Ever stood over your grill wondering if those chicken legs are done yet? You’re not alone! Grilling chicken legs is something that seems simple but can leave even experienced grillers scratching their heads. I’ve spent countless summer cookouts perfecting my technique, and I’m excited to share everything I’ve learned about getting juicy, flavorful BBQ chicken legs with perfectly crispy skin.
The Quick Answer: Grilling Time for Chicken Legs
For those who just want the straight answer: Chicken legs typically take about 30-40 minutes to cook on the grill. But as with most things in cooking, there’s more to the story!
Here’s a quick breakdown of grilling times based on your cooking method
| Cooking Method | Approximate Time |
|---|---|
| Direct Heat | 30-35 minutes |
| Indirect Heat | 35-40 minutes |
| Gas Grill | 25-30 minutes |
| Charcoal Grill | 25-30 minutes |
Remember, these times are just guidelines. The actual cooking time depends on several factors like the size of the chicken legs your grill temperature and whether you’re cooking bone-in or boneless pieces.
Preparing Your Chicken Legs for the Grill
Before we dive into the cooking process, let’s talk about preparation – because what happens before the legs hit the grill greatly affects your end result!
Choosing the Right Chicken
For the best BBQ grilled chicken legs:
- Look for bone-in, skin-on chicken legs
- Fresh legs without blemishes are ideal
- Consider organic or free-range options for richer flavor
- You can use drumsticks, thighs, or whole legs (quarters)
Drying and Seasoning
One trick I’ve learned that makes a HUGE difference: Pat your chicken legs really dry with paper towels before seasoning. The drier the skin, the crispier it gets on the grill!
If you have time, place the chicken on a wire rack over a baking sheet in the fridge and let them air chill for a few hours. This extra step gives you amazingly crispy skin.
Marinades and Rubs
You’ve got two main options for flavoring:
Simple Spice Rub Recipe:
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 1.5 teaspoons onion powder
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
Basic Marinade Option:
- 1 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
- 3 cloves minced garlic
- 1 tablespoon honey
- Salt and pepper to taste
For best results, let your chicken marinate for at least 1-2 hours, but overnight in the refrigerator works even better!
Setting Up Your Grill: Temperature Matters!
The ideal grill temperature for chicken legs is between 350°F and 400°F. This range gives you that perfect balance – hot enough to crisp the skin but not so hot that the outside burns before the inside cooks.
Gas Grill Setup
- Preheat your grill to around 400°F
- Create two cooking zones – one hot side (direct heat) and one cooler side (indirect heat)
- Start by searing the legs on the hot side, then move to indirect heat to finish cooking
Charcoal Grill Setup
- Light your charcoal with a chimney starter
- When coals are white hot, pour them on one side of the grill bottom
- This creates your two-zone setup – direct heat over the coals and indirect heat on the empty side
The Actual Grilling Process: Step by Step
Now for the main event – actually grilling those chicken legs! Here’s my tried-and-true method:
Step 1: The Initial Sear
- Place chicken legs on the hot zone of the grill, making sure thighs are skin-side down
- Close the lid and let them cook for 3-4 minutes
- Open the lid and turn the drumsticks to sear other sides
- Check thighs for nice grill marks and flip if needed
Step 2: Cooking Through
- Reduce heat to about 300°F on a gas grill (or move to indirect heat on charcoal)
- Make sure thighs are skin-side up
- Close the lid and cook for 10-15 minutes
- Turn drumsticks every 5 minutes for even cooking (thighs can stay skin-side up)
Step 3: Adding BBQ Sauce
This is where the magic happens! But there’s a trick to it:
- Wait until the chicken is nearly cooked (about 10-15 minutes into the cooking process)
- Baste with your favorite BBQ sauce
- Close the lid and cook for another 3-5 minutes
- Flip pieces and baste the other side
- Cook a few more minutes until sauce is sticky and caramelized
Pro tip: If you apply BBQ sauce too early, the sugars in it will burn before your chicken is cooked through!
How to Tell When Chicken Legs Are Done
Nothing ruins a BBQ faster than undercooked chicken, so let’s talk about how to be sure your legs are done:
Using a Meat Thermometer (The Most Reliable Method)
Insert an instant-read thermometer into the thickest part of the meat (without touching bone) and look for:
- 165°F – minimum safe temperature
- 170-175°F – ideal for juicy, tender dark meat
Visual and Touch Cues
If you don’t have a thermometer, look for these signs:
- Juices run clear (not pink) when pierced
- Meat feels firm when pressed
- Skin is crispy with some charred bits
- Legs move easily at the joint
Resting: The Step Everyone Skips (But Shouldn’t!)
I know it’s tempting to dive right in, but please resist! Let your beautifully grilled chicken legs rest for 5-10 minutes under loose foil before serving.
This resting time allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat instead of running out when you cut into it. The result? Much juicier chicken!
Common Problems & How to Fix Them
Even with the best intentions, things don’t always go perfectly. Here are some common issues and how to solve them:
Problem: Chicken Burning on Outside, Raw Inside
Solution: Your heat is too high! Move chicken to the indirect heat zone and finish cooking at a lower temperature.
