Maple-Glazed Chicken Drumsticks

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-05 · Updated 2026-04-05

Sweet and savory drumsticks with a sticky maple glaze that caramelizes perfectly in the slow cooker, guaranteed to become a weekly favorite. This American-inspired slow-cooker recipe, ready in about 255 minutes, pairs chicken drumsticks, pure maple syrup, soy sauce for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 2 lbs chicken drumsticks
• 3 tbsp pure maple syrup
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1/4 cup chicken broth
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1/4 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper

Slow cookers worth buying for this → Best Slow Cookers in 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Place 2 lbs chicken drumsticks in slow cooker, then add 3 tbsp pure maple syrup, 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar, 1 tbsp Dijon mustard, 2 cloves garlic (minced), 1/4 cup chicken broth, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1/4 tsp garlic powder, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Stir until evenly coated.
2. Step 2: Cover and cook on LOW for 4-5 hours, or until chicken is tender and easily pulls away from the bone.
3. Step 3: Remove chicken and set aside. Increase heat to HIGH and cook sauce for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until reduced by half and thickened to a syrupy consistency.
4. Step 4: Return chicken to slow cooker and toss to coat in glaze. Cook on LOW for 10 minutes to let flavors meld.