5.0 from 3 votes

Table of Contents

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Tender and Juicy: Slow cooking ensures the chicken legs are perfectly tender and packed with flavor.
Infused BBQ Flavor: The sauce infuses every bite, delivering that Midwest BBQ goodness.
Sugar-Free BBQ Sauce: Made with a sugar-free BBQ sauce, this recipe is a healthier option without compromising on taste.
Effortless Cooking: The slow cooker does all the work, making it a set-it-and-forget-it dish.
Perfect for Busy Moms: A lifesaver on hectic days—prep takes minutes, and dinner is ready when you are.
Crowd-Pleaser: Great for potlucks, family dinners, or meal prep.

Ingredients for Slow Cooker Chicken Legs

3 lbs chicken drums – I prefer organic free-range if available

1/4 cup apple cider vinegar – raw, unfiltered and organic

2 tbsp butter, melted – unsalted

1/2 tsp salt

1 tsp black pepper

1 tsp paprika

1 1/2 tsp garlic powder

1 tbsp dried onion

3/4 cup barbecue sauce + some for broiling – I used G Hughes Sugar Free Hickory flavored BBQ sauce.

How to Make Chicken Drums in the Slow Cooker

Preheat your crockpot on high and liberally coat the base of the crock with butter.

Combine your apple cider vinegar with the melted butter and coat each drum with the mixture.

Combine the salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder and onion in a small bowl. Coat each greased leg with the seasoning mix.

Place the legs into the crockpot and pour the barbecue sauce on top. Decrease the heat to low.

I have found that a little barbecue sauce goes a long way! As the legs cook, they release juices that will combine with the barbecue sauce to full

Cook for 4 hours on low, rotating the chicken about one hour in. If you want to cook the legs on high, decrease the cook time to 2.5 hours.

This final step is optional but highly recommended! Arrange the chicken legs into a baking dish and brush with a 1:1 mixture of the cooking juices and barbecue sauce. Broil on high for 5 minutes or until the sauce on the chicken is bubbling. This step crisps up the skin and is so worth the extra time!

Tips & Alternatives

Pat the Chicken Dry: Dry the chicken legs before adding them to the slow cooker to help the sauce adhere better.
Sear for Extra Flavor: If you have time, sear the chicken legs in a skillet before slow cooking to enhance their smoky flavor.
Layer the Sauce: Pour a layer of BBQ sauce on the bottom of the slow cooker, then coat the chicken for even coverage.
Finish in the Oven: For a sticky glaze, broil the chicken legs with extra sauce after slow cooking for 3–5 minutes.
Spice It Up: For a Midwest twist with heat, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a drizzle of hot sauce to the BBQ sauce.

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