Incredible Slow Cooker Drumsticks (4-Ingredients!)
Get succulent, fall-off-the-bone meat with almost zero effort with this incredibly easy slow cooker drumsticks recipe that just uses 4 ingredients! It’s a budget-friendly, crowd-pleasing, dump-and-go meal, that yields 3 pounds of chicken legs in the crockpot. Perfect for weeknight dinner, feeding a crowd, parties, game day and more.
5 star review
““These are incredible” “We need to make these all the time” – my husband”
– Lauren
Fall Off the Bone Chicken Legs in the Crockpot!
Say hello to the ultimate dump slow cooker recipe! Crispy, tender, and slightly sweet and spicy, these BBQ chicken drumsticks have become a weekly staple in our household because they are so delicious, budget-friendly and wildly easy! As a healthy habits expert, I’m always trying to streamline dinner recipes that are high in protein, great for meal prep, and perfect for busy school or sports nights; and this recipe ticks all those boxes (similar to my slow cooker bbq chicken, which uses chicken breasts and my slow cooker bbq chicken thighs).
These crockpot drumsticks just use a simple spice rub and some BBQ sauce (use your favorite brand), and then the crockpot does the rest of the work — no extra liquid required! The slow cooker does wonders at producing the most flavorful and tender drumsticks, and an optional quick broil at the end gives that crispy, caramelized skin we all love.
Just keep an eye on the drumsticks under the broiler since they can burn quickly (don’t ask me how I know–lol). And if the slow cooker isn’t an option but you still want fall-off-the-bone tender drumsticks try my oven baked BBQ drumsticks recipe. Pair this one with a simple side dish like quick dill pickle slaw for an easy weeknight dinner, or make a big batch for hosting a large group.
Welcome to My Kitchen! Let’s Make Slow Cooker Drumsticks
Why Use the Slow Cooker for Drumsticks
The slow cooker is honestly the best way to cook drumsticks in my opinion. First of all, it makes the process is just so simple. Just toss the meat with the seasoning, add the meat and BBQ sauce to the crock pot, let the crock pot do the work while you check things off your to-do list, and then finish off the drumsticks in the broiler (which is totally optional). You don’t even need to chop a single ingredient! In addition, the slow cooker allows the meat to get fall-off-the-bone tender and to really absorb all the flavors.
Can You Use Chicken Wings?
Chicken wings actually work really well in this recipe! Just reduce the cooking time to 1-3 hours on high or 2-4 hr on low. For the broiler step, broil for 1-2 minutes per side and keep your eye on them as they can burn easily.
This Recipe Is…
Incredible Slow Cooker Drumsticks (4-Ingredients!)
Ingredients
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 2 teaspoons granulated garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 3 pounds chicken drumsticks
- 1 ½ cups BBQ sauce
Equipment
Instructions
- Mix together the paprika, garlic powder, and salt in a small bowl.
- Place the chicken drumsticks in a 6-quart slow cooker. Sprinkle with the spice mixture and toss to coat. Pour over ½ cups of of the bbq sauce and smooth to cover the tops of the chicken legs.
- Cover and cook on high for 2-4 hours or low for 4-6, or until the chicken is cooked through and very tender.
For Crispy Skin
- Carefully remove to a foil lined broiler safe pan. Discard the remaining cooking liquid, or strain and reserve for another use. Brush all sides of the chicken legs with remaining 1 cup of the bbq sauce, then broil on high for 2-4 minutes, flip, then broil an additional 2 minutes or until just starting to crisp, watching it carefully to avoid burning. *Trust me, don't walk away or the chicken will burn.
Notes
- Sugar content and nutritional information will depend on the specific BBQ sauce used.
This is definitely going into rotation at our house. So easy and delicious. The only thing I did differently was use 5lbs of drumsticks but kept the other measurements the same. Perfection!
Yay, Julie, so happy to hear you enjoyed this one! Thanks for the tip on using more drumsticks, too, I’m sure that will help others. Thanks for leaving a reveiw!
Easy, flavorful, fall off the bone chicken. Served it with roasted veggies and a side salad. Will definitely be making it again!
Wonderful to hear you enjoyed this one! Thanks so much for leaving a review!
“These are incredible” “We need to make these all the time” – my husband
Lauren, love it when such an easy recipe is such a hit! Thanks so much for sharing your review!
Another winning recipe from Robyn — thank you! This was so easy to prepare and full of flavor. Everyone in the house really enjoyed it.
Fantastic, so happy to hear you enjoyed, Heather! Thanks so much for leaving a review. 🙂
Any recipe that all 4 in the family will eat is a huge win! This will be on repeat!
Huge win, indeed, Stephanie! Thanks so much for leaving a review. 🙂
My boys 10 and 13 love these drumsticks! So easy and tasty. Broiling at the end gave them that perfect crisp. I served it with cornbread and coleslaw. Delicious!
Yay, love hearing this, Stephanie! Thanks so much for leaving a review!
