Crockpot BBQ chicken leg quarters might be one of the easiest ways to get tender, juicy chicken with that classic BBQ flavor everyone loves. A simple dry rub, a little slow cooker magic, and a quick trip under the broiler create crispy, golden skin without firing up the grill. Plus, this low carb, high protein dinner is a great option for busy weeknights when you need something easy and satisfying.
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The backstory.
There are days when grilling sounds great in theory, but the weather, the schedule, or plain old life has other plans. That's exactly why I love this BBQ chicken leg quarters recipe. It gives you all those comforting BBQ style flavors with no grill required. The slow cooker does the heavy lifting, and a few minutes under the broiler at the end gives the chicken that beautiful golden finish that makes everyone think you worked a lot harder than you actually did.
It's a must make.
When crockpot BBQ chicken leg quarters are on the menu, dinner practically takes care of itself while still delivering big BBQ flavor.
- No grill required. Enjoy classic BBQ style chicken any time of year without worrying about the weather.
- Crispy golden skin. A quick broil at the end helps create that crispy texture that slow cookers usually can't achieve on their own.
- Easy prep. A simple dry rub and BBQ sauce are all you need to get dinner started.
- Low carb and high protein. It's a hearty meal that keeps everyone full and satisfied without a lot of extra fuss.
Let's talk flavor and texture.
The first bite is everything you'd hope for in a BBQ chicken dinner. The chicken stays incredibly tender and juicy while soaking up the smoky, savory flavors from the dry rub and BBQ sauce. After being basted and broiled, the skin becomes slightly crispy with caramelized edges and a beautiful golden color. Every bite delivers a balance of smoky, sweet, savory BBQ goodness with plenty of rich chicken flavor.
What you'll need.
Making slow cooker chicken quarters in crock pot style couldn't be much simpler. A handful of pantry spices and your favorite BBQ sauce are all it takes.
- Dried oregano: Adds a subtle earthy flavor to the seasoning blend.
- Smoked paprika: Brings smoky depth and beautiful color. Regular paprika works too.
- Garlic salt: Adds savory flavor and seasoning in one step.
- Onion powder: Gives the dry rub extra savory richness.
- Yellow mustard powder: Adds a mild tangy flavor that works perfectly with BBQ.
- Ground black pepper: Adds a little warmth and balance.
- BBQ sauce: The star of the recipe that creates that classic BBQ flavor.
- Bone-in skin-on chicken quarters: The perfect cut for slow cooking because they stay juicy and flavorful.
For exact ingredient quantities, please see the recipe card below!
How to make crock pot frittata.
These crockpot BBQ chicken leg quarters come together easily.
- Arrange the seasoned chicken quarters in the slow cooker and spoon half of the BBQ sauce over the top.
- Cover and cook until the chicken is tender and nearly reaches its final safe cooking temperature.
- Transfer the chicken to a baking sheet, then baste with some of the remaining BBQ sauce.
- Broil until the skin begins to brown and crisp, flip, baste again, and continue broiling until beautifully golden and fully cooked.
Make it your way.
One of the best things about this crock pot BBQ chicken leg quarters recipe is how easy it is to make your own.
- Swap the homemade seasoning blend for your favorite seasoned salt or dry rub.
- Use a sweet, smoky, spicy, or honey-flavored BBQ sauce depending on your family's preferences.
- Finish the chicken in an air fryer instead of under the broiler to crisp the skin.
- Add a little cayenne pepper to the dry rub if you'd like extra heat.
- Baste the chicken with additional BBQ sauce after broiling for an extra saucy finish.
- Garnish with chopped fresh parsley for a pop of color before serving.
If chicken dinners are a regular part of your weeknight rotation, there are plenty of cozy slow cooker favorites to keep things interesting. For something with a little extra flavor, try my Slow Cooker Thai Basil Chicken Curry, which combines tender chicken with a creamy coconut curry sauce and fresh basil. When comfort food is calling, Creamy Crock Pot Chicken Thighs and Rice delivers a rich, satisfying meal with minimal effort. And if you're looking for a simple recipe that feels a little old-fashioned in the best way, 6-Ingredient Crockpot Chicken Paprika is packed with savory flavor and comes together with just a handful of pantry staples. They're all easy, family-friendly dinners that help answer the nightly "what's for dinner?" question.
