Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Drumsticks

Slow cooker BBQ chicken drumsticks is simple yet tasty recipe with only 3 ingredients! A homemade rub and your favorite BBQ sauce cook with drumsticks in this easy chicken meal. Instructions on how to make this in the Instant Pot are also included. 

Ingredients for BBQ Chicken Drumsticks

• Chicken Drumsticks
• BBQ Sauce
• BBQ Rub Seasonings

How To Make BBQ Drumsticks 

Slow Cooker

1. In a small Add the chicken to the slow cooker. Add the BBQ rub seasonings & BBQ sauce. Toss until the drumsticks are evenly coated.
2. Cook HIGH 3-4 hours or LOW 6-8.

Instant Pot

1. In a small bowl, mix together the homemade rub spices. Place the chicken drumsticks in a large bowl and season with the rub mixture. Toss until all the drumsticks are evenly coated.   
2. Pour the water into the base of the Instant Pot. Add the trivet to the inner pot.  Place the chicken drumsticks on the trivet.  Pour the BBQ sauce on top. 

3. Close lid and seal valve. Set high pressure and cook set time for 12 minutes. When cooking time is complete, carefully quick release the pressure.

Post Cooking Step (optional)

After the chicken drumsticks are done cooking in the slow cooker or Instant Pot, an optional step is to remove the chicken & place it in the oven under the broiler. 

1. Preheat your oven to BROIL.
2. Line a baking sheet with foil. Carefully remove the drumsticks from the appliance using tongs. They will be hot. 
3. Place the drumsticks in a single layer on the baking sheet. 
4. Brush the 1/2 cup sauce over the drumsticks. Broil for 3-5 minutes or the chicken is crisp to your liking. 

What Are Drumsticks?

A chicken has 2 legs. Each leg consists of 2 dark meat parts: drumsticks and thighs. These are sold together as leg quarters or separately as thighs and drumsticks. Drumsticks are considered dark meat; since chickens walk on their legs, the leg meat has red muscle fibers. This dark meat has more fat but also more flavor compared to white meat like chicken breasts. Drumsticks are also more affordable. They’re are one of the cheapest cuts of chicken you can buy & they’re usually sold skin-on, bone-in. 

Choosing A Sauce

The BBQ sauce really makes or breaks the recipe in my opinion. If you don’t have any dietary restrictions, use whatever sauce you want! I tend to use my homemade BBQ sauce. It’s both paleo and Whole30 compatible. If you’re following a low-carb lifestyle, G Hughes is my go-to store bought brand.

FAQs & Tips

• Store leftover drumsticks in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. 
• Jazz this BBQ chicken recipe up by adding sliced onion or even bell peppers.
• Don’t like drumsticks? Substitute chicken thighs!
• I used a 6-quart slow cooker or Instant Pot.

Crock-Pot BBQ Recipes

• Sauce

• Brisket

• Pulled Pork

• Air Fryer Ribs

• Pulled Chicken

Crockpot BBQ Chicken Drumsticks

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Crockpot BBQ chicken drumsticks is simple yet tasty recipe with only 3 ingredients! A homemade rub and your favorite BBQ sauce cook with drumsticks in this easy chicken meal.

• Author: Shannon Epstein

Ingredients

Units USM Scale 1x2x3x

• 3 pounds chicken drumsticks, seasoned with salt & pepper
• 2 cups BBQ sauce
• 1/4 cup BBQ rub (see below for homemade)
• 1 cup water for the Instant Pot only

Homemade BBQ Rub

• 4 teaspoons paprika
• 2 teaspoons garlic powder
• 2 teaspoons onion powder
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt (or more)
• 1 teaspoon pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne

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Instructions

Slow Cooker

1. In a small Add the chicken to the slow cooker. Add the BBQ rub seasonings & BBQ sauce. Toss until the drumsticks are evenly coated.
2. Cook HIGH 3-4 hours or LOW 6-8.

Instant Pot

1. In a small bowl, mix together the homemade rub spices. Place the chicken drumsticks in a large bowl and season with the rub mixture. Toss until all the drumsticks are evenly coated.
2. Pour the water into the base of the Instant Pot. Add the trivet to the inner pot.  Place the chicken drumsticks on the trivet.  Pour the BBQ sauce on top.
3. Close lid and seal valve. Set high pressure and cook set time for 12 minutes. When cooking time is complete, carefully quick release the pressure.

Post Cooking Step (optional)

After the chicken drumsticks are done cooking in the slow cooker or Instant Pot, an optional step is to remove the chicken & place it in the oven under the broiler.

1. Preheat your oven to BROIL.
2. Line a baking sheet with foil. Carefully remove the drumsticks from the appliance using tongs. They will be hot.
3. Place the drumsticks in a single layer on the baking sheet.
4. Brush the 1/2 cup sauce over the drumsticks. Broil for 3-5 minutes or the chicken is crisp to your liking.

1. Pre-heat the broiler of your oven.  Line a cookie sheet with aluminum foil.  Carefully place the chicken legs on the foil in a single layer.