EASY crock‑pot chicken that uses only five main ingredients (not counting salt and pepper). Skinless chicken drumsticks are seasoned with lemon, dried oregano, garlic powder and a little seasoning, then slow‑cooked in the crock pot until tender. When they come out of the cooker they’re topped with freshly grated feta for a bright, savory finish.
I often adapt oven recipes for the slow cooker with small adjustments, and this version is a great example. The drumsticks become fall‑off‑the‑bone tender without drying out. Instead of broiling to melt the cheese as you would in the oven, I sprinkle freshly grated feta over the hot drumsticks and cover them briefly so the cheese softens and warms from the residual heat. Grating feta from a block gives a moister, better flavor than pre‑crumbled varieties—worth the extra minute.
About equipment: I use a programmable 6‑quart slow cooker with a meat probe and automatic warm setting. The timer and probe are convenient, but you can use any reliable slow cooker you already own. If your slow cooker tends to run hot, check the chicken a bit earlier so it doesn’t dry out. If you don’t have a probe, cook until there is no pink near the bone and the juices run clear.
Slow Cooker Lemon Feta Drumsticks
Summary: Simple Mediterranean‑inspired slow cooker chicken with lemon, oregano and fresh feta. Ready with about 10 minutes prep and four hours of slow cooking.
Recipe Details
- Yield: 4 servings
- Serving size: 2 drumsticks
- Prep time: 10 mins
- Cook time: 4 hrs (on HIGH)
- Total time: 4 hrs 10 mins
- Course: Dinner
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Ingredients
- 8 skinless chicken drumsticks (about 30 oz total)
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 2 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tbsp dried oregano
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 1/3 cup feta cheese, freshly grated
Instructions
- Pat the drumsticks dry with paper towels. Season evenly with kosher salt, black pepper, garlic powder and dried oregano. Drizzle the lemon juice over the chicken and rub the seasonings to coat.
- Arrange the seasoned drumsticks in a single layer in the slow cooker. If they overlap slightly that’s fine—just try to keep most pieces in contact with the bottom for even cooking.
- Cook on HIGH for 4 hours, or until the chicken is fully cooked and no pink remains near the bone. If your slow cooker runs hot, start checking at 3½ hours. If you prefer using LOW, cook until the meat is tender and cooked through (times will vary).
- When the drumsticks are cooked through, sprinkle the freshly grated feta evenly over the chicken, cover the slow cooker, and let sit for a few minutes until the cheese softens and warms from the residual heat.
- Serve the drumsticks warm. They pair nicely with a simple green salad, roasted vegetables, rice, or a massaged raw kale salad (use feta instead of parmesan if you like).
Notes & Tips
*My drumsticks were small; I weighed the cooked meat from one bone and found about 2.5 oz of meat. If your drumsticks are larger, adjust portion sizes and any calorie/point calculations accordingly.
Tips for best results:
– Grate feta from a block rather than using pre‑crumbled cheese—freshly grated feta is moister and melts more pleasantly on hot chicken.
– Pat chicken dry before seasoning so the rub adheres and the flavors concentrate.
– If you like a slightly crisp exterior, transfer cooked drumsticks to a baking sheet and broil for 1–2 minutes after slow cooking—watch closely to avoid burning.
Nutrition (approx. per serving)
- Calories: 195 kcal
- Protein: 28 g
- Carbohydrates: 3 g
- Fat: 7 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Sodium and cholesterol will vary depending on how much salt and feta you use.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. Reheat gently in a low oven (about 300°F / 150°C) until warmed through, or reheat in the microwave, covering to retain moisture. If cheese has hardened in the fridge, add a little extra fresh grated feta when reheating to refresh the flavor.
Final Note
If you make this recipe, consider leaving a rating and a short comment describing any changes you made or how it turned out for you. Feedback helps refine recipes and makes it easier for others to cook with confidence.