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• Why You’ll Love These Crock Pot Chicken Legs
• Ingredients & Substitutions
• How To Make Chicken Legs In The Crock Pot
• Storage Instructions
• What To Serve With Crock Pot Chicken Legs
• More Easy Crock Pot Chicken Recipes
• Tools To Make Slow Cooker Chicken Drumsticks
• Crock Pot Chicken Legs (2 Ingredients) Recipe card
• Recipe Reviews

Crock Pot chicken legs (a.k.a. Crock Pot chicken drumsticks) have all the flavor of BBQ chicken legs , but you don’t need to stand by the grill and you can make them anytime of year. Plus, they turn out even more juicy and tender than using other cooking methods!

I usually prefer baked chicken legs as my go-to, but when I want something more hands-off, these slow cooker chicken drumsticks are perfect. Just like other Crock Pot recipes , you gather your ingredients, toss them in, and let time do its thing. They are great for weeknight dinners on busy days, but also for game night!

Why You’ll Love These Crock Pot Chicken Legs

• Fall-off-the-bone tender and juicy
• Mouthwatering BBQ flavor
• Just 2 simple ingredients (plus salt and pepper)
• Set it and forget it cooking method
• Minimal effort, maximum flavor
• Easy dinner idea for adults and kids

Ingredients & Substitutions

Here I explain the best ingredients for slow cooker chicken legs, what each one does in the recipe, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card .

• Chicken Legs – I used chicken drumsticks, but you can also make this recipe with chicken leg quarters . In case you’re wondering, it’s also fine to use different cuts of chicken, such as thighs or breasts.
• BBQ Sauce – Use your favorite! Mine is a homemade sugar-free BBQ sauce .
• Seasonings – You only need salt and pepper to season these Crock Pot chicken drumsticks with sea salt and black pepper, but I like to add garlic powder as well (this is optional).

VARIATION: Use more seasonings instead of BBQ sauce.

You can omit the BBQ sauce and use other spices and seasonings such as paprika, chili powder, or onion powder. Or just use 2-3 tablespoons of poultry seasoning , Italian seasoning , or lemon pepper seasoning for a different flavor profile. You’ll still need the salt and pepper, unless the seasoning you use already has salt.

How To Make Chicken Legs In The Crock Pot

This section shows how to make chicken drumsticks in the slow cooker, with step-by-step photos and details about the technique, to help you visualize it. For full instructions with amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card .

1. Season. Pat the drumsticks dry with paper towels. Season on all sides with garlic powder (if using), salt, and pepper.
2. Assemble. Spray your Crock Pot ( this one is my favorite ) with cooking spray, then add the chicken. Pour the BBQ sauce evenly over the chicken.

1. Slow cook. Close the lid and cook chicken legs in the Crock Pot until they reach an internal temperature of at least 170 degrees F (this higher temp is recommended for dark meats) and are fall-apart tender.
2. Add more sauce. Remove the chicken from the slow cooker and arrange in a single layer on a baking sheet . Brush more BBQ sauce over the chicken legs. (It’s easiest to pour the sauce into a small bowl first, so you can dip the brush in it.)

1. Broil (optional). If you like, place the chicken drumsticks under the broiler in the oven and broil for a couple of minutes. This is not required, though.

Storage Instructions

• Store: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
• Reheat: You can reheat Crock Pot chicken drumsticks in the slow cooker on the Warm setting, in the oven at 350 degrees F, or in the microwave.
• Freeze: After cooling, arrange the drumsticks in a single layer on a parchment paper lined baking sheet, and freeze until solid. (This will prevent them from sticking together when frozen.) Then, transfer in an airtight container or zip lock freezer bag and store in the freezer for up to 3 months.