Problem: Chicken Taking Forever to Cook
Solution: Your grill isn’t hot enough. Make sure you’re preheating properly and maintaining temperature with the lid closed.
Problem: Dry, Tough Chicken
Solution: You’ve overcooked it. Next time, use a meat thermometer and pull the legs off at 170-175°F.
Problem: Skin Not Crispy
Solution: Make sure you’ve dried the skin thoroughly before grilling and start skin-side down on direct heat.
My Favorite Serving Suggestions
Now that you’ve mastered grilled chicken legs, here are some of my favorite sides to serve with them:
- Pasta salad or potato salad
- Grilled corn on the cob
- Crispy potatoes or french fries
- Simple green salad
- Marinated cauliflower salad
The Bottom Line on Grilling Time
So, to circle back to our original question: How long does it take to barbecue chicken legs on the grill?
The full process takes about:
- 5-7 minutes of searing on direct heat
- 20-25 minutes of cooking on indirect heat
- 5-10 minutes of sauce application and caramelization
- 5-10 minutes of resting time
That’s a total of 35-50 minutes from start to finish, with about 30-40 minutes of actual grill time.
Remember that grilling is partly science but also partly art – use these guidelines as a starting point, but always trust your instincts and use visual cues and temperature readings to guide you to perfectly cooked chicken legs.
FAQ: Quick Answers to Common Questions
Q: Can I use boneless, skinless chicken legs?
A: I don’t recommend it. Bone-in, skin-on pieces stay juicier and have more flavor.
Q: How many chicken legs should I plan per person?
A: For adults, plan on 2-3 pieces per person, depending on what else you’re serving.
Q: Can I pre-cook chicken legs before grilling?
A: You can, but it’s not necessary. Starting from raw gives the best flavor and texture.
Q: Should I oil the grill grates?
A: Yes! Oil prevents sticking and helps with those beautiful grill marks.
Q: What’s the best BBQ sauce to use?
A: Use whatever you like! Store-bought is fine (Stubbs is a good option), or make your own.
Grilled Chicken Drumsticks Recipe
Call me a grillin’ fool, but this week alone I’ve grilled pork kebabs, rack of lamb, and bruschetta chicken. I’m not sure if it’s obvious enough, but can you tell I’m excited about grilling season?
I just had to make these bbq grilled chicken drumsticks next. They’re kind of a summer classic, because they’re a crowd pleaser at every backyard bbq. What’s not to love about juicy chicken covered in sticky sweet barbecue sauce.
I like to make them with my homemade bbq sauce (it’s Whole30 compatible!), but you can use a store-bought kind, or a Keto friendly bbq sauce, depending on your dietary restrictions.
These crispy chicken legs are so easy to make and are something the whole family will enjoy. Serve with your favorite sides like this corn salsa and enjoy a classic meal that never gets old!
How to Make Grilled Chicken Drumsticks
Follow these simple steps to make tender chicken drumsticks on the grill with your own dry rub:
Add the smoked paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, chili powder, salt, and pepper to a small dish and mix them together with a spoon. Depending on how spicy you like your food, you can also add a little cayenne pepper to the mix.
When you open a package of chicken, it’ll probably have excess liquid. Take a few paper towels or napkins and pat every piece of chicken until they’re dry on all sides.
Next, drizzle the chicken with the oil and the spice blend. Mix it up well until all sides of the chicken are evenly coated. I use my hands, and yes, it gets a little messy.
Alternatively, you can add the chicken, oil, and seasonings to a zip top bag and mix it well. This will coat the chicken without getting your hands dirty.
Gas Grill: Preheat your grill to medium-high heat, about 400°F (204°C) Add the chicken drumsticks and cook for about five minutes per side, until the skin is browned and crispy on all sides. Lower the heat to about 300°F, and close the grill. Cook for about 25 minutes, turning once halfway through.
Cooking on a Charcoal Grill: Create two zones by preparing the charcoal on one side of the grill only. Start by cooking the chicken directly on top of the heat source, then once the chicken is browned on all sides, move the pieces away from the heat source to finish cooking.
Last, brush each piece of chicken with sauce. Check the internal temperature to ensure the chicken is cooked through, then transfer the chicken to a plate or platter and serve!
Weather not cooperating? Out of propane? Or would you just prefer to cook inside? I’ve got you covered with these easy method adaptations!
Air Fryer Adaptation: Preheat your air fryer to 400°F. Lightly spray the air fryer basket with oil, then set the chicken drumsticks inside, with a little space between each one. Depending on the size of your basket, you may need to cook it in two or three batches. Cook for 18-22 minutes, turning once halfway through. Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature has reached at least 165°F (~74°C), per USDA.
Oven Adaptation: Preheat your oven to 400°F (~204°C). Set the chicken on a parchment or foil lined baking sheet. Cook 40-45 minutes, turning halfway through. Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature has reached 165°F (~74°C), per USDA.