This 5-ingredient slow cooker chicken legs recipe is quick, easy, and perfect for a busy weeknight dinner. Simply whisk together a quick honey garlic marinade and pour over chicken legs in a slow cooker for a fuss-free dinner the entire family with love.
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Whenever I am asked about meals that are on regular rotation in my house, this is one of them!
I can't tell you how many times this comfort food recipe has come to the rescue for busy weeknight dinners. With just five ingredients in the marinade which we usually have on hand, it is super easy to grab a package of chicken legs at the store without any planning or fuss.
Even on the busiest of mornings, you can whisk together this quick 5 ingredient marinade, pour it over the chicken legs and turn it on for a true "set it and forget it" meal that never fails.
It's perfect to serve up with quinoa, rice, or if you've got the time some crispy Hasselback potatoes. Add on your favorite easy veggies such as green beans almandine or asparagus and you've got a healthy, delicious meal for the family.
If you prefer cooking baked chicken legs in the oven, you can find the instructions here in this chicken marinade recipe.
I can't wait to introduce you to your new hero of meal-time planning! Let's get started.
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Ingredients for Slow Cooker Drumsticks
I've tried just about every chicken leg marinade out there and this 5 ingredient solution is my favorite! You can read more about this easy chicken marinade and discover new and delicious ways to use it!!
- Chicken Legs: You will need about 3 lbs of chicken legs to serve 6 people.
- Honey: I love using honey in this recipe to balance out the saltiness of the soy sauce
- Soy Sauce: The salt in the soy sauce helps tenderize the chicken and it also provides that "unami" flavor we all love!
- Ketchup: I know what your thinking...but just trust me. Ketchup helps both the flavor and texture in this recipe and stands up well to the long heat of the slow cooker.
- Garlic: Fresh garlic gives it a wonderful, homemade taste that leaves you craving bite after bite.
See the recipe card for quantities of each ingredient.
Substitutions
I have tried just about every substitution for this recipe over the years. I highly prefer the recipe as written, but these substitutions work in a pinch.
- Chicken legs: You can try this recipe using chicken thighs, wings, or breasts.
- Honey: Instead of honey, you could use brown sugar, granulated sugar, agave nectar, or jam.
- Soy Sauce: if you are watching your sodium you could try low sodium soy sauce or even coconut aminos for a gluten-free option.
- Ketchup: In a pinch, tomato paste will work similarly.
- Garlic: Fresh garlic is best for this recipe, but if you are out of stock you can use garlic powder instead, just reduce the amount to about one-quarter teaspoon.
Equipment
Chicken drumsticks in the crockpot doesn't require much equipment and everything you need to make it, you likely have on hand!
You will need:
How to Make Chicken Drumsticks in the Slow Cooker
When I said this recipe is set it and forget it, I meant it!
The hardest part of making slow cooker chicken drumsticks is placing them in the crockpot!
I like to start by spraying the crockpot with nonstick spray and then line the chicken up in a single layer across the bottom, alternating the direction with each drumstick.
I feel like this method allows the sauce to coat the chicken more evenly.
After you have your chicken all lined up, it's time to make the marinade.
Simply get a small bowl and whisk together the honey, soy sauce, ketchup and garlic. It may take a couple minutes to get it smooth.
Don't worry if there is a bit of undissolved ketchup in the marinade. The heat from the crockpot will melt it and it will turn out smooth when it's time to serve.
Pour the sauce over the chicken legs and place the cover on the crockpot.
At this point, I like to move the chicken around a bit and just kind of make sure the top surfaces are coated. The rest of the marinade will drip down around the chicken as it cooks, resulting in flavorful and moist chicken.
You are going to cook this on high for four hours or low for six hours.
I like to enjoy the chicken as it is. The meat falls right off the bone and it's absolute perfection. however, if you want to get the skin nice and crispy, you can stick in the broiler for just a few minutes to kind of crisp up the skin.
I love serving this recipe with rice, mashed potatoes or noodles. Add a simple veggie side dish and you have a no-fuss meal that practically cooked itself.
Variations
- Add fun garnishes: I like to add a dash of toasted sesame seeds and fresh sliced green onions over mine to add a fun Asian inspired flare.
