Grilled BBQ Chicken Legs

Delicious BBQ Chicken Legs on the grill are the perfect main dish for your cookouts, barbecues and backyard parties.

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I have fallen in love with the simplicity of grilling chicken legs! They are the perfect finger food for cookouts, picnics, and backyard barbecues. Chicken legs are so easy to make in a big batch to feed a hungry crowd and this chicken drumstick recipe is just the one you need.

why you’ll love this recipe

• Barbecue chicken legs are so inexpensive to make for a crowd! Typically you can score them for under $1 a pound.
• Kid-friendly so there is no dinner time struggle and really easy to grill!
• The quick and easy sweet, sticky BBQ marinade is made with pantry staples and makes for a quick prep time!

ingredients Needed

• Chicken legs – You can also use chicken thighs or wings with this marinade.
• BBQ sauce – Use your favorite store-bought barbecue sauce or try making homemade.
• Grape jelly – This is the secret weapon in this marinade. If you cannot find grape jelly at your local store, try cranberry or apple jelly. Honey can also be a good substitute.
• Garlic – Minced garlic mixes so well and adds great flavor the longer the chicken marinates. We definitely recommend using fresh minced garlic instead of garlic powder.
• Ground black pepper – A staple anytime you are seasoning chicken.

how to grill BBQ chicken legs

1. In a small bowl, mix barbecue sauce, grape jelly, minced garlic and ground black pepper.
2. Add chicken legs to a zip top bag and pour in half of the marinade. Squeeze as much air out of the bag as you can and seal it shut. Throw it in the refrigerator for at least an hour or up to overnight. Store the remaining marinade in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
3. Place chicken legs directly on the grill grates of your preheated grill. Baste them with remaining marinade as you rotate them, about every ten minutes. You will need to cook these for 30-35 minutes or until the internal temperature is 185 – 190 degrees Fahrenheit.

can i bake these in the oven?

Yes, this chicken leg recipe can also be cooked in your oven. Make the marinade and marinate chicken the same way you would if you were grilling. Preheat oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit, line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and lightly spray with non-stick cooking oil. Place chicken legs on baking sheet and bake for 40-45 minutes.

Storage and Reheating

Fridge: Store leftover grilled chicken drumsticks in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days.

Freezer: If you won’t finish your leftovers in 3 days, you can freeze them for another time. Store them in a freezer safe airtight container. Thaw overnight in the fridge.

To reheat we recommend using the oven at 325 degrees Fahrenheit over direct heat for about 25 minutes to get a crispy skin. You can reheat in the microwave but the skin won’t be crispy. Your air fryer is also a good option so you don’t have to heat your house with the oven.

Sticky and sweet grilled BBQ chicken legs are sure to be a family favorite all grilling season long. Include this with your meal prep and you’ll thank yourself for being one step ahead.

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4.20 from 5 votes

BBQ Chicken Legs on the Grill

These grilled chicken legs are marinated in a simple bbq marinade. Grill them and get the perfect sweet, sticky drumsticks.

Prep:10 minutes mins

Cook:30 minutes mins

Marinating:1 hour hr

Total:1 hour hr 40 minutes mins

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Ingredients

• ▢ 2 pounds chicken legs

BBQ Marinade

• ▢ ½ cup bbq sauce
• ▢ ¼ cup grape jelly
• ▢ 2 garlic cloves minced
• ▢ ½ teaspoon ground black pepper

Instructions

• In a large bowl whisk the BBQ sauce, grape jelly, garlic and black pepper.
• Place chicken legs in gallon resealable plastic bag. Pour half of BBQ marinade over chicken legs. Remove air from bag. Marinated for at least one hour up to overnight.
• Store remaining marinade in an airtight container in the fridge.
• Preheat grill to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Place chicken legs on grill and baste with some of the reserved BBQ marinade. Grill for 30 minutes, rotating every 10 minutes and basting or until they reach an internal temperature of 185-190 degrees Fahrenheit.

Tips

• Grill your chicken drumsticks to an internal temperature of 185-190 degrees Fahrenheit to make sure there are no “bloody spots” around the bone. They won’t be overdone. You’ll still have a juicy, tender, fall-off the bone delicious chicken leg.
• To reheat we recommend using the oven at 325 degrees F for about 25 minutes to get a crisp skin. You can reheat in the microwave but the skin won’t be crispy.

Nutrition Information

Calories: 185kcal (9%), Carbohydrates: 11g (4%), Protein: 10g (20%), Fat: 10g (15%), Saturated Fat: 2g (13%), Cholesterol: 60mg (20%), Sodium: 208mg (9%), Potassium: 171mg (5%), Sugar: 8g (9%), Vitamin A: 95IU (2%), Vitamin C: 1mg (1%), Calcium: 14mg (1%), Iron: 0.6mg (3%)

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We are not dietitians and recommend you seek a nutritionist for exact nutritional information. The information in the nutrition box is calculated through a program and there is room for error. If you need an accurate count, I recommend running the ingredients through your favorite nutrition calculator.

how to serve grilled chicken legs

Grilled barbecue chicken legs are the perfect way to enjoy supper al fresco all summer long. Whip up everyone’s favorite pasta or potato salad to serve up a great summer meal. And while you’ve got the grill going, why not grill some juicy corn on the cob? Grill extra corn to make a flavorful Grilled Corn Salad.

more grilled chicken recipes

• Bacon Ranch Chicken Kabobs are a flavorful and easy-to-make grilling recipe, combining the perfectly ranch seasoned chicken with the savory taste of bacon.
• Perfect for summer barbecues, Caesar Grilled Chicken Breasts are marinated in a creamy Caesar dressing, giving the chicken a rich flavor that everyone will love.
• I’ve figured out the secret to tender, moist chicken every time and I am happy to share How to Grill the Juiciest Chicken Breasts.
• Classic Grilled Chicken Legs are cooked to perfection, offering a crispy exterior with juicy, flavorful meat inside and the perfect vessel for your favorite dipping sauces.