Experience the ultimate in convenience and flavor with these incredible Slow Cooker Sweet Chili Chicken Drumsticks. Infused with vibrant Asian flavors and made effortlessly easy by your slow cooker, this dish is a weeknight dinner dream come true.
PIN IT FOR LATER!
Effortless Asian Flavors: Slow Cooker Sweet Chili Chicken Drumsticks
There was a time in my younger years when the thought of living in New York City was a constant, enchanting dream. It’s quite amusing, given my usual aversion to crowded spaces, but the sheer magic of New York held an undeniable allure. This was, of course, long before children entered the picture, a fantasy of a tiny apartment nestled amidst the bustling heart of the city. I imagined waking up to the symphony of city sounds, the intriguing aroma of street food wafting through my window, and the charming necessity of daily visits to the neighborhood grocer for fresh dinner ingredients, simply because my compact living space couldn’t accommodate a week’s worth of supplies. And while my passion for cooking has always been strong, I fully intended to indulge in the city’s endless array of takeout and delivery options.
Today, my life is wonderfully different, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything. However, the experience of ordering delivery in New York City versus my current suburban Utah locale is, to put it mildly, two entirely different narratives. Here in my corner of Utah, delivery services are practically a myth. You might find a pizza place (though it’s certainly no New York-style slice) and perhaps one Chinese restaurant that, frankly, doesn’t come with glowing recommendations. It’s a far cry from the vibrant culinary scene of NYC.
Bringing Asian Takeout Home: The Convenience of Slow Cooker Dishes
But who needs to rely on mediocre Chinese takeout when you can effortlessly create all your favorite Asian dishes right in your own kitchen? Not only can you prepare them at home, but thanks to fantastic resources like “The Asian Slow Cooker” cookbook, it’s easier and more delicious than ever. Authored by the talented Kelly Kwok, the creative force behind the popular blog Life Made Sweeter, this cookbook transforms dinnertime into a stress-free, flavor-packed experience. Boasting 80 mouth-watering recipes, including beloved classics such as Sweet and Sour Chicken, Kung Pao Chicken, and Szechuan Beef, you’ll soon find yourself forgetting all about ordering out.
A Closer Look at “The Asian Slow Cooker” Cookbook
“The Asian Slow Cooker” is a treasure trove for anyone looking to simplify weeknight meals without sacrificing authentic Asian flavors. Kelly Kwok’s expertise shines through, offering a collection that caters to both beginners and seasoned home cooks. Let’s delve into what makes this cookbook an essential addition to your kitchen library:
- Visual Feast: One of the immediate delights of this cookbook is the abundance of stunning photography. Every single recipe is accompanied by a beautiful photo, providing not only inspiration but also a clear visual guide to what your finished dish should look like. This attention to detail is incredibly helpful and adds to the overall enjoyment of cooking from the book.
- Recipe Accessibility: The recipes in this book span a spectrum from Easy to Medium in terms of difficulty. What’s particularly appealing is the thoughtful balance between familiar, comforting dishes and a selection of new-to-me recipes. This encourages culinary exploration, gently pushing you beyond your usual repertoire while ensuring that there are plenty of approachable options for those busy evenings. It’s a wonderful way to expand your cooking skills and introduce diverse flavors to your family’s table.
- Ingredient Availability: Sourcing ingredients is often a concern with international cuisine. However, Kelly Kwok has designed these recipes with practicality in mind. Most ingredients can be readily found at your local grocery store. For some more specialized items, a visit to an Asian market might be beneficial, but these are typically easy to locate and well worth the small effort for authentic results. The book makes it simple to dive into Asian cooking without feeling intimidated by obscure ingredients.
Must-Try Recipes from “The Asian Slow Cooker”
Beyond the fantastic Sweet Chili Chicken Drumsticks, this cookbook offers a plethora of dishes that have already piqued my interest. Here are just a few I’m eager to try:
- Chicken Lo Mein
- Chili Orange Beef
- Chicken Adobo with Coconut Lime Rice
- Honey Garlic Chicken Sliders
- Chili Hoisin Glazed Sticky Meatballs
- Chicken Laksa Noodle Soup
- Vietnamese Pho Beef Rice Noodle Soup
- Mango Coconut Tapioca Pudding
Ready to explore these delicious recipes and more? You can purchase The Asian Slow Cooker on Amazon and start your culinary adventure today.
Why Sweet Chili Chicken Drumsticks are a Family Favorite
The moment I first saw the recipe for these Sweet Chili Chicken Drumsticks, I knew they were destined for my dinner table. There were two compelling reasons for this immediate conviction. Firstly, chicken drumsticks are an absolute hit with my family. Without fail, every time I prepare them, they vanish from the plate with remarkable speed and enthusiasm. Their rich, dark meat flavor and tender texture make them a universally loved option, not to mention their economical advantage.