What To Serve With Crock Pot Chicken Legs

Now that you’ve got mouthwatering BBQ Crock Pot chicken legs, you’re probably wondering what to serve with them! Here are some easy ideas:

• Veggies – Serve up the slow cooker chicken legs alongside roasted acorn squash or quick microwave spaghetti squash in the fall, or simple sauteed broccoli or roasted vegetables anytime of year.
• Potatoes – I love a baked sweet potato with this dish, but you could make regular potatoes in the air fryer or even Instant Pot baked potatoes instead.
• Noodles – I often prepare baked spaghetti squash or zucchini noodles to go with this easy slow cooker drumsticks recipe, but regular pasta also works if it fits your lifestyle.
• Side Salad – For a light meal, make a zucchini salad , a refreshing Greek salad , or simple arugula salad to go on the side. For a heartier BBQ side make my roasted cauliflower salad recipe .

More Easy Crock Pot Chicken Recipes

Whether I need something tasty for game day or a quick and easy weeknight dinner, Crock Pot chicken recipes always come to the rescue. Here are a few you have to try:

Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore

Crock Pot Whole Chicken

Creamy Crock Pot Chicken

Crock Pot Chicken Thighs

Tools To Make Slow Cooker Chicken Drumsticks

• Slow Cooker – This is the one I have. I love the flexible timer function and the locking lid to bring it somewhere.
• Baking Sheet – This one has lasted for years in my kitchen. Great nonstick coating!

Recipe Video

Ingredients

Tap underlined ingredients to see the ones I use.

• 3 lb Chicken legs ▢
• 1 tsp Garlic powder (optional) ▢
• 1/2 tbsp Sea salt ▢
• 1/4 tsp Black pepper (or more if you like more heat) ▢
• 1 1/2 cups BBQ sauce (divided into 1 cup and ½ cup; I prefer sugar-free BBQ sauce , but regular also works) ▢

Instructions

Tap on the times in the instructions to start a kitchen timer.

1. Pat the chicken drumsticks dry with paper towels.
2. Season the chicken on all sides with garlic powder (if using), salt, and pepper.
3. Spray the bottom of a 6-quart slow cooker with cooking spray, then add the chicken.
4. Pour 1 cup of the BBQ sauce evenly over the chicken.
5. Close the lid and cook chicken legs in the Crock Pot for 5-6 hours on Low (recommended) or 3-4 hours on High.
6. Towards the end of cooking time, position your oven rack to 6-8 inches away from the broiler. Preheat the oven to the Broil setting. (If your oven has multiple broil settings, set it to High or 500 degrees F (260 degrees C).)
7. Remove the chicken from the slow cooker and arrange in a single layer on a baking sheet . Brush the remaining 1/2 cup BBQ sauce over the chicken legs.
8. Optional step: Broil the chicken drumsticks for 3-5 minutes , or until crispy and browned on the edges.

LAST STEP: Leave a rating to help other readers, or tag me @wholesomeyum on Instagram. I’d love to hear from you!

Maya’s Recipe Notes

Serving size: 1 Crock Pot chicken drumstick

• Nutrition info per serving will vary depending on the size of your chicken legs and how many are in the 3 pounds for this recipe. The first 2 times I tested this Crock Pot chicken legs recipe, 3 pounds was 8 drumsticks. The third time and when the photos were taken, 3 pounds was 10 drumsticks.
• Nutrition info uses sugar free BBQ sauce , but regular also works.

📖 Want more recipes like this? Find this one and many more in my Keto Freezer Meal System !

I provide nutrition facts as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see my nutrition policy .

Add Your NotesYour Notes

© Copyright Maya Krampf for Wholesome Yum. Please DO NOT SCREENSHOT OR COPY/PASTE recipes to social media or websites. We’d LOVE for you to share a link with photo instead.

Crock Pot Chicken Legs

Free Printable: Low Carb & Keto Food List

• Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?
• The Basic Keto Meal Formula
• Understanding Macros
• Keto Food Swaps
• Keto Food List
• Electrolyte Basics
• Keto Diet Types
• Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?
• Recipe Reviews

Even though I have a great guide to starting a keto diet , people often ask me for a quick keto cheat sheet they can use. That’s why I created this simple keto diet cheat sheet , so that you can have all the info you need handy. We’ll cover the basic keto formula for building meals, foods to eat and to avoid, delicious keto swaps for high-carb foods, electrolyte basics, and 4 ways to follow the keto lifestyle.

