Slow Cooker BBQ or Buffalo Chicken Drumsticks or Legs is an easy, healthy, crock pot recipe, served plain or coated, oven broiled to crispy skin perfection!
Crockpot Chicken Drumsticks
There are so many pleasures in life; pets, music, art, birds singing, a good book, children laughing and, oh yes, chicken!
If chicken was a language, then I’d speak it fluently! There are so many awesome ways of making it and one of them is these Crockpot Chicken Drumsticks.
Chicken Legs, Drumsticks or Wings?
Chicken Legs and drumsticks are quite often used interchangeably. Just to clarify; a chicken leg is a drumstick and a thigh.
And there’s no doubt that wings are tasty. The Buffalo wing was born in 1964 in Buffalo, New York.
Generally deep-fried and coated with dipping sauce consisting of hot sauce and butter, they are great, but I recommend the drumstick as a great alternative given it’s meatier content.
More flavorful and juicier than chicken breasts, drumsticks and thighs are also easier on the wallet. Whether you choose the chicken leg or just the drumstick, slow cooking either one turn will out beautifully.
Crockpot Chicken Drumsticks or legs are easy to make and are fantastic with or without sauce! Place them in the slow cooker, finish them under the broiler and you’ve got crispy chicken that’s sublime!
Start with a simple spice rub. All it takes is 3 ingredients that you likely have in your pantry: salt, pepper and paprika.
Rub the spice mix all over the chicken legs and place inside the Crockpot. Once cooked, slide your chicken under the broiler to crisp the outside.
Included in these recipes are homemade sauces that you add after slow-cooking them. Super simple to make, these sauces are basted and baked right into the drumsticks, thighs or legs.
This dish is so delightful and delicious, it will become a family favorite they won’t be able to get enough of.
Baked-in Sauces
Here are three fabulous recipes baked into your chicken drumsticks or legs.
- Honey Barbecue Sauce – Sticky and sweet, I never had to twist my son’s arm to eat Crockpot Chicken Drumsticks or legs with this BBQ sauce. He simply adores it!
- Buffalo or Buffalo Wing Sauce – Crank up the heat as this calls for hot sauce and gives the chicken legs or drumsticks flare.
- Honey Glaze – The perfect amount of sweet that is pleasing to the palette.
All 3 sauces taste wonderful, so no matter which you one choose, you can’t go wrong.
Pick your favorite sauce and go to town.
Coated in sauce, you end up with sticky, gorgeous, tender Crockpot Chicken Drumsticks that taste out of this world!
Healthy Chicken Drumstick Slow Cooker Recipe
Using a slow cooker simplifies my life. It does most of the work, and I can choose meals that are healthy and easy to make, like this Healthy Chicken Drumstick Slow Cooker recipe.
Just add salt, pepper and paprika to plain chicken and you’ve got an easy and healthier version that is less messy to eat. Be prepared to be amazed at how flavorful this chicken will turn out!
Wholesome without sacrificing taste. No one will know how healthy it is, and that’s a good thing!
Crockpot Chicken Legs
Slow-cooked in sauce until bubbly and warm, these Crockpot Chicken Legs are loaded with flavor.
Recently, I’ve discovered a new way of cooking BBQ chicken legs that is nothing short of spectacular! Slow cook the chicken plain or with spices, then broil it in the oven.
This method does an amazing job of sealing in flavor and crisping up the chicken.
Or remove chicken from the slow cooker and broil. Then coat these Crockpot Chicken Legs in your favorite sauce.
Broil again.
Baste and serve.
If you’re content with slow-cooking these Crockpot Chicken Legs in the sauce without the use of the broiler, by all means, carry on. As they say, “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”.
So, I’ve listed the first published recipe below entitled, “Original Slow Cooker Barbecue Drumsticks”.
I still must urge you to give this new method a try.
Homey and comforting, it’s a definite keeper!
I appreciate what you have to say, so let me know what you think in the comments section below.
Here is our new, updated version of this recipe.
Ingredients in Slow Cooker BBQ or Buffalo Chicken Drumsticks
- 2-3 pounds chicken drumsticks, trimmed or 4 chicken leg quarters, trimmed
- paprika
- salt
- pepper
- cooking spray
How to make Slow Cooker BBQ or Buffalo Chicken Drumsticks
- Coat your slow cooker with cooking spray.
