Slow Cooker Savory Chicken Drumsticks
This slow cooker chicken drumsticks recipe delivers all the deep, cozy flavor of a long-simmered comfort meal. Instead, a savory blend of broth, tomato paste, garlic, and herbs slowly cooks the chicken until it’s fall-off-the-bone tender with a rich, spoonable sauce.
All you do is whisk one simple mixture, pour it over raw chicken drumsticks, and let the crockpot handle the rest. It’s an ideal easy slow cooker dinner for busy weeknights, chilly evenings, or anytime you want a hearty, homemade meal with minimal effort.
Why This Slow Cooker Chicken Recipe Works
No alcohol family-friendly and pantry-based
Dump-and-go prep with one simple sauce
Juicy, tender chicken every time
Comfort food flavor without extra steps
Great for meal prep and leftovers
Servings: 4
Cook Time: 6–7 hours (LOW) or 3–4 hours (HIGH)
Ingredients:
3 pounds chicken drumsticks (skin-on or skinless)
2 cups low-sodium beef broth (or chicken broth)
3 tablespoons tomato paste
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 teaspoons dried rosemary, crushed
1 teaspoon kosher salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
1 tablespoon olive oil (optional)
1 medium yellow onion, thinly sliced (optional but recommended)
2 medium carrots, peeled and sliced (optional)
1 bay leaf (optional)
Chopped fresh parsley, for garnish (optional)
Instructions:
Place the raw chicken drumsticks in an even layer in the bottom of a 5–6 quart slow cooker. Scatter the onion, carrots, and bay leaf around the chicken if using.
In a bowl or large measuring cup, whisk together the broth, tomato paste, garlic, rosemary, salt, pepper, and olive oil until smooth and well combined.
Pour the mixture evenly over the chicken, making sure each piece is coated and the vegetables are moistened.
Cover and cook on LOW for 6–7 hours or HIGH for 3–4 hours, until the chicken is very tender and pulls easily from the bone.
Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning as needed. For a thicker sauce, remove the chicken and simmer the liquid on the stovetop for 5–10 minutes, then spoon over the chicken.
Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley if desired.
Best Ways to Serve
This slow cooker chicken with savory sauce is perfect over:
Mashed potatoes
Egg noodles
Rice or polenta
With crusty bread to soak up the sauce
Add a simple green veggie or salad for balance.
Tips & Variations:
Add mushrooms for extra depth and a classic comfort-food feel
Swap rosemary for thyme or Italian seasoning
Stir in a tablespoon of butter at the end for extra richness
Leftovers taste even better the next day great for meal prep