You can keep reading to view this info, or download my keto cheat sheet printable pdf to print out or save ad-free on any device (plus the pdf has more details!).

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1. Keto food list (230+ foods) – Super detailed & color-coded, with net carb counts, so you’ll know exactly what to eat.
2. Foods to avoid on keto – Detailed and specific list so that you know exactly what to watch out for.
3. Macros cheat sheet – Explains everything you need to know about macros to succeed on keto.
4. Keto food swaps (60+ foods) – Covers virtually every food you love, so you don’t have to miss out!
5. Keto meal formula – With specific food ideas, so it’s easy to mix-and-match.
6. Keto flu guide – Understand what it is and exactly how to avoid it.
7. Electrolyte cheat sheet – With whole food ideas + bonus keto tips.
8. Keto Diet Types – Summary of 4 ways to do keto, so you can choose what fits you best.
9. FOUR (4!) Keto Swaps Recipe EBooks – Dozens of recipes to replace bread, rice, potatoes, pasta, desserts, and other carbs you’d otherwise miss.

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The Basic Keto Meal Formula

Eating keto doesn’t have to be complicated! While there are plenty of delicious easy keto recipes to choose from, you don’t even have to cook from a recipe to get started.

Simply follow the keto cheat sheet formula of protein + veggie + fat for your meals.

Be sure to choose a moderate amount of protein, only low carb vegetables (mostly ones that grow above ground), and generous fat to attain an optimal macro ratio. That’s approximately 60-75% of calories from fat, 20-25% protein, and 5-10% from carbohydrates. The table below will give you ideas for what to choose.

Understanding Macros

Macros are macronutrients for short. They include fat, protein, and carbohydrates.

You can calculate your own macros using the macro calculator , but the macro keto cheat sheet below will explain how to look at macros when following a keto lifestyle.

Carbs Are A Limit.

Keeping carbs low is what gets you into ketosis and keeps you there. Ketosis means that you’re using fat as your primary energy source instead of sugar, and requires keeping carbs very low.

A good starting point is 20-25 grams net carbs per day, but you can experiment after a few weeks to see if your body stays in ketosis at higher levels. People who are very active may be able to do more and stay in ketosis, up to around 50 grams per day.

“Carbs are a limit” means that you set a limit for how many carbs to eat per day and don’t exceed it. You don’t have to hit that limit, so if you’re under that’s okay, just don’t go over. Ideally most of your carbs would come from low carb vegetables, and if you’re eating enough veggies, you’ll usually get close to the limit naturally.

A common misconception is that reaching ketosis requires a certain macro ratio, but it’s really only restricting your carb intake that gets you there [ * ]. In the absence of sufficient carbs to use as energy, the body will switch to using fat as fuel. This is called the metabolic state of ketosis.

Protein Is A Goal.

Protein is made up of amino acids, the building blocks of all our cells. It’s a crucial for keeping our muscles strong and for many cellular functions [ * ].

“Protein is a goal” means that you always want to eat enough protein to reach the goal each day, but not exceed it too much. You want enough for your needs, but excess protein can trigger gluconeogenesis, which is protein being converted to sugar [ * ] and can kick you out of ketosis.

Fat Is A Lever.

Fat is the primary macronutrient in a keto lifestyle, because being in ketosis means that fat is your primary fuel source. Fat as a fuel source will come from your food, and if you are losing weight, from your body.

A big advantage of a keto lifestyle is the high fat intake. It keeps you full and satisfied, making it easier to stick to, and using it as the primary fuel source makes it easier on your body to burn body fat, with a lower chance of breaking down your muscle (provided you get enough protein).

Aside from reaching your protein goal and limiting your carbs, the remainder of your calories on a keto diet comes from fat.

