Smothered Chicken - Easy Crockpot Chicken Legs Recipe (2024)

Want to know the best way to cook chicken legs in the crockpot? These Smothered Chicken Legs are so easy to make, and is sure to be a hit even the kids love them! These Crockpot chicken legs are hands down one of our most popular crock pot recipes. Made with simple ingredients, the drumsticks are slow cooked all day allowing you to spend more time with your family and not in the kitchen.

A few weeks ago I spotted a Smothered Chicken Legs Recipe. After searching numerous stores for the McCormick Swiss Steak Seasoning packets needed for this slow cooker chicken I still could not find them. Instead I came up my own little seasoning blend that tasted absolutely delicious.

One of my favorite parts of this chicken recipe is that it’s made right in my crock pot. My crock pot is one of my most used kitchen appliances and makes dinner time with three kids so much easier. While I’m running the kids from practice to practice, dinner is at home cooking all by itself!

Best Way to Cook Chicken Legs in the Crockpot:

Smothered Chicken Legs has become one of our favorite ways for making crockpot chicken drumsticks. It’s super easy to make and since drumsticks go on sale quite often, it’s budget friendly. My kids loved and and didn’t even ask to add barbecue sauce to their drumsticks like they almost always do.

This smothered chicken crock pot recipe can be prepped first thing in the morning, or you can save time by measuring and mixing the seasonings the night before. The seasoning can be stored in gallon sized zip-lock bag, that way you can easy add the chicken legs or quarters into the bag to coat.

Toss all the ingredients into the crock pot and set the cook time for 7 hours. Come home to a warm cooked meal and have more time to spend with family instead of making dinner.

How Long to Cook Chicken Legs in a Crockpot:

Chicken Legs can be cooked in the crockpot, cook on high for for 3-4 hour, or low 6-8 hours. Cooking times can vary between slow cookers, some cook slower while others cook fast. Cook until the internal temp of the chicken drumsticks reach 165 degrees F.

Make it a Freezer Meal:

Turn this easy smothered chicken into a freezer meal for a stress free weeknight dinner. Simply season the chicken drumsticks with the flour mixture and place all of the ingredients into two gallon sized freezer bags.

Add the chicken in one, and the potatoes, onions, and carrots in another. Remove the air, zip close, and place in the freezer. When ready to use, thaw in the refrigerator overnight and empty the contents into the crockpot. Cook according to directions.

Can I make this with Chicken Legs or Thighs?

This easy smothered chicken can also be made with chicken thighs, chicken breasts or chicken quarters instead of chicken legs.

Crockpot Smothered Chicken Legs:

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What you’ll need to make Chicken Legs in the Crockpot:

1 28 oz can petite diced tomatoes
6 red potatoes cubed
1 large Vidalia onion sliced
2 cups baby carrots
4 tbsp flour
2 tbsp garlic powder
3 tbsp minced onion
2 tsp salt
2 tsp lemon pepper or black pepper
2 tsp paprika
3 tbsp olive oil
6-8 skinless chicken legs
Crock-pot (I use a programmable crockpot which switches to warm mode when the food is ready)

*Scroll down to print recipe.

How to Make Smothered Chicken:

Step 1: Turn the slow cooker on low heat. Place the potatoes & tomatoes (with juice) on the bottom and then layer with the onions and carrots.

Step 2:

In a medium bowl, whisk together all of the seasonings & flour. Add oil & mix well.

Step 3:

Rub the chicken legs with the seasoning mixture and then place the chicken in the crock pot.

Step 4: How long to cook chicken legs in crock pot?

Cover and cook the drumsticks or chicken thighs on low for 7 hours, or until internal temperature reaches 165 F. Cooking times can vary depending on your slow cooker.

Crockpot Smothered Chicken Legs

Slow Cooker Chicken Legs - an easy chicken recipe for busy weeknights. Smothered Chicken Legs are a family favorite and are so easy to make. 5 Minutes of Prep and the slow cooker does all the work.

5 from 1 vote

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Ingredients

1 28 oz can petite diced tomatoes
6 red potatoes cubed
1 large Vidalia onion sliced
2 cups baby carrots
4 tbsp flour
2 tbsp garlic powder
3 tbsp minced onion
2 tsp salt
2 tsp lemon pepper or black pepper
2 tsp paprika
3 tbsp olive oil
6-8 chicken legs

Instructions

Turn on the crock pot/ slow cooker to low heat.
Place the potatoes & tomatoes (with juice) on the bottom and then layer with the onions and carrots.
In a medium bowl, whisk together all of the seasonings & flour. Add oil & mix well.
Rub the chicken legs with the seasoning mixture and add them to the slow cooker.
Cook on low for 7 hours.

This smothered chicken is one of my favorite chicken drumstick recipe to make in the slow cooker. It’s easy, made with simple ingredients, and can be loaded with a variety of veggies. I’m going to make it again this week except with chicken thighs instead of legs, and add in some mushrooms.

I love using our crockpot, especially during the busy school week. It saves a lot of time dumping all of the ingredients in the crock pot in the morning and have cook all day while I’m working. When 4:00pm rolls around I don’t have to worry about getting dinner ready, it’s all ready! Just put on a plate and serve!

Add these crock pot chicken drumsticks to your dinner menu this week!

Other Ways to Make Crockpot Chicken Legs:

Omit the potatoes, and serve with mashed potatoes or over egg noodles.
Add a little cayenne pepper in with the seasoning blend to give the drumsticks a little heat.
BBQ Chicken Legs – Place chicken drumsticks in the crockpot and pour BBQ sauce over the chicken.