Easy slow cooker sticky Korean chicken drumsticks recipe, homemade with simple ingredients. Tender meat is coated in a sweet and spicy Asian sauce packed with Sriracha, gochujang and sesame.
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This is a great addition to any weeknight meal. It is fast and easy just like my Slow Cooker Spicy Chicken Drumsticks, Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Drumsticks (Legs), and Slow Cooker Chicken Drumsticks (Asian). It's hard to pick a favorite out of each of these recipes, because they are all tender, juicy, and delicious.
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Key ingredients
- Honey- Local, raw honey is best.
- Soy sauce- Use low sodium so your dish isn't too salty.
- Balsamic vinegar- Not to be confused with balsamic glaze.
- Brown sugar- Balances the spice with sweetness.
- Garlic- This should be minced.
- Ginger- Be sure it fresh for ideal results.
- Sriracha sauce- Brings in a nice spicy kick.
- Gochujang paste- Adds a unique Asian flavor.
- Sesame oil- This has a strong flavor, so use wisely.
- Salt and pepper- Adjust according to your preference.
- Chicken- Use skinless drumsticks.
- Sesame seeds and green onions- For garnish and added color.
Variations
- Toast sesame seeds- For additional flavor and aroma.
- Add more kick- By adding in some red chili flakes.
- Use other parts of the chicken- Including chicken breasts, thighs, legs, or even wings like in these Slow Cooker Garlic Parmesan Wings.
- Fried version- Instead of baking them fry the chicken in oil to make them extra crispy.
- Air fryer option- This is a less fattening option for fried chicken.
- Add in spices and herbs- Such as rosemary, paprika, chili powder, sage, or cumin for a new taste.
- Dip them- In your favorite sauce.
How to make easy slow cooker Korean chicken recipe from scratch?
- Add in- Honey, soy sauce, balsamic vinegar, brown sugar, garlic, ginger, Sriracha sauce, gochujang paste, sesame oil, salt, pepper and mix.
- Put in the drumsticks- And coat fully in mixture.
- Cover and cook- Until chicken is cooked through.
- Garnish- With sesame seeds and green onions.
What sides to serve with sticky chicken drumsticks?
- Potatoes- Such as Slow Cooker Ranch Potatoes, Slow Cooker Baked Potatoes (In Foil), or Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes.
- Vegetables- I like to add in a few greens like a kale salad or even these Slow Cooker Creamy Brussels Sprouts.
- Pasta- This is always a good choice with a protein. I personally enjoy Slow Cooker Mac And Cheese, Slow Cooker Pasta, or Slow Cooker Creamy Tomato Pasta
- Casseroles- Like low Cooker Cauliflower Casserole, Slow Cooker Cheesy Hashbrown Casserole, or Slow Cooker Green Bean Casserole.
Tips and Techniques
- Use low sodium soy sauce- Because you don't want this dish to be overly salty.
- Adjust ingredients according to personal preference- Especially the Sriracha sauce, gochujang paste, salt and pepper, and sesame seed oil. This will help with the spice level and overall desired flavor.
- Pat chicken dry with paper towels- Because this will help the sauce not get too runny and also lets the ingredients stick to the chicken better.
- Use fresh ginger and garlic- Because they add so much aroma and flavor that I find lacking in powders.
- Broil at the end- To give a glazed feel where there is a slightly crisp the top. Simply transfer cooked drumsticks onto a baking tray lined with foil paper and broil for about 5 minutes.
Recipe FAQs
What is Gochujang paste?
This is a delicious fermented Korean chili paste. You can find it at Asian
grocery stores.
How do I thicken the sauce?
Make cornstarch slurry. Transfer ¼ cup of the sauce from the crockpot into a small mixing bowl. Add 1-2 tablespoon cornstarch and whisk it together until smooth. Pour into the crockpot and mix well. Cover and cook on High for 10-15 minutes or until sauce is thickened.
Can I use balsamic glaze instead?
No, because it is not the same thing as balsamic vinegar. They cannot be used interchangeably.
Storage
- Make ahead- This can easily be made up to 2 days before you need it if kept properly in the fridge. It can also be made as a freezer meal for a later time.
- Refrigerate- Place in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
- Freeze- Place in a sealed container for up to 1 month.
- Reheat- In the microwave until heated through.
More crockpot chicken recipes
- Slow Cooker Chicken Ranch Bacon Pasta
- Slow Cooker Tandoori Chicken
- Slow Cooker Chicken Noodle Soup
- Slow Cooker Asian Chicken (Shredded)
- Slow Cooker Thai Green Chicken Curry
Recipe
Slow Cooker Sticky Korean Chicken Drumsticks
Easy slow cooker sticky Korean chicken drumsticks, homemade with simple ingredients. Tender meat is coated in a sweet and spicy Asian sauce packed with Sriracha, gochujang and sesame.
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Ingredients
- ¼ cup Honey
- ¼ cup Soy sauce Low sodium
- ¼ cup Balsamic vinegar
- 2 tablespoon Brown sugar
- 6 cloves Garlic Finely minced
- 1 tablespoon Ginger Freshly grated
- 1-2 teaspoon Sriracha sauce Can use more or less depending on your spice preference
- 2 teaspoon Gochujang paste This is a delicious fermented Korean chili paste
- 1-2 teaspoon Sesame oil Adjust according to your preference as it has a strong flavor and aroma
- Salt To taste
- Pepper To taste
- 3-3.5 pounds Chicken drumsticks I used skinless, Patted dry with paper towels
- 1 teaspoon Sesame seeds For garnish, Toast it for additional flavor and aroma
- 1 tablespoon Green onions Thinly sliced, For garnish
Instructions
- In a large crockpot (6 quart or larger), add honey, soy sauce, balsamic vinegar, brown sugar, garlic, ginger, Sriracha sauce, gochujang paste, sesame oil, salt, pepper and mix until combined.
- Add drumsticks and toss until combined.
- Cover and cook on Low heat for about 4-5 hours, or until chicken is cooked through and the internal temperature reads 165 degrees F.
- Optional step: Thicken the sauce with cornstarch slurry. Transfer ¼ cup of the sauce from the crockpot into a small mixing bowl. Add 2 tablespoon cornstarch and whisk it together until smooth. Pour this cornstarch slurry in the crockpot and mix until evenly combined. Cover and cook on High for 10-15 minutes or until sauce is thickened. For less thickness, you can use 1 tablespoon cornstarch instead of 2 tbsp.
- Garnish with sesame seeds and green onions. Enjoy.
Notes
- Adjust amount of sriracha sauce and gochujang paste based on how much spice you like in your food. For addition spice, you can also add some red chili flakes.
- Gochujang paste can be found in Asian grocery stores.
- If your toast your sesame seeds until golden brown, they will add more flavor and aroma to this dish.
- I highly recommend using fresh ginger and garlic because they add so much aroma and flavor that I find lacking in powders.
- Please note that balsamic vinegar is not the same as balsamic glaze and cannot be used interchangeably.
- Read additional tips and variations above.
- Leftovers can be stored in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 2 days and can be reheated in the microwave.
Nutrition
Calories: 330kcalCarbohydrates: 20gProtein: 28gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 140mgSodium: 721mgPotassium: 412mgFiber: 0.3gSugar: 17gVitamin A: 85IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 34mgIron: 1mg
An automated tool is used to calculate the nutritional information. As such, I cannot guarantee the accuracy of the nutritional information provided for any recipe on this site.
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