BBQ chicken legs are a classic summertime favorite. When cooked right, they offer the perfect blend of savory, sweet and spicy flavors. While grilling is the traditional way to make BBQ chicken legs, baking them in the oven is an easy and convenient alternative. Here is a step-by-step guide to baking juicy, tender BBQ chicken legs at home.
Ingredients Needed
- Chicken drumsticks or thighs – 12 pieces is a good amount for 4-6 servings
- BBQ sauce or rub – about 1 cup of your favorite sauce or 2-3 tablespoons of dry rub per 1 lb of chicken
- Oil – 2-3 tablespoons for coating
- Seasonings like garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, chili powder, paprika, cumin etc.
Prep the Chicken
- Pat the chicken pieces dry with paper towels. This helps them get nice and crispy when baked.
- Coat the chicken evenly with oil. Any neutral tasting oil like canola, vegetable or olive oil works well. The oil helps the chicken get browned and crisp.
- Season the chicken liberally on all sides with desired spices and seasonings. Popular choices are garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, chili powder, cumin, paprika, oregano etc. Apply the seasonings evenly.
Bake the Chicken
- Preheat oven to 375°F. Line a large baking sheet with foil or parchment for easy cleanup.
- Place the chicken pieces skin side down on the baking sheet without overcrowding.
- Bake for 30-40 minutes until browned, flipping halfway through. The chicken may release some juices at first but will get browned and crispy as it bakes.
Apply BBQ Sauce
- After 30 minutes, take the baking sheet out of the oven. Carefully flip the chicken pieces over so the skin side is up.
- Brush or slather the chicken pieces generously with BBQ sauce using a basting brush or spoon. Reserve some BBQ sauce for serving.
- Place baking sheet back in the oven and bake for 15-20 more minutes. Keep an eye on the chicken so the BBQ sauce doesn’t burn.
Finishing Touches
- When done, the BBQ chicken legs will be nicely glazed with sauce and fork tender. The juices should run clear when pierced with a fork.
- Let the chicken rest 5 minutes before serving. The temperature will rise a bit more as it rests.
- Serve the baked BBQ chicken legs hot, warm or at room temperature, with the reserved BBQ sauce on the side for dipping or drizzling.
Tips for Best Results
- For added flavor, marinate the chicken in BBQ sauce overnight before baking.
- For crispy skin, coat just the skin side with oil before baking.
- Use indirect heat if baking a large batch – place chicken on one side of oven and pan with water on other side.
- Bake at higher heat towards the end if the sauce isn’t caramelizing enough.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken reaches safe internal temperature of 165°F.
- Letting the chicken rest before slicing helps retain moisture.
Sauce Options
- For BBQ chicken legs, opt for thick, sticky sauces. Sweet tomato-based sauces work well.
- Popular BBQ sauce flavors are honey BBQ, hickory smoked, spicy chipotle BBQ, bourbon BBQ etc.
- For variety, use half BBQ sauce and half Asian plum sauce or orange marmalade.
- Make your own sauce from ketchup, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire and spices.
Cooking Times
- Bone-in chicken legs take longer to bake than boneless. Thighs need more time than drumsticks.
- Here are approximate baking times:
- Boneless thighs – 25 to 30 minutes
- Bone-in thighs – 35 to 40 minutes
- Drumsticks – 30 to 35 minutes
- Monitor thickness and increase time if needed. Cook to safe internal temperature.
Pair with Sides
- BBQ chicken legs pair well with classic barbecue sides like:
- Baked beans
- Corn on the cob
- Coleslaw or broccoli salad
- Mac and cheese
- Mashed potatoes or potato salad
- Biscuits, cornbread or buttermilk rolls
- Watermelon, corn bread and greens make a perfect Southern-style meal.
Storage and Reheating
- Let baked BBQ chicken legs cool completely before refrigerating. Store in airtight container for up to 4 days.
- Reheat in oven at 325°F until heated through. Reheating in oven keeps them crispy.
- Can also be reheated on the stovetop over medium-low heat with a little water to keep moist.
- For longer storage, freeze cooked chicken legs up to 3 months. Thaw in fridge before reheating.
More BBQ Chicken Inspiration
- For a classic Southern meal, try oven fried chicken legs or smoked chicken drumsticks.
- Lean chicken breasts can also be baked with BBQ sauce for a lighter option.
- Consider grilled BBQ chicken wings or skewers for fun appetizers.
- Use leftover baked chicken in sandwiches, salads, wraps or for meal prep.
