Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Drumsticks feature an easy Homemade BBQ Sauce that is to die for! Everything cooks together in the crock pot and at the end of the day you’re ready to eat! This is our go-to easy family meal when we are craving homemade bbq chicken.
Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Drumsticks
I love a good bbq dish, but with a busy schedule and a little one running around, making it to our favorite bbq joint isn’t always possible. Thankfully, when I’m craving my weakness, bbq chicken drumsticks, I can make them any time of year, without ever having to leave the house!
This amazing slow cooker bbq chicken recipe isn’t done on the grill, or in the oven. I know, skipping both of those options when it comes to making bbq might sound crazy but just trust me!
Just grab your handy slow cooker and get ready to have some of the best bbq you’ve tasted in a while! Juicy slow cooked chicken drumsticks drenched in a sweet but spicy homemade bbq sauce will leave you coming back for seconds and maybe even thirds!
How To Make Homemade Crockpot BBQ Chicken
Making bbq chicken at home doesn’t have to be a hassle and you don’t need a big fancy grill or smoker to get the restaurant style quality either! For this meal, you just throw everything in your slow cooker and let it do it’s magic! Just look at home simple these directions are!
You just stir together all the ingredients except the chicken in a small bowl, then place chicken in a large slow cooker set on low heat. Next, pour the ketchup mixture over the chicken, using a spoon to make sure all the chicken is coated and cook on low until the chicken is fully cooked.
After chicken is cooked, you can serve as is or take a portion of the bbq sauce/cooking liquid and heat in a saucepan. Bring to a boil and then reduce to a simmer until it’s thickened to your liking.
What You’ll Need To Make Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken
What I love even more than the simplicity of just throwing this in the crockpot, is that it doesn’t call for any obscure ingredients. Most everything on this list is stuff I have on hand at almost any given time, which make for the perfect throw together dinner.
Simply pick up these simple ingredients and you’ll be good to go!
- ketchup
- orange juice
- packed dark brown sugar
- red wine vinegar
- olive oil
- honey
- minced fresh parsley
- garlic powder
- kosher salt
- black pepper
- water
- cornstarch
- chicken drumsticks
- Crockpot/slow cooker
Can I Make This Homemade BBQ Chick in A Pressure Cooker?
If you want to make this recipe a little faster, you can definitely throw it into your pressure cooker. You’ll just need to see the directions below for a few modifications.
Place the chicken legs on the trivet and Pour the homemade bbq sauce on the legs and spread with a basting brush.
Lock the lid of the Instant pot and cook on high pressure for 10 minutes, followed by a 10-minute natural pressure release. Release the rest of the pressure manually, then when the pin drops, remove the lid.
Can I Use A Different Type Of Chicken?
I personally like this recipe best with chicken drumsticks but you can still use other types of chicken too. Chicken breasts, tenderloins, or thighs will all work fine for this recipe.
Secrets For Amazing Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken at Home
- Don’t cook it too high: Make sure to keep the heat on low at all times for this recipe. If you try to speed up the cooking time by raising the temperature, you run the risk of drying out the meat or possibly undercooking the meat.
- Thicken the sauce: For a really thick and flavorful sauce, you’ll want to take one extra step after removing everything from the saucepan. Take 2 cups of the bbq sauce/cooking liquid and heat in a saucepan. Bring to a boil and then reduce to a simmer until it’s thickened to your liking.
- Use fresh ingredients: Be sure your ingredient used for the sauce are as fresh as possible. Old spices and other ingredients can lower the intensity of the flavor and leave you with a bland sauce that won’t wow anyone. So, just remember to check your expiration dates. If you’re wondering how long your spices last, check out this great guide to storing spices.
Make It A Party
Barbecue is a backyard party’s best friend so next time you’re having all your friends over for a little summer get together, skip the messy grill and make this slow cooker bbq chicken instead!
Don’t forget to throw together a few backyard party staples as well! Here are a few I always keep in my back pocket.
Cranberry Orange Spiked Sweet Tea
No-Bake Raspberry Cheesecake with Cookie Crust
Love This Recipe? Then You Have To Check Out These!
My motto is always that you can never have too many chicken recipes. So why not add some more to your dinner menu for the week! Here are a few of my favorite quick and easy recipes to make during busy nights!
- Baked Chicken Cordon Bleu Recipe
- Honey Soy Chicken Drumsticks
- Blood Orange Chicken Thighs Recipe
- Buffalo Wings Recipe
- Honey Garlic Chicken and Veggies
Drool-Worthy Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken
You can never have too many recipes that are this easy, so why not add this one to your recipe list? With a bbq chicken this delicious and simple to throw together, dinner will be a breeze! These chicken drumsticks are my new obsession, and I know you’re going to be obsessed with them too!
Be sure to check out my other recipe and fun updates on Facebook and Instagram, so you never miss a new post!
Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Drumsticks
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup ketchup
- 1/3 cup orange juice
- 1/4 cup packed dark brown sugar
- 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 cup water
- 2.5 tablespoons cornstarch
- 8-10 chicken drumsticks
Instructions
- In a small bowl, stir together all the ingredients except the chicken.
- Place chicken in a large slow cooker set on low heat.
- Pour the ketchup mixture over the chicken, using a spoon to make sure all the chicken is coated.
- Cook for 5-6 hours on low or until chicken is fully cooked.
- After chicken is cooked, you can serve as is or take 2 cups of the bbq sauce/cooking liquid and heat in a saucepan. Bring to a boil and then reduce to a simmer until it's thickened to your liking.
- Enjoy!
Toni says
These were really amazing! It was a huge hit!
Becky Hardin says
SO happy to hear that!
Debbie says
made this with chicken breast and added one finely sliced onion, was very good, I also made it with chicken meatballs and served on sub buns with mozzarella cheese, what a versatile easy to prepare sauce, we all love it
Becky Hardin says
I love the idea of chicken meatballs!!!
DONNA ACHEE says
Hi Becky: I have a question on this recipe. Can the skin be removed or would that dry out the drumsticks?
Becky Hardin says
I wouldn’t recommend doing that because you’re right, it might dry things out. But you definitely can if you prefer it that way. The sauce will help keep things great.
John says
I found it easy to make taste was great my wife is a great cook after made this she says she’s the cook I am the chef
Becky Hardin says
Thanks for sharing!