A delicious and simple meal that requires minimal effort on your part. These slow cooker chicken legs are made with just a few ingredients and come out with juicy, tender chicken that falls off the bone. Seasoned in a simple dry rub, these chicken drumsticks are the perfect easy weeknight dinner!
Save time and effort after work with these slow cooker chicken legs!
This slow cooker chicken recipe is a sanity saver on busy weeknights when the kids have multiple activities after school (likewise for these gluten-free chicken wings).
Learn more about slow cookers and choosing the best one for your family (and how to use it!).
As a preference, my kids enjoy more of a dry rub on their chicken so no saucy fingers here.
Instead, this slow cooker recipe is made with a simple blend of garlic and paprika that yields maximum flavor.
As a Certified Nutrition Coach, this is the perfect “set it and forget it” weeknight meal.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
Easy no need to keep an eye on the drumsticks, just pop them in the slow cooker and enjoy them at the end of the day!
Allergy-friendly these drumsticks are dairy-free, gluten-free, keto, paleo, and whole30 approved!
Minimal ingredients you won’t need to scour your cupboards for this one, six ingredients and you’re good to go!
Ingredients You Need
Chicken legs: one of the best parts about this gluten-free weeknight dinner is that you can almost always find chicken drumsticks on sale! So, when you see some, stock up so you can always whip this one up in a pinch (chicken leg quarters are great for this too!).
Salt: no need to get fancy here, use whatever salt you have on hand.
Pepper: we add this as per preference. If you love that peppery flavor, add a bit more.
Paprika: though regular paprika is great, smoked paprika gives these a whole new flavor to slow cooker drumsticks.
Garlic powder: you want the powder to coat the legs a bit so don’t use fresh garlic for this.
Lemon juice: the secret ingredient to helping the flavor stay on the chicken legs!
How To Cook Chicken Drumsticks
- In a cast iron pan, quickly sear the chicken legs over medium to high heat (about one minute per side).
- In a steel bowl, add the lemon juice and the chicken legs. Toss a bit.
- In a small bowl, combine the seasoning ingredients. Pour the seasoning over the drumsticks and toss until mostly coated.
- Spray your slow cooker lightly and place the drumsticks in evenly (not all on top of each other).
- Cover and cook on low for 6 hours.
Step By Step Photos
Important Teaching Tips
Chicken legs naturally give off a lot of liquid. This means that your slow cooker chicken drumsticks won’t stay totally dry. That’s okay though as the flavor from the rub seeps in and you end up with super juicy chicken.
If you prefer a drier chicken leg, sear the drumsticks prior to adding them to the slow cooker.
What To Serve Them With
These slow cooker chicken drumsticks work well as an easy chicken dinner recipe for busy nights on the side of something like cilantro lime brown rice or any of the following:
However, they also work well as a meal prep recipe. You can use the leftover chicken to make things like chicken pesto pasta or a dairy-free chicken alfredo pasta.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Slow Cooker Chicken Legs
Slow cooker chicken legs result in super juicy meat. In fact, the slow cooker is a great way to cook chicken legs! However, if you want your chicken to be less juicy or watery, sear the legs prior to putting them in the slow cooker.
Always cook your chicken on low in the slow cooker. This keeps the chicken from drying out too quickly and results in a juicier flavor.
It's definitely safe to cook frozen chicken drumsticks in a slow cooker so long as the internal temperature of the chicken legs reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit before eating. However, know that it may impact how well a dry rub sticks to the chicken drumsticks as they thaw before cooking.
There is no need to remove the skin before cooking crock pot chicken drumsticks. in fact, the skin helps the chicken drumsticks retain a lot of their flavor and keep the meat juicy.
Other Chicken Recipes For Busy Nights
- Slow cooker chicken pot pie
- Spicy chicken bites
- Gluten-Free chicken teriyaki
- Slow cooker honey mustard chicken
Fall Off The Bone Slow Cooker Chicken Legs
Video
Equipment
Ingredients
- 8-9 chicken drumsticks
- 1.5 tbs salt
- Pepper to taste
- 1 teaspoon Smoked paprika
- 2 tbs garlic powder
- 1 tbs lemon juice
Instructions
- In a cast iron pan, quickly sear the chicken legs over medium to high heat (about one minute per side).
- In a steel bowl, add the lemon juice and the chicken legs. Toss a bit.
- In a small bowl, combine the seasoning ingredients. Pour the seasoning over the drumsticks and toss until mostly coated.
- Spray your slow cooker lightly and place the drumsticks in evenly (not all on top of each other).
- Cover and cook on low for 6 hours.
Notes
Disclaimer:
Nutrition values are estimates only, using online calculators. Please verify using your own data"
Jane says
This recipe is not only delicious, but also easy to make. It's the perfect dessert for the holidays or anytime you're craving something sweet and tasty.
Allie says
This recipe was perfect! Honestly one of the best chicken leg recipes I've made. Well definitely be saving this one!
Sarah says
We've been getting home.late from baseball and have needed easy meals. This was perfect with a side salad and rice. So good!
fitasamamabear says
Omg we're a baseball family too so I totally feel you.
fitasamamabear says
This makes my heart happy!
Michelle says
Tried out this recipe since I had chicken legs on hand - turned out super moist and flavorful! The lemon juice added a nice brightness to the overall dish which we enjoyed.
fitasamamabear says
It's a wicked one for when you get them on sale!!
Lisa says
This is so effortless to prepare! I put it together before heading out to the beach with the family so dinner was ready when we got back. The meat came out juicy and fall off the bone tender.
fitasamamabear says
Effortless is a house staple haha
Janice says
I recently made these slow cooker chicken legs for our dinner, and they were a total hit! I love how juicy and tender it turned out! Such a great recipe to try!
fitasamamabear says
Best comment ever!