Get ready to elevate your grilling game with these mouthwatering Grilled BBQ Chicken Legs! Perfectly seasoned and slathered in rich BBQ sauce, these chicken legs are not just a meal; they’re an experience that will have your taste buds dancing with delight. Whether you're hosting a summer cookout or simply craving a delicious weeknight dinner, this recipe is your ticket to juicy, flavorful chicken that will impress family and friends alike. With just a few simple steps and ingredients, you'll create a dish that’s sure to become a staple at your table. Ready to fire up the grill? Let’s dive into the details!
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 30 mins
Total Time: 40 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 4 chicken legs
- 1 cup BBQ sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Remove chicken legs from refrigerator 30 minutes before cooking to allow them to reach room temperature, which ensures even cooking.
- Pat chicken legs dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture, which helps achieve better skin crispiness.
- In a small bowl, mix olive oil, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper to create a seasoning blend.
- Rub the seasoning mixture evenly over all chicken legs, ensuring complete coverage of the skin and meat.
- Preheat grill to medium-high heat, around 375-400°F, creating direct and indirect heat zones.
- Clean and oil grill grates to prevent chicken from sticking and promote nice grill marks.
- Place chicken legs on the indirect heat side of the grill, skin-side up, and close the lid.
- Cook for approximately 15-20 minutes, turning occasionally to ensure even cooking.
- Once chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F, begin basting with BBQ sauce.
- Move chicken to direct heat and grill for an additional 5-10 minutes, turning and basting frequently to create caramelized edges.
- Remove chicken from grill and let rest for 5 minutes to allow juices to redistribute.
- Serve hot with extra BBQ sauce on the side for dipping.
Tips
- Prep Ahead: Take the chicken legs out of the refrigerator 30 minutes before cooking to let them reach room temperature. This helps ensure even cooking throughout.
- Dry for Crispiness: Pat the chicken legs dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture. This step is crucial for achieving that coveted crispy skin.
- Flavor Boost: Create a seasoning blend using olive oil, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Rub this mixture evenly over the chicken legs for maximum flavor.
- Grill Setup: Preheat your grill to medium-high heat (around 375-400°F) and set up direct and indirect heat zones for optimal cooking.
- Prevent Sticking: Clean and oil the grill grates before placing the chicken on them. This prevents sticking and ensures those beautiful grill marks.
- Monitor Temperature: Use a meat thermometer to check that the chicken legs reach an internal temperature of 165°F before starting to baste with BBQ sauce.
- Baste for Flavor: Start basting with BBQ sauce once the chicken is almost cooked through. Move the chicken to direct heat for the last few minutes to achieve caramelized edges.
- Rest Before Serving: Let the chicken rest for about 5 minutes after grilling. This allows the juices to redistribute, making each bite juicy and tender.
- Serve with Extra Sauce: Don’t forget to serve the chicken with extra BBQ sauce on the side for dipping—it's the perfect finishing touch!
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 320kcal
Carbohydrates: 15g
Protein: 28g
Fat: 16g
Saturated Fat: 4g
Cholesterol: 120mg
