Easy Slow Cooker BBQ Drumsticks: A few simple ingredients and very little work will give you the most tender,  juicy, and flavorful chicken legs you have ever had. 

Are your kids messy eaters?

Mine sure are. Not like need a napkin kind of messy, like they need to take a shower after eating kind of messy.

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I mean there is food on the floor, food in their hair, food in their ears…sometimes I think there is food that even makes it to another room in the house. And no they are NOT toddlers, they are 11 and 7. In fact they were NOT messy eaters as toddlers, go figure. They can make a mess with a cheese stick……it is disgusting!

But speaking of messy foods, there are foods that are meant to be messy, like Drumsticks. I am talking about the barbecue drumsticks (AKA Chicken Legs) although DIY Ice Cream Drumsticks rank as pretty messy as well!

Easy Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Drumsticks

These crock pot BBQ chicken legs are coated in a sweet, sticky sauce that is bound to require a few wet napkins.

But oh is it worth the mess. These chicken drumsticks are tender, smoky, juicy, and just want all backyard barbecues should be made of–that and BLT Potato Salad, Old Fashioned Baked Beans, Broccoli Salad, and Pasta Salad.

How to Make Chicken Legs in the Slow Cooker

The best part of this slow cooker recipe, is that it makes BBQ Chicken Drumsticks so Easy!!

Step One: Rub the Chicken Legs with the spice blend. 

I use a mixture of different seasonings, but you could also use homemade seasoned salt for a quick version of an easy rub for chicken.

Step Two: Cook Chicken Legs in Slow Cooker

Chicken drumsticks start off in the slow cooker where a dry rub infuses the meat and cooks the chicken through.

Chicken legs need 2-3 hours on high in slow cooker or 4-5 hours on low in the slow cooker to reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit–which is when poultry is considered safe to eat.

Step Three: Make homemade BBQ Sauce

A homemade BBQ sauce is made by bringing the ingredients to a boil and reducing the heat to a simmer until the barbecue sauce has thickened, about 20 minutes.

Step Four: Broil or Grill Chicken Legs

Remove cooked chicken drumsticks from slow cooker and place on broiler pan or baking sheet and spoon over sauce from slow cooker over chicken thighs. Broil 2-3 inches under high heat for 2-4 minutes. Watch the chicken legs closely, so they do not burn.

Step Five: Serve with Plenty of Napkins

The funniest thing is that while this is one meal designed to be messy, I think the kids make less of a mess with the barbeque drumstick than they do do with a PB&J–go figure.

More Slow Cooker Chicken Recipes

• Slow Cooker Lemon Garlic Chicken and Rice
• Sweet and Spicy Chicken Lettuce Wraps
• Slow Cooker Chicken Chili
• Slow Cooker Chicken Wings from Spend with Pennies

Recipe for BBQ Chicken Legs

Tips on Crock Pot Chicken Drumstick Recipe

• If you don’t want to make your own BBQ sauce, use your favorite store bought brand in place of the homemade sauce. Be sure to still use the dry rub.
• If  you don’t like chicken skin, peel off the skin before rubbing with the spice blend,  for skinless chicken legs. I still like to broil or grill the chicken legs for a few minutes on each side to give a golden exterior to the chicken legs.
• Instead of making homemade barbecue sauce on the stove, you could also mix together the ingredients and pour over chicken legs in the slow cooker and allow the sauce to cook in the slow cooker with the chicken drumsticks. I will then spoon the sauce over the chicken legs before broiling/grilling.

4.41 from 5 votes

Print Review

Easy Slow Cooker BBQ Drumsticks

Chicken drumsticks get cooked in a homemade barbecue spice blend for an easy family meal

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Keyword Barbecue Chicken Drumsticks, Slow Cooker Chicken Drumsticks

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 4 hours

Total Time 4 hours 10 minutes

Servings 6 -8

Calories 277 kcal

Author A Mind Full Mom

Ingredients

• 12 chicken drumsticks skin on or off--I do half and half
• For the Rub:
• 1 tablespoon kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• For the BBQ Sauce:
• 1 cup apple juice
• 1 cup tomato sauce
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• 1/4 cup honey or maple syrup
• 1 teaspoon chili powder optional

Instructions

1. Combine all the ingredients for the rub together and rub on chicken legs.
2. Place in slow cooker. Cook on high for 2 hours or on low for 4 hours.
3. Once chicken is cooked in slow cooker, preheat grill or broiler to medium high.
4. Brush chicken with barbeque sauce and grill until crispy, about 3-5 minutes per side.
5. Serve.
6. To Make BBQ Sauce:
7. Bring apple juice, tomato sauce, salt, vinegar, honey, and chili powder to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 15-20 minutes.

Recipe Notes

• If you don't want to make your own BBQ sauce, use your favorite store bought brand in place of the homemade sauce. Be sure to still use the dry rub.
• If  you don't like chicken skin, peel off the skin before rubbing with the spice blend,  for skinless chicken legs. I still like to broil or grill the chicken legs for a few minutes on each side to give a golden exterior to the chicken legs. 
• Instead of making homemade barbecue sauce on the stove, you could also mix together the ingredients and pour over chicken legs in the slow cooker and allow the sauce to cook in the slow cooker with the chicken drumsticks. I will then spoon the sauce over the chicken legs before broiling/grilling. 

Nutrition Facts

Easy Slow Cooker BBQ Drumsticks

Amount Per Serving

Calories 277 Calories from Fat 126

% Daily Value*

Total Fat 14g 22%

Saturated Fat 3g 15%

Cholesterol 139mg 46%

Sodium 1930mg 80%

Potassium 553mg 16%

Total Carbohydrates 8g 3%

Dietary Fiber 1g 4%

Sugars 5g

Protein 27g 54%

Vitamin A 18.4%

Vitamin C 3.9%

Calcium 2.6%

Iron 9.8%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

To Make Easy Slow Cooker Chicken Legs, You May Need

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