A simple low-carb recipe for crockpot chicken legs and thighs that requires little prep. You can even place the ingredients in the slow cooker the night before for dinner meal prep!
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Do you cook in the crockpot frequently? I wish I did, but for some reason, I rarely pull mine out of the pantry closet.
I often buy a cooked rotisserie chicken at the grocery store for those times when I don't feel like cooking. However, if I had planned things right, I could have had my own chicken roasting in the crockpot with very little effort!
Crockpot chicken has always been a favorite of mine because the meat just falls off the bone as it does with rotisserie-cooked chicken. I also have a rotisserie oven, but it's a small one. A larger-sized whole chicken just doesn't fit in it.
Even with the smaller-sized chickens that do fit, the legs often end up touching the elements, and those areas burn. I definitely use the crockpot much more than the rotisserie. However, both of these are appliances that I don't get enough use out of.
This recipe was originally going to be for crockpot teriyaki chicken. However, I changed it to plain old crockpot chicken thighs and drumsticks because the flavor was nothing like teriyaki when it was done.
Ingredients Needed For Crockpot Chicken
Here are all of the ingredients you will need to make this crockpot chicken recipe:
Chicken
Use as much chicken as you need to feed yourself or your family. Make extra and save it for your meal prep for the week too! I was able to make about 6 ½ pounds of chicken legs and thighs in my slow cooker.
Spices
I used a combination of ground ginger, garlic powder, and salt and pepper for the spices. Since I was going for a teriyaki flavor, I used ginger and garlic together.
That's why I also used liquid aminos with it. When you are on a keto diet, it's best to use liquid aminos instead of soy sauce because it is gluten-free.
Sweetener
To make the chicken taste sweet, I used SweetLeaf stevia drops. You don't need very many drops to sweeten the entire pot.
The blackstrap molasses is optional but I think it adds a deeper flavor profile. Its robust taste balances out the sweetness from the stevia.
Please note: Check out the recipe card at the bottom for a full list of ingredients used to make this low-carb recipe.
Quick Tips:
- Use an Instant-Read meat thermometer to check the chicken temperature. This is the most effective way to tell if the chicken is fully cooked. Chicken thighs and legs should have an internal temperature of 175 degrees F.
- Pat the chicken pieces dry with a paper towel before adding the salt and pepper. This will help the spices to soak into the meat more effectively!
- If you don't like the taste of blackstrap molasses (or you can't find it in the store), you can leave it out. It's an optional ingredient.
How To Make Chicken Legs And Thighs In The Slow Cooker
This is a super-easy recipe. In fact, after you make it once, you'll probably have this recipe memorized! There are basically 3 simple steps.
Mix The Spices Together
First, mix all the spices and the sweetener together in the crock pot. Do all of this before you add the chicken to it.
Add The Chicken To The Crock Pot
After all the spices and everything is in the crockpot, put the chicken in. Add the water - make sure you have enough so that it doesn't burn.
Cook All Day
Then, just let it cook all day. That's it! This recipe will be done by the time you are ready to eat dinner.
What To Serve With Chicken Drumsticks And Thighs
This chicken has a pretty mild flavor, so it goes really well with almost any side dish you make. Try it with keto cauliflower mac and cheese - it's comfort food without too many carbs.
The umami flavors will taste perfect with Asian spiralized zucchini noodle salad. Or, serve it with some cilantro lime cauliflower rice and your favorite chopped salad!
Don't forget the dipping sauces! I love eating these chicken legs with keto bbq sauce or sugar free ketchup.
Frequently Asked Questions About Slow Cooker Chicken
Before we get to the printable recipe card, here are some questions people often ask about how to make it (and store it).
How do you make them taste spicier?
The easiest way to make these chicken legs and thighs taste spicier is to add some red pepper flakes. After they are done cooking, dip them in some sriracha for a little kick.
How do you store leftover chicken legs?
Store leftover chicken legs and thighs in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They will stay fresh for up to 5 days.
Can I use frozen chicken?
Yes, you can use frozen chicken drumsticks and thighs in the slow cooker. It might take a little longer to cook, but it will work just as well as fresh.
This chicken tasted more like a regular slow-cooked chicken! The flavor from the liquid aminos is very mild and somewhat sweet.
I'll have to try again to make low-carb teriyaki chicken in the crockpot, but I will keep this recipe as is. It resulted in tasty meat that just fell right off the bone, so I'll take it!
Other Slow Cooker Recipes To Try
If you enjoyed this recipe for crockpot chicken legs and thighs, here are some more keto-friendly slow cooker recipes you should try next. They are some of our favorites!
- Keto Crockpot Crack Chicken Recipe is extra cheesy and has the saltiness and crunch from bacon - kids love this recipe.
- Keto Cheeseburger Soup tastes just like your favorite burger but in a thick and creamy soup.
- Crockpot Crustless Chicken Pizza Casserole has the same cheesiness and tomato sauce as the best of pizzas.
- Keto Pot Roast can be made in both the slow cooker or the Instant Pot - it is an entire meal in one dish.
- Pork Curry Slow Cooker Recipe is both keto-friendly and paleo-approved. It has tons of flavor and tastes amazing with cauliflower rice.