- Make it spicy: Add a pinch of cayenne, red pepper flakes, or siracha to take things up a notch.
- Change up the chicken: Try this recipe on chicken thighs, breasts, or even wings!
- Add BBQ sauce: For smoky slow cooker bbq chicken drumsticks, swap out the ketchup with bbq sauce.
Storage
These chicken legs can be stored in the fridge for up to four days. Make sure to store them in a nice air tight storage container.
You can also remove the meat from the bone and use it on top of salads, in a wrap or in a stir fry.
Expert Tips and FAQS
I can't wait for you to try this family favorite recipe! When you make it for the first time, remember these tips:
- Spray your crockpot so the sauce can get around the chicken.
- Place chicken legs in alternate directions in a single layer so they all fit a bit better.
- Pour the sauce on top so it will coat the chicken as it is cooking.
Yes! Making chicken legs in the slow cooker results in moist and tender meat that falls right off the bone.
Yes, you can use any cut of meat with this marinade and it will taste great, although cooking times may vary slightly.
I like to serve this recipe with rice, mashed potatoes or noodles.
The marinade contains ingredients that contain sodium and sugar, however, slow cooker drumsticks are slightly healthier than fried chicken legs.
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More Easy Main Dish Recipes
Did you try this recipe? Please leave a star rating in the recipe card right below! You can also write a review in the comment section further down the page I always appreciate your feedback. And don’t forget to tag me @freshcoasteats in your photos on social media, I'd love to see your results!
5-ingredient Slow Cooker Chicken Legs
Ingredients
- 3 lbs chicken legs
- ½ cup honey
- ½ cup soy sauce
- ½ cup ketchup
- 1 teaspoon garlic minced
- sesame seeds, green onion or parsley optional garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the slow cooker with nonstick spray and place the chicken legs inside the bottom of the insert.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the honey, soy sauce, ketchup and garlic.
- Pour the prepared sauce over the chicken.
- Cook on high for 4 hours (or low for 6 hours).
- Remove from the slow cooker and serve.
Melida Acuna says
What an amazing recipe, so delicious.
Alex says
The only way I'll be cooking my chicken legs from now on - delicious and so tender. A real hit with the whole family!
Amy Liu Dong says
This chicken dish looks absolutely delicious. Plus I love slow-cooked meals, they are soft and juicy!
Cindy A. says
I NEVER eat chicken legs, but now I do! This recipe was so good Im making it for a second time this week. I marinated the legs in buttermilk the night before and only used a third of the soy sauce. Sooooooo good!
Rita says
Chicken legs are always on sale at my store and I never knew what to do with them until I found this. I now have this recipe memorized and make it weekly. I serve with mashed potatoes and green beans. The meat falls right off the bone. The only change I make is I use twice the garlic and it turns out perfect every single time.
Karen says
So glad you love it, Rita! It is one of our fave's too!
Amy Liu Dong says
This is mouthwatering, and I am going to make this for everyone for tonight.
Janelle says
This sounds perfect for my upcoming family dinner. Does anyone know if 5lbs of drumsticks would work (if I increased the other ingredients)? Or would that be too much?
Lynne says
Excellent recipe! The only thing I changed was to use Tamari sauce in place of soy sauce. Even my picky husband loved it. Thank you.
Anonymous says
Very tasty loved it .
J says
Made this several time… have changed it up at all… love it!
SallySue says
So good! Had extra so I made chicken salad with it ?
Karen says
Oh this would be so perfect for chicken salad!
Karen says
So glad you loved it! Thanks for sharing!
Jenny says
Very solid recipe. I have a small crockpot that doesn’t allow them laid sideways, so fitted 6 drumsticks big end down. Added a little chicken stock to cover chicken.
Though that made a bit of a soupy base. So threw in a few tablespoons cooked black beans and some leftover cooked squash which made a nice stew to spoon over the rice alongside the chicken
I went w agave syrup instead of honey, as I don’t like honey flavor overwhelming dishes, I’ll try a touch of honey next time.
