Crock Pot Sticky Garlic & Soy Drumsticks

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Crock Pot Sticky Garlic & Soy Drumsticks

  • Prep time: 10 minutes

  • Cook time: 4 hours (High) or 7-8 hours (Low)

  • Servings: 4–6 people

Ingredients

  • 10–12 Chicken drumsticks (approx. 3 lbs)

  • 1/2 cup Low-sodium soy sauce

  • 1/2 cup Honey or brown sugar

  • 2 tbsp Rice vinegar (or apple cider vinegar)

  • 4 cloves Garlic, minced

  • 1 tsp Fresh ginger, grated

  • 1/2 tsp Black pepper

  • Optional garnish: Sesame seeds and sliced green onions

Instructions

  1. Arrange: Place the chicken drumsticks in the bottom of your slow cooker. You can stack them, but try to keep them somewhat even.

  2. Whisk: In a small bowl, combine the soy sauce, honey, vinegar, garlic, ginger, and pepper.

  3. Pour: Drizzle the sauce evenly over the chicken. Use tongs to toss the legs slightly so they are all coated.

  4. Slow Cook: Cover and cook on Low for 7–8 hours or High for 4 hours.

  5. Optional Crisp: For crispy skin, transfer the cooked drumsticks to a foil-lined baking sheet. Broil in the oven for 3–5 minutes until the skin bubbles and browns.

  6. Thicken Sauce: Pour the leftover liquid from the pot into a small saucepan. Simmer over medium heat for 10 minutes (or add a cornstarch slurry) until it becomes a thick glaze. Brush over the chicken.

Tips for Success

  • Don’t add water: The chicken will release its own juices as it cooks. Adding extra liquid will dilute your sauce.

  • The Broiler is your friend: Slow cookers are great for tenderness, but they don’t “crisp.” That 5-minute broil at the end makes a massive difference in texture.

  • Frozen vs. Fresh: You can use frozen drumsticks, but increase the cook time by 1-2 hours and ensure the internal temperature reaches 74°C (165°F).

Nutritional Info (Per Serving)

Approximate values based on 2 drumsticks with sauce:

Category Amount
Calories 340 kcal
Protein 28g
Fat 14g
Carbohydrates 22g
Sodium 850mg

Benefits of this Dish

  • Collagen Rich: Cooking dark meat on the bone releases collagen, which is great for joint health and gives the sauce a silky mouthfeel.

  • Budget-Friendly: Drumsticks are consistently one of the most affordable proteins at the grocery store.

  • Meal Prep King: These reheat beautifully for lunch the next day without getting “rubbery” like chicken breasts often do.

Q&A

Q: Can I use chicken breasts instead?

A: You can, but be careful! Breasts dry out much faster. If you use them, reduce the cook time to 3 hours on High and check them early.

Q: Why is my sauce too thin?

A: The chicken releases quite a bit of fat and juice. To fix this, mix 1 tbsp of cornstarch with 1 tbsp of cold water, whisk it into the pot during the last 30 minutes of cooking.

Q: Can I make this “buffalo” style?

A: Absolutely. Replace the soy/honey mixture with 1 cup of Buffalo sauce and 4 tbsp of melted butter.

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