BBQ Slow Cooker Drumsticks are a delicious and easy recipe to impress your friends and family at your next gathering! This mouth-watering dish is perfect for those who love the smoky flavor of traditional barbecue but don’t have access to a grill or smoker.
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BBQ Slow Cooker Drumsticks are the perfect way to enjoy a delicious meal in the warm weather. Slow cooking is an easy and convenient way to make tender, juicy chicken that falls off the bone. Plus, it allows you to spend more time enjoying the company of family and friends while your meal cooks itself.
If you’re looking for more BBQ-flavored recipes, try these BBQ Country Style Beef Ribs, Grilled BBQ Salmon, and Bulgogi Korean BBQ.
Why We Love This BBQ Crockpot Drumsticks Recipe
Our BBQ Crockpot Drumsticks recipe embodies everything we love about cooking; simplicity, deliciousness, and the joy of sharing a meal with loved ones. Whether you’re seeking a hassle-free weeknight dinner or planning a backyard gathering, this recipe will satisfy your cravings and leave you wanting more.
- Easy Ingredients: With just a handful of simple ingredients, you can create a finger-licking BBQ meal that will impress your loved ones. No complicated or hard-to-find ingredients here!
- Family Friendly: This recipe is a hit with both kids and adults. The tender and juicy chicken, coated in a delectable BBQ sauce, will have everyone asking for seconds. It is such an easy chicken dinner recipe.
- Easy Slow Cooker Chicken Makes Great Leftovers: If you have any leftover chicken, you can repurpose them in many creative ways. Slice the meat off the bone and add it to sandwiches, salads, or wraps for a quick and satisfying meal. You will love this recipe.
Ingredient Notes for Chicken Drumstick Recipe
- Chicken Legs: The star of this recipe, chicken legs offer juicy meat that remains tender when slow-cooked. You can also make this recipe using chicken thighs or different chicken parts based on your preference.
- BBQ Rub: Enhance the flavor of cooked chicken drumsticks by applying a homemade or store-bought BBQ rub. The smoky and savory blend of spices adds depth and complexity to the dish.
- BBQ Sauce: Choose your favorite BBQ sauce to coat the drumsticks. Whether you prefer a tangy, sweet, or spicy flavor, the sauce will infuse the meat with a rich and succulent taste.
See my recipe card below for a complete list of the ingredients with measurements.
Variations and Substitutions for Crockpot Chicken Leg
We believe in the power of customization when it comes to cooking, and our BBQ chicken legs in the crock pot recipe offer plenty of opportunities for you to put your own spin on it. Slow cooker recipes are so easy.
- Different Chicken Parts: If you’re not a fan of drumsticks, feel free to use chicken thighs, wings, or chicken breasts. Just adjust the cooking time accordingly.
- Variety of Sauce Flavors: Experiment with different BBQ sauce flavors to cater to your preferences. Whether it’s a smoky mesquite, tangy Carolina-style, or a spicy chipotle sauce, the choice is yours for this crockpot bbq chicken recipe. Make homemade BBQ sauce if you prefer for these BBQ drumsticks.
How to Make Slow Cooker Chicken Drumstick Recipe
These are the basic steps for making crock pot chicken drumsticks. Refer to the full, printable recipe card below for detailed instructions.
Step 1: Prepare Chicken for the Crockpot Chicken Drumsticks Recipe
Add the chicken legs to the crockpot and make sure they are spread out in an even layer. Sprinkle the seasoning over the chicken and then pour the BBQ sauce in.
Step 2: Toss Chicken and Add Water
Use tongs to toss the chicken, making sure it is fully coated in the seasonings and barbecue sauce. Add water to the bottom of your crock pot.
Step 3: Cover and Cook the Chicken
You can cook on low power for 5-6 hours or you can cook on high for 2-3 hours. Remove the chicken drumsticks and enjoy. To make a crispy skin, place the chicken on a baking sheet and place it under the broiler if you wish.
Recipe FAQs to Make Slow Cooker Chicken Drumstick Recipe
Expert Tips for Making This Slow Cooker Chicken Legs Recipe
By following these recommendations, you’ll ensure that your drumsticks turn out perfectly cooked, flavorful, and tender every time. From achieving ideal doneness to marinating for maximum flavor infusion, these tips will elevate your cooking game and make your tender chicken legs recipe truly exceptional.
- Should I Precook the Chicken?: There’s no need to precook the drumsticks before adding them to the crockpot. They will cook perfectly and become tender during the slow-cooking process.
- Meat Thermometer: To ensure perfectly cooked drumsticks, we recommend using a meat thermometer. Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the drumstick and check for an internal temperature of 165 degrees F.
- Marinade Chicken: For even more flavor and tenderness, marinate the chicken for about 2 hours before cooking. Place the drumsticks in a resealable plastic bag or a shallow dish and pour the BBQ sauce and seasonings over them.
What to Serve with BBQ Slow Cooker Drumsticks
Crock Pot Barbecue Chicken Drumsticks
Equipment
- Baking sheet, optional for broiling
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Ingredients
- 3 to 4 pounds Chicken drumsticks
- 1 cup Barbecue sauce
- 2 to 3 tablespoons Barbecue Seasoning
- ½ cup Water
Instructions
- Arrange the chicken drumsticks in an even layer in the slow cooker.
- Sprinkle the seasoning evenly over the drumsticks.
- Turn the drumsticks with tongs until they are evenly coated with the seasoning.
- Pour the barbecue sauce over the chicken.
- Turn the drumsticks again until they are evenly coated with the sauce.
- Pour the water around the edges of the slow cooker, being careful not to wash the sauce off the chicken.
- Cover and cook on Low for 5 to 6 hours or High for 2 to 3 hours, until the chicken is tender and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Remove the drumsticks from the slow cooker.
- For crispier skin, transfer the drumsticks to a foil-lined baking sheet and broil for 2 to 4 minutes, watching closely to prevent burning.
- Serve immediately with additional barbecue sauce, if desired.
Christina’s Notes
- There’s no need to brown or precook the chicken before adding it to the slow cooker. It cooks through perfectly during the slow cooking process.
- Toss the drumsticks thoroughly in both the seasoning and barbecue sauce so every piece is evenly coated.
- Use an instant-read thermometer to confirm the chicken reaches 165°F in the thickest part before serving.
- For even more flavor, marinate the chicken in the seasoning and barbecue sauce for up to 2 hours before slow cooking.
- Broiling for a few minutes after slow cooking gives the skin a crispier texture and caramelizes the barbecue sauce.
- Store leftover chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat gently in the microwave or a 350°F oven until warmed through.
- Scale the recipe: Simply adjust the serving size in the recipe card and the ingredients will update automatically.
- Make your own All Purpose Seasoning: When a recipe calls for All Purpose Seasoning, you can use my homemade All Purpose Seasoning recipe or substitute salt and pepper to taste.
- Meat doneness: I always use a meat thermometer to test for doneness when cooking meat.
- Use unsalted butter: I use unsalted butter so I can control the salt level in the recipe.
- Preheat the oven: Unless otherwise noted, always preheat your oven before baking.
For more helpful information about this recipe, such as variations, substitutions and other pro-tips, check out the blog post.
It’s called BBQ drumsticks, but recipe says legs?
Also, would they still be good if you remove the skin?
Thank you! Ally
Honestly the sauce works with anything you like to barbeque. You can definitely remove skin. However, the skin add moisture, flavor and improved texture to your chicken.