Description
This Crockpot Smothered Chicken Legs recipe delivers fall-off-the-bone tender drumsticks in a savory, creamy gravy—all with minimal prep. The slow cooker melds juicy chicken legs with onions, garlic, and a rich mushroom soup sauce for a comforting, family-friendly main course perfect for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
For the Chicken:
- 8 chicken legs (drumsticks), skin removed if desired
- 1 medium yellow onion, sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- Salt and pepper, to taste
For the Smothered Sauce:
- 1 (10.5-ounce) can condensed cream of mushroom soup
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
For Serving (Optional):
- Chopped fresh parsley
- Cooked rice, mashed potatoes, or egg noodles
Instructions
- Prepare the Slow Cooker: Lightly grease the inside of your crockpot with nonstick spray or a little oil to help prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
- Layer the Aromatics: Add the sliced onion and minced garlic to the bottom of the crockpot. Sprinkle with half of the paprika, salt, and pepper for extra flavor.
- Arrange the Chicken: Place the chicken legs on top of the onion and garlic layer. Season them with the remaining paprika, salt, and pepper for even coverage.
- Mix the Sauce: In a medium bowl, whisk together the cream of mushroom soup, chicken broth, Worcestershire sauce, dried thyme, onion powder, and garlic powder until smooth.
- Smother the Chicken: Pour the prepared sauce evenly over the chicken legs, making sure they are well coated.
- Slow Cook: Cover and cook on low for 6–7 hours, or on high for 3–4 hours, until the chicken is very tender and cooked through.
- Finish & Serve: Optional—if you prefer a thicker gravy, remove the lid for the last 30 minutes. Serve chicken legs smothered in sauce with your favorite side like mashed potatoes, rice, or noodles. Top with fresh parsley if desired.
Notes
- Removing the chicken skin helps keep the sauce from becoming too greasy, but you can leave it on if you prefer.
- If you like extra veggies, add sliced mushrooms or bell peppers with the onions.
- For a tangy twist, add a splash of Dijon mustard to the sauce mixture.
- Leftovers will keep in the fridge for up to 3 days and taste even better the next day!
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 chicken legs with sauce
- Calories: 340
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 850mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 9g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 33g
- Cholesterol: 145mg
