Put Raw Chicken Drumsticks in a Slow Cooker with These 3 Ingredients – You’ll Want It Every Night

If you’re craving a meal that’s effortless, comforting, and bursting with flavor, this slow cooker chicken drumsticks recipe is your answer. With only three simple ingredients, you can transform plain chicken into a tender, juicy, and irresistible dinner. Perfect for busy weeknights or lazy weekends, this method lets your slow cooker do all the work while filling your home with an aroma that will have everyone at the table asking for seconds.

Ingredients

You’ll only need three ingredients, aside from salt and pepper if desired:

1. Raw chicken drumsticks – 6 to 8 pieces (about 2 pounds)
2. Your favorite BBQ sauce – 1 cup (or a mix of honey and mustard for a tangy twist)
3. Onion soup mix or diced onions – 1 packet of dry onion soup mix, or 1 medium onion diced

Optional: Salt, pepper, garlic powder, or paprika for extra flavor.

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Step-by-Step Method

Step 1: Prep the Chicken

Start by rinsing your chicken drumsticks under cold water and patting them dry with paper towels. This ensures the skin isn’t slimy and helps any seasonings stick better.

If you like, lightly season each drumstick with salt, pepper, or paprika to enhance the flavor.

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Step 2: Layer Ingredients in the Slow Cooker

Place the raw drumsticks directly into your slow cooker in a single layer if possible. This ensures even cooking.

Sprinkle the onion soup mix or diced onions over the chicken evenly. This will infuse the meat with savory flavor and create a delicious base for your sauce.

Step 3: Add the Sauce

Pour your BBQ sauce (or your honey-mustard mixture) over the drumsticks, making sure each piece is coated well. Use a spoon or spatula to gently stir the chicken, onions, and sauce together. You want every drumstick covered in that flavorful sauce.

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Step 4: Cook Low and Slow

Cover your slow cooker with its lid. Set it to low for 5–6 hours, or high for 3–4 hours. Slow cooking allows the chicken to become tender, juicy, and infused with the sauce, while the onions melt into a savory accompaniment.

Tip: Avoid opening the lid frequently. Each time you lift it, heat escapes and extends cooking time.

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Step 5: Optional: Crisp the Skin

If you love crispy chicken skin, you can finish the drumsticks under the broiler:

1. Preheat your oven broiler.
2. Transfer the cooked drumsticks to a baking sheet lined with foil.
3. Brush with extra BBQ sauce if desired.
4. Broil for 3–5 minutes until the skin is golden and slightly charred.

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Step 6: Serve

Serve these succulent drumsticks with your favorite sides. Mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, rice, or a simple salad all pair beautifully with the rich flavors. Don’t forget to spoon some of the slow cooker sauce over the chicken for extra indulgence!

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Why This Recipe Works

• Minimal ingredients, maximum flavor: The combination of chicken, BBQ sauce, and onions creates a rich, savory-sweet taste with almost no effort.
• Set it and forget it: The slow cooker does all the work while infusing the drumsticks with deep flavor.
• Versatility: Switch up sauces or seasoning mixes to create endless variations without complicating the process.

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Pro Tip: Make extra! This recipe reheats beautifully and even tastes better the next day as the flavors continue to meld.

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With just three ingredients and minimal prep, this slow cooker chicken drumsticks recipe will become a weekly favorite. Tender, flavorful, and unbelievably easy, it’s a dinner that practically cooks itself—but the flavor will make you think you spent hours in the kitchen.

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If you want, I can also create a version with a quick 15-minute prep hack that makes the sauce even more flavorful without adding more ingredients. This makes it perfect for last-minute dinners. Do you want me to do that?