Oh my gosh, let me tell you about these drumsticks – they’re seriously the best crock pot drumsticks you’ll ever make! I stumbled upon this recipe years ago when I desperately needed an easy dinner solution, and now my family begs for it weekly. There’s something magical about how the chicken gets ridiculously tender while soaking up all that sweet, smoky barbecue flavor. The best part? You literally just toss everything in the pot and forget about it while the slow cooker works its magic. No fancy techniques, no babysitting – just juicy, fall-off-the-bone drumsticks waiting for you when you’re ready to eat. Trust me, once you try this lazy genius method, you’ll never look at chicken drumsticks the same way again!
Why You’ll Love These Best Crock Pot Drumsticks
Listen, these drumsticks are basically weeknight dinner superheroes – here’s why:
- Set-it-and-forget-it magic: Dump everything in the crock pot in the morning, come home to a house smelling like a barbecue joint
- Crazy tender meat: Those drumsticks practically melt off the bone – no knife required
- One pot wonder: Only one dish to wash (hallelujah!)
- Total crowd-pleaser: Kids devour them, adults go back for seconds
- Budget-friendly: Chicken drumsticks cost practically nothing but taste like a million bucks
Seriously, what’s not to love?
Ingredients for Best Crock Pot Drumsticks
Grab these simple ingredients – I bet you’ve got most in your pantry already! The magic’s in the details though, so pay attention to these little prep notes:
- 6 chicken drumsticks (about 1.5 lbs) – look for plump ones with even coloring
- 1 cup barbecue sauce – use your favorite bottled kind or homemade
- 1/4 cup packed brown sugar – press it into the measuring cup for accurate sweetness
- 1 tsp garlic powder – the secret flavor booster
- 1 tsp onion powder – adds that savory depth
- 1/2 tsp salt – balances all the flavors
- 1/2 tsp black pepper – freshly ground if you’ve got it
That’s it! No fancy ingredients, just great flavors that work together beautifully in the slow cooker.
How to Make Best Crock Pot Drumsticks
Okay, let’s get cooking! This is seriously the easiest recipe ever, but I’ll walk you through each step because even simple things deserve perfect execution. You’re about to make the most insanely tender, flavor-packed drumsticks with barely any effort – promise!
Preparing the Sauce
First things first – the sauce! Grab a medium bowl and dump in your barbecue sauce. Now here’s my little trick: always taste your sauce first to see how sweet or tangy it is. Some store-bought brands can be super sweet while others are more vinegary. This helps you adjust the other ingredients.
Add the brown sugar (pack it down in your measuring cup so you get the perfect amount), then sprinkle in all those spices – garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Now stir like crazy until everything’s completely combined and you’ve got this gorgeous, glossy sauce that smells absolutely incredible. If you’re feeling fancy, let it sit for 5 minutes so the flavors can mingle before you pour it over the chicken.
Cooking the Drumsticks
Place those beautiful drumsticks right in your crock pot – no need to grease it or anything. Pour your amazing sauce all over them, making sure each piece gets coated. Now here’s the important part: the cooking time.
For melt-in-your-mouth tenderness, go with 6 hours on LOW. This is my preferred method because the chicken just falls apart beautifully. But if you’re in a hurry, 3 hours on HIGH works too – the meat will still be juicy, just slightly firmer.
How do you know they’re done? The meat should pull away from the bone easily with a fork, and internal temperature should hit 165°F if you’re checking. But honestly? After 6 hours in my slow cooker, these babies are always perfect.
Serving Suggestions
Ohhh the possibilities! These drumsticks are amazing with simple sides that soak up that delicious sauce. My family loves them with:
- Creamy coleslaw (that crunch is perfect!)
- Buttery mashed potatoes
- Cornbread for scooping up extra sauce
- Grilled corn on the cob in summer
Don’t forget extra napkins – things are about to get deliciously messy!
Tips for Perfect Best Crock Pot Drumsticks
Want to take these drumsticks from good to insanely good? Here are all my hard-earned secrets:
- Crispy skin hack: After slow cooking, pop drumsticks under the broiler for 3-5 minutes – watch them like a hawk though! That caramelized crust makes all the difference.
