Using A Charcoal Grill
We use a charcoal grill for the flavor mostly . And we love it.
Using a charcoal grill may seem like more work but once you know how to set it up, it’s extremely easy to use and the flavor is 100% better. No propane flavored chicken.
The best way to heat up your grill with charcoal is with a chimney starter.
Bbq Chicken Leg Ingredients
Chicken- For this BBQ chicken legs recipe you can use either chicken legs or chicken leg quarters depending on availability.
Rub- You can throw together the perfect BBQ rub with what you already have in your cupboards! Just use some brown sugar, chili powder, cumin, salt, pepper, and olive oil.
BBQ Sauce- For my homemade honey barbecue sauce all you need is ketchup, white vinegar, molasses, honey, salt and pepper, dry mustard, paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder. This recipe will make enough to coat your chicken legs and leave some extra for dipping or saving for later.
Grilled Bbq Chicken Legs
Flavorful bbq chicken drumsticks with a juicy interior and perfectly crispy skin, cooked on a grill, over direct and indirect heat may sound like a complicated task . Grilling bbq chicken over a two-zone fire is the best way to prevent dry chicken with burnt skin .
Although bbq grilled chicken is the perfect summer dinner , I would be lying if I say that I wait for grilling season and backyard cookouts to make this grilled chicken legs recipe.
I am a big fan of all things grilled, so as much as I love cooking on a charcoal or gas grill, a grill pan does the job when the weather doesnt cooperate.
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Why You Will Love These Chicken Drumsticks:
- They only require 5 minutes of prep. Add some oil, rub in the spices and you are set for the grill. Making these grilled chicken drumsticks will not take much of your time at all.
- Super simple to make and so flavorful. The only requirement when making these is to flip every 5 minutes or so. That is it. For that little amount of work, the tender, delicious chicken is so worth it!
- Chicken legs are a great source of iron and zinc and other essential nutrients. Dark chicken meat is often deemed unhealthy, but it is not at all. Chicken legs contain higher quantities of B vitamins, iron and zinc. The fat content is slightly higher, but fat is not the enemy it once was and the fats are healthier than other fat sources.
- Great for meal prep.You can season and prep the chicken drumsticks up to 24 hours in advance and then toss them on the grill when ready. You can then set it aside wrapped in the fridge for a great protein for much of the week!
Can I Make These In The Oven
Yes, you can also make these in the oven. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Place drumsticks on a baking sheet and bake for 30-40 minutes until the chicken reaches an internal temperature for 165 degrees F.
Then brush the BBQ sauce onto the drumsticks and cook for 4-5 more minutes to caramelize the BBQ sauce.
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Are Grilled Chicken Drumsticks Healthy
Short answer yes. Chicken is a protein powerhouse . With the skin on, grilled chicken drumsticks still have the lowest fat content of any cut of chicken, and grilling allows you to eliminate a bit more fat, because anything rendered drips away from the meat.
And even with the added brown sugar for the dry rub, grilled chicken drumsticks are still pretty darn low carb .
How To Bake Really Good Drumsticks
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425 degree F.
- Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and lightly spray with non-stick cooking oil. Set aside.
- Remove drumsticks from packaging. Pat them dry with paper towels.
- In a small bowl combine seasonings. Add to bowl/bag and toss until chicken is coated.
- Place drumsticks on the baking sheet.
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How To Make Homemade Bbq Sauce
Making homemade BBQ sauce is super simple! All of the ingredients are pantry and fridge staples and when simmered together make an incredible sauce that will become a family favorite.
All thats needed to make BBQ Sauce is one pot and about 10 minutes of time. Add all the ingredients to the pot and whisk them together. Bring the sauce up to a boil then reduce and simmer for 15 minutes. Let the sauce cool and you are ready to serve.
These chicken legs are great with the classic BBQ sauce in this recipe but they are also amazing when grilled with Carolina Gold BBQ Sauce.
What Is The Best Seasoning For Grilled Chicken Drumsticks
A combination of chili powder, onion powder, garlic salt, pepper and cumin makes a simple and very flavorful dry rub for chicken drumsticks. This seasoning, when paired with bbq sauce is an amazing flavor combination!
Be sure to pan the chicken legs dry with paper towels to remove any excess moisture. With the skin on, add the the seasoning mixture to the chicken legs about 10 minutes before grilling.
