Pineapple Bourbon Glazed Chicken Drumsticks: 5-Ingredient Crockpot Dinner

This Pineapple Bourbon Glazed Chicken Drumsticks recipe is the ultimate dump-and-go dinner. Just place chicken, pineapple, BBQ glaze, and brown sugar in the slow cooker, then walk away.

Hours later, you'll have fall-off-the-bone tender chicken coated in a sweet, tangy, bourbon-spiked lacquer that the whole family will love. Perfect for busy weeknights or lazy weekends.

Chicken drumsticks are a budget-friendly favorite, and when they're slow-cooked in a sweet and smoky bourbon glaze with juicy pineapple, they become something truly special.

The magic happens in the crockpot: the chicken turns incredibly tender while the pineapple breaks down and melds with the BBQ sauce into a thick, glossy sauce. With just five ingredients and minimal prep, this recipe delivers big flavor with almost no effort. Serve it over mashed potatoes or rice to soak up every last drop.

Ingredients

Why this recipe works

Slow cooking transforms tough chicken drumsticks into succulent, fall-off-the-bone meat. The low, steady heat breaks down connective tissue, while the natural juices from the chicken and pineapple keep everything moist. The bourbon BBQ glaze reduces and concentrates as it bubbles, creating a rich, sticky coating that clings to every bite.

The combination of sweet pineapple and dark brown sugar with smoky bourbon BBQ sauce hits all the right notes: sweet, tangy, and a little bit boozy.

Because the ingredients are simply layered in the crockpot, there's no searing, no stirring, and no fuss. The slow cooker does all the work, making this an ideal recipe for beginner cooks or anyone short on time.

Notes and substitutions

Choose a good-quality bourbon molasses BBQ glaze for the best flavor—it should be thick and richly flavored. If you can't find it, a regular BBQ sauce with a splash of bourbon and molasses works well.

Pineapple chunks in juice (not syrup) keep the dish from becoming overly sweet, and the juice adds necessary liquid for the slow cooker.

Dark brown sugar has more molasses than light brown sugar, which deepens the flavor, but light brown sugar is fine too. This recipe is forgiving: you can adjust the amount of brown sugar to your taste. For a thicker sauce, simmer it on the stovetop after cooking; for a thinner sauce, leave it as is.

• bourbon molasses BBQ glaze: Use 1/2 cup regular BBQ sauce plus 1 tablespoon bourbon and 1 teaspoon molasses, or just your favorite smoky BBQ sauce.
• pineapple chunks in juice: Fresh pineapple chunks (about 2 1/2 cups) with 1/4 cup water or pineapple juice can replace canned; adjust sweetness to taste.
• dark brown sugar: Light brown sugar or coconut sugar can be used; the flavor will be slightly less molasses-like.
• chicken drumsticks: Chicken thighs (bone-in or boneless) work well; adjust cooking time to 3-4 hours on low.

Equipment

• 6-quart slow cooker
• Small bowl
• Measuring cups
• Tongs
• Serving spoon