Slow cooked Asian-style chicken drumsticks garnished with sesame seeds and green onions

Tender Asian-style Slow Cooked Chicken Drumsticks

Name: Tender Asian-style Slow Cooked Chicken Drumsticks
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 5 h
Total time: 5 h 15 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: Asian
Ingredients: 8 piece Chicken drumsticks (with skin and bone, fresh); 120 ml Soy sauce (preferably low sodium); 2 tbsp Honey; 4 piece Garlic cloves (minced); 1 tbsp Fresh ginger (grated); 2 tbsp Rice vinegar; 1 tbsp Sesame oil; 0.5 tsp Chili flakes (optional, adjust to taste); 2 piece Green onions (chopped, for garnish); 1 tbsp Sesame seeds (for garnish)

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easy

5 hour

Nutritional value per serving

Calories300kcal

Carbs15gram

Fat10gram

Protein25gram

Ingredients

Quantity

Chicken drumsticks (with skin and bone, fresh)8 piece
Soy sauce (preferably low sodium)120 ml
Honey2 tbsp
Garlic cloves (minced)4 piece
Fresh ginger (grated)1 tbsp
Rice vinegar2 tbsp
Sesame oil1 tbsp
Chili flakes (optional, adjust to taste)0.5 tsp
Green onions (chopped, for garnish)2 piece
Sesame seeds (for garnish)1 tbsp

This recipe shows you how to make tender and juicy Asian-style chicken drumsticks using a slow cooker. The chicken absorbs a delicious blend of soy sauce, garlic, ginger, and honey, resulting in a mouthwatering dish that's perfect for a comforting dinner. The ingredients are affordable, around $10-12, €9-11, £7-9, or 800-900 INR. The dish is approximately 300 calories per serving, medium in protein, low-fat, and fits well in a balanced diet. Preparation is simple with minimal hands-on time, and slow cooking ensures great flavor development. Total cooking time is about 5.5 hours. Food safety is emphasized with recommended internal chicken temperature at least 74°C (165°F).

Preparation instructions

Prepare the marinade

1In a bowl, combine soy sauce, honey, minced garlic, grated ginger, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and chili flakes if using. Mix well until honey is dissolved. This marinade brings the delicious Asian flavors to the chicken.

Place the chicken in the slow cooker

2Arrange the chicken drumsticks in the slow cooker in a single layer for even cooking. Avoid stacking them too tightly to ensure heat circulates properly.

Add marinade to chicken

3Pour the marinade over the chicken drumsticks evenly, ensuring all pieces are coated. You can gently turn the drumsticks to coat all sides with the marinade.

Cook the chicken slowly

4Cover the slow cooker with the lid. Cook the chicken on LOW heat for 5 hours. This slow cooking process makes the chicken very tender and allows flavors to meld beautifully.

Check internal temperature

5After 5 hours, use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the thickest drumstick. It must reach at least 74°C (165°F) to be safe for consumption, as recommended by food safety guidelines.

Optional step: thicken the sauce

6If you prefer a thicker sauce, remove the drumsticks and pour the sauce into a small pan. Simmer on the stove for a few minutes to reduce and thicken, then return chicken to the sauce.

Serve and garnish

7Transfer the chicken drumsticks to plates. Garnish with chopped green onions and sprinkle sesame seeds on top. Serve with steamed rice or vegetables for a complete meal.

Cooking Tips

1If you don’t have a slow cooker, you can bake the marinated drumsticks in the oven at 180°C (350°F) for 35-40 minutes, turning halfway through.

2For an even deeper flavor, marinate the chicken drumsticks in the sauce for 2-4 hours or overnight in the refrigerator before slow cooking.

3Ensure you use a clean meat thermometer and insert it into the thickest part of the drumstick without touching the bone for accurate temperature.

4Avoid cross-contamination by washing your hands, utensils and cutting boards thoroughly after handling raw chicken.

Equipment

Slow cooker
Mixing bowl
Measuring spoons and cup
Meat thermometer
Knife and cutting board
Spoon or tongs for turning chicken

Grocery Shopping List

[ ] Chicken drumsticks (fresh) ~ $5-7 / €4-6 / £3-5 / 400-500 INR — Choose fresh drumsticks with skin intact, check for no unpleasant odor.
[ ] Soy sauce (low sodium preferred) ~ $2-3 / €2 / £1.5-2 / 150-200 INR — Opt for a good-quality soy sauce for best flavor.
[ ] Honey ~ $3 / €2.5 / £2 / 200-250 INR — Raw or organic honey can add more flavor.
[ ] Garlic cloves ~ $0.50 / €0.40 / £0.35 / 30-40 INR — Fresh garlic bulbs, avoid pre-minced if possible.
[ ] Fresh ginger root ~ $1 / €0.8 / £0.7 / 50-70 INR — Look for firm, smooth skin ginger.
[ ] Rice vinegar ~ $1.5 / €1.2 / £1 / 100-150 INR — Mild flavor vinegar for Asian cooking.
[ ] Sesame oil ~ $2 / €1.5 / £1.5 / 150-200 INR — Toasted sesame oil is more aromatic.
[ ] Chili flakes (optional) ~ negligible cost
[ ] Green onions ~ $1 / €0.8 / £0.7 / 40-50 INR — Fresh and crisp.
[ ] Sesame seeds ~ $1 / €0.8 / £0.7 / 40-50 INR — Whole seeds add texture.

Estimated total cost: $10-12 / €9-11 / £7-9 / 800-900 INR

FAQ

Can I use chicken thighs instead of drumsticks?

Yes, chicken thighs work well and will be tender after slow cooking. Just adjust the cooking time slightly if they are very large.

How do I know when the chicken is fully cooked?

Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature. The USDA recommends at least 74°C (165°F) inside the thickest part of the meat without touching bone.

Can I prepare this recipe in advance?

Yes, you can marinate the chicken overnight for enhanced flavor and slow cook it when ready. Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for 2-3 days.

Is it safe to eat slow cooked chicken?

Yes, as long as the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 74°C (165°F) during cooking and proper hygiene is followed, slow cooked chicken is safe and tasty.