This recipe came straight from a reader request, and I’m so glad it did. They asked for a way to make tender, flavorful chicken legs without standing over the stove, and I knew exactly what to share. These Crock Pot chicken legs are everything I love in a weeknight dinner: easy, comforting, and packed with Southern-style flavor.
How A Simple Recipe Turns Into Something Special
Drumsticks were made for the slow cooker. They stay tender and juicy, and that bone adds a little extra flavor to the pot without you lifting a finger.
Now, here’s how I turn them into something incredible:
Amazing BBQ Flavor: We’re using my favorite Homemade BBQ Sauce for this recipe. It’s rich, tangy, and coats the chicken perfectly as it cooks.
Incredibly Simple: Just like my wildly popular Crock Pot Chicken Thighs, I’ve taken simple ingredients and turned them into a delicious meal with the help of a slow cooker.
I hope you love this!
Tips for Perfectly Tender and Juicy Chicken Legs
- Don’t skip the seasoning.
Even though the sauce brings a lot of flavor, I always like to season the chicken legs first. A sprinkle of good salt, and fresh cracked pepper makes a big difference and one you don’t want to skip. - Cook low and slow.
This is one recipe where time works in your favor. Cooking on low keeps the chicken juicy and lets the sauce really soak in. - Want a sticky glaze? Finish under the broiler.
For that saucy, caramelized finish, place the cooked chicken under the broiler for a few minutes. It gives you that BBQ-style texture without firing up the grill.
Everything You Need for These Saucy Drumsticks
The heart of this recipe is its simplicity. For the complete ingredient list with measurements, scroll down to the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- Chicken Legs: Bone-in chicken drumsticks are perfect for this. They hold up beautifully in the slow cooker and become exceptionally tender.
- My BBQ Sauce: This is what truly makes the recipe shine. Using a quality sauce makes all the difference, and I highly recommend my recipe. It’s simple to whip up and brings so much flavor to the party.
How To Make BBQ Chicken Legs in the Crock Pot
- Sear chicken in a hot skillet for a golden color and juicy flavor.
- Place chicken legs in the slow cooker.
- Pour BBQ sauce over and toss to coat.
- Cover, cook, then sprinkle with parsley to serve.
Things To Consider
- Crispy Finish – For texture, broil cooked chicken legs 2–3 minutes until the sauce is bubbly and caramelized.
- Thicker Sauce – Simmer crock pot juices on the stove 5–10 minutes to reduce and thicken.
- Add Heat – Stir in red pepper flakes or hot sauce for a spicy kick.
Slow Cooker Recipes I Make Again and Again
Equipment
Ingredients
- 8 bone-in, skin-on chicken legs
- 2 ½ cups homemade Southern Soul BBQ Sauce
- 2 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 2 teaspoons Kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoon fresh chopped parsley
Instructions
- Make the homemade BBQ Sauce.
- While the sauce is simmering, season the chicken on all sides with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a large cast-iron skillet. Sear the chicken on all sides until golden brown. Remove the chicken from the skillet and place in the crock pot.
- Pour the BBQ sauce over the chcken. Turn the chicken so that it's coated with the sauce. Place lid on the crock pot. Cook on LOW for 6-7 hours or HIGH for 3-4 hours.
- Transfer the chicken to a serving platter and sprinkle with fresh parsley.
Nutrition
If you tried this Crock Pot Chicken Legs Recipe or any other recipe, please leave a star rating and let me know how it went in the comments below. Thanks!
Side Dishes to Serve with BBQ Chicken Legs
These saucy slow cooker chicken legs are fantastic on their own, but for a family dinner on busy weeknights, I love serving them with creamy coleslaw, stuffed baked potatoes and cornbread muffins with some pickled red onions for extra measure.
If you want to go Southern cookout style, add in a side of crock pot baked beans, green bean salad and a slice of lemon pound cake for dessert!
Questions Folks Often Ask Me
You can skip the searing step if you’re short on time, but I highly recommend it. Searing the chicken adds a deeper layer of flavor and improves the texture of the final dish. It’s a small step that yields a big reward!
For the best and safest results, I always recommend using thawed chicken in the slow cooker. Cooking from frozen can sometimes prevent the chicken from cooking evenly and can keep it in an unsafe temperature zone for too long.
The most reliable way to check for doneness is with a meat thermometer. Chicken is considered safe to eat when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. For dark meat like drumsticks, the texture is often even better when cooked to about 175°F.
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Southern Thanksgiving Recipe Guide
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Hi Donya — Q: Can you use Breasts in this to cook alongside the Drumsticks? I have a Family Member that thinks the Breast is the only part found on a Chicken 😉
Finding Bone-in Breasts is hard in my “Grocery Desert” area, so I don’t know if I used boneless if I’d have to cook the pieces at different times in the crock but would like to try this.
Thanks always…
Hi there — I totally get it! Some folks are strictly team chicken breast. 😉
I’ve never personally tried cooking both drumsticks and boneless breasts together in the crock pot, but in theory it could work. You’d just want to be careful not to overcook the breasts — they tend to dry out faster than dark meat.
If you do try it:
• Place the drumsticks on the bottom since they take longer to cook.
• Nestle the boneless breasts on top so they stay a little more protected from the heat.
• You might want to check the breasts a bit early (maybe around the 3.5–4 hour mark on low), then either pull them out early or keep them warm while the rest finishes.
Wishing you luck with it — and hey, if it turns out great, let me know so I can try it too!
~Donya
So easy and delicious!
The chicken was super tender and full of flavor. Everyone asked for seconds!
Thank you for your comment and review! So glad you enjoyed them! ~Donya
WOW – this recipe is a true winner! You’ve done it again, Donya. Simple ingredients that bring out the best flavor. Thanks so much for sharing this great recipe.
Thank you so much for such a kind review! I love making simple recipes that everyone can enjoy. I’m so happy you’re here! ~Donya