Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken Drumsticks Recipe
Discover the ultimate comfort food that combines sweet, savory, and tangy flavors in one effortless dish. These slow cooker honey garlic chicken drumsticks create a deliciously sticky glaze that caramelizes around tender chicken for a family-favorite meal with minimal prep time.
✔ Ingredients :
- Place the chicken drumsticks in the bottom of your slow cooker in a single layer.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the honey, soy sauce, ketchup, minced garlic, dried oregano, black pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using).
- Pour the sauce mixture over the chicken drumsticks, ensuring all pieces are coated well.
- Cover the slow cooker with its lid and cook on LOW for 6-7 hours or on HIGH for 3-4 hours, until the chicken is tender and cooked through (internal temperature should reach 165°F).
- Once cooking is complete, carefully remove the chicken drumsticks from the slow cooker and place them on a serving platter.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and water to create a slurry.
- Transfer the remaining sauce from the slow cooker to a small saucepan. Add the cornstarch slurry to the sauce.
- Bring the sauce to a simmer over medium heat, stirring frequently until it thickens to a glaze consistency (about 3-5 minutes).
- Pour the thickened glaze over the chicken drumsticks.
- Garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds before serving.
✔ Directions :
- Remove the beef tenderloin from the refrigerator 30 minutes before grilling to bring them to room temperature.
- Preheat your grill to high heat (450-500°F).
- Brush the beef with olive oil and season generously with kosher salt and fresh ground black pepper on all sides.
- Grill the tenderloins over high heat for 3-5 minutes per side for medium-rare, or until the internal temperature reaches 130-135°F.
- Remove from the grill and transfer to a cutting board. Tent with foil and let rest for 10 minutes.
- Once rested, thinly slice the beef against the grain.
Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cook Time: 3-4 hours on HIGH or 6-7 hours on LOW | Calories: Approximately 320 kcal per serving
✔ Frequently Asked Questions :
1- Can I use chicken thighs instead of drumsticks?
Yes, bone-in chicken thighs work wonderfully in this recipe! They have similar cooking times to drumsticks and will remain juicy and flavorful. Boneless chicken thighs can also be used, but reduce the cooking time to 2-3 hours on LOW to prevent them from becoming too dry.
2- Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can prepare the sauce mixture up to 2 days in advance and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. You can also cook the entire dish ahead of time and reheat it when ready to serve. The flavors actually improve after sitting for a day.
3- Is this recipe freezer-friendly?
Yes! After cooking, allow the chicken to cool completely, then transfer to freezer-safe containers with some of the sauce. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat in the microwave, oven, or on the stovetop until thoroughly heated.
4- How do I know when the chicken is fully cooked?
The chicken is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F at the thickest part when tested with a meat thermometer. Another indication is when the meat begins to pull away from the bone and becomes very tender.
5- Can I make this recipe less sweet?
Yes, you can reduce the honey to 1/3 cup and add an extra tablespoon of soy sauce to maintain the flavor balance while decreasing the sweetness. You can also add a tablespoon of rice vinegar or lemon juice for more tanginess to offset the sweetness.
✔ Tools You’ll Need :
- Slow cooker (4-6 quart size)
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Mixing bowl
- Whisk
- Small saucepan
- Meat thermometer
- Tongs for handling the chicken
- Cutting board and knife for garnishes
✔ Tips for success :
- For crispier skin, place the cooked drumsticks on a baking sheet and broil for 2-3 minutes after slow cooking.
- Pat the chicken drumsticks dry with paper towels before placing them in the slow cooker for better sauce adhesion.
- For a more complex flavor, add 1 tablespoon of grated fresh ginger to the sauce mixture.
- If you prefer a spicier dish, double the amount of red pepper flakes or add 1-2 teaspoons of sriracha sauce.
- For maximum flavor, marinate the chicken in the sauce mixture overnight in the refrigerator before slow cooking.
- To create a more substantial meal, add vegetables like sliced bell peppers, carrots, or broccoli during the last hour of cooking.
✔ Allergy Information :
- Contains: Soy (from soy sauce)
- May contain: Wheat (from soy sauce unless using tamari)
- Sesame (from sesame seeds garnish – can be omitted)
- Dairy-free
- Egg-free
- Nut-free
- Gluten-free if using tamari or gluten-free soy sauce
✔ Conclusion :
There’s something magical about walking into your home after a long day to the mouthwatering aroma of these honey garlic chicken drumsticks simmering away in the slow cooker. With just a handful of pantry staples and barely any hands-on time, you’ve created a meal that tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen. The beautiful balance of sweet honey, savory garlic, and rich umami flavors from the soy sauce creates a dish that both kids and adults will request time and again. Don’t be surprised if this becomes your new go-to weeknight dinner! We’d love to hear how this recipe turned out for you—perhaps with your own special twist or served alongside your favorite sides. Happy cooking!
