Peach Bourbon Glazed Chicken Drumsticks: Easy Slow Cooker Dinner

This slow cooker chicken drumsticks recipe is the definition of effortless cooking. With just four ingredients—chicken, peaches, bourbon BBQ glaze, and brown sugar—you can create a dinner that tastes like it took hours of hands-on work.

The sweet and smoky flavors meld together as the chicken cooks low and slow, resulting in tender, juicy meat that falls off the bone. Perfect for busy weeknights or lazy weekends, this dish is sure to become a family favorite.

Peach bourbon glazed chicken drumsticks are a sweet and savory slow cooker dinner that requires almost no effort. Simply layer the chicken and peaches, pour over the glaze, sprinkle with brown sugar, and let the slow cooker do the work.

The result is fall-off-the-bone tender chicken bathed in a rich, syrupy sauce with hints of bourbon and caramelized peach. Serve it over mashed potatoes, rice, or with a side of crusty bread to soak up every last drop of the delicious sauce.

Ingredients

Why this recipe works

The slow cooker is the perfect tool for this recipe because it allows the chicken to cook low and slow, breaking down the connective tissue and resulting in incredibly tender meat.

The low heat also helps the flavors of the bourbon BBQ glaze, peaches, and brown sugar to meld together into a cohesive, complex sauce that coats every piece of chicken beautifully.

The combination of sweet peaches and smoky bourbon BBQ glaze creates a flavor profile that is both familiar and exciting. The brown sugar adds a caramelized depth that balances the acidity of the peaches and the tang of the BBQ sauce.

As the chicken cooks, the peaches soften and release their juices, creating a natural syrup that enriches the sauce and keeps the meat moist.

Notes and substitutions

For the best results, use ripe but firm peaches. They should be sweet and fragrant but still hold their shape during the long cooking time. Frozen peach slices can be used in a pinch, but thaw them and drain off any excess liquid before adding them to the slow cooker to avoid a watery sauce.

Bourbon BBQ glaze is widely available in most supermarkets, but you can also use a regular BBQ sauce and add a splash of bourbon or vanilla extract for a similar flavor. If you prefer a milder sauce, choose a sweet BBQ glaze rather than a spicy one. The brown sugar is essential for the caramelized, syrupy texture, so don't skip it.

• bourbon BBQ glaze: regular BBQ glaze plus 1 tablespoon bourbon or 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• dark brown sugar: light brown sugar or coconut sugar
• sliced ripe peaches: frozen peach slices, thawed and drained
• chicken drumsticks: chicken thighs, bone-in or boneless

Equipment

• Slow cooker (4-6 quart)
• Mixing bowl
• Serving spoon
• Tongs
• Measuring cups
• Measuring spoons