Tender, juicy chicken drumsticks slowly cooked in a flavorful blend of garlic, herbs, and spices. This easy crockpot recipe requires minimal preparation and makes a delicious family dinner with plenty of savory flavor.
🍗 Ingredients
- 2½–3 lbs (1.1–1.4 kg) chicken drumsticks
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ cup chicken broth
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
👩🍳 Instructions
1. Prepare the Chicken
Pat the drumsticks dry with paper towels.
Place them in a large bowl and drizzle with olive oil.
Add the paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper.
Toss until the drumsticks are evenly coated.
2. Prepare the Crockpot
Pour the chicken broth into the bottom of the crockpot.
Add the minced garlic, Worcestershire sauce, and honey.
Stir briefly to combine.
3. Add the Drumsticks
Arrange the seasoned chicken drumsticks in the crockpot.
Try to place them in a relatively even layer so they cook consistently.
4. Slow Cook
Cover and cook on:
- LOW for 5–6 hours, or
- HIGH for 3–4 hours
Cook until the chicken is tender and reaches an internal temperature of at least 165°F (74°C) at the thickest part.
For more tender drumsticks, cooking until they reach a somewhat higher temperature is fine because dark meat handles longer cooking well.
5. Make Them Crispy
Slow cooking makes the drumsticks tender but doesn’t produce crispy skin.
For crispy, browned skin, transfer the cooked drumsticks to a foil-lined baking sheet.
Brush them with some of the crockpot juices and broil for 3–5 minutes, watching closely, until the skin is golden and crisp.
6. Garnish and Serve
Transfer the drumsticks to a serving platter.
Spoon a little of the cooking liquid over them and sprinkle with fresh parsley.
Serve hot.
⭐ Tips for the Best Crockpot Drumsticks
- Pat the chicken dry before seasoning.
- Don’t add too much liquid; the chicken will release additional juices while cooking.
- For the best flavor, let the seasoned drumsticks sit for 15–30 minutes before cooking if you have time.
- Don’t overcrowd the crockpot.
- Always check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer.
- Broiling the cooked drumsticks is the easiest way to restore crispness to the skin.
🍯 Optional Glaze
For a sweet and savory finish, combine:
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon melted butter
- 1 tablespoon barbecue sauce
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
Brush over the cooked drumsticks and broil for 2–3 minutes until caramelized.
🍽️ What to Serve With Them
Pair these drumsticks with:
- Mashed potatoes
- Macaroni and cheese
- Coleslaw
- Green beans
- Corn on the cob
- Roasted vegetables
- Rice
- Dinner rolls
⏱️ Recipe Details
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 5–6 hours on LOW
Total Time: About 5½ hours
Servings: 5–6
Method: Slow cooker
Difficulty: Easy