Cooking chicken legs on the barbecue is a classic summer pastime. When done right you’ll end up with juicy meat crispy skin, and tons of smoky, charred flavor. But getting the cook time just right can be tricky. Undercook them and you’ll end up with raw chicken, but overdo it and the meat will be dry and chewy. So how long should you actually grill those chicken legs for finger-lickin’ good barbecue? Let’s break it down.
Factors That Affect Chicken Leg BBQ Cook Times
There are a few key factors that impact how long it takes to cook chicken legs on the barbecue
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Size of the legs – Larger meatier drumsticks and thighs will take longer to cook through than smaller ones.
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Bone-in vs boneless – Legs cook more slowly when the bone is still in since the bone partly insulates the meat. Boneless legs will grill up faster.
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Direct vs indirect heat – Chicken legs cooked directly over the flames will cook more quickly than those positioned off to the side of the grill.
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Temperature of grill – A hotter grill around 400°F will cook the legs faster than a lower temp around 300°F.
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Marinades and rubs – Ingredients like sugar and oil in marinades can slightly extend the cooking time.
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Flipping frequency – Legs flipped often will cook faster since heat is distributed evenly.
So the exact time will vary, but keeping these factors in mind will help you gauge the timing.
Recommended BBQ Chicken Leg Cook Times
As a general guideline, bone-in chicken legs will take 30-40 minutes on a medium-hot grill around 350-400°F. Here are more specific estimates:
- Direct heat over medium-high: 30-35 minutes
- Indirect heat over medium: 35-40 minutes
- Indirect heat over medium-low: 45-60 minutes
Smaller or boneless legs will cook faster, while larger bone-in legs or whole chickens can take up to 60 minutes.
Flip the legs every 5-7 minutes to prevent burning. If grilling using both direct and indirect heat, start with 10-15 minutes of direct heat to sear the skin, then move to indirect heat to finish cooking.
Judging Doneness
The best way to know when your barbecue chicken is cooked through is to use an instant read thermometer. Chicken is safely cooked at an internal temperature of 165°F.
Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the leg, taking care not to hit the bone. Test a few pieces to account for any variability in size.
If you don’t have a thermometer, look for these signs of doneness:
- Juices run clear when pierced with a fork
- Meat has pulled back from the bone
- Skin is crispy and browned
But a thermometer is the only sure way to confirm the legs are fully cooked for food safety.
Step-by-Step Guide for Perfectly Grilled Chicken Legs
Follow these simple steps for foolproof barbecue chicken legs every time:
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Prep the legs – Pat dry and coat all over with oil, seasoning, or marinade. Allow to marinate for 30 mins up to overnight.
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Preheat grill – Heat your charcoal or gas grill to medium-high, around 375°F. Scrape the grates clean.
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Sear the legs – Place legs skin-side down over direct heat. Grill for 5-7 mins to sear the skin.
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Finish cooking – Move legs to indirect heat, close lid, and cook 30-40 mins until 165°F. Flip halfway through.
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Char and sauce – In the last 5-10 mins, move the legs back to direct heat. Char the skin, then brush with barbecue sauce.
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Rest – Remove legs from grill and let rest 5-10 minutes before serving. Dig in!
Tips for Maximizing Flavor
Beyond getting the timing right, there are some easy ways to pack huge flavor into your barbecued chicken legs:
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Brine before grilling – Soaking legs in a saltwater brine ensures seasoned, juicy meat.
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Use spice rubs – Dry rubs with chili powder, paprika, garlic, and more infuse flavor.
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Smoke ’em – Add hardwood chips to the coals for irresistible smoky flavor. Apple, hickory, and mesquite work great.
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Char the skin – Let legs get nicely charred for crispy, smoky bits.
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Glaze at the end – Brush on a sweet and sticky glaze for the last few minutes.
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Garnish simply – Fresh herbs, lime wedges, and grilled veggies complement the legs.
Food Safety Tips
When dealing with raw poultry, there are some important safety measures to follow:
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Always wash hands, utensils, and surfaces after handling raw chicken.
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Use separate plates and utensils for raw vs cooked chicken.
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Cook to an internal temperature of 165°F as measured by a food thermometer.
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Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours and use within 3-4 days.
Following basic food handling guidelines will keep your barbecue chicken safe and enjoyable.
Moist and Tender Chicken Legs Await
Now that you know exactly how long to grill those chicken legs, you can look forward to juicy, charred, smoky perfection on the barbecue every time. Whether you’re cooking for a weekend cookout or a weekday dinner, just be sure to monitor temperature and use a thermometer for the safest results. Get outside and fire up the grill – finger-lickin’ chicken legs await!
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AN AFFORDABLE GRILLED DINNER
I love a good Grilled Chicken Leg. This recipe is not only super simple to make, but it is easy on the wallet and that is always a nice thing (especially with the way these meat prices are breaking the bank these days!) These Grilled BBQ Chicken Legs go with just about any side dish too. They’re very versatile and everyone loves them! Plus, you can make extra easily so you can just pull the meat off and use it in salads or wraps later on. Great for meal prepping!
