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A close-up of slow cooker chicken drumsticks fresh out of the broiler, with perfectly crispy, golden-brown skin.

Crock Pot Chicken Legs: The Ultimate Fall-Off-The-Bone Recipe

Discover the easiest Crock Pot Chicken Legs recipe! These slow cooker chicken drumsticks are coated in a savory BBQ rub, cooked to fall-off-the-bone perfection, and finished under the broiler for crispy skin.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 4 hours
Total Time 4 hours 10 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 380
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 3 lbs chicken legs (drumsticks) skin on
  • 1 cup BBQ sauce your favorite brand
  • 2 tbsp brown sugar packed
  • 1 tbsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper freshly ground

Equipment

  • 1 Slow Cooker
  • 1 Baking Sheet

Method
 

  1. In a small bowl, mix together the brown sugar, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
  2. Pat the chicken legs completely dry with paper towels. Rub the spice mixture evenly over all sides of each chicken leg.
  3. Pour the BBQ sauce into the bottom of your slow cooker. Arrange the seasoned chicken legs in the cooker. Cover and cook on LOW for 4-6 hours or on HIGH for 2-3 hours, until the chicken is tender and cooked through.
  4. Preheat your oven's broiler. Carefully transfer the cooked chicken legs to a foil-lined baking sheet. Brush with extra sauce from the crock pot. Broil for 3-5 minutes, watching closely, until the skin is browned and crispy.
  5. Serve immediately, with extra sauce for dipping if desired.

Notes

Do not overcrowd the pot: For the best results, arrange the chicken in a relatively even layer. A 6-quart slow cooker is ideal for 3 pounds of chicken legs.
Check for doneness: The internal temperature of the chicken should reach 165°F (74°C). However, with this recipe, the visual cue of fall-off-the-bone tender is your best guide.
Watch the broiler: The skin can go from perfectly crispy to burned very quickly under the broiler, so don't walk away!