Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Drumsticks Recipe

4.61 from 41 votes

Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Drumsticks Recipe

Juicy chicken drumsticks are easy to make in a Crockpot, with a homemade orange BBQ sauce. Make slow cooker chicken legs for easy dinners or game day appetizers!

Prep Time10

Cook Time5

Total Time5 10

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Servings:

Calories: 523kcal

Author: Becky Hardin

Equipment

6-Qt Crockpot

Ingredients

8 bone-in, skin-on chicken drumsticks *
¾ cup ketchup
⅓ cup orange juice from 1-2 oranges**
¼ cup dark brown sugar
¼ cup red wine vinegar ***
¼ cup olive oil
2 tablespoons honey
2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley
½ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon kosher salt
½ teaspoon ground black pepper
¼ cup water
2½ tablespoons cornstarch

Instructions

Place the chicken drumsticks in a large Crockpot set to low heat.
8 bone-in, skin-on chicken drumsticks
In a small bowl, stir together the ketchup, orange juice, brown sugar, red wine vinegar, olive oil, honey, minced parsley, garlic powder, salt, pepper, water, and cornstarch.
¾ cup ketchup, ⅓ cup orange juice, ¼ cup dark brown sugar, ¼ cup red wine vinegar, ¼ cup olive oil, 2 tablespoons honey, 2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon kosher salt, ½ teaspoon ground black pepper, ¼ cup water, 2½ tablespoons cornstarch
Pour the BBQ sauce mixture over the chicken, using a spoon to make sure all the chicken is coated.
Cook for 5-6 hours on low, or until the chicken reaches 165°F.
Optional: Pour 2 cups of the leftover BBQ sauce/cooking liquid in a saucepan set over medium-high heat. Bring it to a boil and then reduce to a simmer until it's thickened to your liking.
Toss or brush the drumsticks with the sauce and serve.

Video

Notes

*This recipe also works well with bone-in chicken thighs. Dark meat is ideal for the slow cooker because it stays juicy and forgiving, even after several hours on low.

**Apple or pineapple juice both work great here, too!

***Apple cider vinegar is a great substitute. White vinegar also works, but I recommend reducing to 2 tablespoons to avoid too strong of a flavor.

Tips:

Use a Crockpot liner for easy cleanup!
I love this quick and easy homemade BBQ sauce recipe, but of course, you can use 1½-2 cups of your favorite store-bought BBQ sauce to make this recipe even easier.
Don't overcrowd the crockpot, or your drumsticks will steam rather than braising, which can make the skin gummy.
Always cook drumsticks on LOW for the full time. Cooking on high can cause the sauce to scorch while the meat stays undercooked near the bone.
Properly cooked drumsticks should read 165°F when probed at their thickest point. Cooking time may vary based on the size of your drumsticks and your model of Crockpot.
These drumsticks are designed to be moist and juicy. For crispy skin, lay them out on a lined baking sheet and broil for 3-5 minutes at the end of cooking.
The cornstarch helps the sauce lightly thicken as it cooks, but you’ll still need to simmer it on the stovetop for a thicker, glossy BBQ sauce. If it gets too thick, add a splash of water or orange juice.

Storage: Store BBQ chicken drumsticks in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 days, or freeze for 3 months.

Nutrition