Slow Cooker Chicken Drumsticks

Ahh, the magic of the slow cooker—it’s like having a kitchen helper who works all day while you’re off living your best life. And trust me, this is one recipe you’re going to want to keep on repeat, even in the summer. These chicken drumsticks simmer away in the most delightful lime and ginger sauce, filling your kitchen with mouthwatering aromas while you’re out running errands, working hard, or soaking up some sunshine at the beach. A quick pop under the broiler at the end gives you that irresistible golden crust and crispy edges—the BBQ treatment, without touching the grill.

What side dishes go well with chicken drumsticks?

Round out this easy chicken dinner with white or brown rice for a starchy base. On the side, add corn salad or a juicy tomato and burrata salad. If you're serving chicken drums on game day, pair them with Tex-Mex layer dip and football cookies for dessert.

Do you need to remove the skin for slow cooker drumsticks?

No! Skin-on chicken is ready to cook in the slow cooker. The skin adds rich flavor and crisps up beautifully under the broiler.

Do you need to sear chicken drumsticks before slow cooking?

Instead of browning the chicken before slow cooking, in this recipe you put the cooked chicken under the broiler at the end. The sauce becomes golden and caramelized, and the chicken skin crisps up in the most satisfying way.

Why do you add cornstarch to slow cooker drumsticks?

Adding cornstarch helps the cooking liquid thicken up into a nice sauce that coats the chicken. The key to working with cornstarch is to first hydrate it in water, then to heat it on high until the starch cooks through and creates a shiny, thick sauce.