Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Legs Recipe

Introduction

These Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Legs are tender, flavorful, and perfect for a no-fuss meal. With a blend of smoked spices and a sticky honey BBQ glaze, they deliver a mouthwatering combination that’s sure to please any crowd.

Ingredients

• 3 pounds chicken drumsticks
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon Cajun seasoning
• ⅓ cup honey
• 2 cups BBQ sauce (divided)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Place all the chicken drumsticks in your slow cooker.
2. Step 2: In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar, black pepper, smoked paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, and Cajun seasoning.
3. Step 3: Sprinkle the spice rub evenly over the chicken legs, coating them well.
4. Step 4: Drizzle the honey over the seasoned drumsticks to add a touch of sweetness.
5. Step 5: Pour 1 ½ cups of BBQ sauce over the chicken in the slow cooker, reserving the remaining ½ cup for later.
6. Step 6: Cover the slow cooker and cook on LOW for 5-6 hours or on HIGH for 3-4 hours, until the chicken is tender and cooked through.
7. Step 7: Just before serving, line a rimmed baking sheet with foil. Remove the chicken legs from the slow cooker and place them on the sheet.
8. Step 8: Brush the drumsticks with the reserved BBQ sauce and broil them for 2-3 minutes until caramelized and slightly crisp. Watch carefully to prevent burning.

Tips & Variations

• For extra smoky flavor, use a chipotle or hickory-flavored BBQ sauce.
• Adding a splash of apple cider vinegar to the sauce can brighten the overall taste.
• Serve with coleslaw or corn on the cob for a classic BBQ meal.

Storage

Store leftover chicken legs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm them gently in the oven at 350°F (175°C) to maintain crispiness or microwave until heated through.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use chicken thighs instead of drumsticks?

Yes, chicken thighs work well with this recipe and will yield similar tender and flavorful results.

Can I freeze the cooked chicken legs?

You can freeze the cooked chicken legs in an airtight container for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Legs Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 70 reviews

• Author: anna
• Total Time: 3 hours 10 minutes to 6 hours 10 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings 1x

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Description

This Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Legs recipe offers tender, flavorful chicken drumsticks cooked low and slow with a homemade spice rub and honey, finished with a caramelized BBQ sauce glaze under the broiler for the perfect balance of smoky, sweet, and tangy flavors. Ideal for an easy dinner or weekend cookout.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Chicken and Seasoning

• 3 pounds chicken drumsticks
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon cajun seasoning

Sauces

• ⅓ cup honey
• 2 cups BBQ sauce (divided)

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Instructions

1. Prepare Chicken: Place all chicken drumsticks into the slow cooker in an even layer to ensure they cook uniformly.
2. Mix Spice Rub: In a small bowl, combine brown sugar, black pepper, smoked paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, and cajun seasoning thoroughly to make the spice rub.
3. Season Chicken: Sprinkle the prepared spice rub evenly over the chicken drumsticks, making sure each piece is well coated for maximum flavor.
4. Add Honey: Drizzle the honey over the seasoned drumsticks to add a hint of sweetness that balances the spices.
5. Add BBQ Sauce: Pour 1½ cups of the BBQ sauce over the chicken in the slow cooker, reserving the remaining ½ cup for later use.
6. Slow Cook: Cover the slow cooker with its lid and cook the chicken on LOW for 5-6 hours or on HIGH for 3-4 hours until the meat is tender and fully cooked.
7. Prepare for Broiling: When cooking is completed, line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil and transfer the cooked chicken legs from the slow cooker onto the sheet.
8. Broil with Sauce: Brush the reserved ½ cup of BBQ sauce over the chicken drumsticks, then broil them in the oven for 2-3 minutes until the sauce caramelizes and crisps up. Watch carefully to prevent burning.

Notes

• Cooking time can vary depending on your slow cooker model – always check chicken is cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
• For extra smoky flavor, use a smoked BBQ sauce.
• If you don’t have a broiler, you can finish the chicken under a hot grill or in a hot oven set to 450°F for a few minutes.
• Leftover chicken can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 2 months.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 3 hours (on HIGH) to 6 hours (on LOW)
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: American

Keywords: slow cooker chicken, BBQ chicken legs, easy chicken recipe, slow cooker BBQ, crockpot chicken