- In a large resealable bag, add paprika, salt and pepper and adjust until blended.
- Add chicken legs or drumsticks and toss until well-coated.
- Place inside slow cooker as evenly spaced as possible.
- Cover and cook on low until chicken is cooked and tender; 4 to 5 hours.
- Decide which sauce to use, if any.
- Adjust oven rack 6 inches from the broiler.
- Turn oven on to broil and allow it to preheat.
- Line a rimmed baking sheet with tin foil and a rack lightly coated in cooking spray.
- Place chicken pieces on top of the rack as evenly spaced as possible.
- Broil chicken until lightly browned and charred; about 10 minutes, flipping chicken halfway through broiling.
- Brush chicken with sauce (if using), and continue to broil until lightly charred; about 5 minutes, flipping and brushing chicken with more sauce halfway through broiling.
- With remaining sauce, finish brushing the chicken.
Serve and enjoy every bite.
Doesn’t that sound terrific?
Crockpot Buffalo Chicken Drumsticks
Slow cooking Crockpot Buffalo Chicken Drumsticks, then broiling them in BBQ or Buffalo sauce is quick, easy and oh so tasty.
The new method is another way of giving you drumsticks that taste outstanding. They turned out so well, I had to share it with you.
Eat one before baking the sauce right on each drumstick or leg.
Then you have the option of adding any sauce you want.
There are so many jaw-dropping drumstick recipes like honey garlic, teriyaki, honey mustard, chinese honey and so many more.
Dipping Sauce
Used as a dipping sauce, my husband adores this new method. There are a variety of sauces to choose from and he enjoys every single one of them!
You will find all the dipping recipes here and, in my opinion, they are all keepers! These dips are perfect for drumsticks, wings, vegetables and more!
Doesn’t get any better than that!
Homemade Buffalo Wing Sauce
Homemade everything tastes so much better than store-bought, especially sauces. By controlling what goes into it, the flavors can be savored and truly appreciated.
There aren’t many recipes out there that show you an easy and simple way of making homemade Buffalo Wing Sauce, so I urge you to give this one a try.
It takes some effort to make Barbecue Sauce, but making Buffalo Wing Sauce could not be easier. All it takes is hot sauce and melted butter. That’s it!
Whether you make barbecue or a buffalo sauce, it’s so worth it!
- ½ cup hot sauce
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 2 tablespoons molasses or honey
If sweet isn’t your thing, skip the honey or molasses. All that’s really required is butter and hot sauce. That’s all it takes to make this great sauce.
My son prefers more hot sauce, so I add a little extra.
To make this pleasant-tasting Homemade Buffalo Wing Sauce, all it takes are these 3 ingredients that you, most likely, already have in your home.
Blend in a small bowl and taste to see if it needs more molasses, honey or heat! Tasting is knowing that you’re making the perfect sauce for you.
Honey or Molasses?
The good news is that both honey and molasses contain vitamins and minerals, and we all know honey is produced by honeybees and has a unique flavor.
Molasses is a product made from sugar cane, doesn’t require refrigeration and will last up to 6 months. There are 3 types:
- Light – mild and sweet (recommended).
- Dark – full-bodied flavor and is used best in baked goods.
- Blackstrap – thick and bitter-tasting, it is not recommended for marinades and baking.
Honey was my ingredient of choice when making this sauce, until my late friend, Marcel told me to try molasses instead.
The difference was startling. Molasses made the sauce taste so much better, it was unbelievable!
So, I kissed honey goodbye and welcomed molasses with open arms.
Do not use Blackstrap molasses as it’s too bitter. You might not mind it and that’s fine. I tried it and wasn’t at all happy with the results.
This recipe yields 3/4 cup of the best Homemade Buffalo Wing Sauce you’ll ever make.
Use it as a dip or coat your chicken in it. Delicious either way, but my preference is to bake the drumsticks coated in sauce.
These sauces and chicken go so well together, talking about them makes my stomach growl.
For the coating, we include cornstarch in the sauce. The cornstarch thickens the sauce and helps the sauce stick to the drumsticks a little better.
The sauce will work with or without cornstarch as I’ve made this recipe without it for years and have never had a problem. I believe you are better off to include it.
