Crockpot BBQ Chicken Drumsticks

Instructions

1. Prepare the Chicken: Carefully unwrap the chicken drumsticks. Pat them thoroughly dry with paper towels. This step is crucial for helping the seasonings adhere and preventing the chicken from becoming watery.
2. Season the Chicken: In a large bowl, place the dried chicken drumsticks. Sprinkle the garlic powder, smoked paprika, black pepper, and optional salt evenly over the chicken. Toss gently with your hands or tongs to ensure all drumsticks are well coated with the seasoning mix.
3. Arrange in Crockpot: Place the seasoned chicken drumsticks in a single layer at the bottom of your 6-quart or larger slow cooker. If you have a smaller slow cooker, you may need to stack them slightly, but try to keep them as spread out as possible for even cooking.
4. Add Butter and Sauce: Distribute the pieces of butter evenly over the chicken drumsticks. Pour the entire bottle of BBQ sauce over the chicken, making sure to coat each drumstick as much as possible.
5. Cook on Low: Cover the slow cooker with its lid. Cook on the LOW setting for 3.5 to 4 hours, or until the chicken is incredibly tender and easily pulls away from the bone. The exact cooking time can vary slightly depending on your slow cooker model and the size of the drumsticks. Avoid lifting the lid frequently, as this releases heat and extends the cooking time.
6. Check for Doneness: The internal temperature of the chicken should reach a minimum of 165°F (74°C) when measured with a meat thermometer. However, for fall-off-the-bone tenderness, it’s often best to cook until it reaches around 175-185°F (79-85°C).
7. Optional Broiling Step (for Crispier Skin): If you desire a slightly crispy, caramelized skin, carefully remove the cooked drumsticks from the slow cooker and place them on a foil-lined baking sheet. Brush with additional BBQ sauce from the crockpot if desired. Broil on high for 3-5 minutes, watching them carefully to prevent burning, until the sauce is bubbly and slightly caramelized.
8. Serve: Transfer the BBQ chicken drumsticks to a serving platter. Drizzle with any remaining sauce from the slow cooker (or from the broiler pan if you broiled them). Garnish with fresh chopped parsley, if using, for a touch of color and freshness. Serve hot with your favorite sides.

Cooking Tips and Variations

To ensure your Crockpot BBQ Chicken Drumsticks are always a resounding success, consider these helpful tips and exciting variations:

• Pat Dry for Better Flavor: Don’t skip the step of patting the chicken drumsticks dry with paper towels. Excess moisture can dilute the sauce and prevent the seasonings from adhering properly, resulting in less flavorful chicken.
• Choose Your BBQ Sauce Wisely: The type of BBQ sauce you choose will significantly impact the final flavor. Experiment with different brands and styles. For a sweeter chicken, opt for a Kansas City-style sauce. For a tangier profile, a Carolina-style sauce might be better. If you like heat, look for a spicy BBQ sauce. Homemade BBQ sauce can also elevate this dish to another level.
• Don’t Be Afraid of Butter: The butter isn’t just for flavor; it also helps to tenderize the chicken and adds a lovely richness to the sauce, preventing it from drying out.
• Resist the Urge to Peek: Every time you lift the lid of your slow cooker, you release a significant amount of heat, which can add 20-30 minutes to your cooking time. Trust the process and let your crockpot do its job.
• For a Thicker Sauce: If you find the sauce in the crockpot is too thin after cooking, you can thicken it. Remove the chicken, then transfer the sauce to a small saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium heat and cook, stirring occasionally, until it reduces and thickens to your desired consistency. Alternatively, you can mix 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of cold water to create a slurry, then stir it into the simmering sauce in the saucepan until thickened.
• Add a Smoky Boost: For an even deeper smoky flavor, consider adding 1/2 teaspoon of liquid smoke along with the BBQ sauce. This is especially good if you’re missing that grilled BBQ taste.
• Spice It Up: If you love a bit of heat, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a dash of hot sauce along with the other seasonings. You can also dice a jalapeño or serrano pepper and add it to the crockpot for a fresh spicy kick.
• Vary the Chicken Cut: This recipe works beautifully with other bone-in, skin-on chicken pieces like thighs or even a mix of drumsticks and thighs. Adjust cooking time slightly if using larger or smaller pieces. Boneless, skinless chicken can also be used, but the cooking time will be significantly shorter (around 2-3 hours on low) and the texture will be different.
• Make it a One-Pot Meal: To add vegetables, consider layering chopped onions, bell peppers, or even potato chunks at the bottom of the crockpot before adding the chicken. They will cook in the delicious BBQ sauce alongside the chicken.
• Caramelized Finish: The optional broiling step is highly recommended if you have the time. It creates a wonderfully sticky, slightly crispy, and caramelized exterior that mimics grilled BBQ chicken and locks in even more flavor.