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Whats The Secret To Grilling Tender Chicken Legs On A Rack
There are a few different ways that you can grill chicken legs on a rack. One method is to preheat your grill to medium-high heat and then place the chicken legs on the rack, skin side down. Grill for about 8 minutes per side, or until the chicken is cooked through.
Another method is to marinate the chicken legs in your favorite BBQ sauce or marinade for at least 30 minutes before grilling. again, grill over medium-high heat for 8 minutes per side, or until cooked through. Finally, if you want to get creative, you can Wrap each chicken leg in bacon before placing it on the grill rack. Grill, as usual, being careful not to burn the bacon.
Din
I love to make people happy and enjoy life. I believe that grilling and smoking should be easy for everyone, so I made it my mission to create the most product reviews on the market today.
About Me
GrilledIdeas.com is a website that offers tips and techniques for grilling and smoking the best food possible, with the goal of making it easy for everyone to cook better.
Recent Posts
Why Does Chicken Turn Pink When Cooked
Pigment in the bone marrow can color the surrounding tissue and make the bones themselves look very dark. Hemoglobin in the muscles can likewise react with air during cooking to give the meat a pinkish color even after cooking. The chickens feed and whether its been frozen can also affect the final color.
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How Do You Get Crispy Skin On Grilled Chicken Legs
Grilled chicken legs are a great way to get crispy skin on them. There are several ways to do this, but the most common is to use a Grill-Grade Paper Towel. This will help keep the skin from becoming pink and too crispy.
Another way is to put some oil in a pan and heat it up until it starts smoking. Then, put the chicken legs in and cook them until they are slightly browned and cooked through.
How Long Does It Take For Drumsticks To Cook In The Oven
Depending on the oven, drumsticks will take at minimum 40-50 minutes at 350-400 F to fully bake. Turn it over halfway through at 25-30 minutes and let it continue to bake. You will be able to tell when they look really crispy and tender to the touch of a fork or tongs. Another way to check is by using a thermometer until it reaches 160F or then the juices coming out of the chicken are no longer pink.
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Pro Tips For Grilling Chicken Drumsticks
For perfectly succulent chicken drumsticks, a grilling time between 25-30 minutes is ideal for almost any recipe. Overcooking can char and dry your meat, but you want to make sure you don’t undercook poultry either. Keep your grill around 300-400°F and make sure the internal temperature of the chicken is at least 165°F.
There are several ways to cook the perfect chicken drumsticks on the grill:
Place drumsticks in foil or plastic wrap and warm them at room temperature before grilling.
As you preheat your grill, coat the grill grates with oil to prevent your chicken from sticking. Keep that oil handy! You’ll need it later.
Split your grill into two temperature zones, with one side at high heat and the other at medium.
Start grilling with high heat to get crispy skin. Finish over medium heat until the chickens internal temperature reaches 165°F. This Char-Broil Instant Read Digital Thermometer will help.
Turn your grilled chicken over once to keep the skin an even, crispy golden-brown.
Spice up your drumsticks with rubs, marinades, glazes and sauces. Marinate your drumsticks for several hours before cooking. Add spices before they hit the grill and glazes and sauces shortly before theyre finished. Every master grillers toolbox is incomplete without a Basting Brush to help you spread an even glaze.
Remove your chicken from the grill onto a warm plate and let your drumsticks sit for three to five minutes before serving.
How To Butterfly Chicken Legs
Heres a quick look at the butterfly technique watch the video if youre super visual.
Also see how to grill chicken thighs and how to smoke chicken thighs
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How To Cook Chicken Drumsticks On The Grill
Grilling chicken drumsticks is super easy. Assuming you’ve done the steps above for how to get your grill going, let’s grill!
First things first, season your drumsticks. Either use a nice dry rub or put them on plain and add BBQ sauce or teriyaki at the end.
You want your grill to be about 400 F. Place the drumsticks on the grate over the hot charcoal. The smaller ones can be placed over indirect heat.
Mediterranean Grilled Chicken Drumsticks
As with any meat, its best to grill the chicken for a minimum of 25 minutes. You can adjust the cooking time based on the size of the drumsticks. You can also cook the drumsticks in the oven. After preheating the grill, remove the chicken drumsticks from the fridge and place them on the grill. After about 25 minutes, turn them over.
