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These mouthwatering Slow Cooker Chicken Legs are perfect for simple, yet flavorful weeknight dinners. The chicken is lightly seasoned to let its natural flavors shine, then slow-cooked in a savory sauce until the meat is juicy and falls off the bone.
One of the best ways to make chicken for dinner is to pop it in the slow cooker and let it do its thing for a few hours. There’s minimal hands-on work involved and you get juicy and tender chicken every time! That’s why my slow cooker chicken thighs and these Slow Cooker Chicken Legs are always a hit for easy weeknight meals.
Cooking chicken legs in the slow cooker is easy and practically foolproof. The legs are submerged in a savory sauce made from broth, butter, and garlic to infuse the meat with loads of flavor and moisture. The crockpot works its magic over low heat for a few hours until the mouthwatering and juicy chicken is ready to serve.
Recipe features
- The slow cooker does all of the work, so there’s no babysitting involved.
- It’s made with a handful of simple spices and easy-to-find ingredients. You may have them all in your kitchen already!
- It makes a big batch of chicken legs for weeknight family dinners and special events.
Ingredients
Chicken drumsticks - Drumsticks are the lower part of the leg, whereas chicken quarters are the entire chicken leg (the drumstick and the thigh). I used drumsticks in this chicken legs recipe but you can swap them for quarters and thighs if that’s what you already have at home (just know that they’ll take longer to cook).
Spices - I seasoned the chicken with a blend of smoked paprika, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and onion powder. Feel free to experiment with these spices to suit your taste buds.
Chicken broth - The legs are cooked low and slow in broth to infuse them with moisture and flavor. Try to use a good quality store-bought broth, make your own, or use homemade bone broth instead.
Butter - It keeps the chicken moist and tender while adding delicious flavor.
Garlic cloves - Because garlic makes everything better! I used two minced garlic cloves, but adding another clove or two is never a bad idea.
Step-by-step instructions
Step 1: Season the chicken. Pat the drumsticks dry with a paper towel. Stir the dry spices together in a small bowl, then use your hands to rub the dry rub all over the chicken.
Step 2: Add everything to the slow cooker. Transfer the seasoned drumsticks to the slow cooker. Pour the broth over top, then add the butter and garlic.
Step 3: Cook the chicken. The meat is guaranteed to fall off the bone when it’s cooked over low heat. However, if you’re in a rush, you can turn the heat up to high. Serve the juicy crockpot chicken with your favorite side dishes, then enjoy!
Tips and FAQs
- If you want extra crispy chicken legs, sear the legs in a hot skillet on the stove before adding them to your slow cooker. Once the legs are done cooking, place them under the broiler until the skin is crispy.
- To thicken the liquid in the slow cooker, transfer it to a saucepan on the stove over medium-high heat. Whisk in 1 tablespoon of cornstarch and let it simmer until it becomes a gravy-like sauce. Brush the sauce over the cooked chicken legs or drizzle it over top before serving.
- You’ll know the chicken legs are done cooking when their internal temperature reaches 165ºF. Use a meat thermometer to check for doneness right before the cooking time is up.
What else can you use to season chicken drumsticks?
You can easily customize the flavor of the chicken legs by switching the spices in the recipe card for a dry BBQ rub, lemon pepper seasoning, Cajun or Creole spices, blackening seasoning, or curry powder.
Can you make this recipe with frozen chicken legs?
No, I don’t recommend cooking frozen chicken legs in the crockpot. It’s always best to thaw the legs in the fridge first so they can cook evenly and quickly.
What goes well with chicken legs?
The options are endless! I love serving this dish with one starchy side, like mashed red potatoes, baked sweet potatoes, rice, or caramelized onion quinoa, and one vegetable side, like roasted broccoli, roasted carrots, or sauteed asparagus.
Storage
Refrigerator: Let the chicken legs cool to room temperature, then place them in a resealable bag or container. Store in the fridge for 3 to 4 days.
Freezer: Wrap each leg individually in plastic or foil. Place the wrapped chicken legs in a freezer-safe bag and freeze for 2 to 3 months. Let the legs thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
Reheating: Return leftover chicken legs to the slow cooker with some broth, and reheat on Low for 2 to 3 hours or until heated through. Alternatively, you can reheat leftovers in the microwave with a splash of broth for 1 to 2 minutes.
More slow cooker chicken recipes
If you made this recipe, be sure to leave a comment and star rating below. Thanks!
Slow Cooker Chicken Legs
Ingredients
- 2 lb. drumsticks patted dry
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- ⅓ cup chicken broth
- ¼ cup butter diced
Instructions
- If you haven’t already, use a paper towel to pat the chicken dry.
- Stir the smoked paprika, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and onion powder together in a small bowl, then sprinkle the dry rub over the chicken, using your hands to coat it. Transfer the chicken to your slow cooker.
- Pour the broth into the slow cooker, then sprinkle the butter and garlic over the chicken.
