Slow Cooker Sweet Baby Ray’s Chicken Drumsticks
Sticky, saucy, and fall-off-the-bone tender! These slow cooker drumsticks are sweet, smoky, and finished with a caramelized broil for BBQ-style flavor.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 4–5 hours (slow cooker)
- Total Time: 4 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: Serves 4–6
- Category: Main Dish, Dinner
- Method: Slow Cooker, Broiled (optional)
- Cuisine: American, BBQ-Inspired
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
2–3 lbs chicken drumsticks (about 8–10 pieces)
Salt and pepper, to taste
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp smoked paprika
For the Sauce:
1½ cups Sweet Baby Ray’s barbecue sauce (or your favorite BBQ sauce)
¼ cup brown sugar
1 tbsp apple cider vinegar (or white vinegar)
Instructions
Season the Chicken:
Pat drumsticks dry and season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika.
Place in Slow Cooker:
Arrange drumsticks in a single, even layer in the slow cooker.
Make the Sauce:
In a bowl, whisk together barbecue sauce, brown sugar, and vinegar. Pour evenly over the chicken.
Cook:
Cover and cook on LOW for 4–5 hours, or until chicken is tender and cooked through.
Optional – Broil for Caramelized Finish:
Transfer drumsticks to a foil-lined baking sheet. Broil on high for 3–5 minutes, until the sauce starts to caramelize and bubble. Watch closely to avoid burning.
Serve:
Serve hot with extra BBQ sauce on the side, if desired.
Notes
Make it Spicy: Add hot sauce or crushed red pepper flakes to the sauce mixture.
Make Ahead Tip: Season the chicken and mix the sauce ahead of time—store in the fridge until ready to slow cook.
Storage: Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 2 months. Reheat under the broiler or in a covered skillet.
