Chicken drumsticks are so affordable – and can be so delicious if you prepare them the right way. This Thai peanut chicken drumsticks recipe is the recipe that will make you a believer!

Chicken drumsticks are one of the cheapest cuts of meat or poultry in the grocery store. I usually find them for about 50 cents per drumstick (or around $1.69/lb.) Forget boneless, skinless chicken breasts. Drumsticks are where it’s at: They’re affordable, meaty, and juicy.

The key is finding new and delicious ways to prepare chicken drumsticks. 

My obsession started with this original slow cooker chicken drumsticks recipe. 

They turned out so delicious and full of flavor, that I immediately started experimenting with the same cooking method – but different seasonings and spices.

Where did I land? With this flavor packed, Thai-style peanut chicken recipe. 

About The Recipe: Slow Cooker Thai Peanut Chicken Drumsticks

There are a few things you should know to ensure this recipe is a success – and to ensure this recipe makes it into your weekly meal rotation:

• Marinate: The longer you can marinate the chicken, the better (within reason, of course!) I ended up marinating the chicken for about a day and a half.
• Use your slow cooker: It couldn’t be easier to cook this chicken! Just throw it in the slow cooker with the marinade and cook on high for 3 to 4 hours, or on low for 5 to 6 hours. After the allotted cooking time, the meat literally falls off the bone. Yum!
• Finish under the broiler: Slow cooking the chicken ensures that the chicken is fully cooked, juicy, and permeated with flavor. But the last step in the recipe involves putting the drumsticks under the broiler for a minute or two to crisp up the skin. Don’t skip this step!
• Toppings & sauce: While technically you don’t have to top the drumsticks with anything (they’re good simply on their own), I like to zhuzh it up with some fresh cilantro, peanuts, lime, and a simple Thai-style peanut sauce for dipping.

The end result is a hearty, flavorful, fresh chicken dish reminiscent of chicken satay with peanut sauce. The Thai flavors shine bright and you’ll swear you’re eating your favorite Thai takeout – for much, much less money!

What You’ll Need For The Marinade

The marinade combines delicious Thai flavors – but nothing too difficult to find if you’re shopping at a regular grocery store.

As always, I’ll list substitutions that can help you save money and perhaps an additional trip to the grocery store:

• Coconut milk: Substitute coconut cream or light coconut milk
• Sweetener: Use honey, brown sugar or palm sugar (commonly used in Thai cooking)
• Lime juice: Use fresh lime juice from 2 limes or lime juice from a bottle
• Chicken broth concentrate: I like Better Than Bouillon brand, but feel free to use chicken bouillon cubes
• Garlic: Use jarred minced garlic, fresh garlic or garlic powder, in a pinch
• Spices: Add some crushed red pepper, ginger, turmeric – or a Thai-style seasoning mix. This is flexible!

Serving Suggestions

While the chicken totally holds its own in terms of flavor and heft, I like to add some toppings & a flavorful sauce on the side to make this even tastier.

Feel free to top with fresh cilantro and chopped peanuts, lime segments, and a simple homemade peanut sauce on the side.

To round out this meal, consider serving with:

• A side of rice
• Cauliflower rice
• Steamed stir fry vegetables
• Steamed broccoli
• Thai peanut cabbage slaw
• Peanut ramen salad
• Thai cucumber salad

Even if you don’t end up making this recipe, remember this: Incorporating more affordable chicken drumsticks into your meals will help you save money on your grocery bill over time. Enjoy!

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Slow Cooker Thai Peanut Chicken Drumsticks

Yield: 3 to 4 servings

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 4 hours

Total Time: 4 hours 20 minutes

While the chicken is great on its own, the cilantro, peanuts, lime, and peanut sauce on the side make this dish extra flavorful.

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Ingredients

• 6 to 8 chicken drumsticks
• 1/2 cup coconut milk
• 1/4 cup lime juice
• 1/4 cup sweetener (brown sugar, honey or palm sugar)
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• 1 tablespoon chicken broth concentrate (like Better Than Bouillon)
• 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon ginger powder
• 1/2 teaspoon turmeric
• Crushed peanuts, for topping
• Chopped cilantro, for topping
• Lime segments, for serving

For peanut sauce

• 1/2 cup peanut butter
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 2 teaspoons soy sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper
• 2 teaspoons lime juice
• Splash of hot water

Instructions

1. Mix all marinade ingredients together in a large bowl. Add chicken and allow to marinate for a few hours - or longer, if time allows. The longer the soak, the better the flavor.
2. Place chicken and marinade into a slow cooker. Cook on high for 3 to 4 hours or low for 5 to 6 hours, until the chicken is cooked through and registers an internal temperature of 165F.
3. Remove chicken from slow cooker and place on a baking sheet sprayed with nonstick cooking spray. Place chicken under the broiler and cook for 1 to 2 minutes (or longer, depending on your oven) - until the chicken skin starts to crisp up.
4. Top chicken with cilantro and chopped peanuts. Serve with peanut sauce and lime segments on the side.
5. To make peanut sauce: Combine all ingredients in a mixing bowl and whisk to combine. You can also place all ingredients in a blender and puree until smooth.

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