It can be a satisfying cooking accomplishment to grill chicken legs until they are just right. Chicken legs are a favourite among grillers because the meat is juicy and the flavour is deep. But to get that perfect char and juicy texture, you need to know the right methods and when to use them. The best ways to grill chicken legs, the best temperatures, and how long to grill chicken legs to get that irresistible taste will all be covered in this blog.

Why Chicken Legs?

Because they have more fat, chicken legs are often grilled because the fat makes the meat moist and flavourful while it’s cooking. Chicken legs stay juicy and tender when grilled the right way, while chicken breasts can dry out fast. The dark meat and bone together give the flavour more depth, which makes chicken legs a flexible and filling choice for any meal.

Getting Chicken Legs Ready to Go on the Grill

Before getting into the details of how long to grill chicken legs, it’s important to make sure they’re ready:

Putting In

Marinating chicken legs makes them taste better and makes the meat more soft. An acid (like vinegar or lemon juice), oil, and spices are usually what make up a good marinade. Let the chicken legs soak in the sauce for at least 30 minutes. For the best results, leave them in the sauce for 4 to 6 hours or overnight.

Seasoning

If you don’t have time to marinate the chicken legs, you can season them with a dry salt instead. Paprika, salt, pepper, and garlic powder mixed together can make anything taste great.

Getting It to Room Temperature

About 30 minutes before you cook, take the chicken legs out of the fridge. Getting them to room temperature makes sure they cook evenly.

How Long Should I Grill Chicken Legs?

Time and temperature must be just right for grilled chicken legs to turn out properly. Here’s a full explanation of how long to grill chicken legs:

Step 1: Get Your Grill Ready

Heat it up to medium-high heat (about 375–400°F).

Time to Cook

Put the chicken legs right on top of the heat source. Grill each side for 10 to 12 minutes, turning every so often to keep them from burning. It should take about 20 to 25 minutes to cook everything.

Temperature Inside

Use a meat thermometer to make sure that the chicken legs are 165°F on the inside.

Indirect Grilling Method

Heat one side of your grill to high heat (about 450°F) while keeping the other side off or on low heat.

Time to Cook

To get a nice char, sear the chicken legs on one side over high heat for two to three minutes. Put the chicken legs on the cooler side of the grill and cook them for another 20 to 30 minutes.

Internal Temperature

For safe consumption, make sure the temperature inside hits 165°F.

Combination Method

Get your grill ready by heating it up to medium-high heat (375–400°F).

Time to Cook

First, put the chicken legs on a pan over direct heat. Sear them for 5 to 7 minutes on each side. Put them on low heat and grill them for another 15 to 20 minutes.

Temperature Inside

Always make sure the temperature inside is 165°F.

How to Get the Right Char and Juiciness

It’s not enough to know how long to grill chicken legs for them to be perfect. Here are some more tips to make sure you get the right amount of char and juice:

Control Flare-Ups

Chicken legs that drip fat can start flare-ups that burn the meat. Keep an eye on the grill, and if there are any flare-ups, move the chicken legs to a cooler spot.

Use a Meat Thermometer

This is the best way to be sure that your chicken legs are fully cooked without being overcooked. Avoid the bone as you put the thermometer into the thickest part of the leg.

Time to Rest

Give the chicken legs about 5 minutes to rest after cooking. This lets the juices move around in the meat, making sure that every bite is juicy and full of flavour.

Basting

Adding a marinade or sauce to the chicken legs and basting them with it during the last few minutes of cooking can make them taste better and keep them moist. Watch out not to add sweet sauces too early, because they can burn.

Grill Marks

If you want those nice grill marks, don’t move the chicken legs around too much. Leave them to cook for a few minutes on each side before turning them over.

Grilled Chicken Leg Recipe Ideas

You can use your properly grilled chicken legs in any of these tasty recipes:

Grilled Chicken Legs with Lemon and Herbs

Add garlic, thyme, rosemary, salt, and pepper to the lemon juice, olive oil, and pepper.

Grilling

Use the direct way and baste with the marinade that you saved for the last few minutes of cooking.

BBQ Chicken Legs with a Kick

To make the rub, mix together the paprika, chilli powder, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.

Grilling

Use the indirect method and add your favourite BBQ sauce for the last 5 minutes.

Grilled Chicken Legs with an Asian Twist

For the marinade, mix honey, soy sauce, hoisin sauce, ginger, garlic, and hoisin sauce.

Grilling

Use the mix method and baste the meat with the marinade for the last few minutes.

How to Fix Common Grilling Problems

No matter how well you do something, things can go wrong sometimes. Here are some usual problems and how to fix them:

Lower-Cooked Chicken

If the chicken legs are not fully cooked, move them to a different area of the stove and cook them until the internal temperature hits 165°F. Putting a lid on the grill can help cook them all the way through without burning the outside.

Overcooked or Dry Chicken

Always check the body temperature to make sure the chicken doesn’t get too cooked. Serve the chicken with a dipping sauce to add wetness if it’s already too dry.

Uneven Cooking

To make sure the chicken pieces cook evenly, make sure they are all the same size. To make the pieces the same thickness, either pound them or cook them on a cooler part of the grill.

Outside Burned, Inside Raw

This happens when the grill is too hot and the outside is burned but the inside is still raw. If you don’t want to burn the outside of the chicken, use indirect cooking. Taking the heat down and cooking for longer can also help.

In Conclusion

It’s fun and satisfying to grill chicken legs until they have just the right amount of char and juice. It takes skill, timing, and a bit of culinary art. As long as you know how long to grill chicken legs and do it the right way, you can always have a tasty and filling meal.

The chicken should always be checked for doneness, the grill’s heat should be managed, and it should be left to rest before being served. It’s important to find the right balance for you when cooking, whether you like direct, indirect, or a mix of the two. With practice and close attention to detail, you’ll be able to grill chicken legs so well that your family and friends will love how juicy, flavourful, and perfectly cooked they are.