Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Drumsticks
These Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Drumsticks are the perfect blend of tender, juicy meat infused with a homemade spice rub and smothered in rich barbecue sauce. Ideal for family gatherings or weeknight dinners, these drumsticks are easy to prepare and cook all day while you go about your business. Simply coat the chicken with a flavorful spice mix, let it slow cook until it's fall-off-the-bone tender, then finish it off under the broiler for that perfect charred glaze. Serve these delectable drumsticks with your favorite sides for a mouthwatering meal everyone will love.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
11
Ingredients
Ingredients
Brown Sugar
1 (tablespoon)
Sweet Paprika
1 (tablespoon)
Dry Mustard
1 (teaspoon)
Garlic Powder
1 (teaspoon)
Onion Powder
1 (teaspoon)
Cayenne Pepper
1/4 (teaspoon)
Salt
1 (teaspoon)
Black Pepper
1 (teaspoon)
Bone-in Skin-on Chicken Drumsticks
4 (pounds, trimmed)
Barbecue Sauce
1.5 (cups)
Vegetable Cooking Spray
to coat
Instructions
1
In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar, sweet paprika, dry mustard, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, salt, and pepper to create the spice rub.
2
Pat the chicken drumsticks dry with paper towels. Rub the spice mixture evenly over all sides of the chicken, ensuring each piece is well-coated.
3
Place the seasoned drumsticks in the slow cooker. Pour 1/2 cup of barbecue sauce over the chicken and gently toss to coat each piece.
4
Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 4 to 6 hours, or until the chicken is tender and fully cooked.
5
Once the chicken is finished in the slow cooker, position the oven rack about 10 inches from the broiler element and preheat the broiler.
6
Prepare a baking sheet by lining it with foil and placing a wire rack on top. Lightly spray the rack with vegetable cooking spray.
7
Carefully transfer the cooked chicken drumsticks to the prepared wire rack, discarding any braising liquid from the slow cooker.
8
Brush the drumsticks generously with an additional 1/2 cup of barbecue sauce. Broil the chicken for 10-15 minutes, or until the skin begins to char and crisp up.
9
Using tongs, flip the drumsticks over and brush with the remaining 1/2 cup of barbecue sauce. Broil for another 5-10 minutes, or until the chicken is charred and crispy on the second side.
10
Remove from the oven and let rest for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy your delicious barbecued drumsticks!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Drumsticks?
These are tender, juicy chicken drumsticks infused with a homemade spice rub and smothered in rich barbecue sauce, prepared in a slow cooker and finished under the broiler.
What ingredients are in the homemade spice rub?
The spice rub consists of brown sugar, sweet paprika, dry mustard, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, salt, and pepper.
How should the chicken be prepared before seasoning?
The drumsticks should be patted dry with paper towels to ensure the spice mixture adheres well to the skin.
How much chicken does this recipe require?
The recipe calls for 4 pounds of bone-in, skin-on chicken drumsticks, trimmed.
How long do the drumsticks cook in the slow cooker?
The chicken should be cooked on the low setting for 4 to 6 hours.
How much barbecue sauce is used during the slow cooking phase?
You should pour 1/2 cup of barbecue sauce over the seasoned chicken in the slow cooker.
Is the chicken cooked on low or high in the slow cooker?
The recipe specifies cooking the chicken on the low setting.
What is the purpose of broiling the chicken after slow cooking?
Broiling is used to create a charred glaze and help the skin become crispy after the slow cooking process.
How should the oven be set up for broiling?
Position the oven rack about 10 inches from the broiler element and preheat the broiler.
How do I prepare the baking sheet for the broiler?
Line a baking sheet with foil, place a wire rack on top, and lightly spray the rack with vegetable cooking spray.
Should I keep the liquid from the slow cooker?
No, you should discard any braising liquid from the slow cooker before moving the chicken to the broiler.
How much sauce is used for the first side when broiling?
Brush the drumsticks generously with 1/2 cup of barbecue sauce before the first round of broiling.
How long should the first side be broiled?
Broil the first side for 10 to 15 minutes until the skin begins to char and crisp.
How much sauce is used for the second side when broiling?
Use the remaining 1/2 cup of barbecue sauce to brush the second side of the drumsticks.
How long should the second side be broiled?
Broil the second side for another 5 to 10 minutes until charred and crispy.
Total amount of barbecue sauce needed?
The recipe requires a total of 1.5 cups of barbecue sauce.
Should the chicken rest after cooking?
Yes, let the chicken rest for a few minutes after removing it from the oven before serving.
What type of paprika is used?
The recipe calls specifically for sweet paprika.
Is there any heat or spice in this recipe?
Yes, the spice rub includes 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne pepper for a bit of heat.
How much brown sugar is in the spice rub?
One tablespoon of brown sugar is used in the spice mixture.
What type of mustard is used?
The recipe uses 1 teaspoon of dry mustard.
What are the recommended servings?
While specific serving counts aren't listed, it uses 4 pounds of chicken, making it ideal for family gatherings.
Can this be used for meal prep?
Yes, it is described as an easy dinner that can cook while you go about your business.
What provides the onion and garlic flavors?
The flavors come from 1 teaspoon each of onion powder and garlic powder in the spice rub.
What is the texture of the meat?
The meat is described as fall-off-the-bone tender.
What tags are associated with this recipe?
Tags include chicken, slow cooker, barbecue, drumsticks, easy dinner, comfort food, and family meal.
What is used to prevent the chicken from sticking to the wire rack?
Vegetable cooking spray is used to coat the wire rack.
What tool is best for flipping the drumsticks?
The instructions recommend using tongs to flip the drumsticks during the broiling process.
How much salt and pepper are included?
One teaspoon of salt and one teaspoon of black pepper are included in the spice rub.
Is this recipe considered comfort food?
Yes, it is tagged as both comfort food and a family meal.