One of the best things about having a (in my case two) slow cooker is not just the ease of it, but also the scent that slowly fills your house all day is a big plus to me.

Seriously, who doesn’t like to step into a house where the air is thick with the delicious scent of a slow simmered beef stew? The downside to a slow cooker is that it leaves you ravenous when dinner time is still hours away. Definitely a catch 22.

Same goes for these drumsticks simmered in a highly-addictive combination of spices, honey and orange juice. They’re especially fantastic when served over noodles and loads of crunchy stir-fried vegetables!

Ingredients:

2 pound chicken drumsticks
juice + zest from one orange
1 large garlic clove
2 tbsp brown sugar
1 tbsp honey
2 tbsp soy sauce
1 tbsp sesame oil
1 1/2 tsp five-spice mix
1/2 tsp ground ginger
1/4 to 1/2 tsp dried chili pepper
sesame seeds for garnish
salt & black pepper

Directions:

Wash the orange, grate the zest and run it through a juicer. Squeeze in the garlic.

Add the five-spice mix and brown sugar. I always make my own five-spice blend, it’s so much better than store-bought.

Add the ginger. I also dry my ginger and powder it when I need it. This way I always have ground ginger that tastes and smells like fresh ginger.

Add the chili flakes, honey, soy sauce and sesame oil.

Stir well until the honey has been dissolved.

Season the chicken with a good pinch of salt and pepper.

Heat 2 tbsp oil and brown the chicken on all sides.

 
I tried this recipe with and without browning the chicken first. My guys liked the version with the browned chicken better, but feel free to just toss it in the slow cooker and call it a day! I’m not judging, I promise.
 

Transfer the drumsticks to your slow cooker.

Pour in every last drop of this amazing marinade.

Cook the drumsticks on low for 5 to 6 hours (depending on how hot your slow cooker gets), until the chicken is cooked through. Toss them around a bit now and then.

 
You can use the cooking juice as is, but I prefer to add a tbsp cornstarch and turn it into a slightly thicker sauce. Spoon some of the sauce over the drumsticks and serve the rest on the side.
 

Garnish with sesame seeds, orange parts and spring onion.