Whether you're looking for a hassle-free busy weeknight dinner for the whole family, planning a crowd-pleasing dish for a party, or simply craving a kid-friendly meal that everyone will love, these slow cooker BBQ chicken legs fit the bill perfectly. Juicy chicken drumsticks are fall-off-the-bone tender and infused with smoky BBQ flavors with minimal effort thanks to this relatively hands-off recipe.
When I need a hassle free dinner, I love making slow cooker recipes. These crockpot chicken drumsticks are an incredibly easy and mess-free way to enjoy juicy, BBQ-infused chicken without the need to fire up the grill. It's perfect for busy weeknights and the best way to make dinner when I want to spend less time in the kitchen.
The slow cooker does all the work, gently simmering the chicken legs in BBQ sauce for a few hours until they are tender and packed with flavor. This hands-off cooking method takes only a few minutes of prep time and ensures perfectly cooked chicken. It also frees up my kitchen space and time to prepare other sides or simply relax while dinner cooks. It is an easy recipe with simple ingredients.
The best part is that you can double or triple the recipe effortlessly, making it ideal for feeding a large family or preparing for a picnic or party.
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Ingredients
- Chicken Legs – Use 6 large chicken drumstick for this recipe. You can also use other cuts of chicken. Adjust the cooking time accordingly.
- BBQ Seasoning – BBQ seasoning can really boost the flavor. Find a premade mix in the spice aisle of the grocery store or prepare my Homemade BBQ Seasoning recipe.
- BBQ Sauce – Use your favorite brand of barbecue sauce or try making your own using my recipe for Easy Pineapple BBQ Sauce.
See recipe card for quantities.
How to Make Slow Cooker Chicken Drumsticks
- Step 1: Season the chicken legs evenly with the BBQ seasoning.
- Step 2: Place chicken into the crockpot in a single layer and brush on half of the barbecue sauce.
- Step 3: Cook on HIGH for 4 hours.
- Step 4: Remove the chicken from the pot and brush with the remaining barbecue sauce.
Hint: The skin on the chicken will not be crispy right out of the slow cooker. If you would like crispy skin, place the cooked chicken on a baking sheet and broil for a minute or two making sure not to burn the skin.
Variations/ Substitutions
- Chicken – Instead of chicken drumsticks, you can use other cuts such as thighs or bone-in chicken breasts. Adjust cooking times as needed for slow cooker chicken thighs or other cuts of chicken.
- BBQ Seasoning – Customize the seasoning blend by adjusting the spices to your liking. You can use store-bought BBQ spice rub or make your own. Enhance the flavor profile by adding minced garlic, onion powder, garlic powder or smoked paprika.
- BBQ Sauce – Besides using your favorite store-bought BBQ sauce or the homemade BBQ sauce option provided, you can experiment with different flavors of BBQ sauce such as spicy, honey mustard, or smoky varieties. You can also add soy sauce and sesame seeds to the sauce to give it an Asian flair.
- Spicy – Add cayenne pepper to the seasoning blend or add a dash of hot sauce to the BBQ sauce.
Equipment
Slow cookers ranging from 4 to 8 quarts is a popular size for most families. Look for features like programmable settings and a removable insert for easy cleaning and versatility.
If you prefer multi-functionality, an Instant Pot with a slow cooker function can be a great choice. To use the slow cooker function on an Instant Pot, select the "Slow Cook" mode and adjust the temperature and cooking time as directed by your recipe.
Storage
Cool the leftover slow cooker chicken drumsticks and wrap tightly or store in an airtight container or in freezer bags in the fridge for up to 4 days.
To reheat leftover chicken legs, cover with a damp towel and heat in the microwave at 15 second intervals until heated through. You can also reheat on a baking tray in a 350 degrees F oven for 15-20 minutes.
Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge.
Cooking Tips
- Season the chicken well before adding to the slow cooker.
- Brush with BBQ sauce being sure to reserve some to use again after cooking.
- Cook the chicken to a minimum temperature of 165 degrees F when checked with a digital meat thermometer.
- If you prefer crispy skin, you can broil the chicken legs in the oven for a few minutes after slow cooking them to achieve a crispier texture.
Serving Suggestions
For a delicious meal the entire family will enjoy, serve slow cooker BBQ chicken legs with a comforting dish like Simple Orzo Rice Pilaf, which complements the savory flavors of the chicken. Jiffy Corn Casserole is a classic choice, providing a creamy, cornbread-like side. I also serve these slow cooker chicken legs with my family's favorite sides like Crispy Air Fryer Red Potatoes or stovetop mac and cheese. To brighten up your plate, consider adding a refreshing Farmers Market Tomato Salad, featuring ripe tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, and tangy dressing for a burst of freshness.
FAQ
You can substitute chicken thighs or chicken breasts, but you will need to adjust the cooking times accordingly. If using boneless chicken, the chicken will cook through much quicker. Always check for doneness with a meat thermometer.
If you prefer crispy skin, you can broil the cooked chicken legs in the oven for a few minutes after they're done in the slow cooker. Brush with more BBQ sauce before serving.
Related
Looking for more chicken recipes? Try these:
If you like this Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Drumsticks recipe, please leave a 5-star rating.
RECIPE
Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Legs
Ingredients
- 6 large chicken legs
- 2 tablespoons BBQ seasoning
- ⅓ cup bbq sauce
Instructions
- Season the chicken legs evenly with the BBQ seasoning.
- Place chicken into the crockpot and brush on half of the barbecue sauce.
- Cook on HIGH for 4 hours.
- Remove the chicken from the pot and brush with the remaining barbecue sauce.
Notes
Nutrition
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Cathleen says
I just bought a whole bunch of chicken legs and had no idea what to make with them. I am so glad that I found this recipe! They are so good, I will be making this again next week.
Adriana says
These BBQ chicken legs are a must to try at home. My family loves BBQ chicken for dinner. Thanks for making cooking easy with all your tips.
Lauren says
I had never thought to make chicken legs in the slow cooker, but this came out so incredibly flavorful and tender! I will definitely make this recipe again!
veenaazmanov says
One of the best and flavorful sauce perfect for any recipe. This Slow cooker BBQ Chicken looks soft, moist and juicy. Super easy to make and yummy to eat it too.
Marie says
These chicken legs are finger-licking good!! So easy to make and the meat is incredibly tender. The barbecue sauce finishing touch was just perfect! Loved it.
Ashley says
I love this set it and forget it recipe! And with only 3 ingredients it couldn't be easier!
Amy Liu Dong says
Oh my gosh, this is so easy and delicious. I include this in my school lunch recipe ideas. Yum!
Lori | The Kitchen Whisperer says
Chicken legs are so inexpensive and so full of flavor! I love how easy they are to make! I popped these under the broiler to crisp up the skin. Such a great recipe!
julie says
My kids have been really into chicken wings lately and this recipe that makes them in the slow cooker is a game changer! I can now easily make them at home for them and these taste so good!
Molly Kumar says
Wow, these came out so juicy and were absolutely breezy to make. The ingredients were super simple and it was a hit during weekend brunch.