Slow Cooker Chicken Legs, the budget-friendly comfort food hero, are wonderfully flavorful with a simple built-in mushroom and onion gravy. Cheap and easy on the wallet, simple ingredients, and impossible to mess up, they turn melt-in-your-mouth tender!
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Slow cooker chicken legs are the minimal prep, minimal hands-on, full-of-flavor dish you need for your busy life. Everything goes right into the slow cooker bowl and that's it! Kid-friendly for picky eaters and an option for crispy skin to make this healthy, high-protein slow cooker chicken drumsticks recipe irresistable!
The result? Fall-apart tender, incredibly flavorful chicken with a built-in sauce for drizzling that is loved by everyone and easy on the wallet. For the most incredible busy weeknight dinner, for cozy weekend meals, and for when you need sheer simplicity in a recipe, you've got to try this!
Key Ingredients
Chicken Drumsticks - Also known as the chicken leg, these are one of my favorite cuts on the chicken. They become fall apart tender and so wonderful in this dump-and-go crockpot recipe.
Onions, Garlic, Mushrooms - They add a ton of flavor and become part of the built-in sauce and gravy.
Dried Dill Weed- When used in a recipe like this, it becomes wonderfully savory. If you're on the fence about, I highly encourage you to try it.
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Variations and Substitutions
Chicken - Bone-In chicken thighs would also be delicious. Likewise, chicken breasts may also be substituted, but I highly suggest skin-on, bone-on for the best result. Be mindful of the size of the cut of meat and ensure that the final cooking temp reaches 165°F internal.
The Herbs - If you're not a fan of dill, use any herb you like. Dried thyme or a bit of rosemary would be delicious.
Make it spicy - Add crushed red pepper or stir in a little calabrian
Lemon - A squeeze of fresh lemon at the end enhances all the flavors of the slow cooker chicken legs and brings it all together. If you have one, I highly suggest adding just a touch!
Tips and Tricks
Cornstarch Slurry - Do not try to add the cornstarch to this slow cooker chicken legs dish without mixing into the water first. It will create a lumpy mess. Always whisk the cornstarch into the water and then pour it into the dish to combine.
I highly recommend using the legs or drumsticks with the skin on. It adds a ton of flavor. You can always remove if before eating.
Instant Pot Instructions
Add the ingredients except for the cornstarch, water, and heavy cream to the bowl of the Instant Pot.
Cook on high pressure for 10 minutes. Once cooking time is complete, allow the pressure to release naturally for 5 minutes. Open the vent to release any remaining pressure.
If you like a crisp skin, remove chicken legs and place them on a large baking sheet. Broil on high for 2-3 minutes, or until the skin is browned and slightly crispy.
While that is in the oven, turn the Instant Pot to low sauté and add remaining ingredients to create the mushroom gravy. The mushroom and onion sauce will tighten up almost immediately.
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How To Make It In The Oven
If you do not have a slow cooker, this is a super easy dish to make in the oven. Simply follow the recipe instructions, but put the ingredients (except cornstarch, water, and cream) into a dutch oven and into a preheated 250°F oven.
Cook for about 4 hours. Place the dutch oven on the stovetop on medium-low. Stir in the cornstarch slurry, butter, and cream and cook until the sauce thickens just a bit.
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Slow Cooker Chicken Legs Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 lbs chicken legs or drumsticks
- 8 oz mushrooms sliced
- 3-4 cloves garlic minced
- ½ medium onion sliced
- 1 teaspoon dried dill weed
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon fresh ground pepper
- ½ cup chicken broth
- 4 tablespoon butter
- 2 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 tablespoon water
- ¼ cup heavy cream
- juice of 1 lemon
Instructions
- Add the chicken, mushrooms, onions, garlic, dill, salt and pepper to the slow cooker bowl along with the chicken stock and butter.
- Cook on low for 4 hours or up to 6 hours.
- 20 minutes before serving, stir in the cornstarch slurry (made by mixing the cornstarch and water together). Once the gravy thickens just a bit, stir in the heavy cream.
- If you prefer a crisp chicken skin, remove the legs from the sauce, place them on a sheet pan, and set them under a broiler for 2-3 minutes.
- Serve the cooked chicken legs along with the mushroom gravy.
- Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
Serving Ideas
These slow cooker chicken legs are comfort food at its best! My favorite way to serve them in on top of a pile of carbs.
Creamy garlic mashed potatoes or mashed cauliflower both provide an amazing base for the tender chicken. Creamy polenta and buttered noodles are also a huge fan favorite at my house. My kids go nuts for this combo!
Storage and Reheating Instructions
Slow cooker chicken legs will stay good in the fridge for up to 3 days in an airtight container.
To reheat, warm in small increments in the microwave.
Freezer Instructions: For best result, debone the crockpot chicken drumsticks and freeze only the meat. In an airtight container, it will stay good in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this recipe gluten-free?
Yes! No worries at all for that dietary concern.
How could I make this recipe dairy-free?
All you need to do is swap out the heavy cream and butter for you favorite dairy-free options. You can use a bit of unsweetened coconut milk for the creamy component and a non-dairy butter as well.
How could I make the drumsticks crispy?
If you prefer a crispy skin on your chicken legs, you can put them under the broiler for just a few minutes to crisp up the skin. Just be mindful, don't walk away! 2-3 minutes is all you will need.
You can also finish them in the air fryer for a few minutes to crisp up the skin just a bit.
Can I cook this in the slow cooker on high?
Yes, you can. However, the final texture will not be that glorious, pull-apart tender delight that you'll want. If you must, cook them on high for 2-3 hours or until the chicken reaches a final temperature of 165°F.
Thank you!
I am so incredibly happy that you are here! I hope you try my slow cooker chicken legs recipe and fall in love with it. If you make this recipe, please share and tag me on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, or TikTok! I love seeing all of your masterpieces!
I absolutely love to hear from you all and always do my best to respond to each and every one of your comments or questions! And, as always, be kind. I’m only human.
Happy Cooking!
-Rufus
Other Wonderfully Delicious Chicken Recipes
Roasted Chicken Thighs - Another busy weeknight dinner hero! This recipe is super simple, minimal ingredients, and perfect for meal prep!
Chicken and Ramen - A sheet pan dinner when you want take out at home! It's a family favorite and so kid-friendly!
Spatchcock Chicken - A fantastic method for roasting a whole chicken with an Alabama white sauce to jazz things up a bit! It's classic comfort food with a spin!
Instant Pot Chicken Bone Broth - The most simple bone broth recipe yet. It's no-fail and made from leftover chicken carcasses and bones from recipes just like this dump and go slow cooker meal!
Krista Bailey says
This recipe is delicious and literally takes 5 minutes to throw it all in a crockpot! I pulled the legs and put them under the broiler for a few minutes and crisped them up. Poured the gravy over mashed potatoes and it was amazing.
Rufus says
Yay! I'm so glad you loved it! It means the world to me to hear from you guys. Thank you for letting me know!