3 ingredients slow cooker chicken legs
These 3-ingredient slow cooker chicken legs are fall-off-the-bone tender, packed with BBQ flavor, and so easy to make! Just toss everything in your slow cooker and come back to juicy, saucy perfection. Perfect for busy nights.
Servings: 4
Calories: 348kcal
Equipment
- 6-quart slow cooker
- Small mixing bowl
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Tongs or serving spoon
- Optional: baking sheet (for broiling)
Ingredients
- 3 pounds chicken drumsticks about 8–10 pieces
- 1 ½ cups BBQ sauce
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
Instructions
- Lightly spray the inside of your slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray.
- Place the chicken drumsticks in the slow cooker in an even layer.
- In a small bowl, mix 1 cup of the BBQ sauce with the apple cider vinegar.
- Pour the sauce over the chicken and toss to coat evenly.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 5–6 hours or HIGH for 3–4 hours, until the chicken is cooked through and tender.
- Optional: For crispier skin, transfer the drumsticks to a baking sheet and broil for 3–5 minutes before serving.
- Brush with the remaining ½ cup of BBQ sauce before serving, if desired.
Notes
- Sweet vs. tangy: If your BBQ sauce is on the sweeter side, the apple cider vinegar helps cut through it—but you can reduce it to 2 teaspoons if you prefer less tang.
- Meal prep tip: These chicken legs are great for batch cooking! Shred leftovers for wraps, rice bowls, or salads.
- Broil for texture: If you love crispy skin, don’t skip the broiling step at the end—it makes a big difference.
- BBQ sauce swap: You can use honey garlic sauce, buffalo sauce, or even teriyaki for a different flavor profile.
Nutrition
Calories: 348kcal | Carbohydrates: 44g | Protein: 41g | Fat: 22g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 210mg | Sodium: 1342mg | Potassium: 760mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 36g | Vitamin A: 345IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 58mg | Iron: 2mg
