BBQ chicken legs are a classic summertime favorite. The sweet, sticky barbecue sauce coating the crispy skin and juicy meat is hard to resist! But knowing exactly how long to bake bbq chicken legs can be tricky. You want the chicken fully cooked but not dried out. Follow this guide to learn how long to bake bbq chicken legs at various oven temperatures for ideal doneness.
Why Baking is a Great Cooking Method for BBQ Chicken Legs
Baking chicken legs is one of the easiest ways to make bbq chicken at home. It provides even, consistent heat that slowly cooks the chicken through Baking gives you that nice char and crispiness on the outside while keeping the interior juicy and tender.
Compared to grilling or broiling baking bbq chicken legs requires less effort. Once the legs are in the oven you can sit back and let the oven do the work! No need to constantly flip and move the chicken like you would on the grill.
Baking also allows you to cook up a large batch of bbq chicken drumsticks or thighs all at once. Perfect for feeding a hungry crowd!
Factors that Determine BBQ Chicken Leg Bake Times
Several factors impact how long bbq chicken legs need to bake:
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Oven temperature – Higher heat means shorter cooking times. Lower oven temps lengthen the baking time.
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Chicken size – Larger chicken legs or thighs take longer than smaller drumsticks.
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Bone-in or boneless – Chicken cooked on the bone requires more time to fully cook through.
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Amount of chicken – The more chicken you bake, the longer the baking time.
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Doneness preference – Baked just until no longer pink? Or until crispy and caramelized?
Keep these factors in mind as you determine the best baking timeline for your bbq chicken legs.
How Long to Bake Bone-In Chicken Legs
For bone-in chicken legs (drumsticks and thighs), use these oven times as a guide:
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400°F oven – Bake for approximately 40-50 minutes
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375°F oven – Bake for 50-60 minutes
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350°F oven – Bake for 60-75 minutes
For food safety, always cook until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. The juices will run clear and the meat should not be pink when pierced with a fork.
Tips for Baked BBQ Boneless Chicken Legs and Thighs
Boneless chicken thighs and legs cook faster since the bone is removed. Follow these tips:
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Bake at 400°F for 25-35 minutes
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Brush bbq sauce on during last 10 minutes only to avoid burning
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Cook to an internal temperature of 165°F
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Monitor closely near end of baking time
Baked BBQ Chicken Drumsticks Step-By-Step
Follow these simple steps for juicy, flavorful baked bbq chicken drumsticks:
1. Prep the drumsticks
- Pat dry drumsticks
- Season with salt, pepper, spices
- Allow to sit at room temperature for 30 minutes
2. Make the bbq sauce
- Whisk together sauce ingredients (ketchup, brown sugar, spices, etc)
- Reserve half of the bbq sauce for basting later
3. Preheat the oven
- Preheat oven to 375°F-400°F
4. Arrange drumsticks on baking sheet
- Line sheet with foil or parchment for easy cleanup
- Place drumsticks skin-side up, spaced apart
5. Bake the chicken
- Bake for 30 minutes at 375°F or 400°F
- Remove from oven and brush chicken with bbq sauce
- Bake for 15-20 more minutes until cooked through
6. Apply more bbq sauce
- Remove drumsticks from oven and coat again with bbq sauce
- Broil 2-3 minutes to caramelize sauce
7. Allow to rest 5 minutes before serving
Enjoy your tender, saucy baked bbq chicken drumsticks!
Common Questions on Baking BBQ Chicken Legs
Still have questions on the best way to bake bbq chicken legs? Here are some common questions answered:
Should I bake chicken legs with the skin on or off?
Bake with the skin on for added flavor and moisture. Simply remove skin prior to eating if desired.
What temperature should I bake bbq chicken legs?
375°F to 400°F works well. Higher heat crisps the skin.
How long does it take to bake frozen chicken legs?
Increase bake time 5-10 minutes if legs are frozen. Defrost first for best results.
Can I use chicken thighs instead of drumsticks?
Yes, chicken thighs can be used. Follow the same oven bake times.
Should I flip the chicken legs during baking?
No flipping required! Place them skin-side up the entire time.
What if my bbq chicken legs aren’t done after recommended bake time?
Check the internal temp. If not 165°F, continue baking until fully cooked through.
More Tips for Juicy Baked BBQ Chicken Legs
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Apply bbq sauce during last 15-20 minutes only to avoid burning
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Let chicken legs sit at room temp 30 mins before baking for more even cooking
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Make shallow cuts along the legs to help sauce seep into meat
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Use a meat thermometer to confirm doneness
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Bake at higher heat if you want crispy, caramelized skin
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Brush on another layer of sauce right when chicken comes out of the oven
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Let chicken rest 5-10 minutes before serving for juicier meat
With the right oven bake time and temperature, you’ll be rewarded with irresistibly delicious bbq chicken legs every time. Now that you know exactly how long to bake bbq chicken legs to perfection, get ready to enjoy this classic American dish!
How to Make BBQ Chicken Legs in the Oven
- Preheat the oven to 400 f. Then prepare a rimmed baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper or aluminum foil. Set it aside.
- Mix the BBQ rub ingredients into a small bowl. Set this aside as well.
- Pat chicken dry using a paper towel. This step is important for the drumsticks to be crispy, so I wouldn’t skip it.
- Once patted dry, coat the chicken pieces with olive oil. Then, spread BBQ rub over the chicken pieces. Toss to coat. If needed, you can add more flour or spices. You’ll want evenly coated, dry chicken.
- Arrange the chicken pieces on the prepared baking dish and bake for 40-45 minutes. Once the chicken is done (when checked with a meat thermometer), remove it from the oven and coat it with the BBQ sauce. Then, bake it for 5 more minutes, so it bolds in flavor.
- Serve warm with your favorite dipping sauce and sides.
Delicious Oven BBQ Chicken Drumsticks
Our Baked chicken drumsticks are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. Seasoned then baked to perfection, then smothered with tangy BBQ sauce.
Easily made in the oven, they can be made all year round and for any occasion.
These sticky bbq chicken drumsticks are great with almost any side dish. The whole family will be reaching for seconds.
Why You’ll Love Our BBQ Chicken
- SIMPLE INGREDIENTS – You just need chicken, basic seasonings, and your favorite barbecue Sauce.
- EASY RECIPE – This no-fail oven baked recipe has a cooking time of just 50 minutes!
- TASTY – The best way to make finger licking good barbecue chicken made in the oven, all year long. Tender chicken with a bbq crispy skin.
Need another baked chicken recipe to try? You’ll love our Baked Panko Chicken!
- Chicken Drumsticks – Use skin-on chicken drumsticks for this recipe, Yet you can also use chicken thighs, chicken breasts or chicken wings.
- Olive Oil – Substitute for vegetable oil or avocado oil if you wish.
- BBQ Sauce – Use your favorite kind of BBQ sauce for this recipe. I like sweet baby rays, myself. You can even made our Easy Keto BBQ Sauce, or your own homemade bbq sauce.
- Chicken Rub – Our rub consists of a blend of: all-purpose flour, smoked paprika, regular paprika, salt, ground black pepper, dried thyme, garlic powder, and onion powder.
