Crock Pot Chicken Drumsticks
Fall-off-the-bone tender, juicy, and packed with flavor with minimal effort — the Crock Pot is a drumstick’s best friend. Perfect for busy days, game nights, or meal prep.
🍗 Ingredients
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8–10 chicken drumsticks (skin-on or skinless, your preference)
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1 tbsp olive oil or avocado oil
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1 tsp salt
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½ tsp black pepper
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1 tsp paprika (smoked or sweet)
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1 tsp garlic powder
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½ tsp onion powder
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Optional seasonings: dried thyme, rosemary, cayenne for heat
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½ cup chicken broth, sauce, or liquid of choice (BBQ, teriyaki, buffalo, etc.)
🍲 Instructions
1. Season the drumsticks:
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Pat drumsticks dry with paper towels.
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In a small bowl, mix salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and any optional seasonings.
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Rub drumsticks lightly with oil, then coat evenly with the spice mix.
2. Slow cook:
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Place drumsticks in the Crock Pot, stacking them neatly or layering if needed.
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Pour in chicken broth or your sauce of choice (for saucy drumsticks, you can add more sauce halfway through).
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Cover and cook on HIGH for 3–4 hours or LOW for 5–6 hours, until tender and cooked through (internal temp 165°F / 74°C).
3. Optional finish for crispy skin:
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If you started with skin-on and want crispiness, transfer drumsticks to a baking sheet lined with foil.
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Broil in the oven for 3–5 minutes, watching carefully, until skin is golden and crisp.
4. Serve:
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Serve with cooking juices spooned over the top, or toss in your favorite sauce.
🌶️ Flavor Variations
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BBQ: Use 1 cup of your favorite BBQ sauce instead of broth. Brush with extra sauce before broiling.
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Honey Garlic: Mix ⅓ cup soy sauce, ¼ cup honey, 4 minced garlic cloves, 1 tbsp minced ginger. Use as cooking liquid.
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Buffalo: After cooking, toss in ½ cup hot sauce + 2 tbsp melted butter.
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Teriyaki: Use ½ cup teriyaki sauce + ¼ cup pineapple juice as liquid.
💡 Pro Tips
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For richer flavor, brown drumsticks in a skillet for 2–3 minutes per side before slow cooking (optional but recommended).
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If using a sweet sauce (like BBQ or honey garlic), add during the last hour of cooking to prevent burning.
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Drumsticks release juices as they cook — you may not need as much added liquid as you think. ½ cup is plenty to start.
🍽️ Serving Ideas
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Over rice, mashed potatoes, or quinoa
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With roasted veggies or a crisp salad
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Wrapped in tortillas with slaw for chicken tacos
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Meal prep: Stores well in the fridge for 3–4 days; freezes beautifully
📦 Storage & Reheating
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Fridge: Up to 4 days in an airtight container.
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Freeze: Up to 3 months. Thaw in fridge before reheating.
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Reheat: In microwave, oven at 350°F until warmed through, or air fryer to re-crisp.
Let me know if you’d like an Instant Pot version, a gluten-free/whole30 adaptation, or sides that pair perfectly with these easy, delicious drumsticks! 🍗😊