Easy Crockpot BBQ Chicken Legs

Jump to Recipe

This recipe for Crockpot BBQ Chicken Legs is a simple family-favorite recipe that delivers juicy, tender chicken drumsticks with minimal effort.

Make it a meal by pairing Slow Cooker Chicken Legs with Air Fryer Corn on the Cob and Baked Fries.

Crockpot chicken legs on platter brushed with BBQ sauce.

If you are looking for an easy, crowd-pleasing, picky-eater-approved, affordable dinner recipe, look no further than this recipe for Crockpot Chicken Drumsticks.

Seasoned with a homemade dry rub and finished with BBQ sauce, Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Legs are one of the easiest, tastiest recipes for chicken legs ever. You are going to love this simple chicken recipe.

why you will love this recipe

Flavorful. These chicken drumsticks are perfectly seasoned, perfectly tender, smoky, juicy, and absolutely delicious.
Economical. Chicken Legs are super affordable and easy to find at just about any grocery store.
Easy. Crockpot meals are the ultimate set-it-and-forget-it dinner recipes! This recipe for chicken legs comes together with very little effort, making it perfect for busy nights.
Allergy-Friendly. Crockpot BBQ Chicken Legs are dairy-free, egg-free, nut-free, and gluten-free.
Weather-Proof. Because this recipe is made in the slow cooker unlike Grilled BBQ Chicken, it is the perfect way to enjoy the taste of barbecue year-long, even on rainy days.

What You Need For This Recipe

Ingredients for BBQ Chicken Legs labeled on counter.

Chicken Legs: Use fresh or defrosted frozen chicken legs, sometimes called drumsticks.
Spice Rub: This simple dry rub is made with brown sugar, kosher salt, pepper, smoked paprika, garlic, and onion powder. You could also use homemade seasoned salt if you would like to season the chicken without added sugar.
BBQ Sauce: Finish the chicken legs with Homemade BBQ Sauce or your favorite store-bought sauce for additional flavor.

How to Make BBQ Chicken Legs in the Crockpot

Step One: Season the Chicken Legs. Be sure to really rub the chicken legs with the spice blend. This will ensure each bite is well flavored.

Chicken legs seasoned with dry rub on cutting board.

Step Two: Slow Cook Chicken Legs. Cook the seasoned drumsticks until the chicken reaches 162 to 165 degrees F, which can be anywhere from 2-5 hours depending on your model of the slow cooker and if you cook your chicken on low or high.

Step Three: Broil. In order to finish the chicken legs with a crispy, sticky exterior that is coated with BBQ sauce, it is best to broil the chicken legs after they are slow-cooked.

BBQ Chicken Legs on sheet pan brushed with BBQ Sauce.

Serving Suggestions

Crockpot Chicken Drumsticks is a family-favorite chicken recipe. Picky eaters are won over by the sticky sweet finish and parents love how easy this recipe is to prepare.

BBQ Chicken Legs pair well with endless side dishes, just don't forget the napkins!

BBQ Chicken Drumstick with bite taken out of it, showing juicy meat.

Recipe FAQs

How long does it take to cook chicken legs in a crockpot?

Slow cookers, just like ovens, can vary in temperature. A traditional crockpot with a ceramic base takes about 2 hours on high or 4 hours on low to cook chicken legs. All-Clad models typically cook a bit faster, so I would recommend checking the internal temperature 30 minute prior to the suggested cooking time.

How do you know when chicken legs are fully cooked?

The best way to ensure your chicken is fully cooked, but not overcooked is to use a digital thermometer. Once the center of a chicken leg reaches between 162 to 165 degrees F the drumsticks are perfectly cooked.

Can you make this recipe with skinless chicken legs?

If you don't like chicken skin, peel off the skin and discard it. Rub with the spice blend and cook as directed. I still like to broil or grill the chicken legs for a few minutes on each side to help the BBQ Sauce get a nice sticky finish.

Does this work with other seasonings?

Absolutely! Feel free to replace the dry rub with 2 tablespoons of Homemade Ranch Seasoning, Jerk Seasoning, Homemade Seasoned Salt, or Homemade Taco Seasoning.

More Easy Chicken Recipes

If you enjoyed this recipe for Crockpot Chicken Legs, I would love for you to leave a comment and review below.

Crockpot BBQ Chicken Legs

This recipe for Crockpot BBQ Chicken Legs is a simple family-favorite recipe that delivers juicy, tender chicken drumsticks with minimal effort.

5 from 24 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 10

Cook Time: 4

Total Time: 4 10

Servings:

Calories: 246kcal

Author: Kristen Chidsey

Ingredients

▢ 12 chicken drumsticks skin on or off
▢ 1 cup barbecue sauce

For the Rub

Instructions

In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar, paprika, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and pepper together.
Pat the chicken legs dry with a paper towel and liberally rub the chicken legs with the spice rub, coating to cover.
Place the chicken legs into the slow cooker. Cover and cook on high for 2 hours or on low for 4 hours.
Once the chicken legs have reached an internal temperature of 162-165℉, remove them from the slow cooker and place them onto a sheet pan or broiler pan. Brush the chicken legs with barbeque sauce and broil until crispy, about 3-5 minutes per side.
Serve with extra BBQ sauce on the side.

Equipment Needed

6-8 quart Slow Cooker

Notes

Chicken Skin: If you don't like chicken skin, peel off the skin before rubbing with the spice blend, for skinless chicken legs. I still like to broil or grill the chicken legs for a few minutes on each side to give a golden exterior to the chicken legs.

Brown Sugar: This is completely optional, but adds a nice balance to the rub.

All-Clad Slow Cookers: These models can cook a bit faster, so begin checking the temperature of the chicken 30 minutes prior to what the recipe states.

Determining Cook Time: The best way to ensure your chicken is fully cooked, but not overcooked is to use a digital thermometer. Once the center of a chicken leg reaches between 162 to 165 degrees F the drumsticks are perfectly cooked.

Storage: Store leftover chicken legs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 days. Reheat by broiling under a broiler for 2-3 minutes per side.

Nutrition

Liked this Recipe? Tag me Today!Snap a picture and tag #amindfullmom on Instagram - I would love to see!