This healthy Slow Cooker Lemon Feta Chicken Drumsticks recipe only has 5 ingredients, not counting salt and pepper. Drumsticks, seasoned with lemon, oregano, and spices, are slow cooked in the crock pot, then topped with freshly grated feta.
Slow Cooker Lemon Feta Chicken Drumsticks
Every now and then, I like to take recipes I normally make in the oven and try them in my slow cooker. Often, they convert well to the slow cooker with some slight modifications. This recipe was inspired by my Roasted Lemon Feta Chicken. The juicy, tender chicken fell off the bone, and the only difference was that, rather than adding the feta and broiling them in the oven, I served the drumsticks on a platter and added freshly grated feta, which melted from the heat of the meat. I served them with this massaged raw kale salad, using feta instead of parmesan. It was such a simple, inexpensive meal.
Why This Slow Cooker Drumsticks Recipe Works
This easy slow cooker chicken recipe is an excellent dish when you don’t have much time to prep a long list of ingredients. All you have to do is remove the chicken skin and add everything to the crock pot. Then, set it and forget it. And if you don’t have time to make a side dish, just microwave a bag of frozen rice!
- Budget-friendly: Drumsticks are an affordable source of protein.
- Tender and juicy: Cooking the dark meat low and slow keeps it moist and flavorful.
- Minimal ingredients: You probably already have most of them in your pantry.
- High in protein: Two drumsticks with feta contain 28 grams of protein.
- Fast and easy prep: Although the chicken takes hours to cook, the prep takes only a few minutes. Just toss everything into the crockpot and go about your day!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Just a few simple ingredients transform chicken drumsticks into a Mediterranean feast. See the recipe card below for the exact measurements.
- Chicken drumsticks: Cut off the skin with sharp kitchen scissors to make them leaner. It also lets the spices stick to the meat rather than the skin, giving the dish more flavor.
- Seasoning: Kosher salt, black pepper, garlic powder, dried oregano
- Lemon juice for a bright citrus flavor
- Feta cheese: I recommend buying a block of feta and grating it yourself; it’s moister and tastes much better than pre-crumbled feta.
How to Make Lemon Feta Drumsticks
You don’t need to add any extra liquid besides the lemon juice because the dark meat will release liquid as it cooks. See the recipe card at the bottom for printable directions.
- Season the chicken with salt, pepper, oregano, and lemon juice.
- Slow cook the drumsticks on high for 4 hours. Cut into one to check that it’s not pink in the center. You can also use a thermometer to confirm the temp is 165°F.
- Add the feta to the chicken, put the lid on the crockpot, and let it sit until the cheese melts.
Variations
- Chicken: Replace drumsticks with bone-in chicken thighs. Trim off the skin, then cook on high for 3 to 4 hours. I wouldn’t recommend chicken breasts because they can dry out.
- No slow cooker? Follow my Lemon Feta Chicken recipe with oven instructions.
- Add herbs: Before serving, garnish with fresh parsley or dill.
Serving Suggestions
Pair these lemon feta drumsticks with a salad, roasted vegetables, or a starchy side such as pasta, rice, or potatoes. You could also remove the meat from the bones and serve it in a rice bowl or a pita wrap with tzatziki, cherry tomatoes, and cucumbers.
Salad
Vegetables
Other Side Dishes
Storage and Meal Prep Tips
- Refrigerate the lemon drumsticks for up to 4 days.
- Freeze in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Then, thaw overnight in the fridge.
- Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F or in the microwave until warm.
More Chicken Drumstick Recipes You’ll Love
For healthy dinner recipes, try one of the drumstick recipes below or check out my Chicken Recipes collection.
- Sheet Pan Chicken Drumsticks with Zucchini and Corn
- Baked Chicken with Dijon and Lime
- Crock Pot Maple Dijon Chicken Drumsticks
- Honey Teriyaki Drumsticks (Skillet or Instant Pot)
- Easy Braised Tomatillo Chicken Drumsticks
Slow Cooker Lemon Feta Drumsticks
Ingredients
- 8 skinless chicken drumsticks, (about 30 oz total)
- kosher salt and fresh ground pepper
- 2 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tbsp dried oregano
- juice of 1 lemon
- ⅓ cup feta cheese, fresh grated
Instructions
- Season chicken with salt, pepper, garlic powder, oregano, and lemon juice.
- Place in the slow cooker and cook on HIGH 4 hours, or until chicken is no longer pink in the center near the bone.
- When chicken is cooked through, sprinkle with grated feta and cover until cheese is melted.