How Long Should I Grill Chicken Legs? Your Ultimate Guide to Juicy, Crispy Perfection

Grilling chicken legs ain’t rocket science, but there’s definitely an art to getting ’em just right! I’ve been grilling drumsticks for years, and lemme tell you – there’s nothing worse than serving up chicken that’s charred on the outside but raw near the bone (yuck!), or worse, dry and stringy meat that nobody wants to eat.

If you’re wondering exactly how long to grill those delicious drumsticks I’ve got you covered with all the details you need for perfect results every single time!

The Short Answer: Grilling Time for Chicken Legs

For those who just want the quick answer:

Grill chicken legs for 30-35 minutes at 350-450°F, flipping every 5-10 minutes, until they reach an internal temperature of 185°F.

But hold up – there’s more to know if you want truly amazing drumsticks!

Why Chicken Legs Are Awesome for Grilling

Before we dive into timing, let’s talk about why chicken legs (drumsticks) are so darn good for the grill:

• Affordable – way cheaper than chicken breasts
• Forgiving – harder to dry out than white meat
• Flavorful – dark meat has more taste
• Fun to eat – built-in handle, great for kids and parties!
• Crispy skin potential – when done right, the skin is amazing

Perfect Prep: Setting Your Chicken Legs Up for Success

What you do before those legs hit the grill matters big time:

1. Pat Them Dry

This might seem like a small thing, but it’s HUGE for crispy skin! Use paper towels to thoroughly dry those chicken legs. Moisture is the enemy of crispy skin.

2. Season Generously

You’ve got options:

• Simple: Kosher salt and black pepper
• Basic rub: Salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika
• Marinade: At least 30 minutes, but overnight in the fridge works best

3. Room Temperature Rest (Optional)

If ya got time, let those drumsticks sit out for about 15-30 minutes before grilling. This helps them cook more evenly and can reduce your grill time by 5-10 minutes.

4. Trim Excess Skin

Don’t skip this! Trim off any loose or hanging pieces of skin and check for loose joint pieces. This prevents flare-ups and burning.

The Right Grill Temperature Is Everything

One of the biggest mistakes folks make is grilling at the wrong temperature. For chicken legs, you want:

Medium-high heat: 350-450°F surface temperature

• Too low (under 350°F): Legs take forever and can dry out
• Too high (over 500°F): Outside burns before inside cooks

Pro tip: Most grill lid thermometers are WAY off! Invest in a cheap grill surface thermometer (about $10) to get it right.

How Long to Grill Chicken Legs: The Detailed Timeline

Here’s my step-by-step process that works every single time:

1. Preheat your grill to 350-450°F
2. Clean and oil the grates to prevent sticking
3. Place legs on the grill with some space between them
4. Close the lid (this is important for even cooking!)
5. Flip every 5-10 minutes to ensure even cooking and create nice grill marks
6. Total cooking time: 30-35 minutes but always use a meat thermometer to be sure

The Temperature Secret Nobody Tells You

Here’s something most recipes get wrong – chicken legs are NOT best at 165°F!

While 165°F is technically safe (according to the FDA), the texture at this temperature is awful for dark meat like drumsticks. The meat will be tough and stringy.

For perfect chicken legs, cook to 185°F internal temperature.

At this higher temp, the connective tissues break down, giving you that tender, juicy, fall-off-the-bone texture everyone loves. You can even go up to 195°F and they’ll still be moist and delicious!

Direct vs. Indirect Heat: The Smart Way to Grill

For the best results, use a combination approach:

1. Start with direct heat for the first 5-10 minutes to crisp up the skin
2. Move to indirect heat to finish cooking without burning

If you’re using a gas grill, this means turning off one side and moving the chicken to that side after the initial sear.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

I’ve made all these mistakes so you don’t have to:

• Skipping the marinade: Even a quick 30-minute marinade makes a huge difference
• Cooking over high heat: Leads to burned outside, raw inside
• Not using a meat thermometer: Temperature, not time, is the true test of doneness
• Forgetting to rest: Always let legs rest 5-10 minutes after grilling
• Opening the grill too often: Every peek lets heat escape

How to Know When Chicken Legs Are Done

There are a few ways to check doneness:

1. Internal temperature: 185°F is ideal (165°F is safe but not optimal for texture)
2. Visual cues: Juices run clear, not pink
3. Texture test: Meat pulls away from the bone easily

What About Pink Meat Near the Bone?

Sometimes chicken legs can still look pink near the bone even when fully cooked. This happens for two main reasons:

1. Older/mature chicken can release myoglobin during cooking
2. Previously frozen chicken can have bone marrow leak into the meat

Neither is harmful! As long as your meat thermometer reads 165°F or higher, the chicken is safe to eat.

Let ‘Em Rest!

Don’t skip this step! After grilling, let those chicken legs rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, resulting in juicier chicken.

BBQ Sauce Tips

If you’re using BBQ sauce:

• Don’t add it too early – the sugar will burn
• Apply during the last 5-10 minutes of grilling
• Multiple thin layers work better than one thick layer

Storage and Reheating

Got leftovers? Lucky you!

• Refrigerate for up to 4 days in an airtight container
• Reheat in a 325°F oven for 10-15 minutes for crispy skin
• Avoid microwaving if possible – it makes the skin soft and rubbery

My Favorite Sides for Grilled Chicken Legs

These go perfectly with grilled drumsticks:

• Potato salad
• Grilled corn on the cob
• Coleslaw
• Pasta salad
• Grilled vegetables

Final Thoughts: Practice Makes Perfect

Grilling chicken legs isn’t complicated, but it does take a bit of practice to get the timing just right for your specific grill. The good news is that even “imperfect” grilled chicken legs are usually delicious!

Remember these key points:

• Dry thoroughly before seasoning
• Use medium-high heat (350-450°F)
• Flip every 5-10 minutes
• Cook to 185°F internal temperature
• Rest before serving

Follow these steps, and I promise you’ll have juicy, tender, perfectly grilled chicken legs that’ll make you the star of your next BBQ!

Happy grilling, y’all! What’s your favorite seasoning for chicken legs? Drop a comment below – I’d love to hear your tricks too!

Grilling chicken drumsticks typically takes 20-30 minutes, but it can vary depending on the heat and method used.