Description
Succulent slow cooker drumsticks bring Mediterranean magic to dinner tables with minimal effort. Juicy chicken infused with herbs and spices creates a simple yet flavorful meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 lbs (1.36 kg) chicken drumsticks (about 10–12 pieces)
- ½ cup (120 ml) barbecue sauce (or buffalo, teriyaki, or favorite)
- 2 tablespoons (30 ml) olive oil
- 2 tablespoons (30 ml) honey (optional, for sweetness)
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Chopped parsley or green onions (optional garnish)
Instructions
- Seasoning Preparation: Thoroughly coat drumsticks with a robust blend of salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika, and onion powder, ensuring comprehensive flavor coverage.
- Slow Cooking Setup: Arrange seasoned drumsticks in slow cooker, creating a uniform layer for consistent heat distribution.
- Sauce Creation: Whisk barbecue sauce, olive oil, and honey into a glossy, caramelizing glaze, then generously drench chicken, rotating to achieve complete sauce integration.
- Cooking Process: Secure lid and simmer on low temperature for 5-6 hours or high for 3-4 hours, allowing meat to tenderize and absorb deeply infused flavors until chicken reaches optimal internal temperature.
- Finishing Touch: Transfer cooked drumsticks to broiler-safe tray, brush with additional sauce, and broil 3-5 minutes to develop a crisp, caramelized exterior with appetizing golden-brown charred edges.
- Presentation: Garnish with freshly chopped parsley or green onions, creating a vibrant visual appeal and complementary herbaceous note before serving.
Notes
- Pat drumsticks completely dry before seasoning to ensure crispy exterior and better sauce absorption.
- Use generous but even coating of spices, ensuring each drumstick gets uniform flavor profile.
- Choose thick barbecue sauce to prevent watery final dish; adjust honey for desired sweetness and caramelization.
- Watch carefully during final broiling step to achieve golden-brown color without burning chicken skin.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 hours
- Category: Dinner, Lunch, Snacks
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 500 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg