Chicken Legs On The Grill How Long

Chicken To Rinse Or Not To Rinse

How to Grill Chicken Legs – NoRecipeRequired.com

To rinse or not to rinse, that is the question. It has been ingrained in many of us to rinse our raw chicken. I will call it the Julia Child effect. For many years I watched her carefully wash her chickens as did much of America.

But the FDA has for years advised against rinsing poultry before cooking it. When you rinse raw chicken, the bacteria that is present on the surface of the poultry can spread to everything thats nearby, sink, counter surfaces, kitchen utensils, other foods or you. SO for good food safety, it is a definite no to rinsing.

So what about getting bacteria off the surface of the chicken? First, you can not rinse it to sterile. That is not happening. Second, properly cooked chicken will kill any bacteria. So no problem there.

Last, does rinsing chicken with skin make it cook crispier? Cooks Illustrated says no. If you want to get rid of the juices on the meat, pat it dry with a paper towel instead of rinsing it.

So I’m mending my ways and suggest you do, too.

Let’s be safe out there.

DrDan

Final Thoughts On Grilling Chicken

Chicken is on the top of the list for lean cuts for a good reason it tastes great, cooks fast, and is very affordable. There are almost endless ways to prepare chicken, but one of the most popular is to grill it.

Everyone loves BBQ chicken, but most make quite a few mistakes trying to grill the perfect piece. For me, a properly cooked piece of chicken is easy to pull off! Its juicy, packed with flavor, and doesnt dry out.

A perfectly grilled piece of chicken will be well-rounded on all fronts.

However, grilling chicken can be tricky. Many amateur grillers find that its pretty easy to dry out the chicken and make it taste like charcoal briquettes, or not cook it all the way through.

There is more to grilling chicken than just slapping it on the grill and letting it cook until the outside is brown.

The best part of grilling perfect chicken is that it isnt a difficult task. It requires only a bit of preparation and patience once it hits the grill.

Be sure to use fresh chicken, and you can always opt for chicken thighs if you are looking for more flavor than white meat can offer.

Take a deep breath, relax and get ready to knock out some grilled chicken meals using our advice and tips. Happy grilling!

How Long To Cook Chicken Drumsticks On The Grill

Chicken meat is pretty easy to cook as it is soft, and you do not have to deal with much fat. So here is the answer to the question, how long to cook chicken drumsticks on the grill.

There are many parts to choose from when it comes to chicken.

However, the most famous cut or part, the one we usually see in advertisements, is the chicken or the legs drumsticks.

This part of the chicken comprises a decent amount of meat and the bone in the center.

The bone helps make the chicken tender and is also a great handle when eating the chicken.

When you think about it, it is easy to cook, and yes, that is true. However, it is also easy to mess up as you can either overcook or undercook it if you do not know how to time it properly.

There is a certain timing you need to follow when cooking your drumsticks on your grill. If you use direct heat, you need to be careful with a lot of things,

So with this guide, you will be able to make the best drumsticks without worrying about undercooking or overcooking the drumsticks. So let us get into the guide.

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When Is The Chicken Done

Minimum safe internal temperature for chicken is 165° and it should be cooked to at least that. Although, bone-in chicken legs, thighs, and leg quarters are not like the lean chicken breast and it will not dry out as easily if cooked over recommended temperature. You also run a good chance of chicken legs being under-done if cooked only to 165°.

Personally, I cook my chicken legs to 175°-180° internal temperature.

Direct Or Indirect Heat Which Is Better

Grilled Chicken Drumsticks

Both direct and indirect heat have their advantages when grilling chicken.

Direct heat is best for cooking chicken quickly and getting a nice sear on the outside, while indirect heat is better for low-temperature cooking and keeping the meat juicy.

You can also use both methods by using a two-zone fire or a rotisserie rig. Both of these methods will help you cook your chicken evenly without drying it out.

The best way to decide which method is best for you is to consider how long you want to grill your chicken and how much time you want to spend on it.

Also, consider the cut youre grilling. For example, drumsticks and wings do well on direct medium heat. The thickest part of the meat is shielded by the bones of these cuts.

Whole chickens or leg quarters are best grilled over indirect heat. They require slower cooking to penetrate the entirety of the chicken.

After about half of the cooking time, you can move the chicken to direct heat to brown the skin or complete the cooking process.

Read More > > Buffalo Chicken Dip Recipe

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About Average Grill Temperatures

Often, food packaging will have instructions recommending that you cook your food at certain temperatures.

For chicken, the packaging will often say to cook it on medium heat. If youre only pan-frying your chicken, these instructions make sense. But if youre grilling it, then what does medium heat mean?