Don’t fear fat – it’s your main energy source on keto, and getting enough of it trains your body to use fat for fuel instead of sugar. That means that as long as you are not overdoing your overall calorie intake, you’ll efficiently burn your body fat for fuel as well.

“Fat is a lever” means that you can increase or decrease your fat intake depending on your goals and hunger levels. Increase it (along with exercise) to gain muscle, or decrease it to lose weight.

Keto Food Swaps

One of my favorite challenges is creating recipes, or just discovering, keto food swaps. These are delicious keto replacements for traditionally high-carb or high-sugar foods.

So, I created this keto diet cheat sheet with all the swaps in one place! I also have more keto food swaps in my Easy Keto Cookbook .

Keto Swaps For Breakfast

Keto Swaps For Bread

Keto Swaps For Meals & Side Dishes

Keto Swaps For Snacks & Sauces

Keto Swaps For Cooking & Baking

Keto Swaps For Drinks

If you’re looking specifically for keto alcohol options, browse the full keto alcohol guide .

Keto Food List

When looking for a keto cheat sheet printable, the most-requested information is a keto food list.

The great thing is that keto doesn’t have to feel restrictive. It’s incredibly satisfying and there’s such a wide variety of foods you can eat!

Foods To Eat On Keto

• Leafy greens – Such as spinach, chard, and lettuce.
• Above-ground veggies – Such as peppers, zucchini, and cauliflower.
• Full-fat cream & cheese – Such as heavy cream, sour cream, and full-fat hard cheeses.
• Natural meats – Such as beef, lamb, and pork.
• Berries – Such as raspberries, blackberries, and strawberries.
• Avocados
• Unsweetened nut milks – Such as almond milk and coconut milk.
• Almond flour and coconut flour
• Eggs
• Healthy fats – Such as coconut oil, avocado oil, olive oil and butter.

Foods To Avoid On Keto

• White flour & sugar
• Rice & grains – Such as barley, wheat, and corn.
• Milk & yogurt – Such as fruit on the bottom yogurt, sweetened Greek yogurt, and all milk.
• Cereal
• Processed food – Such as granola bars, candy
• Most fruit – Such as apples, bananas, and grapes
• Hydrogenated fats – Such as vegetable oil, soybean oil, and margarine
• Sweetened beverages & condiments – Such as soda, ketchup, and sweet dressings
• Starchy veggies – Such as peas, carrots, and beets.
• Potatoes – Such as sweet potatoes and white potatoes.

That’s the short keto diet cheat sheet version of all the keto food categories, but I recommend downloading the full Keto Cheat Sheet System. It includes a super detailed printable keto food list with over 100 items, including 2 color-coded pages with net carb counts, along with 6 more pages of keto cheat sheets:

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Electrolyte Basics

Getting enough electrolytes is crucial for anyone, but especially so on a keto diet. The reason is that ketosis has a diuretic effect, which increases excretion of water and electrolytes, especially sodium [ * ]. This is often the cause of the keto flu.

For more details on electrolytes and avoiding keto flu, check out the full keto flu guide here .

The important thing to know about electrolytes is that replenishing them will keep keto flu away and keep your body functioning well. I always recommend an electrolyte drink and whole food sources of anything your body needs before resorting to supplements, so I made a list of what to eat to get each of the 3 major electrolytes – sodium, magnesium and potassium.

Here’s your keto diet cheat sheet for getting electrolytes from food:

Keto Diet Types

People follow a keto lifestyle for different reasons. Some do it just to lose weight, others are after better overall health, increased energy, and reduced inflammation.

Strictly speaking, the defining factor of a keto diet is the metabolic state of ketosis, which is achieved by restricting carbs. However, many people (myself included) also reduce or eliminate processed, inflammatory, or low-nutrient foods.

Below is your keto cheat sheet summary of the different ways that people follow keto. You choose what works best for your goals and lifestyle!

