Slow Cooker Cilantro Lime Chicken packs a lot of flavor in an easy-to-make dinner. Fresh cilantro, lime, garlic, and chicken drumsticks cook just a few hours in the slow cooker. So simple, yet so tasty!
What I LOVE about Slow Cooker Cilantro Lime Chicken Recipe
This recipe for slow cooker chicken drumsticks couldn't be easier. There is very little prep time for this chicken recipe y'all - it took me less than 10 minutes to get everything in the slow cooker and turn it on! How awesome is that?!I'm certain you will LOVE how easy this recipe is, AND you'll love the fresh flavors even more! Cilantro and lime is one of my all-time favorite flavor combos, and this recipe really delivers! I like to have extra lime wedges to give the chicken a little spritz of lime before I dig in.
Ingredients in Cilantro Lime Chicken
- 2 small limes
- 1/4 cilantro, freshly chopped
- 1/2 tablespoon garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 4 pounds chicken drumsticks
How to Make Cilantro Lime Chicken in the Slow Cooker
The prep for this recipe is super easy. I like to gather my ingredients and slow cooker first to have everything handy when prepping the recipe.- Add juice from two limes, 1/4 cup chopped cilantro, 1/2 tablespoon freshly minced garlic, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper to the crock of the slow cooker and stir to combine.
- Add the chicken drumsticks to the slow cooker and stir to coat the chicken with the cilantro lime mixture.
- Cover the slow cooker with the lid and cook on HIGH for 2 1/2 hours or until internal temperature of chicken reaches 165°F in thickest part of chicken.
- Remove chicken from slow cooker to a foil lined baking sheet and broil chicken drumsticks in the oven for 5-10 minutes until nicely browned. Flip over to brown both sides. Serve with juices from the slow cooker and enjoy!
Helpful Tips
- Use skin on chicken drumsticks for maximum flavor. The skin helps keep the chicken juicy and tender.
- Use fresh ingredients for best results. Fresh limes, fresh cilantro, and fresh garlic are a must in this recipe!
- The cooking times given in this recipe are for thawed chicken drumsticks cooked on the high setting. Refer to the questions section below for alternative cooking methods and times.
- When broiling to brown the chicken be sure to watch it closely. Always keep the oven door ajar when broiling and remove chicken when browned. It will burn quickly if not watched closely.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken drumsticks?
Yes, bone-in and skin-on chicken thighs are a good alternative to the chicken legs used in this recipe. Cook time will be about the same. Always check the internal temperature in the thickest part of the chicken. Cook to 165°F.What if I don't have a slow cooker?
If you don't have a slow cooker bake this recipe in a casserole dish in the oven. Use thawed chicken. Stir chicken with other ingredients and place chicken in a single layer. Cover with foil and bake at 425°F for 30 minutes. Remove foil and continue cooking 15 minutes or until chicken reaches 165°F.Can I use frozen drumsticks?
Yes, but you'll need to cook on high for 4-5 hours until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F.Can I prep this recipe ahead of time and freeze?
Yes. Put all ingredients into a freezer bag and freeze. When ready to use - thaw and slow cook as normal.Do I have to use fresh lime juice?
I highly recommend you use fresh lime juice in this recipe for best results.Do I have to use fresh cilantro? What if I don't like cilantro?
Yes, I highly recommend using fresh cilantro for maximum flavor. Dried cilantro simply won't impart the same flavor as fresh and will change the overall flavor of the recipe. If you don't like cilantro you can try substituting it with another herb like fresh basil if you prefer.Can I substitute garlic powder in place of fresh garlic?
No. I don't recommend using garlic powder in this recipe as it will change the flavor of the recipe. Fresh garlic is best.If the chicken is fully cooked after slow cooking, do I have to broil it too?
I recommend broiling the chicken to give it a beautiful golden brown color and a nice crispy crunch to the skin. It adds flavor and gives the chicken a more desirable texture.Can I use the low setting with a longer cook time?
Yes. Cook on low 5-6 hours until internal temperature of chicken reaches 165°F.I didn't get much juice from the limes, do I need more liquid?