If you prefer wings, check out Best Baked Crispy Wings. Cooked in the oven, then dipped or coated in Homemade Buffalo Wing Sauce, or any other sauce, the results are fantastic and that’s an understatement!
Baked in the oven, these Easy Buffalo Chicken Drumsticks is another fabulous recipe and is definitely worth a look.
Slow Cooker Honey BBQ Chicken Drumsticks
Slow Cooker Honey BBQ Chicken Drumsticks is a long-standing favorite in my home.
I remember seeing my son’s face smothered in sauce as he devoured these Slow Cooker Honey BBQ Chicken Drumsticks. Thinking about it, makes me smile and I sometimes wish he was still small.
I also wish I took more pictures. Regardless, back to the recipe!
Place barbecue sauce in a measuring cup and add some honey; a little at a time, until it tastes just the way you like it! That way, you control the sweetness of these Slow Cooker Honey BBQ Chicken Drumsticks.
Perfection guaranteed every time!
Homemade Easy Barbecue Sauce
Most store-bought barbecue sauces are so sweet, there’s no need to add much honey. By making Homemade Easy Barbecue Sauce, you are the master of the ingredients.
When making this recipe for the first time, start with the basics.
Quick Barbecue Sauce
- 3/4 – 1 cup ketchup
- 3 tablespoons molasses
- 1 tablespoon cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce
- salt to taste
- pepper or cayenne to taste
In a small bowl, whisk all the ingredients, then decide if you want to add any of the options listed below.
Start with 3/4 cup of ketchup and add the rest of the ingredients. If you add too much of anything, dilute the flavor by adding an additional 1/4 cup of ketchup.
Play around with the ingredients and see what you end up with. Don’t be afraid to try something new.
Taste as you go along so the results will be a personalized barbecue sauce that’s perfect for you.
Options
Check out these great options.
- 1-2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 2-4 tablespoons honey
- 1/8 – 1/4 teaspoon liquid smoke
- 1-2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1-2 teaspoons onion powder
- 1-2 tablespoons mustard, yellow or Dijon
- 1-2 teaspoons chili powder
- 1-2 teaspoons red pepper flakes
- 1-2 teaspoons minced chipotle chile in adobo
- 1 jalapeño chile pepper, stemmed, seeded, and minced
Keeping track of what you add will ensure a barbecue sauce tailored just to your liking. Isn’t that the way it should be?
Super easy, this Crockpot Buffalo or BBQ Chicken Drumstick recipe is lovely to make and the sauces couldn’t be tastier.
Try these once and it will become such a family staple, they won’t stop asking for it.
I can’t wait to hear what combinations you used to make the perfect barbecue sauce and how well your baked BBQ Chicken Drumsticks turned out!
Sharing your thoughts is very much appreciated as we’re all in this together.
Original Slow Cooker Barbecue Drumsticks Recipe
I’ve always been pleased with the Original Slow Cooker Barbecue Chicken Drumsticks recipe.
The outcome is never disappointing. So go ahead and enjoy these drumsticks or legs the original way if you would like!
- chicken drumsticks
- barbecue sauce
- liquid honey
- garlic
- Coat your slow cooker with cooking spray and place your drumsticks inside.
- Evenly distribute them as best as possible.
- In a medium bowl, combine BBQ sauce and honey.
- Taste to ensure it has the right amount of sweetness. Adjust as necessary and pour evenly over drumsticks.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 6-8 hours until done.
- Set oven to broil.
- Oven rack should be at least 5 or 6 inches below the broiler to ensure chicken doesn’t burn.
- Place tin foil in a rimmed baking sheet with a rack lightly coated in cooking spray.
- Remove drumsticks from the slow cooker with a large spoon or spatula. (Do not use tongs as the meat is so tender , it may fall off the bone).
- Put drumsticks on the rack.
- You will likely end up with a few dark, charred spots though, I always do and I love it.
- This extreme high heat crisps the outside of each chicken drumstick. Taste so much better.
- Leave the chicken in until you get some dark, charred spots; usually takes just a few minutes.
Do not leave them unattended as they will start to burn fast.
Serve and enjoy!
