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–+ servings
overhead shot of bbq drumsticks in crockpot.
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5 from 3 votes

Slow Cooker Chicken Drumsticks

These slow cooker drumsticks are fall-off-the-bone tender and smothered in sweet and smoky barbecue sauce.
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time3 hours
Total Time3 hours 5 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Servings: 4
Author: Sarah Olson

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 3 lbs. chicken drumsticks (about 8 drumsticks)
  • 1 Tbsp. packed light brown sugar
  • 1 tsp. onion powder you can use garlic powder or granulated garlic as well
  • 1 tsp. salt
  • 1 tsp. smoked paprika you can use regular sweet paprika
  • ½ tsp. ground pepper
  • 2 cups BBQ sauce (sweet baby ray original barbecue sauce works great for this!)
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • Place all the chicken drumsticks into a plastic bag.
  • Sprinkle the brown sugar, onion powder, salt, smoked paprika, and ground pepper.
  • Close the bag and massage the meat so the seasoning coats all the chicken legs.
  • Place the chicken drumsticks into the slow cooker. If you don't want to waste a bag, you can do this in the slow cooker, but mix them with the seasoning with clean hands.
  • Pour the BBQ sauce to cover the drumsticks.
  • Cover and cook on HIGH 3 ½ - 4 hours. If you want to cook on LOW allow 5 to 6 hours. You'll know the chicken is done when the meat is falling off the bone.
  • Serve and enjoy!

Video

Notes

Want crispy skin? Once the drumsticks are cooked, take them out of the slow cooker and put them onto a lined cookie sheet (using aluminum paper makes cleaning easier). Place your drumsticks and pour an additional ½ cup of barbecue sauce over. Place in the oven on Broil for 3 to 4 minutes or until edges are crisp. BE CAREFUL not to burn them.
Want to make this a freezer meal? Place everything in a freezer ziplock bag, before cooking, freeze. Freeze for up to three months. Thaw in friege before proceeding with the recipe.

Nutrition

Calories: 666kcal | Carbohydrates: 62g | Protein: 74g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 238mg | Sodium: 2318mg | Potassium: 1135mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 50g | Vitamin A: 745IU | Vitamin C: 9mg | Calcium: 95mg | Iron: 4mg

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