’t have to worry about browning the skin and it keeps the sauce from getting greasy. I add a touch of cayenne for more heat and also minced garlic.

raw drumsticks on a yellow plate

Taking the skin off the drumsticks takes a bit of work, but once you get the rhythm down it’s no problem. I start by pulling the skin down, then when it gets too tough to pull, I grab the skin with a paper towel. Some were too tough even with that trick and I had to cut the skin off with a knife.

skin taken off drumsticks on a yellow plate.
buffalo sauce being pour into a measuring cup over drumsticks in the slow cooker

I serve these Slow Cooker Buffalo Ranch Drumsticks with mashed potatoes and corn. A drizzle of ranch dressing would be great over the chicken too.

cooked drumsticks in a slow cooker with corn and mashed potatoes on the side.

More buffalo recipes to try in your slow cooker:

Want to make more magic in your crockpot? Stay up to date and subscribe to my newsletter and follow along on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and YouTube.

drumsticks in buffalo ranch sauce in slow cooker.

Slow Cooker Buffalo Ranch Drumsticks

5 from 15 votes
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 4 hours
Total Time: 4 hours 10 minutes
Servings: 6
Drumsticks with buffalo and ranch flavors.

Ingredients 
 

  • 4 lbs. chicken drumsticks
  • 2 garlic cloves,, minced
  • 1/8 tsp. cayenne pepper
  • 1/4 tsp pepper
  • 1 oz. Ranch dressing mix
  • 1 cup Frank’s Red Hot
  • 1/4 cup salted butter, melted

Instructions 

  • Remove the skin from the drumsticks. I do this by pulling the skin as far down as I can, then when I can pull any further I grab onto the skin with a paper towel and the skin usually comes right off. I did have to cut the skin off of a few.
  • Place the chicken into the slow cooker. Sprinkle over the garlic, cayenne, pepper, and ranch dressing mix. Pour over the Frank’s Red Hot and the melted butter. Stir. 
  • Place the lid on the slow cooker, and cook on HIGH for 4 hours without opening the lid during the cooking time.

How to Video

Nutrition

Calories: 442kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 64g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 232mg | Sodium: 1881mg | Potassium: 692mg | Vitamin A: 435IU | Vitamin C: 7.3mg | Calcium: 40mg | Iron: 2.7mg

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!

Other recipes you may like

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




31 Comments

  1. Denise says:

    Hi do u have to remove the skin

    1. Sarah Olson says:

      No, you can leave it on.

  2. Ryan Farley says:

    Is cooking on low for 8 hours okay?

    1. Sarah Olson says:

      Yes, though the meat may be too tender and be falling off the bones.

  3. Joe says:

    I’m going to make these Sunday and I like my wings really crispy . If I remove them from crock pot after 4hrs could I broil them in oven ? And of yes how long do you suggest? Thank you

    1. Sarah Olson says:

      Hi Joe,

      It depends on how close you have your rack to the broiler. I usually stick them in for around 5 minutes. I keep the oven open so I can keep an eye on them.

  4. Anonymous says:

    How many hours in the crockpot on cooking them slow?

    1. Sarah Olson says:

      I would do 6-7

  5. Anonymous says:

    Looks so easy. 10 stars

  6. Jessica says:

    5 stars
    My boys LOVED these! Used bone in chicken thighs in the pressure cooker using garlic powder in place of the fresh; Served them over riced cauliflower. So good!!!! We will 100% for sure make these again! (These taste commercial/artificial not at all natural but they are delicious! My oldest said they taste like a gourmet spicy chicken noodle cup)

  7. Mark says:

    5 stars
    Just made these two nights ago…and my room mate snagged one from the fridge yesterday and kept going on about how awesome they were…and said he will pay for the ingredients next time if I will make them again.

    I agree. They were awesome!

    1. Sarah Olson says:

      They are SOO good. Very tender. Glad ya’ll liked them.

  8. Beth Byrd says:

    I don’t have crock pot anymore I have dutch oven pot will that work please and thank u I hope so it sounds very good.