Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Legs

Top view of the chicken legs in bbq sauce.

Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Legs are fall-off-the-bone tender, coated in a smoky dry rub, and finished with a glossy layer of sweet and tangy BBQ sauce. The perfect easy dinner or game day crowd-pleaser!

Course Dinner

Cuisine American

Keyword bbq chicken drumsticks in the slow cooker, slow cooker bbq chicken legs

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 6

Total Time 6 5

Servings

Calories 592kcal

Author Jessica - Together as Family

Ingredients

3 pounds fresh chicken drumsticks (about 8-10 pieces)
2 teaspoons kosher salt
2 teaspoons smoked paprika
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
½ teaspoon chili powder
3 cups BBQ sauce (divided)

Instructions

Spray the insert of the slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray.
Pat the chicken drumsticks dry with paper towels and place them in a large bowl.
3 pounds fresh chicken drumsticks
In a separate small bowl, whisk together the dried seasonings until blended well. Add the seasoning mixture to the bowl of chicken drumsticks, turning and stirring to make sure all sides of each chicken drumstick are well coated in seasoning rub.
2 teaspoons kosher salt, 2 teaspoons smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon black pepper, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, ½ teaspoon chili powder
Evenly spread 1 cup of BBQ sauce into the bottom of the slow cooker. Place the seasoned drumsticks on top of the bbq sauce in an even layer. Spoon 1 cup bbq sauce over top the drumsticks.
3 cups BBQ sauce
Cover the slow cooker with its lid and cook on LOW heat for 6-7 hours or HIGH heat for 4 hours.
^{*Make sure the internal temperature of the chicken drumsticks is 165℉.}
Remove the lid and let them sit uncovered in the warm slow cooker for 10 minutes to let the sauce thicken slightly.
Transfer the chicken drumsticks to a serving plate or platter, and spoon or brush the remaining 1 cup bbq sauce over top. Enjoy!

Notes

Always spray the slow cooker first to prevent the sticky bbq sauce from clinging to the sides.
Adding fresh BBQ sauce at the end gives the chicken that glossy, finger-licking finish that the slow cooker sauce alone doesn't achieve.
For some added spice and heat, add 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper into the dry rub mixture. You can also use a spicy BBQ sauce as well.
These BBQ chicken legs are best enjoyed immediately; don't leave them out for longer than 2 hours. If you want to keep them warm for serving, like for a game day or gathering, leave them in the slow cooker on the warm setting for up to 2 hours.
The BBQ sauce flavor really is the star of the show - so make sure you use your favorite one! You can go sweeter with a brown sugar bbq sauce or honey, or go more classic, or use a smokey bbq sauce or a spicy one. Just pick your favorite one. I love the Sweet Baby Ray's brand of barbecue sauces.
The serving size is based on this recipe feeding 5 people with each person having 2 chicken drumsticks.

Nutrition