Description
These Slow-Cooker Honey-Orange Chicken Drumsticks are a perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors, with a hint of citrus. Tender, juicy drumsticks cooked in a sticky honey-orange glaze make for a delicious and easy dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Chicken:
- ⅓ cup honey
- 2 teaspoons orange zest
- 2 tablespoons orange juice
- 3 tablespoons reduced-sodium soy sauce or tamari
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 ½ tablespoons minced fresh ginger
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper
- 12 medium chicken drumsticks (3–3 1/2 pounds), skin removed (see Tip)
For Garnish:
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
- 2 teaspoons toasted sesame seeds
Instructions
- Prepare the Sauce: In a small bowl, combine honey, orange zest, orange juice, soy sauce, garlic, ginger, vinegar, and crushed red pepper.
- Cook the Chicken: Coat a 5- to 6-quart slow cooker with cooking spray. Add drumsticks, pour in the sauce, and mix to coat. Cover and cook on High for 2-3 hours or Low for 4 hours until the chicken reaches 165°F.
- Thicken the Sauce: Transfer the drumsticks to a bowl. Pour the liquid from the slow cooker into a skillet. Boil over high heat until reduced and syrupy, about 10-15 minutes.
- Finish and Serve: Pour the sauce over the drumsticks, stir to coat, and sprinkle with cilantro and sesame seeds before serving.
Notes
- For a crispier texture, broil the drumsticks for a few minutes after coating them with the reduced sauce.
- Adjust the amount of crushed red pepper to suit your spice preference.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 hours on High or 4 hours on Low
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Asian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 drumstick
- Calories: 290
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 570mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 27g
- Cholesterol: 135mg
Keywords: Slow cooker, Chicken drumsticks, Honey-Orange, Easy recipe
