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Why Chicken Drumsticks made in the Slow Cooker are the Bomb
No matter the stage of life you are in, dinnertime can be a challenge. Whether you have a fussy toddler on your hip or find yourself busy with kid activities in the evening, sometimes we just need a no-brainer meal that everyone will like.
That’s why I am obsessed with this super simple recipe that:
Requires only 4 pantry ingredients to season the drumsticks. (Boom!)
Can be doubled and a second batch frozen for later to save time. (See our freezing instructions below.)
Is gluten-free and dairy-free.
Leaves amazing homemade chicken broth in the cooker when you’re done, which you can freeze for later.
Everyone in the family enjoys them! I love a kid-friendly freezer meal!
Plus, making these chicken drumsticks in the slow cooker, in particular, results in fall-apart tender and moist chicken on the bone. With a few minutes under the broiler at the end, you’ll have a crispy and perfectly seasoned dinner ready to go in no time.
Ingredients You’ll Need
So…”what is the secret mix of 4 pantry seasonings you need to bring bland drumsticks to life?” you ask. I’ll tell ya…
We use a blend of seasonings that Polly’s mom (Janny) used regularly to prepare chicken-on-the-bone for her family while growing up. We had a hunch Janny’s salty-savory mix was the right blend for our chicken drumsticks. After several tests by us and our cookbook testing team–who still rave about this recipe–we were right!
Here is the 4-ingredient seasoning line-up:
Garlic Salt
Onion Salt
Celery Salt
Poultry Seasoning
Keep these on hand and use the same blend for all cuts of chicken or even pork, too.
How to Make Crockpot Chicken Drumsticks
Watch this 1 minute video to see how easy it is to make drumsticks in your Crockpot.
Can I make Drumsticks in the Instant Pot?
Oh yes! We love a recipe that can be made in both the slow cooker AND the Instant Pot. The great news is, these drumsticks work in both!
Here is a whole post for our Instant Pot 4-Ingredient Drumsticks.
How to Make This Recipe Into a Freezer Meal
When you combine the magical powers of the Crockpot AND freezer cooking, you practically set yourself up for hands-free cooking. That’s because after you safely thaw your chicken, you can just dump it all into the Crockpot, push a button, and you’re done!
Freezer Meal Instructions for Drumsticks
Freeze for Later: Follow step 1. Place the seasoned chicken and the broth in a gallon-size freezer bag. Seal and freeze.
Prepare From Frozen: Safely thaw your chicken. Then, just follow the cooking instructions! Here is how long to cook chicken in the slow cooker by the way. Hint: You have probably been overcooking it!
Want More Crockpot Freezer Meals?
We have an amazing collection of Crockpot Freezer Meals. Make sure to hop over and browse around.
What to Serve with Chicken Drumsticks
Next up is figuring out what to serve with these crispy drumsticks. We recommend going simple and kid-friendly. Try some of these favorites…
Creamy Mashed Potatoes (in the Instant Pot)
Oven Roasted Broccoli
Sweet and Savory Roasted Carrots
Bottom Line: Whether you want a healthy, kid-friendly dinner or a freezer meal on hand for later, we think you’ll love the simplicity of these 4-Ingredient Chicken Drumsticks!
Crockpot 4-Ingredient Chicken Drumsticks
★★★★★
5 from 1 reviews
Author: Thriving Home
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 4 hours
Total Time: 4 hours 5 minutes
Yield: 6 servings (2 drumsticks per serving)
Category: Chicken
Method: Slow Cooker
Cuisine: American
Diet: Gluten Free
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Description
Perfectly seasoned, crispy drumsticks that the whole family will love. Only 4 simple pantry ingredients needed! Make them fresh or as a make ahead freezer meal.
Ingredients
1 teaspoon garlic salt
1 teaspoon onion salt
1 teaspoon celery salt
1/2 teaspoon poultry seasoning
3 pounds bone-in, skin-on chicken drumsticks
1 1/2 cups low sodium chicken broth (or water)
Instructions
Make It Now:
In a small bowl, combine the garlic salt, onion salt, celery salt, and poultry seasoning. Rub the seasoning all over the drumsticks. (Freezing instructions begin here.)
Transfer the seasoned drumsticks to the slow cooker and pour in the broth. Cover and cook on Low for 3 to 4 hours or until cooked through. (Check to make sure the chicken is done. It should register 165°F internally.)
Position the top oven rack about 6 inches below the broiler. Preheat the broiler. Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil.
Use tongs to place the drumsticks on the prepared baking sheet; discard any liquid remaining in the Crockpot (or save it to use as homemade chicken broth later). Broil the chicken until the skin is browned and crispy, 2 to 3 minutes on each side.
Freeze for Later: Follow step 1. Place the seasoned chicken and the broth in a gallon-size freezer bag. Seal and freeze.
Prepare From Frozen: Thaw. Transfer the chicken to the slow cooker and follow steps 2 through 4.
Notes
Here are instructions on how to make drumsticks in the Instant Pot
2 drumsticks2840.1 g822.1 mg9.7 g0.8 g0 g45.8 g213.2 mg
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