BBQ Chicken Drumsticks in a Slow Cooker (3 Ingredients)
A super easy 3-ingredient slow cooker chicken recipe that turns out sweet, sticky, and tender. Perfect for busy days and budget-friendly meals.
Servings
4–6 servings
Time
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 4–6 hours
Ingredients
3–4 pounds chicken drumsticks (about 10–14 legs)
1½ cups barbecue sauce (any brand you like)
¼ cup light brown sugar, packed
Instructions
1. Prepare the chicken
Pat the chicken drumsticks dry with paper towels.
This helps the sauce stick better and creates a thicker, stickier glaze.
2. Make the sauce
In a medium bowl, combine:
BBQ sauce
Brown sugar
Stir well until the sugar dissolves and the sauce becomes smooth.
3. Prepare the slow cooker
Pour a thin layer of the BBQ sauce mixture into the bottom of a 4–6 quart slow cooker.
This prevents the chicken from sticking.
4. Add the chicken
Place the drumsticks in the slow cooker in a tight, even layer.
5. Coat with sauce
Pour the remaining BBQ sauce mixture over the drumsticks.
Use tongs to turn the drumsticks so every piece is well coated.
6. Cook
Cover and cook:
LOW: 5–6 hours
or
HIGH: 3–4 hours
The chicken should be very tender and cooked through.
7. Optional (for extra sticky glaze)
If you want a thicker, caramelized BBQ finish:
Preheat oven broiler.
Place cooked drumsticks on a baking sheet.
Brush with extra sauce from the slow cooker.
Broil 3–5 minutes until sticky and slightly charred.
Serving Ideas
Serve with:
Mashed potatoes
Rice
Coleslaw
Cornbread
Roasted vegetables
Tip: You can add 1 teaspoon garlic powder or smoked paprika to the sauce for extra flavor.