If your grill doesnt have low, medium, and high settings, how do you know when its at medium heat?

Use our guide below for average grilling temperatures and a wireless thermometer to make sure youre grilling at the proper temperature.

  • Low heat means 250 to 275 °F
  • Medium-low heat means 300 °F
  • Medium heat is 350 °F
  • Medium-high is 400 to 450 °F
  • High heat means 500 to 650 °F

Do take note that cooking chicken too fast or too hot will burn the skin and undercook the meat. For a tasty, tender piece of poultry with crispy skin, cook it at a medium temperature.

Chicken Drumsticks On The Grill

Because my main guy is all about some juicy tender BBQ, I decided to showcase these Grilled BBQ Chicken Drumsticks today in his honor! The B man LOVES him some barbecue!

Happy Fathers Day to my dude crew out there! Thanks for loving and leading your families. For protecting and providing for making us laugh, for showing us love and for just being you!

Lets hear it for the boys!!!

I’m serving up these Grilled BBQ Chicken Drumsticks for all my meat loving men !!

These drumsticks are all kinds of special my friend. And if you or your guy are not into the drummies then use whatever cut of meat youd like thighs, chicken breasts, or even chicken wings. They are crazy good!

It all starts with the marinade. A sweet, savory and spicy sauce that the meat hangs out in for 2-24 hours. Im not gonna lie it does amazing things to this chicken. It not only infuses flavor but it makes the chicken legs sooo tender.

Its very similar to the marinade we use for our BBQ Baby Back Ribs but the ratios are recalculated for this recipe.

Brilliant right!??

These easy grilled chicken legs are marinated, grilled and then basted with wait for it some more delicious BBQ sauce.

They are sooo good! I literally cant stop eating these grilled chicken legs And Im usually a chicken breast girl. Whaaaa!?? Crazy talk!

All I can say is strange things are afoot over here people, in the best way possible.

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Ingredients For Grilled Chicken Legs

These chicken drumsticks on the grill only require a few simple ingredients for the easiest and best chicken legs youll ever have.

  • 2 pounds chicken drumsticks
  • 2 teaspoons garlic salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • Teriyaki BBQ Sauce. This recipe can be made from scratch using the one here on the site, or you can pick up your favorite teriyaki BBQ sauce from the store. Go with whatever works best for you.

Thats seriously it! You really cant beat 4 ingredients for these chicken legs on the grill.

Sauces For Grilled Chicken Legs

How to Cook Chicken Legs on the Weber Charcoal Grill

When grilling chicken drumsticks, marinade isnt necessary, but these are great if you wanna get saucy. Brush your sauce on chicken legs in the last 5 minutes of grilling with the lid open coat both sides right before and after the final turn. Go bold with our famous Buffalo sauce or make bbq chicken drumsticks with our tangy summertime strawberry bbq sauce .

These naked grilled chicken legs are flavorful as-is, if youd rather take a dip, either the sauces mentioned above will work. Or whip up homemade ranch, a family favorite. Im also partial to combining local honey with my favorite mustard or even hot sauce for hot honey to dip or drizzle on your grilled drumsticks.

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How Long To Grill Chicken Wings

Grilled wings are a great option for an easy weeknight dinner. Cook them on direct medium heat for 20 to 25 minutes.

With your grills lid closed, start the process by leaving the wings inside for 3 to 4 minutes. You may need to turn the wings every few minutes to evenly cook all sides.

Based on a 15-minute grilling time, you should check the wings if the internal temperature registers 165 ºF.

You want a light char on all sides, but not a deep char the wings should be perfectly browned but not burned.

What Happens If The Chicken Is Undercooked

Properly cooked chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165 °F. If it doesnt reach this temperature, it will be unsafe for consumption.

Other meats can be cooked to varying donenesses according to different preferences, but chicken can never be cooked rare. Undercooked chicken carries the risk of salmonella infection. Its also unappetizing.

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How To Butterfly Chicken Legs

Heres a quick look at the butterfly technique watch the video if youre super visual.

