Slow Cooker Chicken Drumsticks
Easy way to make TENDER chicken drumsticks is in the slow cooker along with barbecue sauce. Forget using the grill ever agian!
Servings: 4
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!)
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
- Keep in mind if the chicken is 175-180 degrees F it will be tender (can even cook to a higher temperature). This is the magic of the chicken drumsticks. They contain more collagen and connective tissue which means they can go at higher temperature so they can dissolve and lead to a tender bite. If you don't have a thermometer, you'll know they are done when the meat is falling off the bone.
- Keep the leftovers in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Or in the freezer for up to three months.
- 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? If you are tight on time or need to plan for a busy dinner. You can do the directions to step 3. Keep in the fridge for up to 2 days or freeze for up to 45 days. When thawing, place in the fridge overnight. Place in the slow cooker and resume cooking according to directions.
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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