Are you tired of ending up with dry, overcooked chicken or worse—undercooked poultry that sends everyone running? I’ve been there too! After countless backyard BBQ disasters, I finally mastered grilling chicken leg quarters at 400 degrees, and I’m excited to share everything I’ve learned with you.
Chicken leg quarters are seriously one of the most economical and flavorful cuts you can throw on your grill. They’re my go-to for feeding a crowd without breaking the bank and when cooked properly they’re absolutely delicious.
How Long Should You Grill Chicken Leg Quarters at 400°F?
Let’s get straight to the point – when grilling chicken leg quarters at 400°F, you’ll need approximately 35-45 minutes of total cooking time. This timeframe ensures your chicken reaches the safe internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) while developing that gorgeous crispy skin we all crave.
I recommend flipping the chicken every 10-15 minutes during cooking to ensure even browning and to prevent any sections from burning. This rotation schedule works perfectly for achieving that golden-brown exterior.
Understanding Chicken Leg Quarters
Before we dive deeper into grilling techniques, let’s talk about what makes chicken leg quarters special:
- What are they? Chicken leg quarters consist of the thigh and drumstick still connected, often with a portion of the back attached.
- Why choose them? They’re juicier than white meat due to higher fat content, more flavorful, and usually cheaper per pound.
- Nutritional benefits: Each serving provides approximately 28 grams of protein, 1.2 milligrams of iron, and essential B vitamins.
These attributes make leg quarters perfect for grilling since the extra fat content helps keep the meat moist even with longer cooking times.
Prepping Your Chicken Leg Quarters
The secret to amazing grilled chicken starts long before you fire up the grill. Here’s how I prep mine:
Marinating Options
Marinating your chicken leg quarters adds moisture and flavor. Some of my favorite marinades include:
- Buttermilk Marinade: Soak chicken in buttermilk for 4-8 hours for tenderizing and tanginess.
- Herb and Citrus: Mix olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, and fresh herbs. Marinate for 2-4 hours.
- Soy-Based: Combine soy sauce, brown sugar, and ginger for a savory umami flavor. Best if marinated overnight.
Pro tip: For even crispier skin, I sometimes leave the chicken uncovered in the fridge for a few hours after marinating to dry out the skin a bit.
Seasoning Ideas
If you’re short on time or prefer a simpler approach, a good seasoning rub works wonders:
- Classic Mix: Salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika.
- BBQ Rub: Store-bought or homemade with paprika, cumin, brown sugar, and cayenne.
- Simple Garlic: Just minced garlic and olive oil with a touch of salt.
Apply your seasoning generously and let it sit for at least 30 minutes before grilling. This helps the flavors penetrate the meat.
The Grilling Process at 400°F
Now for the main event – actually grilling those chicken leg quarters! Here’s my step-by-step approach:
Setting Up Your Grill
- Preheat properly: Get your grill to a steady 400°F before adding the chicken.
- Create zones: Set up direct and indirect heat zones (especially important for charcoal grills).
- Oil the grates: Prevent sticking by brushing or wiping the grates with oil.
The Cooking Method
- Start with indirect heat: Place chicken on the grill, smooth side down, in the indirect heat zone.
- Establish a flipping schedule: Turn the chicken every 10-15 minutes for even cooking.
- Keep the lid closed: This maintains temperature and creates an oven-like environment.
- BBQ sauce application (optional): During the last 5-10 minutes, brush with BBQ sauce if desired.
Using the Right Technique
The best method for grilling chicken leg quarters at 400°F is using indirect heat. This prevents the outside from burning while giving the inside time to cook properly.
For a gas grill, turn off the burners directly beneath the chicken. For charcoal, bank the coals to one side, creating a cooler zone for the chicken.
How to Know When Your Chicken Is Done
There’s only one foolproof way to know if your chicken is fully cooked: use a meat thermometer. Insert it into the thickest part of the thigh (avoiding the bone) and look for a reading of 165°F (74°C).