- Cook on LOW for 4-6 hours. You CAN cook on high, but the chicken is guaranteed to fall off the bone and be incredibly tender if you cook it on low heat. Enjoy!
Bonnie Vennard says
I followed the recipe exactly as is. It is wonderful! The chicken is moist and tender, the flavors are incredible! I did try with chicken thighs but it didn't turn out as good. Stick to drumsticks.
Cathy says
Delicious and so easy. Hubby and our dinner guest loved them. Will definitely make again. Didn't change a thing.
Erin says
Thanks Cathy! Glad you all loved the chicken legs!
Simone White says
This was my 1st time trying this recipe & I am very pleased with it & can’t wait to cook it again!! I didn’t have garlic cloves, so put a little extra garlic powder to replace & still came out great, falling off the bone! Yum! 😋
Erin says
I'm so glad you liked the chicken, Simone!
Diane says
Hi, did you remove the skin from from the chicken legs before putting them in the crockpot?
Erin says
I did not!
Merele Anderson says
Hello! I made this recipe today and it is delicious. I added a bed on onions on the bottom for the chicken to rest on. I don’t think I would add any different spices but I will increase the amount of paprika by a bit. I will certainly make this recipe again. Thank you.
Erin says
I'm so glad you liked the chicken!
Tracy Pearson says
This was so yummy
I changed some of the spices
I used adobo paprika and pepper
Instead of onion powder because I was out of it I used a handful of chopped onions with the garlic and butter on top
As a side I had mashed sweet potatoes and salad. Delish and thank you .
Tracy
From jersey
Erin says
I'm so glad you liked the chicken, Tracy!
Tash says
I made this today with chicken quarters and I modified the recipe by adding sumac. It was in for 8 hours and it's falling off the bone. Delicious. Highly recommend.
Erin says
Thanks so much! Glad you enjoyed the chicken legs!
Jessica says
I made these for my family tonight and they were a HIT!!! Even my pickiest eaters loved them! I served them with mashed potatoes & gravy, cornbread stuffing, steamed broccoli, deviled eggs and cheddar biscuits 😋
Erin says
Thanks so much Jessica! Glad the family loved the chicken legs!
Michael Chamberlin says
I'm not seeing any measurements at all I am trying to make legs today ?
Erin says
The measurements are near the bottom of the blog post under where it says "Ingredients"
OhioHomeopath says
Super easy crowd favorite! We double the recipe and cook them on high for 4 hours. Falls off the bone. Everyone who tries it asks me for the recipe and cannot believe how simple it is!
Erin says
Thanks so much! Glad you loved the chicken legs!
Bonnie Vennard says
THE best ever slow cooker recipe I have ever tried. Will definitely make again and have shared it on social media as THE BEST EVER !!
Erin says
Thanks so much Bonnie, I really appreciate the support!
Heather says
Making this for dinner, tonight! I added my blend of Italian seasoning and added brown sugar to the rub. After I added everything, I sprinkled Goya over the top. The smell is amazing!! Thank you, my boys will be happy and full!!
Erin says
That sounds amazing! Thanks Heather!
David Speight says
Thanks so much for the recipe. I’m cooking this right now and it’s been in the slow cooker on low heat for 4 hours already. Not much movement apart from the butter having melted and moved to the base but some of the crushed garlic is still sticking to the legs above moisture level. Might turn these to mix better. Hope it works out. House smells good with those lovely ingredients
Erin says
Let me know how they turned out!
Heidi says
Fall off the bone meat for sure! So good! & so easy!! I put the broth in first, and I didn't use the Italian seasoning, garlic cloves or butter. Still tasted great! Thanks for sharing your recipe!
Erin says
Thanks so much Heidi! Glad you liked the chicken legs!
Boise Grams says
It is true the recipe is easy and quick and the meat does fall off the bones, but I did not care for the taste of the spice rub. Probably just personal preference, but I won't make this recipe again.
Christina Dunn says
I used Montreal Chicken seasoning and some pepper for seasoning instead. Amazing!
ssledesma says
That was delicious and easy! Thank you!
Erin says
Happy to hear you liked the chicken!
Sandra Groh says
Very yummy. I did double the spices and I also added a large sprig of fresh rosemary (to add a baked Sunday chicken flavor). I also cooked it on high for 4hrs and it still falls off the bone. I only do chicken in a crock pot on high as it reaches 180degrees F. I also make sure the crock pot is hot first before I add everything, so that the chicken isn't sitting in warm (under 165 degrees) for an hour before it reaches safe temp. Highly recommend for easy, roast chicken like legs.
Erin says
I'm so happy you liked the chicken, Sandra!
Jess says
Was looking to make a drumstick recipe other than some sort of BBQ chicken variation and found this!! We enjoyed it but I definitely think I’ll use more of the dry spices next time and maybe let it marinate for a bit, but I will definitely be making this again and definitely recommend.