Crock Pot Chicken Leg Quarters

This recipe lets your slow cooker do all the work, turning simple chicken leg quarters into a tender, flavorful meal. The chicken cooks gently in a homemade barbecue sauce, making it a great hands-off option for a weeknight dinner.

With just a few minutes of prep, you can have this dish ready for the crock pot. Let it cook for several hours, and you will be rewarded with juicy chicken that is ready to serve with your favorite sides.

Why will you love Crock Pot Chicken Leg Quarters?

Low and slow cooking breaks down the connective tissues in the chicken leg quarters, resulting in exceptionally tender and moist meat.

The recipe requires minimal preparation. Just mix the sauce ingredients and pour them over the chicken in the slow cooker.

As the chicken cooks for hours in the sauce, it absorbs all the sweet, tangy, and smoky flavors for a delicious result.

Crock Pot Chicken Leg Quarters Ingredients

• Chicken Leg Quarters: This cut includes the thigh and drumstick. You can also use just chicken thighs or drumsticks if you prefer.

• Brown Sugar: Light or dark brown sugar will work. Dark brown sugar will add a deeper molasses flavor to the sauce.

• Apple Cider Vinegar: This adds the necessary tang to balance the sweetness. White wine vinegar can be used as a substitute in a pinch.

• Paprika: Use standard sweet paprika. For a smoky taste, you can substitute up to half of the amount with smoked paprika.

• Cayenne Pepper: The amount listed gives a mild warmth. Feel free to adjust it to your personal preference for heat.

Exact quantities are in the recipe card below.

How to Make Crock Pot Chicken Leg Quarters

Step 1: Make the Barbecue Sauce

In a medium bowl, whisk together the ketchup, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, garlic, paprika, chili powder, Dijon mustard, cayenne, salt, and pepper. This creates a simple yet flavorful sauce that will coat the chicken as it cooks.

Step 2: Prepare the Slow Cooker

Pour the water into the bottom of your slow cooker. This helps prevent sticking and ensures enough liquid. Place the sliced onions on the bottom, then arrange the chicken leg quarters on top of the onions.

Step 3: Cook the Chicken

Pour the prepared barbecue sauce evenly over the chicken pieces, making sure they are well-coated. Cover the slow cooker, set it to cook, and let it go. The chicken will become very tender and absorb the sauce’s flavor over several hours.

What to Serve with Crock Pot Chicken Leg Quarters

Serve these chicken quarters with mashed potatoes, creamy polenta, or a simple green salad to complete the meal.

Helpful Tricks for Crock Pot Chicken Leg Quarters

For a richer flavor, you can sear the chicken before slow cooking. Heat a tablespoon of oil in a skillet over medium-high heat and brown the chicken for 3-4 minutes per side, then transfer to the crock pot.

If you prefer a crispier skin, place the cooked chicken on a baking sheet and broil for 2-4 minutes. Watch it closely to prevent it from burning.

Food Safety: Always cook poultry to a safe minimum internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) as measured with a food thermometer.

The sauce will be thin from the chicken juices. To thicken it, pour the sauce into a small saucepan and simmer over medium heat for 5-10 minutes until it reduces.

How to Store and Freeze Crock Pot Chicken Leg Quarters

Store leftover chicken and sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. For longer storage, you can freeze the chicken and sauce for up to 3 months. Thaw completely in the refrigerator overnight before reheating gently in the microwave or a covered pot.

Crock Pot Chicken Leg Quarters Recipe FAQs

Can I use boneless, skinless chicken?

Yes, you can use boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts. You will need to reduce the cooking time to avoid overcooking; try 4-5 hours on LOW or 2-3 hours on HIGH.

Can I add vegetables to the crock pot?

Certainly. Hearty vegetables like potatoes and carrots are a great addition. Cut them into 1-inch chunks and place them at the bottom of the slow cooker before adding the chicken.

Why is the sauce so thin?

The sauce in the slow cooker will be thinner than bottled BBQ sauce because the chicken releases a lot of juices as it cooks. You can easily thicken it by simmering it in a small saucepan on the stove for 5-10 minutes after the chicken is done.

Crock Pot Chicken Leg Quarters

Tender chicken leg quarters slow-cooked in a homemade sweet and tangy barbecue sauce until they are fall-off-the-bone tender.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 6 hours hrs

Total Time 6 hours hrs 10 minutes mins

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Servings 4 servings

Ingredients

  

• 1 1/2 lbs chicken leg quarters about 680 g
• 1 cup ketchup 240 ml
• 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar 60 ml
• 1/4 cup packed brown sugar 55 g
• 1/2 medium onion sliced
• 2 teaspoons minced garlic about 2 cloves
• 1 1/2 tablespoons paprika
• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1/2 cup water 120 ml

Instructions

 

• In a medium bowl, combine the ketchup, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, minced garlic, paprika, chili powder, Dijon mustard, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper. Whisk until the mixture is smooth.
• Pour the water into the bottom of a 6-quart or larger slow cooker.
• Arrange the sliced onions in an even layer at the bottom of the slow cooker.
• Place the chicken leg quarters on top of the onions.
• Pour the prepared sauce evenly over the chicken pieces, ensuring they are well coated.
• Cover the slow cooker and cook on LOW for 6 to 7 hours, or on HIGH for 3 to 4 hours.
• The chicken is done when it is tender and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) when checked with a meat thermometer.
• Carefully remove the chicken from the slow cooker and serve hot, with extra sauce from the pot spooned over the top.

Notes

For a richer flavor, you can sear the chicken before slow cooking. Heat a tablespoon of oil in a skillet over medium-high heat and brown the chicken for 3-4 minutes per side, then transfer to the crock pot.

If you prefer a crispier skin, place the cooked chicken on a baking sheet and broil for 2-4 minutes. Watch it closely to prevent it from burning.

Food Safety: Always cook poultry to a safe minimum internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) as measured with a food thermometer.

The sauce will be thin from the chicken juices. To thicken it, pour the sauce into a small saucepan and simmer over medium heat for 5-10 minutes until it reduces.

Keyword barbecue, Chicken, chicken leg quarters crock pot, easy dinner, slow cooker