Visual cues like “clear juices” are unreliable and might lead to either overcooked or dangerously undercooked chicken.
Troubleshooting Common Grilling Problems
Even experienced grillers run into issues sometimes. Here are solutions to common problems:
Flare-Ups
Flare-ups happen when fat drips onto the heat source. To manage them:
- Trim excess fat before grilling
- Keep a spray bottle of water nearby
- Move chicken to indirect heat if flare-ups occur
Uneven Cooking
If your chicken cooks unevenly:
- Ensure consistent heat distribution
- Rotate pieces regularly
- Check if your grill has hot spots and adjust accordingly
Chicken Sticking to Grill
To prevent the dreaded stick:
- Make sure grates are clean before starting
- Oil the grates well
- Don’t try to flip the chicken too early—it should release naturally when ready
Resting and Serving Your Grilled Chicken
After reaching that perfect 165°F, remove the chicken from the grill and let it rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. This step is crucial! Resting allows juices to redistribute throughout the meat, ensuring each bite is moist and flavorful.
I usually tent mine loosely with foil during resting, which keeps it warm without making the skin soggy.
Perfect Side Dishes for Grilled Chicken Leg Quarters
Wondering what to serve with your masterpiece? These sides pair wonderfully:
- Grilled corn on the cob
- Classic potato salad
- Fresh green salad
- Grilled vegetables
- Mac and cheese
- Coleslaw
FAQ: Everything Else You Need to Know
Can I use frozen chicken leg quarters?
While possible, it’s not recommended. Thaw completely first for even cooking and better results.
What’s the best way to reheat leftover grilled chicken?
For crispy skin, reheat in an air fryer or oven rather than microwave.
How many chicken leg quarters per person?
One leg quarter per person is usually sufficient for adults, but for big eaters, plan for 1.5.
Can I use this method on a charcoal grill?
Absolutely! Just maintain the 400°F temperature and use the indirect heat technique.
How can I tell if my grill is at 400 degrees?
If your grill doesn’t have a built-in thermometer, hold your hand about 5 inches above the grates. If you can only keep it there for 3-4 seconds, you’re around 400°F.
Conclusion
Grilling chicken leg quarters at 400°F for 35-45 minutes creates a perfect balance of juicy meat and crispy skin. The key is proper preparation, maintaining consistent heat, and checking for doneness with a meat thermometer.
We’ve covered everything from selecting and prepping your chicken to troubleshooting common problems. Now it’s your turn to fire up that grill and put these tips into practice!
Remember, great grilling takes practice, but with these guidelines, you’ll be serving up perfectly grilled chicken leg quarters in no time. Your friends and family will be begging for your secrets!
Use a meat thermometer
At about 20 minutes check the internal temperature of the meat. I use my favorite meat thermometer for this, it has a probe I place in the thickest part of the meat and a long cable attached to the digital readout.
Planning ahead means I have already placed the thermometer in the meat before it was on the grill. For the other 99% of the time, I use my tongs to anchor the largest piece of meat and insert the probe into the thickest area.
Move the chicken close to you while doing this. No need to lean over those lit burners!
When the thermometer reaches at least 155F, move the chicken legs back over direct heat. This is when you want to add a little BBQ sauce, if using. Or perhaps you prefer no sauce, in which case you can cook for crispy skin. The direct heat helps with that step as well.
Turn the chicken every 4-5 minutes while over direct heat, especially if using barbeque sauce. You want the sauce to caramelize but not turn into volcanic ash. You know what I mean.
The final target temperature is a minimum of 165, but up to 180F works too.
How long to Grill Chicken Legs
Depending upon the sizes of your chicken pieces and the temperature of the grill, it could take anywhere from 20-40 minutes to reach that temperature.
Once the chicken legs are done, remove from grill and place on a plate or shallow pan, then cover with foil. Let the meat rest for at least 10 minutes while you gather all the other sides for your meal.
Serve with plenty of napkins!