  • Use a sharp knife to butterfly chicken legs. Start by getting a sharp knife , and first, find the bone of the chicken drumstick.
  • Make your first cut. Gently make one parallel cut down the leg, in the center, touching the bone. This first cut will help open up the chicken leg meat for the next step.
  • Make two more cuts. Next, youll make two cuts. One on each side of the chicken leg bone. Youll want to use one hand to pull back the leg meat while the other hand makes the cuts. . Slicing the meat this way will make it butterfly outwards on each side of the bone. Dont cut all the way through the meat, that would defeat the purpose. At the end of your cuts, you should clearly see the chicken bone with chicken meat flaps on each side. On the other side, youll find the skin side. Smoosh them flat.
  • Season and cook as desired with help from Sip Bite Go chicken recipes, and enjoy. .
  • Also see how to grill chicken thighs and how to smoke chicken thighs

    How Hot Should Grill Be For Chicken Legs

    Grilled Chicken Legs Recipe

    Keep your grill around 300-400°F and make sure the internal temperature of the chicken is at least 165°F. 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!

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    Why Is Chicken Best Cooked On The Grill

    Cooking chicken legs on the grill gives you the best flavor. With a gas grill, you can simply move the legs to the side to get a beautiful sear on the outside. The meat will remain moist, and the skin will be crispy and brown. Theres no need to baste the chicken to keep it juicy and flavorful. And with a charcoal grill, the chicken will cook evenly on the grill. The chicken is placed on the grill, and left for a period of time. The grill will absorb the heat and the meat will be left to cook slowly.

    How Do You Grill Chicken Without Burning It

    5 Pro Tips for Grilled Chicken

  • Use bone-in, skin-on chicken pieces.
  • Season the chicken well with salt and save the marinades for after cooking.
  • Preheat your grill to medium-high heat and control those flames.
  • Brown chicken pieces skin side down for longer than you think you should.
  • Use your grill like an oven.
  • Read Also: How To Barbecue Pork Chops On The Grill

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    What Temperature Do You Grill Chicken Quarters At

    Far more important than what seasoning you use, what BBQ sauce you use, or what wood you use for added smoke flavor, is the temperature you run your grill. Run it too low, and youll end up with rubbery skin.

    Run it too hot, and you risk burning the skin or the sauce or seasoning. So, be mindful when youre making grilled chicken quarters, or any skin on chicken.

    I suggest running the grill at 375 °F. This temperature is hot enough to get the skin crispy, but not so hot that any sauce or seasoning will burn.

    How Long Do Chicken Legs Take To Grill At 350

    How to Make Easy Grilled Chicken Legs~Easy Cooking

    Preheat grill to 350 degreesand place chickens on grill and let them cookfor 30 minutes rotating every 10 minutes and basting every 5 minutes. Then turn the heat down to 185 degrees F and cook for another 15 minutes, turning every 3 minutes until done. Basting once again after cooking. Serve with the reserved sauce. This recipe makes enough for 2 servings. You can also make this recipe without the chicken legs.

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    Why Do People Butterfly Chicken Drumsticks

    Well, theyre fun to eat and can be faster to cook .

    Plus, theres more surface area to season and brush bbq sauce on, so you can make very flavorful chicken drumsticks by butterflying them before cooking.

    We love to toss these drumsticks on the grill or Traeger smoker for an easy weeknight dinner.

    For a tasty chicken dinner side dish, try smoked mac and cheese or smoked baked potatoes.

    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.

    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!

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    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.

    Ever Wondered How Long To Grill Chicken

    Grilled Chicken Drumsticks

    TheGrillingDad.com is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no added cost to you.

    If youre wondering how long to grill chicken and dont want to dry it out, youre in the right place!

    In this TheGrillingDad.com guide, youll learn:

    • How long to grill different cuts of chicken
    • How to know when its done

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    How Do You Make Grilled Chicken

    Answer

    Grilled chicken is a favorite dish of many, and there are many different methods you can use to make it. The most popular way to grill chicken is by using a cooker, but there are also lots of other ways to do it.

    You can also grill chicken on the grate of your oven or stovetop. There are plenty of recipes for grilled chicken online, so you can find one that fits your taste preferences.

    Roast Butterflied Chicken Legs In The Oven

    Recipe coming soon

    Every home chef needs a reliable meat thermometer to cook food perfectly.

    On Sip Bite Go, youll often see me using:

  • Meater thermometer a fancy wireless thermometer that connects to a phone app gifted to me from a Traeger partnership.
  • ThermoPro digital thermometer which has a wire that connects the thermometer to a display box outside the oven/grill.
  • Its like being psychic! The great thing about either of the thermometers above is that I dont have to take the food out of the oven to know the temperature.

    How to use em What I do is stick the digital thermometer in steak, pork, chicken, whatever Then put the food in the oven, on the smoker, or grill.

    While the meat cooks, it reads the temperature so I know exactly what temp meat is as its cooking. Without having to take it out and check. Its really difficult to overcook food when you know exactly what temp it is inside!

    steak

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