I have made this recipie before and am making it today it’s one of the easiest dinners I’ve ever made in slow cooker. It cooks in a short time and we loved it.
Tammy, wonderful to hear this one has been such a hit. I appreciate you taking the time to leave a review, too!
I’ve made it his a few times now since I first stumbled across this recipe.. My family loves it there isnt any leftovers either!!
Wonderful to hear this one has become a family favorite, Katrena! Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts!
It is super good!!! I do have a question though, how long should we cook it if the drumsticks are frozen?
Hi Jacey, for food safety reasons I can’t recommend cooking chicken from frozen in the slow cooker, so it’s best if you can thaw frozen drumsticks in the fridge overnight before making this one.
Super!!
So glad you enjoyed these chicken drumsticks, thanks so much for leaving a review!
If you don’t have smoked paprika could you sub regular paprika with a bit of chili powder? Thanks! Lisa
Hi Lisa, yes, that will work. You’ll miss the smokey BBQ flavor the smoked paprika adds, but the results will still be yummy. I hope you enjoy!
Thank you for the simplicity of this recipe.
You’re so welcome, so happy to hear you enjoyed, Sarah, thanks so much for leaving a review!
could you substitute chicken thighs instead? what about boneless?
Thanks
Hi Kat, here’s a recipe for bbq slow cooker boneless chicken thighs!
Thanks!!
Kat, you’re so welcome!
I don’t have bbq sauce but can I use garlic Parmesan sauce or mild buffalo sauce?
Carrie, I haven’t tested it, but I think mild buffalo sauce should work well in place of BBQ sauce for this recipe! I hope you enjoy.
My family enjoyed every bite. I didn’t have paprika, and I used Cayenne, it was awesome. Super easy and a 10/10 thank you.
Nikkie, I love the idea of swapping the paprika of cayenne for an extra kick. Thanks for sharing your tips and for leaving a reivew!
Trying it soon sounds yummy
I hope you enjoy Carolyn!
These drumsticks were delicious. I’ve never seen a chicken bone so clean, the meat slid off completely. I cooked an 1.5 lbs and should of checked it earlier than 4hrs. They registered at 190° but they were still tender and juicy. Thanks for the recipe.
So glad to hear you enjoyed this one, Jennifer! And great notes on cook time–since all slow cookers cook at slightly different temperatures I’m sure this will be helpful to other as well. Thanks for sharing your tips and for leaving a review!
Do you mean to pour 1 and 1/2 cup BBQ sauce??? the ingredence says 1 1/2 cups sauce but directions say to pour on 1/2 cup sauce?????
Hi Kay, the directions are correct. If you read the full recipe you’ll see-add 1/2 cup of the bbq sauce while cooking in the slow cooker, then brush the remaining 1 cup over the legs when they go in the oven. I hope you enjoy!
This was delicious! I had 5 lbs of drumsticks so I adjusted the spice and sauce measurements up appropriately and cooked for an extra hour (7 hours total). Afterwards, I sauced and broiled just one side (the meat was really falling off the bone so I didn’t want to turn them). I was shocked by how good this was, really! So smokey and tender and tasted like they just came off a backyard grill! What a truly delicious and easy recipe! I will make this over and over! Thank you for sharing!
(Side note: most of the slow cooker chicken drumstick recipes I’ve made in the past called for skinless legs and I wasn’t sure if I should remove the skin. I did not and I’m glad I didn’t! I think that might be part of this recipe’s success for me. Also, I used bottled, Montgomery Inn BBQ sauce which I believe is a local brand.)
Great notes, David, thanks for sharing your thoughts and tips, and for leaving a review. And yes, leaving the skin allows for extra juicy chicken and that great crispy skin at the end. Yum!
Delicious! Served with green bean salad and mashed potatoes. 🙂 <3
Stepania, those sides sound delish with these drumsticks! Thanks for sharing your notes and for leaving a review!
I have a question about the crock pot. 6-qt is specified and that seems large for 3 lb. I’m making a half recipe and can use either a 2 or 3 quart. Which would you recommend? I’m giving this 5 stars because I KNOW it will be good!!
Hi Andrea, I like the 6-quart for this because it allows the chicken legs to be layered evenly without too much overlap and therefore more even cooking. However, a 2- or 3-quart slow cooker should also work with 1 1/2 pounds legs. I haven’t tested it, but might need to cook for less time – so start checking at 1.5 hours on high or 3 hours on low. A lot has to do with how hot your particular slow cooker cooks, so just check on the early side and you should be good to go. I hope you enjoy!
Can I air fry them after the crook pot to crispin them up?
Lesley, I haven’t tested the air fryer method, but I imagine it will work as well as the broiler method. You just want to make sure the chicken legs are in an even layer and keep an eye on time because they won’t need much given they are already cooked through and the BBQ sauce has sugar and can burn easily. If you give it a try let me know how it turns out – I’m sure your notes will be helpful to others!
Bloody beautiful that’s all I need to say
Glad you enjoyed this one, Craig, thanks for sharing your thoughts!