- Sauce too thin? Pour the juices into a saucepan and simmer until thickened, then drizzle back over your drumsticks.
- Line your crock pot with foil for zero cleanup – lazy genius move!
- Don’t peek! Every time you lift the lid, you add 15-20 minutes to cooking time. Resist the urge!
- Fresh drumsticks only – frozen ones release too much water and dilute your amazing sauce.
Trust me, these little tricks make all the difference between “pretty good” and “OMG-can-I-have-your-recipe” amazing!
Ingredient Substitutions
Ran out of something? No worries! Here’s how to adapt this recipe with what you’ve got:
- Brown sugar substitute: Try honey or maple syrup – just reduce other liquids slightly since these are thinner
- No barbecue sauce? Mix ketchup with a splash of vinegar and a dash of liquid smoke for quick DIY version
- Spice alternatives: Use 1 tbsp fresh minced garlic instead of powder, or swap onion powder for 1/4 cup finely diced onions
- Want less sweet? Skip the brown sugar and add a teaspoon of mustard for tang
See? Improvising is easy – the drumsticks will still turn out amazing!
Storage and Reheating
Leftovers? Lucky you! These drumsticks taste even better the next day. Store them in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days – sauce and all. To reheat, I just pop them in the microwave for 1-2 minutes until steaming hot. If you’re feeling fancy, warm them in a 350°F oven for about 10 minutes to get that freshly-cooked texture again. The sauce keeps everything super moist!
Nutritional Information
Okay, let’s talk numbers – but remember, these are just estimates since brands and portion sizes vary. For one juicy drumstick with sauce, you’re looking at:
- 250 calories
- 22g protein (hello, muscle fuel!)
- 20g carbs (mostly from that delicious sauce)
- 10g fat
Not bad for something that tastes this indulgent! The exact amounts will depend on your specific barbecue sauce and chicken size, but this gives you a solid ballpark.
FAQs About Best Crock Pot Drumsticks
I get asked about these drumsticks all the time – here are the most common questions that come up:
Can I use frozen drumsticks?
Honestly? I don’t recommend it. Frozen chicken releases too much liquid as it cooks, making your sauce watery and less flavorful. If you must use frozen, thaw them completely first and pat very dry to remove excess moisture. Your drumsticks will thank you!
How can I make the sauce thicker?
If your sauce looks too thin after cooking, here’s my trick: transfer the drumsticks to a plate, then pour the juices into a saucepan. Simmer on medium heat for 5-10 minutes until reduced to your desired thickness – it’ll concentrate those amazing flavors too!
Can I make these drumsticks ahead?
Absolutely! These are actually perfect meal prep material. Cook them as usual, let cool, then store in the fridge for up to 3 days. The flavors meld even more while they sit. Just reheat gently before serving.
What if I don’t have a crock pot?
No slow cooker? No problem! You can make these in a Dutch oven at 300°F for about 2 hours – just check frequently so they don’t dry out. The texture won’t be quite as fall-off-the-bone tender, but still delicious!
Can I use other chicken pieces?
Sure thing! Thighs work beautifully with this method – just adjust cooking time to 5-6 hours on low. For breasts, reduce to 4 hours max so they don’t dry out. Drumsticks remain my favorite though – they’re made for slow cooking!
Did these drumsticks become your new favorite too? I’d love to hear about it! Leave a comment below with your thoughts or any fun twists you tried – your tips might help another home cook discover their perfect meal!
PrintIrresistible Best Crock Pot Drumsticks Recipe in Just 6 Hours
Delicious and tender drumsticks cooked slowly in a crock pot for maximum flavor.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 6 hours
- Total Time: 6 hours 10 mins
- Yield: 6 drumsticks 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Calorie
Ingredients
- 6 chicken drumsticks
- 1 cup barbecue sauce
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Place drumsticks in the crock pot.
- Mix barbecue sauce, brown sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
- Pour the sauce over the drumsticks.
- Cover and cook on low for 6 hours or high for 3 hours.
- Serve hot.
Notes
- For crispier skin, broil drumsticks for 5 minutes after cooking.
- Adjust sauce ingredients to taste.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 drumstick
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 500mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