Baked BBQ chicken legs are easy to make, budget-friendly and full of summertime flavor Follow this simple method for tender, saucy baked chicken drumsticks or thighs with your favorite sticky barbecue sauce The oven does all the work leaving you time to whip up some classic sides to complete the barbecue feast.
WHAT TO SERVE WITH CHICKEN DRUMSTICKS
Since most of this recipe is the 40 minutes baking time, you can use that time to prep any sides. Here are some ideas…
- Mashed potatoes. Keep this super simple and used instant mashed potatoes. I always keep a few pouches on hand.
- Pasta salad. I’ve got a round up here of over 20 pasta salads! Once of those would be delicious with BBQ chicken.
- Veggies: Zucchini, creamed spinach, asparagus.
- Baked potato.
- Potato salad.
- Deviled eggs.
- Garden salad or Caesar salad.
- Corn on the cob.
For more BBQ inspired recipes checkout these favorites!
And for another chicken drumstick dinner try my Buffalo Drumsticks.
HOW TO BAKE CHICKEN DRUMSTICKS
This really is a simple dinner that you can easily make on a weeknight! Just three steps: Prep, season, bake.
Prep the chicken. Remove the skin. The easiest way to do this is use a paper towel to grab hold of the skin then give it an aggressive pull. Any areas that are a little stubborn use a knife of kitchen sheers. After the skin is removed, I make two slices on each piece to score the drumsticks. I like to do this to allow the seasoning and sauce to really add flavor in the chicken too!
Season. Add the drumsticks to a bowl then season with the dry rub and the BBQ sauce.
Bake. Bake in a 425 degree oven for 40 minutes. Internal temperature needs to be 165 degrees. Get yourself a digital meat thermometer so there’s no guess work!
Oven Baked BBQ Chicken The Right Way| Juicy and Delicious
FAQ
Is it better to bake drumsticks at 350 or 400?
Do you put barbecue sauce on chicken before or after baking?
It’s generally recommended to apply barbecue sauce to chicken towards the end of the baking process. Applying it too early can cause the sauce to burn, especially if it contains a lot of sugar, according to lowslowbbqshow.com. A good approach is to brush the sauce on during the last 8-10 minutes of baking, or even just before serving, says Quora.
Do you bake drumsticks covered or uncovered?
Chicken drumsticks are typically baked uncovered to achieve crispy skin.
How do you cook chicken drumsticks in the oven?
Arrange the drumsticks on a baking sheet spaced out enough so they are not touching. You can line the baking sheet in parchment for easier cleanup if desired. Bake the chicken drumsticks for about 40 minutes, turning once halfway through, or until the internal temperature reaches 175ºF.
What are baked chicken legs?
Baked BBQ chicken legs are tender and juicy, with a crispy skin. A homemade BBQ sauce adds sticky goodness to these meaty drumsticks that are oven-baked instead of grilled.
How to cook BBQ chicken legs in the oven?
Now let’s explore the step-by-step process to cook BBQ chicken legs in the oven. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with aluminum foil or parchment paper. This will make cleanup easier later on. In a bowl, prepare the barbecue marinade or sauce of your choice. This can be a store-bought sauce or a homemade recipe.
How do you make BBQ chicken legs?
Here’s what you’ll need to make these juicy BBQ chicken legs: In a small bowl, combine the paprika, chili powder, brown sugar, salt, and pepper. Set the spice rub aside. Next, cut a few slits in each drumstick and rub the spice mixture all over the chicken. Place the seasoned chicken on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
What are BBQ chicken legs?
BBQ chicken legs are a simple yet mouthwatering way to enjoy smoky, saucy goodness right from your oven. These drumsticks come out juicy, flavorful, and perfectly charred, making them ideal for weeknight dinners or a family BBQ night. This recipe is easy, requires minimal ingredients, and is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser!
How long do you bake chicken legs & thighs?
3. BAKE COVERED AND UNCOVERED The Baked BBQ Chicken Legs and Thighs will first bake covered at 350° for 3o minutes. Once the time is up, you’ll pull the aluminum foil, increase the oven temperature to 375° and allow the chicken to bake for an additional 15 minutes.
How long do you bake chicken legs at 400 degrees?
Place chicken leg pieces on a parchment or aluminum foil lined sheet pan. This makes for easy clean up. Bake at 400 degrees for 20 min. Flip chicken and bake some more. Baste with plenty of sauce and continue to bake. Flip and baste with more sauce and bake for a final time. How long to bake bbq chicken legs at 400 degrees?