Crockpot Chicken Legs (Printable)

Tender, juicy chicken legs slow-cooked with herbs and spices for an easy, flavorful meal the whole family will love.

# What You'll Need:

→ Chicken

01 - 8 chicken drumsticks, skin on or off as preferred

→ Seasoning & Flavorings

02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
03 - 1 teaspoon salt
04 - ½ teaspoon black pepper
05 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
06 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
07 - 1 teaspoon onion powder
08 - 1 teaspoon dried thyme
09 - ½ teaspoon dried oregano

→ Aromatics

10 - 1 large onion, sliced
11 - 4 garlic cloves, minced

→ Liquid

12 - ½ cup low-sodium chicken broth

→ Optional Garnish

13 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

# How To Cook:

01 - Pat the chicken legs dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture for better seasoning adherence.
02 - In a small bowl, combine salt, pepper, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, and oregano. Mix thoroughly to distribute evenly.
03 - Rub the chicken legs with olive oil, then coat evenly with the seasoning mixture, ensuring all sides are covered.
04 - Place the sliced onion and minced garlic in the bottom of the crockpot to create a flavorful bed for the chicken.
05 - Arrange the seasoned chicken legs on top of the onions in a single layer for even cooking.
06 - Pour the chicken broth around the chicken legs, not directly over them, to preserve the seasoning.
07 - Cover and cook on high for 4 hours or on low for 7 hours, until the chicken is tender and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
08 - For crispy skin, transfer the cooked chicken legs to a baking sheet and broil under high heat for 2–4 minutes until golden and crisp.
09 - Garnish with chopped fresh parsley before serving.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • The chicken practically falls off the bone, making it perfect for everyone from toddlers to grandparents
  • You can prep everything in under ten minutes, then let your slow cooker do all the heavy lifting
02 -
  • I once skipped the paper towel drying step and the seasoning ended up pooled at the bottom of the crockpot instead of on the chicken
  • Adding the broth around rather than over the chicken helps the seasoning stay put where it belongs
03 -
  • If you have time, let the seasoned chicken sit in the refrigerator for an hour before cooking for deeper flavor penetration
  • A quick spray of cooking oil on your crockpot insert makes cleanup effortless

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