Follow us on FACEBOOK, PINTEREST, and INSTAGRAM for even more tasty keto-friendly recipes!
Recipe
Crock Pot Chicken Thighs and Drumsticks
Video
Ingredients
- ½ cup liquid aminos or gluten free soy sauce
- 2 cups water
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 15 drops SweetLeaf Stevia drops or 2 tablespoons Swerve
- ¼ teaspoon blackstrap molasses optional
- 6 ½ pounds chicken cut into pieces
- salt and pepper
Instructions
- Mix together soy aminos, water, ground ginger, garlic powder, sweetener, and molasses (if using) in large 6 quart crock pot.
- Season chicken pieces with salt and pepper.
- Add chicken pieces to crock pot.
- Turn crock pot on and allow chicken to cook for at least 5-6 hours on high or 7-8 hours on low.
Notes
Low Carb Sweeteners | Keto Sweetener Conversion Chart
Nutrition
Additional Info
Notes on Nutritional Information
Nutritional information for the recipe is provided as a courtesy and is approximate only. We cannot guarantee the accuracy of the nutritional information given for any recipe on this site. Erythritol carbs are not included in carb counts as it has been shown not to impact blood sugar. Net carbs are the total carbs minus fiber.
Copyright
© LowCarbYum.com - Unauthorized use of this material without written permission is strictly prohibited unless for personal offline purposes. Single photos may be used, provided that full credit is given to LowCarbYum.com along with a link back to the original content.
First published on June 19, 2015. Post updated on June 1, 2021, with new images and additional recipe information.
Tana Rains
This sounds delicious and new, because of all the reviews I am testing it out today... Have learnt alot from the above questions and answers THANK YOU
James Bieber
Hi Lisa,
Any suggestions on how to use a KFC spice mixture on chicken thighs and then cook them in a crockpot? I think if done right they would taste wonderful. Your help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
Lisa MarcAurele
You'll need to grease the crock and I'd spray oil on the chicken pieces too after coating. The cooking time would be about two and a half hours on high and I've read it's best to preheat the slow cooker.
Beth Chase
Can I leave the sweetener out? Or sub honey?
Lisa MarcAurele
The sweetener can be omitted or replaced with another sweetener like honey if desired.
Ronnie
What Is the Carb count please! I only see calories rather than Carbs. I'm on Keto, can you help with that.
Lisa MarcAurele
Updated the recipe card to reflect 0 carbs.
Donna Jo Miles
The recipe for Chicken Drumsticks and Thighs does not have the carbs listed on the Nutrition chart. Can someone tell me how many net carbs?
Lisa MarcAurele
It's because it's zero
Emily Kemp
Love that I can prep these the night before, so yummy!
Christy Lightsey
Are the calories for the whole recipe or per piece?
Lisa
It's per piece.
Melissa Kaule
Can you use Truvia packets in lieu of the stevia drops? Thank you!
Lisa
Any sweetener can be used. You only need a small amount, like one packet.
Sharon
I thought the chicken was on bone. The recipe said 6 1/2 lbs cut from not pieces. Can it be on bone?
Thanks
Lisa
It's standard chicken pieces from a whole chicken with the bone left in.
Melanie
How do you get the nice DRY skin pictured? Every time I've cooked chicken in a crock pot the chicken was swimming in broth even when I didn't add any liquid to the pot. The chicken tasted boiled. The times I followed a recipe and added liquid, it watered down the seasonings to nothing.
Lisa
Are you using a larger oval crock pot? I get broth too, but the part of the chicken out of the broth always browns.
Robert e Lee
Oh my gosh this recipe not only made the entire guest house smell delicious, I cooked it for my nieces and they are picking as can be. They loved it! Even my dogs got a slice of heaven with their meals. I had to laugh at first glance, because I knew I was heading to the health Food store for the amino Acid juice. It actually tastes a bit like a vegetable bouillon. I also bought the Stevia there. What a brilliant idea for seasoning? Anyway, I'm adding this to my crock pot recipes for future meals. Thank you so much. Note: the juice was both terrific and fairly low in calories too!
Lisa
What a lucky dog!
CharlesMt
I used 8 chicken thighs also 9 chicken tenders so I could free up space in the freezer and there was still Plenty of sauce!
Tana Rains
This sounds delicious and new, because of all the reviews I am testing it out today... Have learnt alot from the above questions and answers THANK YOU
BTW CharlesMt That amount was very helpful, as I have thighs and drumsticks and thought as the chicken wasn't covered it wouldn't have enough taste.. THANK YOU
Linda
Hi Lisa,
Thanks for the quick response! I'm with you on the dark chicken meat, much more flavor and all that healthy fat.
Take care,
Linda
'
Linda
Hi Lisa,
How many drops of SweetLeaf Stevia do you use? BTW-I made your Shake and Bake Chicken and it was super delish! Thanks for sharing your recipes!!
Linda
Lisa
Hi Linda! I used 24 drops of stevia which is equivalent to about 2 tablespoons sugar. Thanks for following and trying the recipes. So glad you liked the other chicken recipe. We have moved from the skinless white meat to the higher fat skinned dark meat. Higher fat foods work best for me on low carb.