Elizabeth says
I happened to buy drumsticks because that was all I could find one day in the free range organic section. I chanced upon this recipe and the entire family was delighted with it. This will certainly become a part of my recipe collection from now on! Delicious and easy!
Allie says
Hello new here.
Wanted to try this recipe this weekend. We recently found out that we have soy allergies. What can I use to replace the soy sauce?
Teresa says
Would wings with instead? Don't have legs in stock here.
Karen says
Yes! I have made this and tossed a few extra wings in there. It will honestly work with ANY cut of chicken. Just be aware the cooking time will be shorter and the meat will be falling off the bone! Super tasty though!
Connie says
Did you remove the skin or leave it on?
Karen says
I leave it on, but you can remove the skin if you prefer!
Jen says
Can you use thighs? This looks amazing!
Anonymous says
So delicious! Only added red pepper flakes.
Ruth says
I’m excited to try this recipe. Love slow cooker food. I think like a previous comment, l will marinate before with buttermilk. Thank you for this. It’s sure to be a keeper. Ruth
Alan says
I made this for dinner and thoroughly enjoyed it. I followed the recipe to the letter except I used low salt soy. The chicken was very tender and fell off the bone but only after I put it on the plate not in the slow cooker. Yup, I will be making it again.
Karen says
So glad you enjoyed this, Alan! Great tip with the low sodium soy!
Ashley says
I used Braggs liquid amino acids instead of soy and honey from my bees ?
Karen says
Awesome substitution suggestions!
Caroloffield says
It was very delicious and very easy to prepare. I made one addition to the recipe — garlic.
Nick says
Thanks for the recipe. I am an expat living in Thailand which may explain why I substituted oyster sauce for the soy sauce and added 1 tbsp fresh minced ginger and 1 tbsp sriracha sauce to give it some zip.
Kathryn says
Could this recipe be doubled to serve a crowd? Thank you.
Karen says
Yes! I often double it for my own family. Same cooking temp/time! Enjoy!
Karen says
Oyster sauce would be a great substitution! So glad you loved it!
Jill says
My husband and I loved it ! Served it with jasmine rice and broccoli. Will be making it again soon?
Karen says
So glad you loved it Jill. Jasmine Rice is a GREAT serving suggestion!
Bob says
Easy peasy. Set it and forget it until chicken time!
Karen says
Yes! So glad you loved this!
Ali says
My family normally does not eat legs but I wanted to stick to the exact recipe. Can I tell you not 1 leg was left in the crockpot and talk about finger licking good. Amazing flavors developed during cooking. Thank you!
Karen says
I am so glad you loved this Ali! You will have it memorized in no time!
Vicki says
Could tomatoe sauce be used instead of ketchup?
Joe says
So delicious, easy to make, tender sweet chicken?
Karen says
So glad you loved it!
Lina says
I made this tonight; It was soooo delicious! I substituted the soy but added sherry vinegar & sherry wine; yum! I will definitely make this again! Thank you so much for sharing this recipe!
Karen says
Yum the addition of sherry vinegar and wine sounds absolutely delicious and I will definitely be trying the next time I want to change up the old favorite. THANKYOU!
Karen says
Thank you so much Tanya! I am so glad you loved it as much as my family does. We have absolutely made it with BBQ sauce too and it's just as tasty and a fun change from soy.
Amber says
Seriously, who doesn’t love a new slow cooker recipe. 10/10 recommend. Dry chicken is a thing of the past!
Linsie says
Very Nice!! Great flavour and easy to make, thanks 🙂
Monica DeSpain says
Trying this tomorrow! It’s gonna be too hot to have the oven on. Thank you!
Karen says
Such a great recipe for no-oven days!
Karen says
So glad you loved it! It's a favorite on my site!
Shannon says
Double the garlic and season the chicken first!
Carmen Fitzgerald says
These were great and family loved them will do again so tasty. Love a recipe that the whole family will agree on.
Barry Dean says
Should I brown off the chicken legs 1st? Thanks
Karen says
You can never go wrong with extra garlic!
Karen says
Yes- a winner for the whole family!
