Crockpot Chicken Drumsticks

These Crockpot Chicken Drumsticks are one of those easy dinners you’ll want to keep on repeat. Juicy, tender chicken legs slow cook in a simple sweet and savory sauce made with honey, soy sauce, ketchup, and garlic. The chicken becomes fall-off-the-bone tender while soaking up all that delicious sticky sauce.

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This is the kind of easy crockpot chicken recipe I love for busy weeknights because there’s almost no prep involved. Add everything to the slow cooker, turn it on, and let the crockpot do the rest. Pair the chicken drumsticks with rice, mashed potatoes, or a simple vegetable for an easy family dinner.

If you love easy slow cooker dinners, try my Crockpot Chicken Taco Chili, Crockpot Cheeseburger Soup, and Crockpot BBQ pulled pork next!

Just toss, cook, and enjoy! Perfect for busy days or when you need a cozy home cooked meal!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Only 5 main ingredients. This recipe keeps dinner incredibly simple.
• Perfect for busy days. Add everything to the crockpot and let it cook.
• Kid-friendly. The sweet and savory sauce makes these drumsticks a great family dinner.
• Budget-friendly. Chicken drumsticks are typically an affordable cut of chicken.
• Tender and juicy. Slow cooking gives the chicken plenty of time to become incredibly tender.
• Easy to serve. Add rice or a vegetable and dinner is done.

Ingredients You’ll Need

• Chicken drumsticks: Bone-in chicken drumsticks become incredibly tender in the slow cooker and soak up all of the sauce as they cook.
• Honey: Adds sweetness and helps balance the salty soy sauce.
• Soy sauce: Gives the sauce its savory, salty flavor. You can also use reduced-sodium soy sauce if you prefer.
• Ketchup: Creates the base of the sauce and adds sweetness, acidity, and tomato flavor.
• Garlic: Fresh minced garlic adds extra savory flavor to the sauce.
• Optional garnishes: Finish the chicken with sliced green onions, sesame seeds, or fresh parsley for a little color and extra flavor.

How to Make Crockpot Chicken Drumsticks

1. Add the Chicken

Lightly coat the inside of your slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray. Arrange the chicken drumsticks in the bottom of the crockpot.

2. Make the Sauce

In a small bowl, whisk together the honey, soy sauce, ketchup, and minced garlic until combined. Or Just dump sauce ingredients right into the crockpot.

3. Pour Over the Chicken

Pour the sauce evenly over the chicken drumsticks. Turn the drumsticks a few times if needed so they’re coated in the sauce.

4. Slow Cook

Cover and cook on LOW for about 6 hours or HIGH for about 4 hours, until the chicken is tender and reaches a safe internal temperature of 165°F.

5. Serve

Carefully remove the drumsticks from the slow cooker and spoon some of the sauce over the top. Garnish with sesame seeds, sliced green onions, or parsley and serve warm.

Watch How to Make It

Expert Tips

• Don’t add extra liquid. The chicken will release juices as it cooks, so you don’t need to add water or broth.
• Use a meat thermometer. Chicken is safe to eat once it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
• For stickier drumsticks: Transfer the cooked chicken to a foil-lined baking sheet, brush with some of the sauce, and broil for a few minutes until the outside begins to caramelize.
• Don’t overfill your crockpot. Give the chicken enough room to cook evenly.
• Use low-sodium soy sauce if you want more control over the saltiness of the finished dish.

Easy Variations

• Spicy: Add red pepper flakes or a little sriracha to the sauce.
• BBQ-inspired: Replace some of the ketchup with your favorite barbecue sauce.
• Ginger garlic: Add freshly grated ginger along with the garlic.
• Extra sticky: After cooking, simmer some of the cooking liquid in a saucepan until slightly reduced, then brush it over the drumsticks.
• Chicken thighs: You can make a similar version using bone-in chicken thighs. Cooking time may vary depending on their size.

What to Serve with Crockpot Chicken Drumsticks

These chicken drumsticks are especially good served over white rice because the rice soaks up all of that sweet and savory sauce.

You could also serve them with mashed potatoes, roasted potatoes, mac and cheese, steamed broccoli, green beans, roasted vegetables, or a simple side salad.

For an extra easy weeknight dinner, I’ll usually choose one starch and one vegetable and call it done!

Make Ahead & Storage

Make ahead: Whisk the sauce together ahead of time and store it covered in the refrigerator. When you’re ready to cook, add the chicken and sauce to the slow cooker.

Refrigerator: Store leftover chicken drumsticks in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days.

Freezer: Once completely cooled, transfer the cooked chicken and some of the sauce to a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 3 months.

Reheating: Reheat the drumsticks in the microwave, oven, or air fryer until warmed through. Add a little extra sauce before reheating to help keep the chicken juicy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you put raw chicken drumsticks in a crockpot?

Yes. Raw chicken drumsticks can cook directly in the slow cooker. Make sure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of at least 165°F before serving.

Do I need to brown chicken drumsticks before putting them in the crockpot?

No! That’s one of the reasons this recipe is so easy. You can put the raw drumsticks directly into the slow cooker. If you’d like crispier skin, broil the chicken for a few minutes after slow cooking.

Can you overcook chicken drumsticks in a slow cooker?

Chicken drumsticks are fairly forgiving because dark meat stays juicy longer than chicken breast, but they can still overcook. Start checking them around the recommended cooking time and remove them once they’re tender and cooked through.

You’ll Also Love

If you love easy crockpot dinners, try these next:

• Crockpot Orange Chicken
• Crockpot Million Dollar Pasta
• Crockpot Olive Garden Chicken Pasta
• Crockpot Chili