These Slow Cooker Sweet Baby Ray’s Chicken Drumsticks are an easy, crowd-pleasing dinner that delivers bold barbecue flavor with almost no effort. Slow-cooked until tender and juicy, the chicken absorbs the rich, smoky sweetness of Sweet Baby Ray’s BBQ sauce, making this recipe perfect for busy weeknights, game day, family dinners, or casual gatherings. With simple ingredients and hands-off cooking, this is one of the best slow cooker chicken recipes you can make.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Using the slow cooker ensures the drumsticks turn out incredibly tender, while finishing them under the broiler or on the grill adds that irresistible sticky, caramelized BBQ coating. It’s a budget-friendly, high-protein meal that pairs well with classic sides and works great for meal prep.
Ingredients
Chicken drumsticks – 3 lbs (about 10–12 pieces)
Sweet Baby Ray’s BBQ sauce – 1½ cups
Garlic powder – 1 teaspoon
Onion powder – 1 teaspoon
Smoked paprika – 1 teaspoon
Salt – ½ teaspoon
Black pepper – ½ teaspoon
Optional: chili powder or cayenne for heat
Instructions
Season the chicken
Pat the chicken drumsticks dry with paper towels. Season evenly with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika.
Add to slow cooker
Place the seasoned drumsticks in the slow cooker in a single layer as much as possible.
Add the BBQ sauce
Pour Sweet Baby Ray’s BBQ sauce over the chicken. Use tongs or a spoon to coat each drumstick evenly.
Slow cook until tender
Cover and cook on LOW for 5–6 hours or on HIGH for 3–4 hours, until the chicken is fully cooked and tender.
Optional: caramelize the sauce
For sticky, restaurant-style BBQ drumsticks, transfer the cooked chicken to a foil-lined baking sheet. Brush with extra BBQ sauce and broil for 3–5 minutes, watching closely to prevent burning.
Serve and enjoy
Serve hot with extra BBQ sauce on the side.
Serving Suggestions
These slow cooker BBQ chicken drumsticks pair perfectly with coleslaw, macaroni and cheese, baked beans, cornbread, or potato salad. They’re also great for summer cookouts, potlucks, and game-day spreads.
Storage and Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) or in the microwave until warmed through.
Final Thoughts
Slow Cooker Sweet Baby Ray’s Chicken Drumsticks are a foolproof way to get tender, flavorful BBQ chicken with minimal prep. Juicy on the inside, sticky on the outside, and packed with classic barbecue flavor, this easy slow cooker recipe is sure to become a family favorite.