Cook at 380°F for 10 minutes, flip the drumsticks and cook for another 8-10 minutes. For extra crispy skin, add a few more minutes to cook time. Grilled Chicken Drumsticks-Cooking drumsticks on the grill is so easy. Heat grill to high heat. Add the drumsticks onto the grates and grill 30-35 or until internal temperature registers 165°F.
Grilling Chicken Drumsticks / Legs. This chicken recipe can be grilled or baked in the oven. We prefer grilling our Italian drumsticks since we have great weather here most of the year long. This turns our wonderful either way you choose to cook this. The instructions and times below are for medium-sized chicken drumsticks.
Add drumsticks and toss to coat. Marinate in the refrigerator for 15 to 30 minutes or up to 8 hours. Preheat broiler or grill to medium-high heat. Grill drumsticks 14 to 16 minutes, turning occasionally, until chicken is cooked through and golden brown.
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How Long Do You Grill Wings On A Gas Grill
Grill wings are a popular dish that can be enjoyed on a gas grill. Grill wings can be cooked on an indirect griddle, which means that they will not cook as evenly as they would on a stovetop.
However, this is a minor downside, as the wings will not be as crispy and will have a slightly more succulent texture.
Dry Rub For Grilled Chicken Drumsticks
We all have a tendency to use the same tested recipes or methods so Chris simply mixed another one of his go-tos, a dry rub that he used for grilled chicken legs, wings, drumsticks.
It has only brown sugar, salt, paprika and garlic powder but is well balanced and works great. The paprika gives a nice golden color to the surface of the drumsticks too.
So just use your favorite chicken dry rub, whether store-bought or homemade and use it generously.
TIP: If the dry rub includes brown sugar once it melts it will have the desirable effect of causing the rest of the ingredients to stick together and to the surface of the drumsticks = more flavor.
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How Long Does It Take To Grill Large Drumsticks
How long is a drumstick? The chicken should be cooked on the Preheated Grill with the lid closed for 30 to 35 minutes, flipping every 5 minutes. Grill your entire meal at a temperature of approximately 400 degrees Fahrenheit. In general, its fine if they fluctuate, but its fine if it stays constant.
If you want to cook a large number of chicken legs or thighs at once, it is best to cook them in a single layer on a baking sheet. As a result, the food will be evenly cooked and the spots on the bread will be avoided. Cooking them in a single layer on the oven rack for smaller amounts of food is also acceptable. If youre roasting drumsticks or thighs in the oven, keep an eye on them to ensure they dont overcook. The typical cook time for drumsticks is 40-45 minutes, but if the oven is hot or the meat is on the smaller side, you can cook them in as little as 25 minutes. To be safe to eat, cook a chicken thigh for 20 to 30 minutes.
How Long To Grill Chicken Legs
The most asked question regarding cooking or grilling chicken is, how long does it take to grill chicken legs? The exact time depends on many factors, for example how big are the chicken legs and how hot is your grill? Are you using a charcoal grill or a gas grill? Obviously, smaller drumsticks will take less time to grill than bigger ones, etc.
Although I can tell you that approximately it takes about 35 to 40 minutes to grill bone-in chicken drumsticks, the best way to determine the cooking time is by checking the chickens internal temperature using a meat thermometer.
The chicken legs are fully cooked when the internal temperature reaches 165ºF when you check the thickest part of the meat with an instant-read meat thermometer.
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What You Need For The Chicken Marinade
Anytime you have a chance to marinate your chicken ahead of time for 2 to 4 hours, or even for just 30 minutes, do it! It makes a difference in infusing the chicken with flavor and in gently tenderizing it. And when your Mediterranean chicken marinade is made of harissa paste, loads of garlic, and a few spices, you just cant go wrong! Here is what you need for the marinade:
- Garlic – You need a whopping 15 cloves, peeled and roughly chopped. Dont worry about being too precise: The garlic gets tossed into the food processor along with the other marinade ingredients.
- Harissa paste – Made with chiles, garlic, bell peppers, and more, harissa is simply packed with flavor! You can either use homemade or quality store-bought harissa paste both will work very well!
- Herbs and spices – Warm nutmeg, tart sumac, and earthy dried thyme play up the Eastern Mediterranean vibes even more.
- Lime or lemon juice – Citrus is an important component of this marinade, because the acidity helps to tenderize the chicken legs.
- Extra virgin olive oil– Olive oil helps to transfer fat-soluble flavors into the chicken, as some flavors will not penetrate the meat without the aid of a cooking fat.
