Crockpot Chicken Legs (Printable)

Tender drumsticks slow-cooked with aromatic herbs and spices for a simple, satisfying meal.

# What You'll Need:

→ Chicken

01 - 8 chicken legs (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

# Directions:

01 - Pat the chicken legs dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture.
02 - In a small bowl, combine salt, pepper, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, and oregano until well blended.
03 - Rub the chicken legs with olive oil, then coat evenly with the seasoning mixture on all sides.
04 - Place the sliced onion and minced garlic in the bottom of the crockpot to create a flavorful bed.
05 - Arrange the seasoned chicken legs on top of the onions in a single layer.
06 - Pour the chicken broth around the chicken legs, avoiding direct pouring over the meat.
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 Advice:

01 -
  • The chicken becomes fall-off-the-bone tender without any active cooking time
  • The seasoning blend creates this incredible depth that tastes like it simmered all day
  • You can throw everything in the crockpot and walk away until dinner
02 -
  • Patting the chicken completely dry before seasoning is crucial, otherwise the spices will just slide off
  • That quick broiler step at the end transforms soft chicken skin into something wonderfully crispy and appetizing
03 -
  • Low-sodium broth gives you control over the salt level since the seasoning blend already contains salt
  • If you want extra heat, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the spice mixture

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