Easy BBQ Chicken Wings and Drumsticks

This recipe is one of my favorite “dump-and-go” meals. Simply add everything to the crockpot, let it cook low and slow, and finish with a quick broil if you want those sticky, caramelized edges that everyone loves. These Easy BBQ Chicken Wings and Drumsticks are the easiest crowd-pleasing party food, perfect for an easy dinner, or game day appetizer. They’re tender, juicy, packed with smoky BBQ flavor, gluten-free, and require almost no effort thanks to your slow cooker. Plus, I included my easy and delicious homemade BBQ rub and sauce or you can use your own.

What Makes These BBQ Wings So Good

The slow cooker does all the hard work.

As the chicken cooks low and slow, it becomes incredibly tender while soaking up all that sweet, smoky BBQ flavor. A quick finish under the broiler (optional, but highly recommended) helps caramelize the sauce and creates those irresistible sticky edges.

The result is juicy chicken that’s packed with flavor in every bite and here’s why you’ll love them as much as we do:

• Super easy, hands-off cooking
• Gluten-free and dairy-free
• Perfect for parties, game day, or family dinners
• Tender, fall-off-the-bone chicken
• Only a few simple ingredients + homemade BBQ sauce and BBQ rub seasoning
• Great for feeding a crowd or meal prep

These wings and drumsticks are always one of the first things to disappear whenever I make them I hope your family enjoys them as much as we do!

More Recipes You’ll Love:

• Steak Fajita Skewers with Chimichurri
• Loaded Baked Sheet-Pan Nachos
• The BEST Gluten-Free Pizza Crust
• Gluten-Free BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwiches
• Easy Gluten-Free Burrito Bowls

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Simple BBQ Wings and Drumsticks

By: Nikki Ross – Simple Life with Nikki

This recipe is one of my favorite "dump-and-go" meals. Simply add everything to the crockpot, let it cook low and slow, and finish with a quick broil if you want those sticky, caramelized edges that everyone loves. These Simple BBQ Wings and Drumsticks are the easiest crowd-pleasing party food, perfect for an easy dinner, or game day appetizer. They’re tender, juicy, packed with smoky BBQ flavor, gluten-free, and require almost no effort thanks to your slow cooker. Plus, I included my easy and delicious homemade BBQ rub and sauce or you can use your own.

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 4 hours hrs

Total Time 4 hours hrs 10 minutes mins

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Servings 6

Calories 688 kcal

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 20 bone-in chicken wings or drumsticks
• 1/4 tsp sea salt
• 1 1/2 tbsp BBQ Dry Rub Seasoning (Included below or use your favorite bbq sauce)
• 2 cups Balsamic BBQ Sauce (Included below or use your favorite bbq sauce)

Balsamic BBQ Sauce: (makes about 2 cups)

• 1 cup balsamic vinegar
• 3 tbsp honey
• 8 oz tomato sauce
• 2 tbsp coconut aminos
• 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
• 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
• 1/2 tsp sea salt

BBQ Dry Rub Seasoning: (makes abut 1/2 cup)

• 2 tbsp chili powder
• 1 tbsp ground cumin
• 1 tbsp ground black pepper
• 1 tbsp sea salt
• 1 tbsp coconut sugar
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp dried tyme
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp cayenne pepper

Instructions

 

To Make Rub:

• Combine all ingredients well & store in an airtight container.

To Make BBQ Sauce:

• Combine all ingredients in a small saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce heat & simmer on medium for about 20 minutes or until thickened. Taste and add more honey if you want it sweeter. Set aside.

To Make Drumsticks or Wings:

• Rub chicken with bbq rub seasoning & salt. Place chicken in a slow cooker & pour 1/2 cup bbq sauce over the top. Cover & cook on low for 3-4 hours.
• Once cooked, preheat oven broiler on low. Cover a large baking sheet in foil & transfer chicken to baking sheet. Bake for 10 minutes. Warm remaining bbq sauce & brush sauce on chicken to coat.

Notes

This recipe is very adaptable & you can use any bbq rub or bbq sauce you like.

BBQ Rub & Sauce: I like to make a couple batches of my BBQ Rub & Balsamic BBQ Sauce to use in multiple meals. Store the rub in an airtight container, like a mason jar, at room temperature. The sauce can be stored in an airtight container, like a mason jar, in the refrigerator for up to a month & freezes perfectly too.

Show Nutrition Facts Hide

Nutrition

Calories: 688kcalCarbohydrates: 66gProtein: 47gFat: 25gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 6gMonounsaturated Fat: 10gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 232mgSodium: 3079mgPotassium: 1090mgFiber: 4gSugar: 50gVitamin A: 1721IUVitamin C: 5mgCalcium: 141mgIron: 6mg

Nutrition Disclosure:

All nutritional values are approximate and provided to the reader as a courtesy. Changing ingredients and/or quantities will alter the estimated nutritional calculations.

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