How to Make BBQ Chicken Legs - Outdoor Cabinets

Barbecue chicken legs are a classic summer cookout food. They’re easy to make, packed with flavor, and hard to mess up. With just a few simple steps, you can make juicy, tender barbecue chicken legs at home that taste better than takeout. This guide will teach you everything you need to know to make foolproof barbecue chicken legs on the grill or in the oven.

Ingredients for BBQ Chicken Legs

The ingredients for great barbecue chicken legs are simple. Here’s what you’ll need:

Chicken legs – Look for a pack of 6-8 bone-in, skin-on chicken legs. Drumsticks or a combo of drumsticks and thighs both work well.
BBQ sauce – Use your favorite prepared barbecue sauce. Sweet tomato-based sauces work nicely.
BBQ rub – A dry spice rub adds lots of flavor. Use a store-bought rub or make your own.
Oil – For grilling, lightly coat the legs with a high-smoke point oil like avocado or grapeseed.
Butter – Rubbing the legs with a little butter helps the spices adhere.
Garlic – Minced or grated garlic adds a tasty punch.
Herbs – Fresh or dried thyme, rosemary, and oregano all complement BBQ chicken.

That’s really all you need for excellent barbecue chicken legs. Now let’s get into the easy steps.

How to Prepare BBQ Chicken Legs

Prepping the chicken legs takes just a few minutes:

Rinse and pat dry – Rinse the chicken legs and thoroughly pat them dry with paper towels. Dry skin browns better.
Trim excess fat – Use kitchen shears to trim off any loose flaps of fat or skin. This optional step prevents flare-ups when grilling.
Make rub – In a small bowl, mix together your favorite BBQ rub. Combinations of brown sugar, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, salt, and pepper work well.
Coat with rub – Evenly coat each chicken leg with the spice rub. Gently rub it onto all sides.
Refrigerate – Place the rubbed chicken legs in the fridge while you preheat your grill or oven. Letting them rest helps the flavors penetrate.

The chicken only needs about 15-30 minutes of hands-on prep time. Easy! Now let’s get cooking.

How to Grill BBQ Chicken Legs

Grilling over charcoal or gas imparts delicious smoky barbecue flavor. Follow these simple steps:

Prepare grill – Heat your gas or charcoal grill to medium-high heat, around 375-400°F. Clean and lightly oil the grates.
Coat with oil – Quickly brush each leg with a thin layer of high smoke point oil like avocado or grapeseed. This helps prevent sticking.
Arrange on grill – Place the legs skin-side down on the hottest part of the grill. Give them some space so they brown properly.
Flip after 15 minutes – After 15 minutes of grilling skin-side down, flip the legs over using tongs. Move them to a cooler part of the grill if they are browning too quickly.
Brush with sauce – During the last 5-10 minutes of grilling, start brushing your favorite barbecue sauce over the legs. This lets the sauce caramelize.
Check for doneness – The legs are done when the internal temperature reaches 165°F. The juices should run clear when pierced with a fork.
Let rest – Transfer the grilled legs to a platter and let rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.

It only takes 30-40 minutes to make picture-perfect barbecue chicken legs on the grill. Nothing says summer quite like that charred, smoky flavor.

How to Bake BBQ Chicken Legs

For crisp, saucy baked barbecue chicken legs, the oven does the job just as well:

Preheat oven – Preheat your oven to 375°F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil for easy cleanup.
Arrange legs on pan – Place the rubbed chicken legs skin-side up on the prepared pan, leaving space between each.
Roast for 30 minutes – Roast the chicken legs for 30 minutes without disturbing them. This helps the skin get crispy.
Brush with sauce – Take the pan out and brush the legs with barbecue sauce. Return to oven.
Roast and brush again – After another 15 minutes in the oven, take out the pan and brush more sauce on.
Finish cooking – Roast for 10-15 more minutes until the legs are cooked through. Check for doneness by piercing with a fork.
Rest and serve – Let the chicken legs rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with leftover barbecue sauce and chopped herbs.

Baked barbecue chicken legs take about an hour in the oven but mostly cook unattended. The finished product is finger-lickin’ good!

