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Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Legs Recipe

4.6 from 134 reviews
  • Author: Nora
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 3 to 6 hours (depending on slow cooker setting)
  • Total Time: 3 hours 10 minutes to 6 hours 10 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Slow Cooking
  • Cuisine: American

Description

This Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Legs recipe offers tender, juicy chicken drumsticks infused with a smoky and tangy barbecue flavor. The slow cooker makes it easy to achieve perfectly cooked meat with a flavorful spice rub and honey glaze, finished with a quick broil to caramelize the BBQ sauce for a delightful crispy texture.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken

  • 3 pounds chicken drumsticks

Spice Rub

  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon cajun seasoning

Other

  • ⅓ cup honey
  • 2 cups BBQ sauce (divided)

Instructions

  1. Prepare Chicken: Place all the chicken drumsticks into your slow cooker, arranging them evenly.
  2. Mix Spice Rub: In a small bowl, combine brown sugar, black pepper, smoked paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, and cajun seasoning to form the spice rub.
  3. Season Chicken: Sprinkle the spice rub all over the chicken drumsticks, ensuring each piece is well-coated for maximum flavor.
  4. Drizzle Honey: Pour the honey evenly over the seasoned chicken to add a touch of sweetness.
  5. Add BBQ Sauce: Pour 1 ½ cups of the BBQ sauce over the chicken in the slow cooker. Reserve the remaining ½ cup of BBQ sauce for finishing later.
  6. Slow Cook: Cover the slow cooker and cook on LOW for 5-6 hours or on HIGH for 3-4 hours, until the chicken is tender and cooked through.
  7. Broil Chicken: Just before serving, line a rimmed baking sheet with foil. Remove the chicken legs from the slow cooker and place them on the baking sheet. Brush them with the reserved BBQ sauce.
  8. Caramelize Sauce: Broil the drumsticks under the broiler for 2-3 minutes until the BBQ sauce caramelizes and the skin crisps. Watch closely to prevent burning.

Notes

  • These tender and flavorful slow cooker BBQ chicken legs take minimal effort and deliver juicy, smoky results.
  • The finishing broil step adds a delicious caramelized crust that enhances the texture and flavor.
  • You can adjust the spice levels by modifying the cajun seasoning to your taste preference.
  • Use homemade or your favorite store-bought BBQ sauce for best results.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 3 chicken drumsticks)
  • Calories: 483 kcal
  • Sugar: 51 g
  • Sodium: 1143 mg
  • Fat: 15 g
  • Saturated Fat: 4 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
  • Trans Fat: 0.1 g
  • Carbohydrates: 60 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 28 g
  • Cholesterol: 140 mg

Find it online: https://littlespoonbites.com/slow-cooker-bbq-chicken-legs-recipe/