Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken Drumsticks

These Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken Drumsticks are tender, juicy, and coated in a rich sticky sauce made with honey, garlic, soy sauce, and simple pantry seasonings. The chicken cooks low and slow until flavorful and tender, then the sauce thickens into a glossy coating that clings to every drumstick.

This is an easy crockpot chicken recipe for busy weeknights, casual family dinners, or meal prep. The preparation takes only a few minutes, and there is no need to stand over the stove while dinner cooks.

Why You Will Love This Recipe

Chicken drumsticks work especially well in the slow cooker because they stay juicy during longer cooking. The honey adds sweetness, soy sauce provides savory depth, and fresh garlic gives the sauce plenty of flavor.

You can serve these sticky chicken legs with rice, mashed potatoes, noodles, roasted vegetables, or a crisp salad. They are also delicious finished under the broiler for caramelized edges.

Ingredients

8 to 10 chicken drumsticks, fully thawed
1/2 cup honey
1/3 cup low-sodium soy sauce
1/4 cup ketchup
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 tablespoon olive oil

For Thickening the Sauce

1 tablespoon cornstarch
2 tablespoons cold water

Ingredient Notes

Chicken drumsticks: Bone-in drumsticks are flavorful and forgiving in the slow cooker. Start with completely thawed chicken for more predictable and even cooking.

Honey: Honey gives the sauce its sticky sweetness and helps create a glossy finish.

Soy sauce: Low-sodium soy sauce is recommended because the sauce becomes more concentrated as it cooks.

Ketchup: Ketchup adds sweetness, tang, and body to the sauce without making it taste strongly of tomato.

How to Make Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken Drumsticks

Pat the chicken drumsticks dry with paper towels.
Season them with smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper.
Place the drumsticks in the slow cooker.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the honey, soy sauce, ketchup, minced garlic, Worcestershire sauce, and olive oil.
Pour the sauce evenly over the chicken.
Turn the drumsticks gently so they are coated on all sides.
Cover and cook on Low for 4 to 5 hours or High for about 2 1/2 to 3 hours.
Begin checking near the earlier end of the cooking range.
The chicken should reach at least 165°F in the thickest part without touching the bone.
Carefully transfer the cooked drumsticks to a clean plate.

How to Make the Sauce Thick and Sticky

Whisk the cornstarch and cold water together in a small bowl until completely smooth.

Stir the slurry into the hot sauce remaining in the slow cooker. Turn the slow cooker to High and cook uncovered or partially covered for about 10 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens.

Return the chicken to the slow cooker and spoon the thickened sauce over each drumstick.

How to Get Caramelized Chicken Drumsticks

The slow cooker makes the meat tender, but it does not naturally create crispy or deeply browned skin. If you want a more caramelized finish, transfer the cooked drumsticks to a foil-lined baking sheet.

Brush generously with the thickened honey garlic sauce and broil for about three to five minutes. Turn once if desired and brush with more sauce.

Watch closely because honey can darken very quickly under the broiler.

How to Keep Chicken Drumsticks Juicy

Do not cook the chicken much longer than necessary once it is done. Although drumsticks are more forgiving than chicken breasts, extended cooking can eventually make the meat overly soft or dry.

An instant-read thermometer is the easiest way to check doneness accurately.

Easy Variations

For spicy honey garlic drumsticks, add one tablespoon sriracha or a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes to the sauce.

For ginger honey chicken, add one teaspoon freshly grated ginger.

For barbecue-style drumsticks, replace the ketchup with your favorite barbecue sauce.

For sesame chicken drumsticks, sprinkle toasted sesame seeds and sliced green onions over the finished chicken.

For a sweeter version, add one tablespoon brown sugar to the honey sauce.

What to Serve with Slow Cooker Chicken Drumsticks

Steamed white rice or jasmine rice is one of the easiest choices because it absorbs the sticky sauce beautifully.

You can also serve these drumsticks with mashed potatoes, roasted potatoes, buttered noodles, macaroni and cheese, or creamy polenta.

For vegetables, try broccoli, green beans, carrots, Brussels sprouts, corn, or a fresh garden salad.

Can You Use Chicken Thighs?

Yes. Bone-in or boneless chicken thighs work very well with the same honey garlic sauce.

Cooking time may vary depending on their size, so always use internal temperature rather than time alone to determine doneness. Poultry should reach at least 165°F.

Make-Ahead Tips

The sauce can be whisked together up to one day in advance and refrigerated in a covered container.

You can also mix the dry seasonings ahead of time so the chicken is ready to go into the slow cooker in the morning.

Keep raw chicken refrigerated until cooking time.

Storage and Reheating

Store cooled leftover drumsticks in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three to four days.

Keep some of the sauce with the chicken so it stays moist while reheating.

Reheat in a covered baking dish at 350°F or in the microwave until steaming hot. For crispier skin, reheat briefly under the broiler after warming.

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