No, you don't need to add liquid when slow cooking chicken drumsticks as the chicken will produce its own liquid while cooking.More Slow Cooker Recipes
More Chicken Recipes
Slow Cooker Cookbook
I am honored to share this recipe with you. It is one of the many recipes found in my friend's cookbook, The Magical Slow Cooker: Recipes for Busy Moms by Sarah Olson. Buy your copy HEREI have been a fan of Sarah's blog, The Magical Slow Cooker, for some time now, so I was thrilled when she asked me to review her cookbook! Y'all! You NEED this book! It has everything from breakfast to dessert ALL made in the slow cooker! I truly had no idea you could make such a variety of delicious recipes in the slow cooker! Imagine having nearly 100 easy recipes your family will gobble up! With very little prep time, Sarah's recipes are made for busy moms!
Yield: 6
Slow Cooker Cilantro Lime Chicken
Slow Cooker Cilantro Lime Chicken packs a lot of flavor in an easy-to-make dinner. Fresh cilantro, lime, garlic, and chicken drumsticks cook just a few hours in the slow cooker. So simple, yet so tasty!
Prep time: 10 MCook time: 2 H & 30 MTotal time: 2 H & 40 M
Ingredients:
- 2 small limes
- 1/4 cilantro, freshly chopped
- 1/2 tablespoon garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 4 pounds chicken drumsticks, skin-on
Instructions:
How to cook Slow Cooker Cilantro Lime Chicken
- Juice two limes into a 6 quart slow cooker. Add 1/4 cup chopped cilantro, 1/2 tablespoon freshly minced garlic, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Stir to combine.
- Add the chicken drumsticks and stir to coat the chicken.
- Cover and cook on HIGH for 2 1/2 hours or until internal temperature of chicken reaches 165°F in thickest part of chicken.
- Preheat broiler on high. Line a cookie sheet with foil, and using tongs, place the chicken drumsticks on the foil. Broil in the oven for 5-10 minutes until nicely browned. Turn chicken drumsticks over to brown both sides. Serve with juices from the slow cooker and enjoy!
Notes:
You may cook on low for 5-6 hours until internal temperature of chicken is 165° using an instant read thermometer
You may substitute bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs in place of the chicken drumsticks in this recipe
You may substitute bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs in place of the chicken drumsticks in this recipe
Calories
564.63
564.63
Fat (grams)
27.24
27.24
Sat. Fat (grams)
7.40
7.40
Carbs (grams)
2.70
2.70
Fiber (grams)
0.69
0.69
Net carbs
2.02
2.02
Sugar (grams)
0.39
0.39
Protein (grams)
72.89
72.89
Sodium (milligrams)
649.51
649.51
Cholesterol (grams)
384.04
384.04
Nutrition label disclaimer: Nutrient values are estimates only. Variations may occur due to product availability and food preparation. To obtain the most accurate representation of the nutritional information in a given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe, using your preferred nutrition calculator. You are solely responsible for ensuring that any nutritional information provided is accurate, complete, and useful.
COPYRIGHT © 2020 Life Tastes Good
Hi Marion! Thank you so much for making a recipe from my book. My family loves this chicken recipe. :)
ReplyDeleteIt was my pleasure! Thank you for sending me the book. I will treasure it forever :)
DeleteI love cilantro lime chicken and your looks AMAZING! I'm dying to eat it right off the computer screen! I need to try this out!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Sara! It's easy enough to make any night of the week, that is for sure :)
DeleteI loved Sarah's cookbook! This recipe looks like a must try!! Love the flavors!
ReplyDeleteThere are so many wonderful recipes! Thanks, Sheena, it really is delicious and so, so easy!
DeleteThese look so good, hard to believe the prep is only 10 minutes! I am going to be making these soon. I love Sarah's cookbook. I too saw a lot I have to try!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Mary Ellen! I think the prep was even under 10 minutes! It was so quick. I just love this recipe :)
DeleteIt looks great and easy. One question is this with skin on or off?
ReplyDeleteThanks, Gina! I leave the skin on. It adds to the flavor and crisps up in the oven before serving.
DeleteThanks for such wonderful recipe. Yeah, skin brings more flavor :) I tried lime chicken but that recipe was somehow not that easy like yours ;) will surely try your recipe this weekend.
