A white, rectangle platter of crockpot bbq chicken drumsticks with a bottle of bbq sauce in the background. Everything is sitting on a blue towel and is on a wooden back drop.

Slow Cooker Cranberry BBQ Chicken Drumsticks

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 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! 

 

A hand holding a BBQ Chicken drumstick in the foreground with a white platter of bbq chicken drumsticks in the background, along with a bottle of Head Country Original Bar-B-Q sauce in the background. The white platter is sitting on a blue towel and everything is on a board backdrop.

 

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.

 

 

A long, white rectangular platter of bbq chicken drumsticks with a bottle of Head Country Original Bar-B-Q sauce to the left of the platter. There is a blue towel under the platter of chicken drummies and everything is sitting on a board backdrop.

 

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.

 

 

A bottle of Head Country BBQ sauce, a package of organic chicken drumsticks, a packet of onion soup mix, a can of whole berry cranberry sauce, and a silver crock pot slow cooker sit on a black granite counter top with a blue and black kitchen back splash behind.

 

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.

 

 

A black, oval crock pot slow cooker insert with five organic chicken drumsticks inside, lined in a row.

 

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.

 

A small, clear, glass empty bowl with a silver measuring cup in front of the bowl and to the left, and a bottle of Head Country Original Bar-B-Q sauce to the left of the bowl. A silver Crock Pot slow cooker is in the background and everything is sitting on a black granite counter top.

 

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.

 

A small, clear glass bowl with Head Country Original Bar-B-Q sauce in the bowl and a hand holding a silver measuring cup with whole berry cranberry sauce over the bowl filled with bar-b-q sauce. A silver crock pot slow cooker is in the background to the left of the bowl and a bottle of Head Country bbq sauce and a can of whole berry cranberry sauce is in the background and to the right of the bowl.

 

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.

 

 

A small, clear glass mixing bowl with Head Country Original Bar-B-Q sauce and whole berry cranberry sauce in the bowl. A hand holding a silver spoon is stirring the two ingredients together and a bottle of Head country Original bar-b-q sauce in behind the bowl to the right, in the background.

 

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.

 

A small glass mixing bowl with Head Country Original Bar-B-Q sauce in the bowl stirred with whole berry cranberry sauce and a packet of onion soup mix that has been added in but not mixed together with the other ingredients. A silver spoon is inside the bowl, the bottle of Head Country Bar-B-Q is behind the bowl to the right and a silver Crock Pot slow cooker is behind the mixing bowl to the left.

 

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.

 

 

A small, glass mixing bowl with Head Country Original Bar-B-Sauce, whole berry cranberry sauce, and onion soup mix all stirred together with a silver spoon. Everything is sitting on a black granite counter top and a silver Crock Pot slow cooker is in the background to the left of the mixing bowl and a bottle of Head Country Bar-B-Q is to the right and behind the mixing bowl.

 

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!

 

 

A black Crock pot slow cooker with uncooked organic chicken drumsticks inside. The chicken drumsticks have been covered in a sauce made up of Head Country Original Bar-B-Q, whole berry cranberry sauce, and onion soup mix. The sauce is stirred together and poured over the chicken drumsticks to completely cover them.

 

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!

 

 

A silver and black Crock Pot slow cooker with the lid on and the heat set to low sitting in a black, granite counter top with a blue and black kitchen back splash behind it.

 

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!

 

 

A black slow cooker with cooked chicken drumsticks, Head Country Original BBQ sauce, whole berry cranberry sauce, and onion soup mix, all stirred together to create a sauce.

 

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.

 

 

 

A white, rectangular platter of Slow Cooker Cranberry BBQ Chicken Drumsticks placed on top of a blue towel.

 

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!

 

A white, rectangle platter of crockpot bbq chicken drumsticks with a bottle of bbq sauce in the background. Everything is sitting on a blue towel and is on a wooden back drop.
5 from 3 votes
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Slow Cooker Cranberry BBQ Chicken Drumsticks

Slow Cooker Four Ingredient BBQ Chicken Drumsticks include Head Country Original Bar-B-Q sauce, hints of cranberry, and the savory blend of onion, all cooked to juicy, tender, perfection in the slow cooker. BBQ Chicken Drumsticks are the perfect fast and easy fall dinner dish! 

Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Keyword Crockpot BBQ Chicken Drumsticks, Crockpot BBQ Cranberry Chicken, Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken, Slow Cooker Four Ingredient BBQ Chicken Drumsticks, The Best BBQ Chicken Drumsticks
Servings 5 drumsticks
Author Amy - The Speedy Spatula

Ingredients

  • 5 Organic Chicken Drumsticks
  • 3/4 cup Head Country Original Bar-B-Q
  • 3/4 cup Whole Berry Cranberry Sauce
  • 1 packet Onion Soup Mix

Instructions

  1. Place the chicken drumsticks in a 4 quart or larger slow cooker.

  2. In a small bowl, combine the Head Country Original Bar-B-Q sauce with the cranberry and onion soup mix. 

  3. Stir until all ingredients are smooth and well combined, then pour the sauce over the chicken drumsticks.

  4. Cover and cook on low 6 hours or high 4 hours.

  5. Remove from the slow cooker, serve, and enjoy! 

10 thoughts on “Slow Cooker Cranberry BBQ Chicken Drumsticks”

  3. 5 stars
    Your Cranberry BBQ Chicken Drumsticks will be a perfect welcome for fall! Hope you are having a great week and thank you so much for sharing with us at Full Plate Thursday!
    Miz Helen

    Reply

    • Hi Alessia!
      I haven’t tried any substitutions in this recipe, but I think dried or fresh cranberries would work beautifully!
      If using fresh cranberries, I would suggest putting 3/4 cup fresh cranberries in a blender or food processor with 1/4 cup water and 2 tbsp sugar and blend them to create a “sauce”. I would taste them after blending to see if they’re sweet enough, and if not, just add more sugar.

      Reply

    • Hi Judith,
      Absolutely, thighs can be used in place of the chicken leg quarters, and you can also use chicken breasts; Skin-on/bone-in, or skinless/boneless can also be used! I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as we do, and thank you for stopping by! 🙂

      Reply

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