How to serve it.
Crockpot BBQ chicken leg quarters are versatile enough for both weeknight dinners and casual weekend meals.
- Sprinkle with fresh parsley before serving for a little color.
- Pair with coleslaw, potato salad, or baked beans for a classic BBQ-inspired meal.
- Serve alongside roasted vegetables or a simple green salad for a lighter option.
- Add corn on the cob and macaroni and cheese when you're feeding a hungry crowd.
- Spoon extra BBQ sauce over the top for anyone who loves extra saucy chicken.
Kori's tips.
- Preheat your broiler before removing the chicken from the slow cooker so it's ready to go immediately.
- Don't add extra liquid to the crockpot. The chicken releases plenty of moisture as it cooks.
- Watch the chicken closely while broiling since BBQ sauce can brown quickly.
- An air fryer works great for crisping the skin if you prefer not to use the oven. Use a meat thermometer for the best results.
- The final temperature should reach 165 degrees F.
- Trimming excess fat before cooking helps keep the finished dish from becoming greasy.
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FAQ's
Allow to cool and transfer to an air-tight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. You can also freeze them in an air-tight container for up to 4 months.
You can reheat your chicken in the microwave on a microwave-safe plate in 30-second increments on 50% power. You can also reheat in the air fryer (325 to 350 degrees) to warm the chicken and crisp up the skin.
I find that cooking chicken slower in the crockpot on low ends with a more tender and juicy end result. If you are in a hurry, you can cook it on high in less amount of time, but you risk overcooking the chicken and drying it out.
If you tried this recipe, let me know! I'd love for you to come back and give the recipe a 5 star rating and leave a review in the comments! 🙂 Let's stay connected, so please follow me on YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest! Subscribe to my newsletter to get easy delicious crockpot recipe ideas every week!
📖 The recipe.
Slow Cooker Chicken Quarters (BBQ Style)
Ingredients
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika (regular paprika may be used)
- 1 teaspoon garlic salt
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon yellow mustard powder
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 cup BBQ sauce, divided
- 3 bone-in skin-on chicken quarters (trimmed of any excess fat)
Instructions
- Mix the first 6 ingredients in a small bowl and sprinkle over both sides of the chicken.
- Spray the inside of a crockpot with nonstick spray. Place the chicken on the bottom of the slow cooker and top with ½ cup of barbecue sauce.
- Cover and cook on high for 3 to 4 hours on LOW or 4 to 6 hours on HIGH, or until the internal temperature of ths chicken reaches 160℉. (Note that the safe temperature of chicken is 165 degrees, but you are removing it from the crockpot and then broiling, which will bring it up to the proper temperature.)
- Preheat oven broiler and place oven rack about 6" below the heat. Remove the chicken from the crockpot and place on a baking sheet, skin side down. Baste the chicken with half of the remaining barbecue.
- Broil for 4 minutes or until sauce and skin begin to brown and crisp. Turn the chicken over skin side up, and baste with remaining BBQ sauce. Broil for 3 to 5 more minutes or until the sauce and chicken legs are browning and skin is crisping.
Video
Notes
- Don't miss all of our helpful hints, substitution ideas, cooking tips, and other delicious recipes that can be found in our post. Check it out!
- TIP:
- An air fryer (450 degrees F) may be used to crisp the skin instead of an oven. Preheat the fryer, add chicken, and watch closely so it doesn't burn or overcook.
- You do not need to add any liquid to the crockpot before cooking.
- Preheat the broiler before adding chicken so you can get color, but not overcook the wings.
- You can broil the chicken before slow cooker which will add flavor, but you will not have crispy skin.
- The final cooking temperature of your chicken should be 165 degrees F.
- VARIATIONS: Instead of the seasoning called for in this recipe, any seasoned salted herb blend or dry rub may be used as a substitution. Chicken can be basted with BBQ Sauce instead of the pot juices.
- SERVING SUGGESTIONS: Garnish with fresh parsley for color. Adjust salt and pepper to taste.
- STORAGE: Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days or freeze for 4 months.
Nutrition
© 2025 Slow Cooked Eats
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Star says
Excellent recipe! Followed recipe exactly. Family loved it. I will make this often.
Thank you.
slowcookedeats says
Awwww. Thank you so much, I'm super happy you loved these! I have them on my menu for this week! 🙂