Recipes for Chicken Drumsticks
Below are my favorite drumstick recipes that taste just like chicken wings, only they have a lot more meat on them. So exquisite, they’re almost too good to be true.
Chinese Honey Chicken Drumsticks
Easy Buffalo Chicken Drumsticks
Honey Mustard Chicken Drumsticks
If you have a moment, please check out our video below! It will show you exactly how these drumsticks are made. In the video we broil the drumsticks to crisp up the skin but you definitely don’t have to!
Slow Cooker Honey Barbecue Drumsticks Video
Slow Cooker Honey Barbecue Drumsticks
Slow Cooker BBQ or Buffalo Chicken Drumsticks or Legs is an easy, healthy, crock pot recipe, served plain or coated, oven broiled to crispy skin perfection!
Ingredients
- 8-12 chicken drumsticks or 2 - 3 pounds (1/4 pound each)
- 4 chicken leg quarters, trimmed
Spice Rub
- 2 tablespoons paprika
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 2 teaspoons pepper
Honey Barbecue Sauce
- 1 cup barbecue sauce (your favorite) or our homemade (recipe below)
- 2 - 4 tablespoons liquid honey, to taste
- 2 tblsp garlic, minced
Buffalo Wing Sauce
- 1/2 cup hot sauce
- 6 tablespoons butter, melted
- 2 tablespoons molasses (not blackstrap)
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
Homemade Barbecue Sauce
- 3/4 - 1 cup ketchup
- 3 tablespoons molasses
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce
- salt
- pepper
Barbecue Sauce Options
- 1/8 -1/4 teaspoon liquid smoke
- 1-2 tablespoons mustard, yellow or dijon
- 1-2 teaspoons onion powder
- 1-2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1-2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1-2 teaspoons chii powder
- 1-2 teaspoons crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 jalapeño chile, seeded and minced
- 1-2 teaspoons chipotle chile in adobo, minced
Honey Glaze
- 1/2 cup liquid honey
- 5 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
Instructions
Making your Drumsticks or Chicken Legs
-
Coat your slow cooker with cooking spray.
-
In a large resealable bag combine rub ingredients. Add drumsticks or chicken legs and adjust until coated.
-
Place drumsticks or chicken legs inside the slow cooker. Distribute them as evenly as possible.
-
Cover and cook until chicken is cooked and tender; 4 to 5 hours on low.
-
Adjust oven rack 6 inches from broiler and turn it on.
-
Line with tin foil, a rimmed baking sheet with rack lightly coated in cooking spray.
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Transfer chicken to rack and place in oven.
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Broil chicken legs or drumsticks until browned and lightly charred; about 10 minutes, flipping chicken halfway through broiling.
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In a small bowl prepare your sauce (if using) like: Honey Barbecue, Buffalo Wing, or any other of your choice.
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Brush chicken with sauce and continue to broil until lightly charred; about 5 minutes, flipping and brushing chicken with more sauce halfway through broiling.
-
Brush chicken with remaining sauce.
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You will end up with a few dark spots. (I always do). I find the extreme high heat crisps up the outside of the drumsticks which makes them taste even better. Leave them until dark spots start to show up which usually takes just a few minutes. Do not leave them unattended. Once these drumsticks start to burn, they will burn fast!
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Serve and enjoy!
Making the Sauce
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The only sauce that requires cooking on your stove top is the Honey Glaze, Otherwise combine all ingredients and refrigerate until needed. Here's how to make honey glaze.
Honey Glaze
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Combine cornstarch and water in a bowl until dissolved. Set aside.
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In a small saucepan, over medium-high heat, bring honey and 4 tablespoons of vinegar to a boil.
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Once boiling, reduce temperature to medium-low and continue to simmer, stirring periodically, until mixture is reduced to about 1/2 cup; usually between 4 or 5 minutes.
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Add cornstarch mixture.
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Whisk until blended and continue to simmer for 2 to 3 more minutes. The mixture will thicken. Keep warm over low heat until needed.
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Transfer chicken to a cutting board (or wherever you want the chicken to rest). Brush with glaze, and allow to rest a few more minutes before serving.
Recipe Notes
An awesome dish I have ever seen it was really amazing. Really a mouth-watering dish which I have ever seen!
So happy you loved these as much as we do! You truly made my day! Take care and all the best. Karin