Keto Crockpot Chicken Leg Quarters Recipes: Delicious and Easy Options

For those following a ketogenic diet, finding convenient and flavorful recipes can sometimes be a challenge. Slow cookers and Instant Pots offer an excellent solution for preparing delicious, low-carb meals with minimal effort. Chicken leg quarters are an affordable and versatile protein source that can be transformed into a variety of keto-friendly dishes using these appliances. This article explores several keto crockpot chicken leg quarters recipes, providing options for various tastes and preferences.

Slow Cooker Lemon Chicken

This recipe combines the bright flavors of lemon with the convenience of a slow cooker. It's a family-friendly option that is also paleo and Whole30 compliant.

Ingredients:

• Chicken leg quarters (skin-on or skinless, bone-in or boneless)
• Lemon slices
• Sauce ingredients (see below)

Sauce:

Combine the sauce ingredients in a small bowl.

Instructions:

1. Add chicken to the slow cooker.
2. Pour sauce over chicken.
3. Top chicken with lemon slices.
4. Cook on HIGH for 2-3 hours or LOW for 4-6 hours.

Tips and Notes:

• Dark meat, like chicken thighs and legs, works well in the slow cooker because it is less likely to dry out.
• If using white meat, reduce the cooking time by an hour or more to prevent overcooking.
• For crispy skin, remove the chicken from the slow cooker and broil it for a few minutes after cooking (optional).
• This recipe can also be adapted for the Instant Pot. Brown the chicken in the Instant Pot using the saute setting, then add the sauce and lemon slices. Cook on high pressure for 12 minutes, followed by a quick release of pressure.

Slow Cooker Garlic Chicken Drumsticks

This recipe is a garlic lover's dream, inspired by the traditional 40-clove garlic chicken. It utilizes affordable drumsticks and a slow cooker to infuse the chicken with intense garlic flavor.

Ingredients:

• Chicken drumsticks
• Onion, chopped
• Garlic cloves (adjust to taste, 15-20 cloves recommended)
• Olive oil
• Rosemary
• Paprika
• Salt
• Pepper

Instructions:

1. Place drumsticks, onion, and garlic in a large bowl.
2. Combine olive oil, rosemary, paprika, salt, and pepper in a small separate bowl.
3. Pour the mixture over the chicken/onion/garlic and toss to coat.
4. Transfer to the slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours, or until the chicken is falling off the bone.
5. Finish everything off quickly in the broiler for a nicely browned exterior.

Tips and Notes:

• Adjust the amount of garlic to your preference.
• Serve with your favorite sides, such as roasted vegetables or cauliflower mash.

Slow Cooker Teriyaki Chicken Legs

This family-friendly recipe uses a sugar-free, homemade teriyaki sauce to create a healthy, low-carb dish that is also paleo and Whole30 compatible.

Read also: Easy Low-Carb Cheese Crackers

Ingredients:

• Chicken legs
• Teriyaki sauce ingredients (see below)

Teriyaki Sauce:

Combine the sauce ingredients in a small bowl.

Instructions:

1. Place chicken legs in a single layer in the slow cooker.
2. Pour teriyaki sauce over the chicken legs.
3. Cook on low for 4 hours or high for 2 hours, turning halfway through.
4. Remove the chicken from the slow cooker and pour the leftover sauce into a saucepan.
5. Cook on the stovetop over medium-high heat until reduced into a thick sauce.
6. Spoon the thickened sauce over the chicken legs and serve.

Tips and Notes:

• You can use other cuts of chicken, but adjust the cooking time accordingly.
• To thicken the sauce, use a slurry of arrowroot and water (1:1 ratio).
• This recipe can also be made in the Instant Pot. Cook on high pressure for 15 minutes, followed by a 10-minute natural pressure release. Then, thicken the sauce using the saute function.

Crock Pot Creamy Keto Tuscan Chicken

This recipe delivers a creamy and comforting Italian-inspired dish that is perfect for a keto diet.