Secondly, while preparing for a recent move and conducting a thorough inventory of my pantry and food storage, I unearthed several bottles of sweet chili sauce. It was a delightful discovery, providing the perfect opportunity to utilize some of that stash in a truly delicious way. This recipe seemed like an ideal solution to both satisfy my family’s craving for drumsticks and make good use of my pantry staples.
The Simplicity and Secret to Flavor: Marination
Recipes truly don’t get much simpler than these Slow Cooker Sweet Chili Chicken Drumsticks. They are, in essence, a “dump and cook” meal, requiring minimal hands-on effort. However, there is one crucial step that sets this dish apart: marinating the drumsticks overnight. I must confess, I’m notoriously forgetful about pre-planning meals, especially those requiring overnight prep. I often tell myself I need to set an alarm to remind me to start a recipe the night before, otherwise, it inevitably slips my mind.
Despite my tendency to forget, making the effort to marinate these drumsticks overnight was incredibly simple and undeniably worth it. The marination process allows the chicken to fully absorb the rich, sweet, and tangy flavors of the sauce, tenderizing the meat and infusing it with an unparalleled depth. After a leisurely cooking period in the slow cooker, these drumsticks emerge incredibly tender, succulent, and bursting with Asian-inspired goodness. The transformation is remarkable, resulting in chicken that practically falls off the bone. I was even able to win over one of my notoriously picky eaters – not only did they enjoy this dish, but they also enthusiastically requested the leftovers for lunch the very next day. This, in my book, unequivocally marks it as a winner!
Having experienced the delicious success of this recipe, I’m now even more eager to delve into the rest of “The Asian Slow Cooker” cookbook. With so many fantastic recipes to choose from, I know my family’s dinner menu is about to get a lot more exciting and flavorful!
More Delicious Chicken Drumstick Recipes to Explore
If you’re a fan of chicken drumsticks, you’ll love these other easy and flavorful recipes:
- Crispy Baked Chicken Drumsticks
- Honey Balsamic Drumsticks
- Hoisin Glazed Chicken
Stay Connected for More Family-Friendly Recipes!
Looking for more delicious and free recipes to inspire your family meals? Be sure to subscribe to our free recipe newsletter to receive new, family-friendly recipes delivered straight to your inbox each week! You can also find us sharing daily inspiration and culinary adventures on Pinterest, Facebook, and Instagram. Join our community of home cooks and never miss a tasty update!
Slow Cooker Sweet Chili Chicken Drumsticks
Pin Recipe
Ingredients
- 2/3 cup low sodium soy sauce
- 2/3 cup Thai sweet chili sauce
- 2 teaspoons fish sauce
- 2 inch piece ginger root (peeled and minced)
- 4-5 lbs chicken drumsticks
- fresh chopped cilantro (for garnish)
- toasted sesame seeds (for garnish)
Instructions
- Combine the soy sauce, Thai sweet chili sauce, fish sauce, and minced ginger root in a large resealable container or bag. Add the chicken drumsticks and toss to coat them thoroughly with the marinade. Place the container in the refrigerator and allow the chicken to marinate for a minimum of 3 hours, or ideally, overnight for best flavor.
- When you are ready to cook, transfer the marinated chicken and all the marinade into a 6-quart slow cooker. Cook the drumsticks on the low setting for 5 to 6 hours, or on the high setting for 3 hours, until the chicken is cooked through and tender.
- Once the chicken is cooked in the slow cooker, preheat your broiler. Line a baking sheet with foil for easy cleanup, then carefully transfer the cooked chicken drumsticks to the prepared baking sheet. Brush the drumsticks generously with some of the remaining marinade (which has been cooked with the chicken). Broil on high for approximately 3 minutes per side, flipping once and brushing with more sauce, until the skin is slightly caramelized and crispy.
- Remove the drumsticks from the oven. If desired, garnish with fresh chopped cilantro and a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds before serving for added freshness and a pleasing crunch.
Recipe Notes:
Nutrition information provided is an estimate only. Various brands and products can alter the counts. Any nutritional information should be used as a general guide. Nutrition information does not include garnishes.
Nutrition Information
Calories: 616kcal (31%),
Carbohydrates: 14g (5%),
Protein: 62g (124%),
Fat: 31g (48%),
Saturated Fat: 8g (50%),
Polyunsaturated Fat: 13g,
Monounsaturated Fat: 7g,
Trans Fat: 0g,
Cholesterol: 313mg (104%),
Sodium: 1853mg (81%),
Fiber: 0g,
Sugar: 13g (14%)