ReplyDeleteI hope you enjoy it as much as we do, Nichole. Thanks for stopping by :)
DeleteCan you make this with a whole chicken? If so, for how long?
ReplyDeleteI haven't cooked a whole chicken in the slow cooker, but in Sarah's book she has a recipe for a whole chicken and cooks it on low for 6 hours. I hope that helps :) Thanks for the question ~Marion
DeleteDo you think I could do the slow cooker 5 hours on low and then still bake for crispiness?
ReplyDeleteRachel, I haven't tried these on low, but I think that would work. The problem you might run into is if they are so tender they might fall apart on you when trying to move them to a baking sheet to put under the broiler, but definitely give it a go. I'd love to hear how it works for you!
DeleteI have done this on low for 5-6 and still was able to put them in the oven :) came out just as yummy!
DeleteThis is good to hear, Crystal! Thanks so much for sharing :)
DeleteI was looking for healthy and easy recipes to make,and glad I came across this one. My kids and I loved it! Guess I'll be making it again soon. Thank you
ReplyDeleteCan you use frozen drum sticks? If so what times and temperature would I need to change?
ReplyDeleteThank you
Hi Brad, I would recommend thawing the drum sticks first. Frozen ones will add more liquid into the recipe as they thaw and that would water down the sauce. I hope that helps! Thanks for stopping by ~Marion
DeleteMy drumsticks were still raw at 2.5 hours on high. Not sure if my drumsticks were bigger or what but I think it took over 4 hours. I wonder if I did something wrong
ReplyDeleteLisa, they definitely should have been done. Did you thaw the chicken or cook from frozen? Frozen chicken would need more time in the slow cooker. That is really the only thing that I can think of that would cause the chicken to not be done, unless your slow cooker is maybe not heating properly or the lid was not on securely. It's really difficult to diagnose.
DeleteDoes it help to marinade the chicken the night before? I am making this for a dinner party tomorrow and it's my first time trying this dish
ReplyDeleteKajal, I don't recommend marinating as it alters the texture of the meat and not in a good way. I hope everyone enjoys this dish as much as we do!
Deletedo we have to add more liquid? i don't use it much but i thought you would need to add more liquid so it doesn't stick or get dry?
ReplyDeleteNo more liquid is needed. The chicken will produce pan drippings as it cooks. I hope that helps! Happy New Year ~Marion
DeleteIt is so easy to cook but really delightful!!!!! Thank you for this recipe! I realy enjoy it!
ReplyDeleteI'm so happy you enjoyed it!! Thank you for stopping by. You made my day 😊 Have a great week ~Marion
DeleteI'm going to try this with wings for a football party next weekend!! Can't wait to try it.
ReplyDeleteCan this be doubled? Or do the legs need to be in more of a single layer in the bottom of the crock pot?!
ReplyDeleteIf you can fit them all in the slow cooker it can be doubled, but you don't want it to be too crowded in there. If you have a large cooker then I think it would work well for you.
DeleteWould this work with thighs? Would it alter the cook time?
ReplyDeleteYes. thighs would work perfectly and the cook time should be the same. Enjoy!
DeleteI know this was years ago but curious if you did indeed try this recipe with wings? I am having a Super Bowl party full of whole 30’ers and would love to still have good wings!
ReplyDeleteThanks!
Hi Kim, I haven't made these with chicken wings, but you absolutely can. They'll be similar cook times as long as the wings are thawed. Frozen wings will take longer.
DeleteI also have a low carb buffalo wing recipe you might like. To make it whole30 compliant you can use melted ghee in place of the oil when making the wings and add melted ghee in place of butter when mixing with the Frank's hot sauce. The cheese sauce I recommend with the buffalo wings would be a no-no on whole30, but that's optional to make.
Have fun at the party!! Thanks for stopping by ~Marion
Hi there - instead of drum sticks, can I use chicken breasts? Thanks - Amber
ReplyDeleteI don't recommend chicken breasts as they tend to dry out easily. Chicken thighs or wings would work well as a substitution for the chicken drumsticks. I hope that helps.
Delete