Ingredients:

• Chicken thighs (can substitute chicken breasts)
• Sun-dried tomatoes (check carb counts on the package)
• Basil
• Garlic
• Chicken broth
• Heavy whipping cream
• Konjac root powder (optional, for thickening sauce)
• Salt
• Pepper

Instructions:

1. Layer half of the chicken thighs in the bottom of the crockpot.
2. Sprinkle half of the sun-dried tomatoes, basil, and garlic on top of the chicken. Add salt and pepper to taste.
3. Repeat with the remaining chicken thighs, tomatoes, basil, and garlic.
4. Pour the chicken broth into the side of the pot, being careful not to disturb the chicken and seasonings.
5. Place the lid on the slow cooker and cook for 4 1/2 hours on low.
6. Open the lid and pour in the heavy whipping cream. If you like a thicker sauce, carefully sprinkle the konjac root powder in an even layer on top of the liquids. Stir the liquid gently with a fork, without moving the chicken. Omit the konjac root powder if you like your sauce thinner.
7. Close the lid and cook for 20 more minutes.
8. Turn off slow cooker and serve over keto pasta, riced cauliflower, or with a side salad.

Tips and Notes:

• Chicken thighs cook up very tender in a crock pot or pressure cooker and have a higher fat content, which is beneficial for keto diets.
• You can substitute up to 1/4 cup of chicken bone broth for some of the chicken broth to add extra health benefits.
• Sun-dried tomatoes without oil work great in this recipe. Soak them in water or olive oil for 30 minutes to plump them up.

Keto Teriyaki Chicken Legs (Slow Cooker, Instant Pot, or Oven)

This recipe provides instructions for cooking keto teriyaki chicken legs using three different methods: slow cooker, Instant Pot, and oven.

Ingredients:

• Chicken legs
• Soy sauce (or coconut aminos)
• Brown sugar substitute
• Minced garlic
• Grated ginger
• Xanthan gum (optional, for thickening sauce)

Instructions:## Slow Cooker:

1. Place chicken legs in a single layer in the slow cooker.
2. In a small bowl, mix together the soy sauce, sweetener, garlic, ginger, and xanthan gum.
3. Pour over the chicken legs.
4. Cook on low for 4 hours, or high for 2 hours, turning halfway through.
5. When the chicken is done, remove from the slow cooker and pour the leftover sauce into a saucepan.
6. Cook on the stovetop over medium-high heat until reduced into a thick sauce.
7. Spoon over the chicken legs and serve.

Instant Pot:

1. Place chicken legs in a single layer in the Instant Pot.
2. In a small bowl, mix together the soy sauce, sweetener, garlic, ginger, and xanthan gum and ½ cup of water.
3. Pour over the chicken legs.
4. Cook on high pressure for 15 minutes, followed by a 10-minute natural pressure release.
5. Remove the rest of the pressure, followed by the lid.
6. Remove the chicken legs from the pot and set the pot to "high saute" function.
7. Let the sauce simmer until it is thickened.
8. Spoon over the chicken and serve.

Oven Baked:

1. Pre-heat the oven to 375F.
2. Place chicken legs in a single layer in a 9x13 baking dish.
3. In a small bowl, mix together the soy sauce, sweetener, garlic, ginger, and xanthan gum.
4. Pour over the chicken legs.
5. Bake in the oven for 1 hour, turning the legs over halfway through.
6. If your sauce is still thin in the baking dish, pour it into a sauce pan and cook over medium-high heat until thickened.

Tips and Notes:

• If you do not have xanthan gum, just leave it out.
• Nutrition information is provided as a courtesy only.

Additional Keto Crockpot Chicken Dinner Ideas

• Spicy Shredded Chicken Lettuce Wrap Tacos
• Slow Cooker Jerk Chicken
• Slow Cooker Salsa Chicken
• Buffalo Chicken Lettuce Wraps
• Buffalo Chicken Tacos
• Crack Chicken
• Chicken and Sausage Stew
• Tender CrockPot Whole Chicken
• Buffalo Chicken and Blue Cheese Cabbage Bowl
• Slow Cooker Buttermilk Chicken
• Buffalo Chicken Cauliflower Rice Bowl
• Slow Cooker Buffalo Ranch Chicken Tenders
• Slow Cooker Greek Chicken
• Slow Cooker Chicken Fajitas
• Crock Pot Mediterranean Chicken
• Slow Cooker Cauliflower Rice Greek Chicken Bowl
• Creamy Mexican Slow Cooker Chicken
• Slow Cooker Barbecue Chicken
• Slow Cooker Tahini Chicken Thighs
• Slow Cooker Mandarin Chicken

Read also: Keto Calorie Counting: A Detailed Guide

Read also: Magnesium Supplements for Keto

tags: #keto #crockpot #chicken #leg #quarters #recipes