When you hear the term words feeding frenzy, you most likely think of sharks. Well, change your mindset because we're talking about grilled chicken legs, not sharks. When you have lots of hungry mouths to feed, economical grilled chicken drumsticks get it done. They can be spiced up or down, they cook fast, and no utensils are needed! Grilling recipes often feature BBQ chicken drumsticks as a main dish, and it's no surprise why. With easy prep time, low carbohydrates, and a tasty finish, chicken legs are an excellent and easy choice for any summer get-together.
Everyone loves the crunch of grilled chicken legs with that crispy skin. Whether you use a dry rub with cayenne pepper or marinate in a simple vinaigrette with kosher salt and black pepper, there are endless grilled chicken recipes to try.
Chicken wings, chicken legs, and chicken thighs are much less expensive than boneless chicken breast, and much more flavorful, especially for grilling.
The Basics of How To Grill Chicken Legs
Always rinse and pat the chicken dry with a paper towel so the seasonings stick rather than run off. Season the chicken with your rub and let the chicken rest at room temperature for about 15 minutes.
Placing a thin layer of oil on the chicken will keep it from sticking to the grill. You can also oil the grill grates. Just use a high smoking point oil or grilling spray.
Preheat a gas grill to medium-high heat (about 375 degrees F) or light your charcoal grill. Place the chicken legs on the grill and close the lid. Turn the chicken over every 7 or 8 minutes to keep them cooking evenly. After about 35 minutes once the chicken is 165 degrees F, lower the grill temperature and brush with your BBQ sauce. Grill for about 10 more minutes for the sauce to caramelize.
*The magic number is 165 degrees F. When the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F, it's fully cooked and safe to eat.
For a Basic BBQ Chicken Rub
You can use just about any spices you have in your cabinet. Brown sugar, chili powder, paprika, cumin, salt, pepper, and olive oil are all good for the seasoning.
For a Basic Barbecue Sauce
To make a basic honey barbecue sauce all you need is ketchup, white vinegar, molasses, honey, salt and pepper, dry mustard, paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder.
If you put BBQ sauce on chicken before grilling, the sugars in the BBQ sauce will burn when put near direct heat. Wait until about 10 minutes before the chicken is done cooking.
10 Grilled Chicken Leg Recipes
1. Four Ingredient Italian Marinade Chicken Legs
Fresh Italian salad dressing spices make this perfect for open fire grilling or even an electric countertop grill indoors. For the most flavor, give yourself at least four hours for the chicken to marinate.
Get the recipe here.
2. Grilled Lemon Pepper Chicken Legs
Sweet summer citrus balanced with charcoal grill flavors of smoky black pepper makes this one an easy decision. Who doesn't love lemon pepper?
Get the recipe here.
3. Mediterranean Herb Grilled Chicken Legs
Fresh Mediterranean herbs like basil and oregano make this the freshest-tasting chicken. Serve with a tzatziki yogurt sauce for the full Mediterranean experience.
Get the recipe here.
4. Grilled Ranch Drumsticks
All the flavors of ranch dressing are rubbed on this grilled chicken recipe. If you're a Cool Ranch Doritos fan, you'll love this grilled chicken leg recipe.
Get the recipe here.
5. Korean BBQ Flavored Grilled Chicken Legs
Flavors of chili flakes, salt, white and black sesame seeds, maple sugar, smoked paprika, cayenne and more make this a flavor-filled recipe that's a break from ordinary BBQ.
Get the recipe here.
6. Peruvian Grilled Chicken Legs
Flavors of blood oranges, cilantro, and lime juice with a creamy dipping sauce makes this one you need to try. Takes a little prep work but this grilled chicken leg recipe is so worth it.
Get the recipe here.
7. Garlic Parmesan Chicken Legs
With a garlic and gooey parmesan coating, this may not be the neatest meal you can serve, but that's what wet wipes and paper towels are for.
Get the recipe here.
8. Mango Curry Grilled Chicken
Don't be afraid of curry powder. Did you know that curry powder is actually a blend of spices? It's made up of dried turmeric, coriander, cumin, cinnamon, ginger, ground mustard seeds, fenugreek, cardamom, cloves, nutmeg, cayenne pepper, and black pepper in different ratios. Add the sweetness of mango and this is a must-make recipe.
Get the recipe here.
9. Chili Lime Grilled Chicken
Marinated in a balsamic chili-lime marinade, this chicken has bite and sweetness. Pair this with an ice-cold Corona (with a lime wedge of course).
Get the recipe here.
10. Coca-Cola Grilled Chicken Legs
What do you get when you combine 5 cans of Coke and half a cup of brown sugar? Sounds like a bad joke but you actually get a delicious marinade for grilled chicken. Give this recipe a go. When you tell people what you used, they will cheer!
Get the recipe here.
