Slow Cooker Chicken Drumsticks – Plain Chicken

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Slow Cooker Chicken Drumsticks Recipe – packed with flavor and so easy to make! Juicy chicken slow cooked in a sweet and spicy sauce made with soy sauce, sweet chili sauce, garlic, ginger, lime juice, and a touch of Sriracha. Perfect for a weeknight dinner or game day! Serve with rice and veggies for a complete meal. Family-friendly and freezer-friendly!

chicken legs on a baking sheet with text pverlay

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Slow Cooker Chicken Legs

These slow cooker chicken drumsticks are straight-up delicious. They’re juicy, fall-off-the-bone tender, and soaked in a sweet, tangy, slightly spicy sauce that you’ll want to pour over everything. Let them hang out in the slow cooker, and dinner basically makes itself. Serve ’em with some rice and you’re good to go! Perfect for busy weeknights!

chicken legs in a crock pot

How to Make CrockPot Chicken Drumsticks

This recipe is effortless to make with only a few simple ingredients. Whisk together soy sauce, chicken broth, sweet chili sauce, Sriracha, brown sugar, lime juice, fresh garlic cloves, and fresh ginger in a small bowl. Season with salt and black pepper, to taste. Place chicken legs in a large resealable bag. Pour the marinade over the chicken and refrigerate for a few hours to overnight.

Pour the chicken and marinade into a 6-qt slow cooker. Cover and cook on LOW heat until tender and cooked through. Carefully remove the chicken legs from the crock pot and place on a rimmed baking sheet. Place the chicken under the oven broiler and broil until the skin is crispy. Garnish with green onions, jalapeno pepper slices, and sesame seeds.

chicken legs on a baking sheet

Helpful Tips & Frequently Asked Questions

  • I recommend using low-sodium soy sauce.
  • You can use any marinade on the chicken legs.
  • Variations/Additions:
    • onion powder
    • garlic powder
    • honey
    • paprika
    • Italian seasoning
  • Can I cook the chicken legs on HIGH heat? Yes! You can cook the drumsticks on HIGH heat for 3-4 hours.
  • Are Slow Cooker Chicken Legs gluten-free? Yes. Make sure to use a gluten-free soy sauce.

Storage Tips

  • Can I freeze Chicken Legs? Yes. Cook the chicken and cool it to room temperature. Place the chicken in a freezer bag and store in the freezer for up to four months.
  • Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge.
    • Reheat in the microwave or in the air fryer.
chicken legs on a baking sheet

What to Serve with Chicken Legs

These juicy chicken drumsticks are one of our go-to easy weeknight dinner recipes. The entire family gobbles them up! Slow cooker chicken drumsticks are super versatile, so you’ve got plenty of easy side options. 

Looking for more side dish ideas? Here are some popular dishes:

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Slow Cooker Chicken Drumsticks

Yield: 6 people

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 4 hours

Total Time 4 hours 15 minutes

Slow Cooker Chicken Drumsticks Recipe – packed with flavor and so easy to make! Juicy chicken slow cooked in a sweet and spicy sauce made with soy sauce, sweet chili sauce, garlic, ginger, lime juice, and a touch of Sriracha. Perfect for a weeknight dinner or game day! Serve with rice and veggies for a complete meal. Family-friendly and freezer-friendly!

  • ½ cup low-sodium soy sauce
  • ½ cup low-sodium chicken broth
  • ¼ cup sweet chili sauce
  • 3 Tbsp Sriracha
  • 2 Tbsp brown sugar
  • 2 Tbsp lime juice
  • 3 cloves minced garlic
  • 1 Tbsp grated fresh ginger
  • 4 -lb chicken drumsticks
  • Whisk together soy sauce, chicken broth, sweet chili sauce, Sriracha, brown sugar, lime juice, fresh garlic cloves, and fresh ginger in a small bowl. Season with salt and black pepper, to taste. Place chicken legs in a large resealable bag. Pour the marinade over the chicken and refrigerate for a few hours to overnight.

  • Pour the chicken and marinade into a 6-qt slow cooker. Cover and cook on LOW heat for 5-6 hours or3-4 hours on HIGH heat.

  • Carefully remove the chicken legs from the crock pot and place on a rimmed baking sheet. Place the chicken under the oven broiler and broil until the skin is crispy. Garnish with green onions, jalapeno pepper slices, and sesame seeds.

  • Please refer to my FAQ’s (Frequently Asked Questions) and ingredient list above for other substitutions or for the answers to the most common questions.
  • Use a meat thermometer to check for an internal temperature of 165ºF.
  • Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge.

Steph

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