BBQ Chicken Legs Cooking Tips

To get the skin extra crisp, coat the legs with a light layer of baking powder before adding the rub. The baking powder helps dehydrate the skin.
Brown sugar in the spice rub promotes browning and caramelization. Try mixing in 1-2 tablespoons with the other rub ingredients.
Letting the seasoned legs sit refrigerated for up to a few hours before cooking allows the flavors to deeply penetrate.
Turn the chicken legs halfway during grilling or roasting to ensure even browning. Use tongs to carefully flip them.
If the legs start to burn or char too much, move them to the cooler side of the grill or lower your oven temperature 25°F.
Brush on barbecue sauce during the last 10-15 minutes of cooking so it has time to caramelize but won’t burn.
The chicken is fully cooked when the internal temperature in the thickest part of a leg reads 165°F on an instant read thermometer.
For extra flavor, try inserting slivers of garlic under the chicken skin before applying the spice rub.

Follow these handy tips and your barbecue chicken legs will turn out juicy, saucy, and full of smoky flavor every time.

Serving Ideas for BBQ Chicken Legs

Barbecue chicken legs pair well with many classic summer favorites:

Make BBQ chicken sandwiches on brioche buns with crunchy slaw.
Chop the chicken and toss with barbecue sauce for BBQ chicken salads. Top with avocado, corn, beans, and crisp lettuce.
Serve the saucy legs with potato salad, coleslaw, macaroni salad, or fresh watermelon slices.
For a sheet pan meal, roast chicken legs with potatoes, carrots, onions, and bell peppers tossed in oil and spices.
Stuff leftover pulled chicken between pancakes with maple syrup for a fun chicken and waffles-inspired twist.
Shred and mix leftover chicken with your favorite sauce and pile onto sandwiches or tacos.

Take your barbecue chicken legs beyond just a main and serve them in fun, creative ways all summer long. The possibilities are endless!

Make-Ahead and Leftover BBQ Chicken Tips

It’s handy to know how to make barbecue chicken legs in advance:

To make ahead:

Rub the chicken legs with the spice blend up to a day ahead and refrigerate until ready to cook. Let sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before grilling or roasting.
Sauce the cooked chicken legs as desired, then refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
Freeze sauced or unsauced chicken legs for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge before reheating gently on the stovetop.

To use leftovers:

Slice, dice, or shred leftover chicken legs. Pile on sandwiches, wraps, salads, nachos, or pizza.
Combine shredded chicken with mayo, barbecue sauce, or buffalo sauce for tasty chicken spreads and dips.
Make barbecue chicken quesadillas, omelets, frittatas, or breakfast burritos.
Toss with pasta, rice, or stir-fried veggies for easy chicken bowls.

Get two meals out of one with these smart tips for preparing barbecue chicken legs in advance or reinventing the leftovers.

FAQs About Making BBQ Chicken Legs

Get answers to some common questions about preparing perfect barbecue chicken legs at home:

Should I remove the chicken skin before cooking BBQ legs?

The skin should be left on while the legs cook to keep the meat moist and flavorful. The skin also crisps up nicely when roasted or grilled. Remove it before eating, if desired.

What is the best cut of chicken for BBQ legs?

Chicken drumsticks and thighs are ideal cuts for barbecue chicken legs. The dark meat stays extra moist and tender even when thoroughly cooked.

How long does it take to grill chicken legs?

Bone-in chicken legs take about 30-40 minutes on a hot grill, turning halfway through. Thicker drumsticks may need a few more minutes. Use a thermometer to confirm they reach 165°F internally.

Should I marinate BBQ chicken legs?

Marinating is optional but adds tons of flavor. Marinate for 30 minutes up to overnight in a zip-top bag with your favorite marinade. Pat dry before grilling or roasting.

How do you make BBQ chicken legs not dry out?

Keeping the skin on, brining before cooking, not overcooking, and basting with sauce help keep barbecue chicken legs nice and moist. Letting them rest sealed in foil after cooking also helps.

What sauce goes best with baked BBQ chicken legs?

Sweet tomato-based barbecue sauces complement baked chicken legs nicely. Try rib glazes or sauces flavored with maple, bourbon, coffee, fruit, or other unique ingredients too.

Can I grill frozen chicken legs?

It’s best to thaw chicken legs before grilling or roasting. Thick cuts of frozen chicken don’t cook evenly. For food safety, always cook chicken until no longer pink inside.

Conclusion

Making barbecue chicken legs couldn’t be easier. With a simple homemade spice rub and your favorite barbecue sauce, you can enjoy this classic comfort food anytime. Grill or bake for juicy, fall-off-the-bone meat guaranteed to be a hit. Leftovers make amazing sandwiches, salads, and beyond. Fire up the barbecue or turn on the oven and get ready for your next delicious chicken leg dinner!