When the week gets busy, this 5-Ingredient Slow Cooker Back to Routine Chicken is exactly the kind of dinner that saves me. Using frozen chicken drumettes and a handful of pantry staples, you can set up a flavorful meal with almost no prep, which makes it perfect for those nights when everyone is hungry and nobody wants anything complicated. It has that sweet-savory, sticky chicken feel families love, with the ease of a true dump-and-go slow cooker recipe.
Serve these drumettes with simple sides that soak up the sauce, like white rice, buttered noodles, mashed potatoes, or roasted potatoes. For something fresh, add steamed green beans, a crisp salad, or broccoli on the side. If you want a game-night style dinner, put out plenty of napkins and serve the chicken with carrot sticks, celery, and a little extra sauce for drizzling.
5-Ingredient Slow Cooker Back to Routine Chicken
Servings: 4 to 6
Ingredients
2 1/2 to 3 pounds frozen chicken drumettes
1 cup barbecue sauce
1/4 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup honey
2 teaspoons garlic powder
Directions
1. Add the frozen chicken drumettes to the slow cooker in an even layer.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the barbecue sauce, soy sauce, honey, and garlic powder until smooth.
3. Pour the sauce over the drumettes, cover, and cook on LOW for 5 to 6 hours or on HIGH for 3 to 4 hours, until the chicken is fully cooked and very tender.
4. If you'd like a thicker sauce, transfer the cooked drumettes to a platter and simmer the sauce on the stovetop for a few minutes, or stir in a small cornstarch slurry and let it thicken before spooning it back over the chicken.
5. Serve hot with your favorite sides and spoon the extra sauce over everything.
Variations & Tips
Make it sweeter: If your family likes a sweeter sauce, add an extra tablespoon or two of honey before cooking. This is especially good if you're serving the chicken with plain rice.
Add a little heat: Stir in a pinch of red pepper flakes or a spoonful of chili garlic sauce if you want a sweet-spicy version. It gives the drumettes a little kick without changing the easy prep.
Crisp the skin: For a more wing-like finish, place the cooked drumettes on a foil-lined baking sheet and broil them for 3 to 5 minutes after slow cooking. That quick step helps caramelize the sauce and gives the outside a better texture.
Meal prep tip: Leftovers keep well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheat nicely for lunch. I like to pack the chicken with rice and roasted vegetables so the extra sauce can flavor the whole meal.
Slow cooker note: Since slow cooker performance can vary, always make sure the chicken reaches a safe internal temperature of 165°F before serving. If your drumettes are in one large frozen clump, separate them as much as you can so they cook more evenly.