Since these chicken legs are made of dark meat, they don’t dry out as easily as white meat would. It’s also worth mentioning that I cooked these chicken legs a little longer than what it would take for the internal meat to reach 165°F. I do this because I like the meat a little more, but if you just want to cook them until they reach that internal temperature, use a thermometer and adjust the cooking time as you see fit.
Dry marinating the chicken isn’t absolutely necessary if you don’t have the time for it. But if you do, marinating the chicken definitely makes it more flavorful. You can use your favorite store-bought rub in place of the one provided in the recipe if desired.
Yes, you’ll just need to adjust your cooking time until the internal temperature reaches at least 165F degrees.
Sometimes grilling makes people nervous because they don’t grill often or it feels like the temperature can get out of control super quickly. So I have a little tip I want to share to help if you find your chicken is cooking too fast and you’re afraid it’ll burn. I like to keep one side of the grill the “cool side”- meaning I won’t turn on the gas on that side of the grill. That way, if I see the meat is cooking too fast, I can immediately shift it over to the cool side of the grill so I can get the heat turned down to prevent that meat from burning. If you have a charcoal grill, you can still do this by keeping the briquettes to one side of the grill and this will create a cooler space on the other side if you need it.
This can cause some apprehension for some people when making some Grilled BBQ Chicken Legs because sometimes when you’re adding the sauce, you may see a flare up (this is because of the sugar in BBQ sauce). This usually happens if you have slathered a bit too much bbq sauce on the chicken and some drips off. Don’t worry! If this happens to you, move the meat to the cool side of the grill for a minute to let the excess sauce start to stick to the meat, then you can move it back over the heat on the grill grates. This is a fairly quick process and if you are concerned at all, you can always add the BBQ sauce onto the chicken after it has finished cooking.
I like to store leftover chicken legs in an airtight container and keep them in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. You could freeze any leftovers in a freezer safe container and they’ll keep for about 3 months in the freezer.
To keep your chicken nice and moist so you can reheat them easily without drying them out, I like to make a little foil packet and add a splash of water with the chicken. Then pop the foil pack on a baking sheet and reheat it in the oven until warmed through again.
INGREDIENTS NEEDED: (SEE RECIPE CARD BELOW FOR THE FULL RECIPE)
- light brown sugar – if you don’t like the additional sweetness, you can leave this out.
- garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, black pepper, ground mustard – this is my personal favorite seasoning for these. You can use your own favorite seasoning blend or use a store-bought seasoning.
- chicken legs – I have only made this with raw chicken legs not frozen. You could use frozen but I would recommend allowing them to fully thaw in the refrigerator then patting them dry.
- bbq sauce – store-bought or homemade BBQ sauce.
- water – this just thins the BBQ sauce out a bit so it is easier to spread.
Cooking Chicken Legs – WORLD FAMOUS Grilled Drumsticks!
FAQ
How long do chicken legs take on the barbecue?
For perfectly succulent chicken drumsticks, a grilling time between 25-30 minutes is ideal for almost any recipe. Overcooking can char and dry your meat, but you want to make sure you don’t undercook poultry either.
How long to cook chicken legs on a grill?
The cooking time for chicken legs on the barbecue can depend on several factors including the size of the legs, the grilling temperature, and whether they are boneless or bone-in. Here’s a general guideline: For bone-in chicken legs, the ideal cooking time is approximately 35 to 45 minutes at a grill temperature of 375°F to 400°F (190°C to 200°C).
How do you cook BBQ chicken legs?
Grilling BBQ chicken legs requires attention to heat control and temperature for the best results. Understanding the different heat methods and recommended temperatures makes achieving delicious chicken straightforward. Direct Heat: Place chicken legs directly over the flames for crispy skin and quick cooking.
How long do you cook chicken thighs for BBQ?
Line a baking sheet with foil and spray with cooking spray. Bake the chicken for about 20 minutes, then brush it with BBQ sauce and bake for another 15-20 minutes, or until cooked through. How do you season chicken thighs for BBQ? Season your chicken thighs after coating them with either olive oil or mayonnaise.
How long should chicken legs be cooked per side?
Experience-based Approach: Based on years of grilling chicken legs, a general rule of thumb is to grill them for about 20-25 minutes per side. This timing may vary depending on the thickness and size of the chicken legs. Thicker chicken legs will require slightly longer cooking times, while smaller ones may cook more quickly.
How long to cook bone-in chicken legs?
For bone-in chicken legs, the ideal cooking time is approximately 35 to 45 minutes at a grill temperature of 375°F to 400°F (190°C to 200°C). Here’s a closer look at the cooking process: Start by searing the chicken legs over high heat for about 5-7 minutes on each side. This creates a beautiful crust and enhances flavor.
How long does it take to cook boneless chicken thighs?
Barbecuing boneless, skinless chicken thighs takes about 4-7 minutes per side at 425 degrees. If you’re grilling chicken thighs that are bone-in and skin-on, then they’ll take about 20-25 minutes. This delicious BBQ chicken recipe is the perfect summer dish.