Storage and Reheating

Proper storage and reheating ensure your delicious Crockpot BBQ Chicken Drumsticks remain tasty and safe to eat for days to come.

• Storage: Allow the cooked chicken drumsticks to cool completely to room temperature (within 2 hours of cooking). Transfer the drumsticks and any remaining BBQ sauce to an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. For longer storage, you can freeze the chicken drumsticks and sauce in a freezer-safe container or freezer bags for up to 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
• Reheating in the Oven: This method is ideal for crisping up the skin again. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the drumsticks on a baking sheet, optionally brushing with a little extra BBQ sauce. Heat for 15-20 minutes, or until heated through and the skin is slightly crispy.
• Reheating in the Microwave: For a quick reheat, place 1-2 drumsticks on a microwave-safe plate. Cover loosely with a paper towel to prevent splattering. Heat on high for 1-2 minutes, flipping halfway through, or until heated through. Be cautious not to overheat, as this can dry out the chicken.
• Reheating on the Stovetop: If you have a good amount of sauce, you can reheat the drumsticks gently in a skillet over medium-low heat. Add a splash of water or broth if the sauce is too thick. Cover and simmer, turning occasionally, until heated through.

Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of BBQ sauce is best for this recipe?

The best BBQ sauce is truly a matter of personal preference! This recipe is incredibly versatile. You can use a classic sweet and smoky Kansas City-style sauce, a tangy Carolina-style sauce, a spicier Texas-style sauce, or even a homemade blend. We recommend using a good quality, thicker sauce that you genuinely enjoy the flavor of, as it forms the base of the dish’s taste. Stubb’s Original, as seen in the image, is a great choice, but feel free to experiment with your favorites!

Can I use frozen chicken drumsticks?

While it’s generally recommended to use thawed chicken for safety and best results, you technically can cook frozen chicken drumsticks in a slow cooker. However, you will need to significantly increase the cooking time (by at least 2-3 hours on low) to ensure the chicken reaches a safe internal temperature throughout. It’s also harder for seasonings and sauce to penetrate frozen meat, so the flavor might not be as intense. For optimal flavor and tenderness, thawing the chicken completely in the refrigerator before cooking is always the best approach.

My sauce is too thin/too thick after cooking. What can I do?

If your sauce is too thin, carefully remove the chicken from the crockpot. Transfer the sauce to a saucepan and simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until it reduces and thickens to your desired consistency. You can also mix 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of cold water to create a slurry, then stir it into the simmering sauce in the saucepan. If your sauce is too thick, simply stir in a tablespoon or two of chicken broth, water, or even apple cider vinegar until it reaches your preferred consistency.

Can I cook this on the high setting?

While you technically can cook the drumsticks on the HIGH setting, we generally recommend cooking on LOW for chicken drumsticks. The longer, slower cooking time on LOW allows the chicken to become incredibly tender and juicy, practically falling off the bone, and helps the flavors meld beautifully. Cooking on HIGH can sometimes lead to drier chicken, especially with bone-in cuts. If you’re in a rush, cooking on HIGH for 2-2.5 hours might work, but keep a close eye on it to prevent overcooking and dryness.