If you’ve ever found yourself staring at a pack of chicken leg quarters thinking, “Now what?”, then friend, this recipe has your name on it. This sticky sweet bacon glazed chicken hits all the notes: smoky, sweet, savory, and ridiculously easy. We’re talking low-effort, high-reward magic that happens while you’re living your life and the Crock Pot does the heavy lifting. Whether you’re diving into easy chicken leg recipes or scouting for chicken thighs slow cooker recipes, this one checks every box. The bacon adds that salty pop, the brown sugar melts into a caramel glaze, and the meat? Fork-tender like it spent a day at the spa. Chicken legs slow cooker recipes like this one make weeknight dinners something to look forward to. This is one of those incredible recipes that takes almost no effort, but delivers big flavor. Toss everything in, set the timer, and go about your day. When it’s done, you’ll have a dish that tastes like you worked way harder than you actually did. Chicken leg meals for the win.

1) Key Takeaways
2) Easy Sticky Sweet Bacon Glazed Chicken Recipe
3) Ingredients for Sticky Sweet Bacon Glazed Chicken
4) How to Make Sticky Sweet Bacon Glazed Chicken
5) Tips for Making Sticky Sweet Bacon Glazed Chicken
6) Making Sticky Sweet Bacon Glazed Chicken Ahead of Time
7) Storing Leftover Sticky Sweet Bacon Glazed Chicken
8) Try these Main Course Recipes next!
9) Sticky Sweet Bacon Glazed Chicken Recipe
10) Nutrition

1) Key Takeaways

This recipe uses chicken leg quarters for rich, juicy flavor.
Slow cooker magic brings out deep, sticky sweetness with ease.
Crispy bacon and a brown sugar glaze create that irresistible finish.
Perfect for busy days when you still crave comfort food.

2) Easy Sticky Sweet Bacon Glazed Chicken Recipe

You know those dinners where the whole house smells like something’s going wonderfully right? That’s what this sticky sweet bacon glazed chicken does. It’s one of those chicken leg quarter recipes crock pot fans hold dear. We’ve made it more than a few times at Healthy Living Mindset, and every single time, someone asks for the recipe.

It’s equal parts simple and satisfying. The chicken turns tender as it cooks in its own savory juices, while the bacon crisps and caramelizes. The glaze? A low-hassle mix of brown sugar and ranch seasoning that soaks right into the meat. This isn’t just dinner—it’s a story your fork will want to tell again.

Chicken leg meals don’t have to be complicated. This one uses pantry staples and lets your slow cooker do the hard part. It’s a win if you’re searching for easy chicken leg recipes, chicken thighs slow cooker recipes, or just slow cooker recipes in general. Try it and you’ll see why it’s one of our incredible recipes worth repeating.

3) Ingredients for Sticky Sweet Bacon Glazed Chicken

Chicken Leg Quarters: These are rich in flavor and affordable. The skin-on option helps the glaze cling better and adds that extra touch of indulgence we all crave sometimes.

Dry Ranch Seasoning Mix: This isn’t just for dressing. It adds a herby punch with garlic, onion, and some zip that balances out the sweetness perfectly.

Brown Sugar: The sweet base for our glaze. It melts down into a sticky coating that makes this dish shine in every way that counts.

Bacon: A handful of chopped bacon brings in salt, smoke, and crunch. The pieces cook down with the chicken, soaking up the flavor and giving plenty back.

Smoked Paprika: This brings a subtle smokiness that works with the bacon and lifts the whole glaze to something unforgettable.

Garlic Powder: A background note that warms things up and plays nicely with the other spices.

Black Pepper: Just a hint to cut the sweetness and tie the seasoning together without overpowering.

Water: A little goes a long way here. It keeps things moist and helps the glaze move around the slow cooker evenly.

4) How to Make Sticky Sweet Bacon Glazed Chicken

Step 1. Lay your chicken leg quarters in the slow cooker. Keep them skin side up. We want that skin to roast a bit at the end, and being on top helps.

Step 2. In a bowl, mix your ranch seasoning, brown sugar, garlic powder, paprika, and black pepper. Stir with a fork until no lumps remain. Take a second to inhale that aroma—it already smells good and you haven’t even cooked it.

Step 3. Sprinkle your mixture all over the chicken. Don’t worry if it clumps a little. As the heat rises, it’ll melt and slide down into those juicy corners.

Step 4. Toss the chopped bacon over the top. Let it sit there like the salty crown it is. As it cooks, it’ll crisp up and blend into the glaze.

Step 5. Pour in the water gently around the sides of the chicken. Don’t pour it right over the top—we want to keep that seasoning in place.

Step 6. Pop the lid on and set your slow cooker to LOW. Let it go for 6 to 7 hours. Resist the urge to peek. Trust the process. Go live your life.

Step 7. Once it’s done, you can carefully transfer the chicken to a foil-lined sheet and broil it for a few minutes. This crisps the skin and the bacon. Totally worth the extra step.

Step 8. Spoon the sauce from the bottom of the slow cooker over the top. Serve it with a side of something comforting like mashed potatoes or roasted veggies.

5) Tips for Making Sticky Sweet Bacon Glazed Chicken

Let the chicken cook low and slow. Chicken leg quarter recipes crock pot style taste best when given time. The meat turns tender, and the flavors deepen while you forget it’s even cooking.

Don’t skip the broiler. It’s optional, sure, but those crisped bits of bacon and darkened sugar are worth a quick blast in the oven.

If your bacon’s extra thick, fry it for a couple of minutes first. That helps it stay crisp in the slow cooker instead of going too soft. And if you love heat, a pinch of cayenne or red pepper flakes adds a little kick that cuts through the sweetness.

6) Making Sticky Sweet Bacon Glazed Chicken Ahead of Time

If your evenings are chaotic like mine, this dish fits right in. You can prep everything the night before—seasoning mixed, bacon chopped, chicken placed in the pot—and just pull it out and hit the switch in the morning.

The glaze holds up well and soaks in more as it sits. I’ve even let it sit in the fridge overnight with the seasoning on, and it came out even more flavorful.

This chicken is a solid choice for meal prep. You can serve it over rice, in wraps, or next to roasted vegetables. It’s flexible, which makes it perfect for planning ahead without getting bored of leftovers.

7) Storing Leftover Sticky Sweet Bacon Glazed Chicken

Store your leftovers in a sealed container in the fridge. They’ll keep for four days, maybe five. Just reheat gently in the microwave or low on the stovetop with a splash of broth or water to loosen up the sauce.

Want to freeze it? Go ahead. Wrap each piece tightly and freeze for up to two months. Thaw overnight in the fridge, and reheat slowly to keep the texture tender and that bacon happy.

I often save the extra glaze from the slow cooker and pour it over veggies the next day. It’s too good to waste and makes even plain rice sing.

8) Try these Main Course Recipes next!

9) Sticky Sweet Bacon Glazed Chicken Recipe