• Strict Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, count all calories and macros, and eat clean, unprocessed foods.
• Lazy Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, and track only net carbs OR eat keto foods without tracking.
• Dirty Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, with “if it fits your macros” approach including processed foods.
• Low Carb – Up to 50-100g net carbs daily, less strict.

For a more detailed listing of these different types of keto with pros and cons, grab the Easy Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF below!

Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?

Get all this information and MORE in convenient printer-friendly format – 13 cheat sheet pages you can take with you anywhere or keep in your kitchen, plus 4 recipe cookbooks! Includes:

1. Keto food list (230+ foods) – Super detailed & color-coded, with net carb counts, so you’ll know exactly what to eat.
2. Foods to avoid on keto – Detailed and specific list so that you know exactly what to watch out for.
3. Macros cheat sheet – Explains everything you need to know about macros to succeed on keto.
4. Keto food swaps (60+ swaps) – Covers virtually every food you love, so you don’t have to miss out!
5. Keto meal formula – With specific food ideas, so it’s easy to mix-and-match.
6. Keto flu guide – Understand what it is and exactly how to avoid it.
7. Electrolyte cheat sheet – With whole food ideas + bonus keto tips.
8. Keto Diet Types – Summary of 4 ways to do keto, so you can choose what fits you best.
9. FOUR (4!) Keto Swaps Recipe EBooks – Dozens of recipes to replace bread, rice, potatoes, pasta, desserts, and other carbs you’d otherwise miss.

Get The Printable Keto Cheat Sheet System (75 pages, Only $37!)

Crock Pot Chicken Legs (2 Ingredients)

These BBQ Crock Pot chicken legs are an easy way to make drumsticks in the slow cooker! They are juicy, saucy, and fall-off-the-bone tender.

Scan this QR code with your phone’s camera for the full recipe, including tips, step-by-step photos, and storage, or to save it to your account. You can also find it at: https://www.wholesomeyum.com/crock-pot-chicken-legs/

Ingredients

• 3 lb Chicken legs
• 1 tsp Garlic powder (optional)
• 1/2 tbsp Sea salt
• 1/4 tsp Black pepper (or more if you like more heat)
• 1 1/2 cups BBQ sauce (divided into 1 cup and ½ cup; I prefer sugar-free BBQ sauce , but regular also works)

Instructions

1. Pat the chicken drumsticks dry with paper towels.
2. Season the chicken on all sides with garlic powder (if using), salt, and pepper.
3. Spray the bottom of a 6-quart slow cooker with cooking spray, then add the chicken.
4. Pour 1 cup of the BBQ sauce evenly over the chicken.
5. Close the lid and cook chicken legs in the Crock Pot for 5-6 hours on Low (recommended) or 3-4 hours on High.
6. Towards the end of cooking time, position your oven rack to 6-8 inches away from the broiler. Preheat the oven to the Broil setting. (If your oven has multiple broil settings, set it to High or 500 degrees F (260 degrees C).)
7. Remove the chicken from the slow cooker and arrange in a single layer on a baking sheet . Brush the remaining 1/2 cup BBQ sauce over the chicken legs.
8. Optional step: Broil the chicken drumsticks for 3-5 minutes , or until crispy and browned on the edges.

Maya’s Recipe Notes

Serving size: 1 Crock Pot chicken drumstick

• Nutrition info per serving will vary depending on the size of your chicken legs and how many are in the 3 pounds for this recipe. The first 2 times I tested this Crock Pot chicken legs recipe, 3 pounds was 8 drumsticks. The third time and when the photos were taken, 3 pounds was 10 drumsticks.
• Nutrition info uses sugar free BBQ sauce , but regular also works.

📖 Want more recipes like this? Find this one and many more in my Keto Freezer Meal System !

I provide nutrition facts as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see my nutrition policy .

© Copyright Maya Krampf for Wholesome Yum. Please DO NOT SCREENSHOT OR COPY/PASTE recipes to social media or websites. We’d LOVE for you to share a link with photo instead. :)