Crock Pot Chicken Legs

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Crock Pot chicken legs (a.k.a. Crock Pot chicken drumsticks) have all the flavor of BBQ chicken legs, but you don’t need to stand by the grill and you can make them anytime of year. Plus, they turn out even more juicy and tender than using other cooking methods!

I usually prefer baked chicken legs as my go-to, but when I want something more hands-off, these slow cooker chicken drumsticks are perfect. Just like other Crock Pot recipes, you gather your ingredients, toss them in, and let time do its thing. They are great for weeknight dinners on busy days, but also for game night!

Ingredients & Substitutions

This section explains how to choose the best ingredients for slow cooker chicken legs, what each one does in the recipe, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card below.

• Chicken Legs – I used chicken drumsticks, but you can also make this recipe with chicken leg quarters. In case you’re wondering, it’s also fine to use different cuts of chicken, such as thighs or breasts.
• BBQ Sauce – Use your favorite! Mine is a homemade sugar-free BBQ sauce.
• Seasonings – You only need salt and pepper to season these Crock Pot chicken drumsticks with sea salt and black pepper, but I like to add garlic powder as well (this is optional).

VARIATION: Use more seasonings instead of BBQ sauce.

You can omit the BBQ sauce and use other spices and seasonings such as paprika, chili powder, or onion powder. Or just use 2-3 tablespoons of poultry seasoning, Italian seasoning, or lemon pepper seasoning for a different flavor profile. You’ll still need the salt and pepper, unless the seasoning you use already has salt.

How To Make Chicken Legs In The Crock Pot

This section shows how to make chicken drumsticks in the slow cooker, with step-by-step photos and details about the technique, to help you visualize it. For full instructions, including amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card below.

1. Season. Pat the drumsticks dry with paper towels. Season on all sides with garlic powder (if using), salt, and pepper.
2. Assemble. Spray your Crock Pot (this one is my favorite) with cooking spray, then add the chicken. Pour the BBQ sauce evenly over the chicken.

3. Slow cook. Close the lid and cook chicken legs in the Crock Pot until they reach an internal temperature of at least 170 degrees F (this higher temp is recommended for dark meats) and are fall-apart tender.
4. Add more sauce. Remove the chicken from the slow cooker and arrange in a single layer on a baking sheet. Brush more BBQ sauce over the chicken legs. (It’s easiest to pour the sauce into a small bowl first, so you can dip the brush in it.)

5. Broil (optional). If you like, place the chicken drumsticks under the broiler in the oven and broil for a couple of minutes. This is not required, though.

Storage Instructions

• Store: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
• Reheat: You can reheat Crock Pot chicken drumsticks in the slow cooker on the Warm setting, in the oven at 350 degrees F, or in the microwave.
• Freeze: After cooling, arrange the drumsticks in a single layer on a parchment paper lined baking sheet, and freeze until solid. (This will prevent them from sticking together when frozen.) Then, transfer in an airtight container or zip lock freezer bag and store in the freezer for up to 3 months.

What To Serve With Crock Pot Chicken Legs

Now that you’ve got mouthwatering BBQ Crock Pot chicken legs, you’re probably wondering what to serve with them! Here are some easy ideas:

• Veggies – Serve up the slow cooker chicken legs alongside roasted acorn squash or quick microwave spaghetti squash in the fall, or simple sauteed broccoli or roasted vegetables anytime of year.
• Potatoes – I love a baked sweet potato with this dish, but you could make regular potatoes in the air fryer or even Instant Pot baked potatoes instead.
• Noodles – I often prepare baked spaghetti squash or zucchini noodles to go with this easy slow cooker drumsticks recipe, but regular pasta also works if it fits your lifestyle.
• Side Salad – For a light meal, make a zucchini salad, a refreshing Greek salad, or simple arugula salad to go on the side.

More Easy Crock Pot Chicken Recipes

Whether I need something tasty for game day or a quick and easy weeknight dinner, Crock Pot chicken recipes always come to the rescue. Here are a few you have to try:

Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore

Crock Pot Whole Chicken

Creamy Crock Pot Chicken

Crock Pot Chicken Thighs

Recipe Card

5 from 11 votes

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Crock Pot Chicken Legs (2 Ingredients!)

These BBQ Crock Pot chicken legs are an easy way to make drumsticks in the slow cooker! They are juicy, saucy, and fall-off-the-bone tender.

Prep: 5 minutes

Cook: 5 hours 5 minutes

Total: 5 hours 10 minutes

Author: Maya Krampf from WholesomeYum.com

Servings: 8 (adjust to scale recipe)

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Ingredients

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• 3 lb Chicken legs ▢
• 1 tsp Garlic powder (optional) ▢
• 1/2 tbsp Sea salt ▢
• 1/4 tsp Black pepper (or more if you like more heat) ▢
• 1 1/2 cups BBQ sauce (divided into 1 cup and ½ cup; I prefer sugar-free BBQ sauce, but regular also works) ▢

Instructions

Tap on the times in the instructions below to start a kitchen timer while you cook.

1. Pat the chicken drumsticks dry with paper towels.

2. Season the chicken on all sides with garlic powder (if using), salt, and pepper.

3. Spray the bottom of a 6-quart slow cooker with cooking spray, then add the chicken.

4. Pour 1 cup of the BBQ sauce evenly over the chicken.

5. Close the lid and cook chicken legs in the Crock Pot for 5-6 hours on Low (recommended) or 3-4 hours on High.

6. Towards the end of cooking time, position your oven rack to 6-8 inches away from the broiler. Preheat the oven to the Broil setting. (If your oven has multiple broil settings, set it to High or 500 degrees F (260 degrees C).)

7. Remove the chicken from the slow cooker and arrange in a single layer on a baking sheet. Brush the remaining 1/2 cup BBQ sauce over the chicken legs.

8. Optional step: Broil the chicken drumsticks for 3-5 minutes, or until crispy and browned on the edges.

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Related Easy Recipes

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  Air Fryer Chicken Legs Recipe
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  Grilled Chicken Legs
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  BBQ Chicken Salad
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  Sugar Free BBQ Sauce (Keto)

Recipe Notes

Serving size: 1 Crock Pot chicken drumstick

• Nutrition info per serving will vary depending on the size of your chicken legs and how many are in the 3 pounds for this recipe. The first 2 times I tested this Crock Pot chicken legs recipe, 3 pounds was 8 drumsticks. The third time and when the photos were taken, 3 pounds was 10 drumsticks.
• Nutrition info uses sugar free BBQ sauce, but regular also works.

Nutrition Facts

Amount per serving. Serving size in recipe notes above.

Calories 349

Fat 20.3g

Protein 33.3g

Total Carbs 7.1g

Net Carbs 5.5g

Fiber 1.6g

Sugar 4.5g

Nutrition facts are provided as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see our nutrition policy.

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Keywords: chicken legs in the Crock Pot, Crock Pot chicken drumsticks, Crock Pot chicken legs, slow cooker chicken drumsticks, slow cooker chicken legs

Calories: 349 kcal

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