How to Cook Slow Cooker Chicken Legs

How to cook slow cooker chicken legs on high or low, frozen or fresh is here. Tender and tasty drumsticks you just throw them in like our Crockpot Chicken Leg Quarters with some seasonings and enjoy for dinner.

Slow Cooker Chicken Drumsticks

We make a lot of simple chicken recipes in our house. Legs and thighs are quite inexpensive, packed with protein, and my kids love it too. It can be kinda’ boring to cook each one the same time over and over again, so I love trying something new. This is our latest creation.

You may only think of these baked or grilled, I did at first. They are kinda’ a summertime piece of meat for us I guess but as I got older I gained more of an appreciation for this cut and make them year round. Slow cooking drumsticks is not only SO tender but literally so easy to just set it and forget it this way.

Let’s talk a little bit about slow cooking shall we?? First off I have a few different varieties and I love them all. Each one has an occasion to be used like….

1. This is my favorite 6 quart programmable one with a locking lid so it’s great for bringing to a potluck too.
2. I prefer not to use liners, but rather just spray olive oil inside before adding my food for easier cleanups.

Let me give you a peek of my pretty thang I bought recently. It goes with my kitchen so I can just leave it out on the countertop all the time. 😉

Ingredients

1. Drumsticks, you can literally buy an entire tray for under ten bucks
2. Olive oil will allow seasonings to stick
3. Salt and pepper are basics
4. Garlic powder we love
5. Onion powder or granulated
6. Paprika is optional
7. And any other seasonings you like and would normally add to your poultry.

You could easily rub some roasted garlic cloves diced on the outside too. I mean to us you can’t get enough garlic, period.

You could easily crisp the skins in your Ninja Foodi when they’re done if you wanted too. If you don’t care about that part then don’t bother with either of these and just enjoy them right out of the pot.

Crockpot Frozen Chicken Legs

Believe it or not there is a very small difference between fresh, defrosted or cooking frozen meat this way. Just follow the directions below as is. You should check at the end with a thermometer. There may be another 30 minutes needed but many times it doesn’t make a difference. The biggest thing that changes timing is how thick they are.

You can even cook Crockpot frozen chicken if you’re forgetful, like me. These drumsticks only take about 4 hours and come out fork tender whether they are out of the freezer bag or straight from the store.

If you need directions for frozen chicken legs in Instant Pot or air fryer frozen chicken legs we have that too. I have had many forgetful moments before and like to share how to save dinner with y’all in case you do too.

You can print recipe below in the recipe card but here is a quick step by step to give you an idea of how to make this slow cooker recipe. We will share cook time for both low and high.

How to Cook Slow Cooker Drumsticks on High

1. You’re going to want to first spray non stick spray on the inside of your crock.
2. Then brush all sides of your legs with olive oil. Mix spices together in a bowl and sprinkle all over the outsides to coat.
3. Cook chicken in slow cooker trying to overlap the least amount possible.
4. Set pot to low for 3 1/2 to 4 hours or until internal temperature of thickest part of drumsticks reaches 165 degrees F.
5. On high wouldn’t be recommended but could be done in about 2.5 hours.

How do you make chicken legs crispy after slow cooking?

If you wanted to brush your favorite homemade teriyaki sauce with soy sauce, or bbq sauce on the skin you could too. OR wait until they’re done, add some to the outsides and throw into your Cosori air fryer to really get a nice crisp.

1. You could remove from pot and preheat your air fryer to 380 degrees F.
2. Spray basket with cooking spray and lay them inside. Brush with barbecue sauce if desired and close drawer.
3. Crisp for 3-5 minutes until it’s as crunchy as you’d like.

This chicken drumstick recipe is the best kid friendly dinner recipe. I wouldn’t suggest cooking on high because I feel that it dries out your meat and the texture just isn’t ideal but I have included timing for that.

You can use a broiler too if you don’t have a hot air machine. A few minutes will do it. I would use some sort of sauce on top though to amp up the flavors. With the heat it kinda’ caramelizes too and bakes on to create this warm ooey gooey coating which is out of this world.

What should I serve with chicken legs?

1. Homemade or bakery rolls are always a hit
2. Vegetables are healthy and delish
3. Or if you have more than one pot, make slow cooker baked potatoes

Other easy Chicken Leg and Thigh Recipes you’ll love

• Bone in Air fryer chicken thighs are simple with a sweet dry rub
• This Crockpot chicken casserole has diced breasts and veggies thrown together.
• You can make baked teriyaki chicken legs with a sticky teriyaki sauce on top

Our newest creation has the two combined. You can find these super cheap at the store. Often overlooked, you’ve gotta’ try these air fryer chicken leg quarters and let us know what you think. I don’t know why these cost next to nothing, but I guess most people want a whole chicken or breasts cut into pieces for them.

You really get the best of both worlds though this way. Give both of these a whirl for sure.

How do you store leftover chicken drumsticks?

You know how I hate leftovers so I want to share how to store these properly if you have some left. To avoid bacteria growth you always want your food to cool down completely before storing, period. I like using freezer bags better than a container because you can suck all the air out.

Air is the enemy and will dry your food out. Store in the fridge for up to 4 days. Then you can use any or all of our leftover chicken recipes here.