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 with some seasonings and enjoy right out of your Crockpot for dinner. It is one of our best chicken leg recipes ever.
Super easy slow cooker chicken legs actually come out so good. If you haven’t tried this easy Crock pot recipe I encourage you to do so. You might call them drumsticks but either way they fall off the bone and get so tender even your kids will love them. (affiliate links present)
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….
- This is my favorite 6 quart programmable one with a locking lid so it’s great for bringing to a potluck too.
- 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. 😉
Crockpot Chicken Legs
I have made air fryer fried chicken with a light breading. These are simple with some some seasoning. 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.
Here are the ingredients you’ll need for these. Keep in mind the seasonings are really up to you but suggestions of what was used are here.
Ingredients
- Drumsticks, you can literally buy an entire tray for under ten bucks
- Olive oil will allow seasonings to stick
- Salt and pepper are basics
- Garlic powder we love
- Onion powder or granulated
- Paprika is optional
- 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.
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 drumsticks in Instant Pot or air fryer frozen drumsticks 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.
Can you cook raw chicken in a Crockpot on low?
Yes, this is what is recommended. 8 were cooked at a time as you can see. Ideally you don’t want them to overlap too much but if you were to double I’d suggest rotating them halfway thru. More would need more tim to reach proper internal temperature for chicken.
Bone in meat does take quite a while longer than if it were boneless. You need to ensure that the thickest part of the leg meat reaches 165 degrees F before consuming to be safe.
How to Cook Slow Cooker Drumsticks on High
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.
- You’re going to want to first spray non stick spray on the inside of your crock.
- Then brush all sides of your legs with olive oil. Mix spices together in a bowl and sprinkle all over the outsides to coat.
- Cook chicken in slow cooker trying to overlap the least amount possible.
- Set pot to low for 3 1/2 to 4 hours or until internal temperature of thickest part of drumsticks reaches 165 degrees F.
- 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.
- You could remove from pot and preheat your air fryer to 380 degrees F.
- Spray basket with cooking spray and lay them inside. Brush with barbecue sauce if desired and close drawer.
- 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.
Can you cook chicken legs and thighs together?
If you wanted both of them together follow our crockpot chicken leg quarters recipe which is very similar.
Crock Pot Chicken Drumsticks
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. I love using the brown sugar hoisin sauce in our Instant Pot spicy teriyaki chicken recipe on the top.
What should I serve with chicken legs?
There are tons of side dishes to choose from really. A few favorites are:
- Homemade or bakery rolls are always a hit
- Vegetables are healthy and delish
- Or if you have more than one pot, make slow cooker baked potatoes
Chicken Leg and Thigh Recipes
We have a bunch that we make on a regular basis. Depending on what small kitchen appliances you have at home, try a few and see which you love best like:
- 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.
Slow Cooker Chicken Legs
Equipment
- 1 slow cooker
Ingredients
- 8 chicken legs
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp minced garlic, optional
Instructions
- Spray non stick spray inside Crock.
- Brush all sides of legs with olive oil and minced garlic if desired. Then mix spices together in a bowl and sprinkle all over well.
- Put into slow cooker trying to overlap the least amount possible.
- Cook on low for 3.5-4 hours or until internal temperature of thickest part of drumsticks reaches 165 degrees F.
- Enjoy right out of the pot or crisp on baking sheet under boiler or air fryer. Brush legs with olive oil for either. Broil for a few minutes until crisped, or add into preheated air fryer at 400 for 2 min on each side.
Video
Notes
Slow Cooker Chicken Legs on High
- 2.5 hours or until internal temp. reaches 165F.
Slow Cooker Frozen Chicken Legs
- Timing doesn’t change from the above directions
- Change in cook time will vary if yours are thicker than mine
- Always check with a thermometer and remove once the thickest part reaches 165 degrees F
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Love this recipe & make it often.
Question can I double or triple it (15-20 legs) & still make it in the crock pot?
May take a bit longer, better if you can rotate them since they’d be overlapping.
I like your help it beena big help thank for yourkndness.
Quick amazing delicious recipes
It was moist and delicious