Karen says
You don’t need to brown the chicken legs first—they’ll cook up tender and flavorful right in the slow cooker. That said, if you want an extra layer of flavor or a slightly crispier skin, you can sear them in a skillet for a few minutes before adding them to the crockpot. Totally optional, but a nice touch if you have the time!
Isabelle says
Quick and easy
Karen says
So glad you enjoyed it!
Kathy Brewer says
My hubby cheered!!!!!!!!!He said add thighs next time too! Super tasty!!!
Karen says
Yes! Thighs work well with this marinade too - I love a combination of both!
Roseann says
I have a small crockpot and only a few legs will fit on the bottom. Can you stack them or do they all need to have contact with the bottom of the crockpot?
Janie Bee says
Can I add more chicken legs by stacking them for feeding a larger crowd? If so, would the cook time need to be increased? Thank you!
Denise Duval says
Can I use both thighs and drum legs and cook together?
Karen says
Yes!
Karen says
Janie - yes you can add more for a crowd and even mix legs with some thighs or breasts. The cooking time does not need to be adjusted, however you may want to double the sauce depending on how much you like!
Karen says
You can stack them! Be sure to evenly drizzle sauce over top before cooking. Enjoy!
JeffeysMom says
hi I tweaked this into a low-carb, lower sodium version! I can’t wait until it’s done cooking to try it.
* ½ cup brown swerve
* ▢ ½ cup coconut aminos
* ▢ ½ cup no sugar added ketchup
* ▢ 1 T garlic minced
* I will be serving it over cauliflower rice tonight!
Karen says
I LOVE this adaption! Thank you!
Rita Hawke says
Very easy and good
Karen says
Thanks for giving it a try and I am so glad you loved it!
Sande says
Can you throw in frozen chicken legs? Or do they need to be thawed?
Karen says
Great question! For this recipe, you’ll want to use thawed chicken legs. Starting with frozen chicken in a slow cooker isn’t recommended because it takes too long to reach a safe temperature. If your chicken legs are still frozen, you can thaw them overnight in the fridge or use the cold-water method — just place them in a sealed bag and submerge in cold water, changing the water every 30 minutes until thawed.
Mary Stanson says
Hands down the best busy weeknight dinner I've tried this year! Quick- Easy- Budget Friendly and delicious! YUM! Thanks!
Anonymous says
Can you use frozen drumsticks?
JMarie says
Yes,Im preparing this recipe for the 3rd time. Its very favorable, and easy to prepare. I also sent thr recipe to my 10 year old grandson, the young chef. Thank you for sharing with the community.
Bon Appetite
Karen says
Awesome! He is going to love it 🙂
Caroline says
Hi from Down Under! I usually cook with 2kg chicken drumsticks, and I will be getting a 6.5L slow cooker. I was wondering if doubling the marinade for this many drumsticks would work? I'll be mixing the marinade with the drumsticks before adding them altogether in the slow cooker to ensure even coating, then I'll stack them. Can I still cook this on High for 4 hours and/or Low for 6 hours? Would I need to mix/move the drumsticks halfway to ensure they're all cooked evenly?
Also, with the substitutions, are the measurements the same?
- ½ cup Honey = ½ cup brown sugar or jam?
- ½ cup Ketchup = ½ cup tomato paste?
Karen says
Hi! Yes — doubling the marinade for 2 kg of drumsticks in your 6.5 L slow cooker will work fine. Mixing them first ensures even coating, and you don’t need to stir halfway — they’ll cook evenly.
High for 4 hrs or Low for 6 hrs is perfect.
For substitutions:
½ cup honey → ½ cup brown sugar or jam works.
½ cup ketchup → ½ cup tomato paste, but add ¼–½ cup water to match ketchup’s consistency.
Enjoy your chicken! 🍗
Jennifer says
Amazing, fall off the bone chicken! Thank you for sharing!
Karen says
Yay!! I love hearing that it was a hit at your house!
Deirdre says
It is such an easy recipe, I added onion powder, black pepper and a little adobo. I cooked in the crockpot for 3 hours and transferred to the oven broiler. The chicken was falling off the bone. Delicious
Karen says
So glad you loved it Deirdre! Those are great add-in's!