Slow Cooker Cranberry BBQ Chicken Drumsticks

 This is a sponsored post for Head Country. All reviews and opinions expressed in this post are based on my personal view. 

Chicken Crockpot Recipe with the Best BBQ Sauce

If you thought that barbecue is just reserved for grilling, allow me to introduce you to these Slow Cooker Cranberry BBQ Chicken Drumsticks made with the Best BBQ Sauce.

While I love a good grilled BBQ Chicken Drumstick, I love a BBQ Chicken Crockpot recipe even better. Why? Because it’s just so fast and easy to make – not to mention you can just leave it and forget it.

Throw these Four Ingredient BBQ Chicken Drummies into the slow cooker, go to work, come home, and enjoy a wonderful, effortless meal.

Growing up, we ate barbecue at least once per week and it was almost always Head Country Bar-B-Q.

Dad believed that Head Country Bar-B-Q truly was the Best BBQ Sauce, so for these Crockpot Barbecue Chicken Drumsticks, OF COURSE I’m using the Best BBQ Sauce around! 😉

 

Easy BBQ Recipes

Since my Dad (and myself) were such big BBQ fans, mom often made baked bbq chicken thighs, bbq chicken breast on the grill, and oven baked bbq chicken legs.

The baked bbq chicken legs were always my favorite, so I tapped into those childhood memories when creating these Crock Pot Cranberry BBQ Chicken Drumsticks.

When Mom didn’t make BBQ at home or if we were traveling, Dad was adamant that he still get his weekly Bar-B-Q meal.

As a result, we often stopped at tiny, hole in the wall, food trucks along our destination to satiate his BBQ craving. Being a BBQ fan myself, I always partook in whatever it was that he ordered.

I will never forget the time we all got food poisoning from one such remote BBQ joint on our way to Branson, Missouri.

That was a miserable trip and I think after that harrowing experience, my Dad decided to stick with our local BBQ restaurants and my Mom’s own, good easy barbecue recipes.

 

 

 

 

How to make the Best BBQ Chicken in the Crock Pot

If you’re all about simple and delicious, you’re going to love these Slow Cooker Cranberry BBQ Chicken Drumsticks.

Having fast, easy recipes is always helpful, especially for this busy back to school season and with the holiday’s approaching.

For this BBQ chicken recipe you’ll need chicken drumsticks, Onion Soup mix,  Head Country Original Bar-B-Q Sauce  and whole berry Cranberry Sauce.

You will also need a 4 quart or larger slow cooker.

 

 

 

 

 

Four Ingredient Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Legs

Remove the chicken legs from the packaging, and lay them flat in the bottom of the slow cooker.

I recommend using Organic Chicken Drumsticks for this easy bbq chicken recipe because the quality and flavor of the meat is better.

If you’re doubling this recipe and need to stack the chicken legs, go right ahead.

I had enough space to lay my chicken legs flat in the Crock Pot but stacking them won’t affect the way they cook.

 

 

 

 

 

The BBQ Sauce Recipe

I created the BBQ sauce recipe for these BBQ Chicken Legs with our MVP, Head Country Bar-B-Q.

I felt like their Original Bar-B-Q sauce had the perfect flavor for these chicken legs, and it didn’t disappoint!

To create this sauce recipe, add 3/4 cup of the Best BBQ Sauce to a small, glass mixing bowl.

 

 

 

 

Slow Cooker Cranberry Chicken

After adding the barbecue sauce, measure out 3/4 cup of Whole Berry Cranberry Sauce.

Adding the Cranberry Sauce to the BBQ sauce gives this mixture such a delicious, slightly sweet flavor!

I also love cooking with Cranberry during the fall and winter months because there’s something so tasty and comforting about the tangy berries.

 

 

 

 

Cranberry BBQ Sauce

Stir the Best BBQ Sauce and the Whole Berry Cranberry sauce together in the small mixing bowl.

Be sure to stir well until both ingredients combine and are smooth.

Head Country Original Sauce isn’t overly sweet or thick so it combines perfectly with the cranberry to make a wonderful, autumn inspired sauce.

 

 

 

 

The Secret to this Easy BBQ Recipe

My secret to these Crock Pot BBQ Chicken Legs, really isn’t a secret at all.

If you’re looking for an easy bbq recipe, the best thing to do is just keep the ingredients simple and, well, EASY! 😉

To incorporate a savory element to our Cranberry BBQ Chicken, I added one packet of Onion Soup Mix.

 

 

 

Best Ever Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken with the Best BBQ Sauce

Now that the sauce for these Cranberry BBQ Chicken Drumsticks is prepared and ready, pour it over the chicken drumsticks in the slow cooker.

Use your spoon to spread it out evenly and just make sure all of the chicken legs are covered.

 

 

 

 

Crock Pot Cranberry Chicken

Cooking chicken legs in my slow cooker is my favorite way to make chicken legs because they’re always so juicy and tender.

You really can’t go wrong with an easy crock pot recipe, barbecue sauce, and chicken drumsticks!

 

 

 

 

How to get the Perfect Crock Pot BBQ Chicken

Now that all of your ingredients are added to the slow cooker, place the lid on the slow cooker and set the heat to low.

I recommend cooking these BBQ Chicken Legs on low for 6 hours, however, you can also cook them on high 4 hours if need them ready sooner.

Pro Tip: Once the cooking process begins don’t take the lid off of the crock pot!

Removing the lid while the slow cooker is cooking releases the steam out of the slow cooker, causing it to take up to 30 minutes to regain temperature.

If your crock pot is working hard trying to bring the temperature back up, it will just take longer to cook, so avoid removing the lid for a peek!

 

 

 

 

Slow Cooker Cranberry BBQ Chicken Drumsticks

Once the cooking cycle is complete, turn the slow cooker off and remove the lid from the slow cooker.

These BBQ Chicken Drumsticks will be so tender, the meat will likely fall right off the bone as you’re serving them!

 

 

 

 

 

Best Side Dishes to serve with BBQ Recipes

If you’re like us, you love good comfort food served up with your BBQ chicken.

I served our Slow Cooker Cranberry BBQ Chicken Drumsticks with Homemade Mashed Potatoes and BBQ Baked beans making our dinner simple, easy, and delicious!

Some other recommended side items are: Potato Salad, Corn on the Cob, and Broccoli Pasta Salad.

 

 

 

 

Crockpot Chicken Questions Answered:

Any time I create a crock pot recipe such as these Crockpot BBQ Chicken Legs, I usually get asked a few questions regarding cooking in the crock pot.

One of the most frequently asked questions about cooking chicken in the crock pot is, “Can I put frozen chicken in the crock pot?”

The answer to that question is, “Yes!” You can put these Slow Cooker Cranberry BBQ Chicken Drumsticks in the crock pot completely frozen.

I recommend if you’re using frozen drumsticks, increase your cooking time by two hours.

Using frozen chicken drumsticks in your slow cooker is actually a great way to save time if you forget to thaw your chicken out the night before.

 

 

 

 

As always, thank you for stopping by my kitchen to visit with me and cook together.

I hope you always know how much I love having you here!

If you love these Slow Cooker Cranberry BBQ Chicken Drumsticks, please feel free to leave a comment and let me know.

I love hearing from my readers and I’m always open to any feedback or tips you want to give!

Happy Dining!

-Amy

 

 

 

 

Shared at Foodie Friday Link Party

Shared at Full Plate Thursday

Can be found at Weekend Potluck

View at: Meal Plan Monday

Also shared at What’s for Dinner Sunday