Crockpot Drumsticks
Our Crockpot Chicken Drumsticks require only 4 pantry ingredients and come out moist and delicious every time. Not only are they gluten-free and dairy-free but they work great as a make-ahead freezer meal too. All ages love these.
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Why Chicken Drumsticks made in the Slow Cooker are the Bomb
No matter the stage of life you are in, dinnertime can be a challenge. Whether you have a fussy toddler on your hip or find yourself busy with kid activities in the evening, sometimes we just need a no-brainer meal that everyone will like.
That’s why I am obsessed with this super simple recipe that:
- Requires only 4 pantry ingredients to season the drumsticks. (Boom!)
- Can be doubled and a second batch frozen for later to save time. (See our freezing instructions below.)
- Is gluten-free and dairy-free.
- Leaves amazing homemade chicken broth in the cooker when you’re done, which you can freeze for later.
- Everyone in the family enjoys them! I love a kid-friendly freezer meal!
Plus, making these chicken drumsticks in the slow cooker, in particular, results in fall-apart tender and moist chicken on the bone. With a few minutes under the broiler at the end, you’ll have a crispy and perfectly seasoned dinner ready to go in no time.
Ingredients You’ll Need
So…”what is the secret mix of 4 pantry seasonings you need to bring bland drumsticks to life?” you ask. I’ll tell ya…
We use a blend of seasonings that Polly’s mom (Janny) used regularly to prepare chicken-on-the-bone for her family while growing up. We had a hunch Janny’s salty-savory mix was the right blend for our chicken drumsticks. After several tests by us and our cookbook testing team–who still rave about this recipe–we were right!
Here is the 4-ingredient seasoning line-up:
- Garlic Salt
- Onion Salt
- Celery Salt
- Poultry Seasoning
Keep these on hand and use the same blend for all cuts of chicken or even pork, too.
How to Make Crockpot Chicken Drumsticks
Watch this 1 minute video to see how easy it is to make drumsticks in your Crockpot.
Can I make Drumsticks in the Instant Pot?
Oh yes! We love a recipe that can be made in both the slow cooker AND the Instant Pot. The great news is, these drumsticks work in both!
Here is a whole post for our Instant Pot 4-Ingredient Drumsticks.
How to Make This Recipe Into a Freezer Meal
When you combine the magical powers of the Crockpot AND freezer cooking, you practically set yourself up for hands-free cooking. That’s because after you safely thaw your chicken, you can just dump it all into the Crockpot, push a button, and you’re done!
Freezer Meal Instructions for Drumsticks
Freeze for Later: Follow step 1. Place the seasoned chicken and the broth in a gallon-size freezer bag. Seal and freeze.
Prepare From Frozen: Safely thaw your chicken. Then, just follow the cooking instructions! Here is how long to cook chicken in the slow cooker by the way. Hint: You have probably been overcooking it!
Want More Crockpot Freezer Meals?
We have an amazing collection of Crockpot Freezer Meals. Make sure to hop over and browse around.
What to Serve with Chicken Drumsticks
Next up is figuring out what to serve with these crispy drumsticks. We recommend going simple and kid-friendly. Try some of these favorites…
Creamy Mashed Potatoes (in the Instant Pot)
Oven Roasted Broccoli
Sweet and Savory Roasted Carrots
Bottom Line: Whether you want a healthy, kid-friendly dinner or a freezer meal on hand for later, we think you’ll love the simplicity of these 4-Ingredient Chicken Drumsticks!
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PinIngredients
- 1 ½ tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 ½ teaspoons paprika
- 1 ½ teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 ½ teaspoons onion powder
- 1 ½ teaspoons salt
- ¾ teaspoon ground black pepper
- About 3 pounds bone-in, skin-on chicken drumsticks (we get ours from ButcherBox)
- 2 cups BBQ Sauce, store-bought or our homemade version
Instructions
Make It Now:
- In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Sprinkle the seasoning evenly over the drumsticks and rub it in to coat all sides. (Freezing instructions begin here.)
- Place the seasoned drumsticks in the slow cooker and cover with 1 cup of the BBQ sauce. Cover and cook on Low for 3 to 4 hours or until cooked through.
- Position the top oven rack about 6 inches below the broiler. Preheat the broiler. Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil. (Note: You can also use the grill for this step instead of the broiler, placing the drumsticks directly on the grill.)
- Use tongs to place the drumsticks on the prepared baking sheet; discard any liquid. Brush the chicken with ¼ cup of BBQ sauce and broil until the chicken starts to brown and look crispy, 2 to 3 minutes. Flip the chicken over, brush with another ¼ cup BBQ sauce, and broil until the skin begins to brown and look crispy, 2 to 3 minutes more.
- Serve warm with remaining BBQ sauce on the side.
Freeze For Later: Follow Step 1. Place the seasoned chicken and 1 cup of the BBQ sauce in the bag. Try not to stack the drumsticks in the bag; instead, place them flat, side by side. Use parchment paper to divide layers, if needed. Seal, toss to coat, and freeze flat. Pour the remaining BBQ sauce into a small freezer bag or container, seal, and freeze alongside the chicken.
Prepare From Frozen: Completely thaw meal kit. Follow the cooking instructions above.
Notes
Here are instructions on how to make BBQ drumsticks in the Instant Pot
