Grilling chicken legs is a classic summertime activity that brings people together with the delicious smell of smoky meat. But it can be hard to cook chicken legs just right. How do you make sure they’re cooked all the way through without getting too dry? What’s the best way to get the right mix of crispy skin and juicy meat? We’ll show you everything you need to know about grilling chicken legs, from picking the right cuts to getting the grilled chicken just right. Your go-to recipe will be ready by the end, ready to use again and again.

Why Chicken Legs?

Let us first talk about why chicken legs are a great choice for the grill before we get into how to cook. Drumsticks and thighs are both parts of a chicken leg. They are known for having tender, juicy meat with a rich taste. Chicken legs are more forgiving than chicken breasts because they have more fat. If you overcook chicken breasts, they dry out fast. This makes them perfect for grilling, where there is always a chance that the food will cook unevenly.

How to Choose the Best Chicken Legs

Picking the right chicken legs is the first thing that needs to be done to make grilled chicken legs great. Remember these things:

• Choice: Always choose fresh, high-quality chicken. If you can, pick chicken parts that are organic or free-range. They usually taste and feel better.
• Size: Being the same is important when cooking. Pick chicken legs that are about the same size so that they cook evenly. It will take longer for bigger legs to cook on the grill than for smaller legs.
• On the skin: It’s best to grill chicken parts that still have their skin on. The skin makes the meat taste better and keeps it moist while it’s cooked. Also, who can say no to that golden-brown, crispy outside?

The Best Marinade

That’s how you make a great chicken leg on the grill. Marinating meat not only makes it taste better, but it also makes it more soft. In no time at all, you can make this easy but tasty marinade:

Things used:

• 1/4 cup of olive oil
• 1/4 cup of soy sauce
• 1/4 cup of lemon juice
• Cut up 4 cloves of garlic
• 1 tablespoon of honey
• 1 tablespoon of mustard Dijon
• 1 teaspoon of paprika that has been smoked
• 1 teaspoon of black pepper, ground
• 1/2 teaspoon of salt
• Optional: 1/2 teaspoon of red pepper flakes to make it hot

How to Do It:

1. Whisk the garlic, honey, Dijon mustard, smoked paprika, pepper, and salt together in a big bowl. Add the soy sauce and mash it all together.
2. Put the chicken legs in the bowl and make sure they are covered in the sauce all the way around.
3. Put the bowl in the fridge for at least two hours, or better yet, overnight. Cover it with plastic wrap. The chicken will taste better the longer it is marinated.

Getting the Grill Ready

A well-prepared grill is necessary for grilling chicken legs to perfection. To get your grill ready, do the following:

1. Clean the Grill: First, clean the grill plates well. When you’re done cooking, use a grill brush to get rid of any leftover food. This will keep food from sticking and make sure it cooks evenly.
2. Grates should be oiled: Once the grates are clean, oil them to keep food from sticking even more. You can use tongs to hold a paper towel that has been dipped in veggie oil and rub it over the grates.
3. Warm Up the Grill: Set your grill to medium heat, which is between 350°F and 375°F (175°C and 190°C). This is the best setting for grilling chicken legs because it lets them cook all the way through without burning the outside.
4. Set Up Two-Zone Cooking: To get the best results, set up your grill so that it can cook in two areas. This means that one side of the grill should have direct heat for burning and the other side should have indirect heat for cooking more slowly. To get that crispy skin, sear the chicken legs over direct heat with this method. Then, move them to indirect heat to finish cooking.

How to Grill Chicken Legs, Step by Step

It’s time to grill now that the chicken parts have been marinated and the grill has been set up. Follow these steps to make sure your chicken legs are cooked just right:

1. Sear the Chicken Legs: Put the chicken legs on the grill’s direct-heat side. They should be seared for three to four minutes on each side, or until the skin is nice and crispy. Let the heat do its job; don’t move the chicken around too much during this step.
2. Move to Indirect Heat: Next, move the chicken legs to the side of the grill that doesn’t have direct heat. Do this after both sides have been browned. When you close the grill lid, it turns into an oven. For 20 to 25 minutes, turn the chicken over every so often to make sure it cooks evenly.
3. Check the Temperature Inside: Use a meat thermometer to find out how hot the chicken legs are inside. When they hit 165°F (74°C) inside, they are done. If you don’t have a temperature, you can also cut into the thickest part of the leg to see if it’s done. The juices should run clear, not pink.
4. Adding basting: You can add your favorite BBQ sauce to the chicken legs during the last 5 minutes of cooking to make them taste even better. The outside will get a sticky, browned glaze this way.
5. Rest for 5 minutes before serving: When the chicken legs are done, take them off the grill and let them rest for 5 minutes. This lets the juices move around, making the bite more tender and delicious.

Ideas for Serving

Chicken legs that have been grilled go well with a lot of different sides. Here are some ways to finish off your meal:

• Traditional cole slaw: The smoky, rich flavor of grilled chicken legs goes well with the crunchy, sour taste of coleslaw.
• Grilled Vegetables: Put some corn, bell peppers, and zucchini on the grill with your chicken while it cooks for a healthy and tasty side dish.
• Potato salad: You can’t go wrong with creamy potato salad as a side dish for grilled chicken.
• Wheat bread: To add a Southern touch, serve your chicken legs with a warm, buttery slice of wheat bread.
• Fresh salad: A simple green salad with a light dressing goes well with the chicken because it is rich.

How to Make the Best Grilled Chicken Legs

There are a few extra things you can do to make your grilled chicken legs even better, even if you have a plan that works every time:

1. Do not crowd the fire: Make sure the chicken legs have a lot of room on the grill. It can be harder to get that perfect sear when there are too many people in the pan at once.
2. Close the lid: Don’t keep going to check on your chicken. When you open the grill, you lose heat, which can make the food take longer to cook and change the taste.
3. Try out different flavors: Don’t be afraid to try out different herbs, spices, and sauces. The marinade that comes with the meat is a great place to start. Feel free to get artistic with how you cook grilled chicken legs.
4. Get to know your grill: It’s important to know how your grill works because they are all different. You can move the chicken to a cooler part of the grill if it turns brown too fast. If it’s not getting enough color, on the other hand, you might need to slightly raise the heat.
5. Take out a thermometer: Buy a good meat thermometer. It’s one of the best things you can do for your cooking. It keeps you from having to guess when to cook and makes sure your chicken legs are always done just right.

How to Store and Heat Grilled Chicken Legs Again

You might not have any leftovers because they’re so tasty, but if you do, it’s important to store and reheat them the right way to keep their taste and texture.

Storing:

• Let the chicken legs cool down before putting them in a container that won’t let air in. You can put them in the fridge for up to 4 days.

Heating again:

• To heat something again, set the oven to 350°F (175°C). Cover the chicken legs with foil and put them on a baking sheet so they don’t dry out. Heat for 15 to 20 minutes, or until everything is warm. You can also reheat them on the grill for a few minutes over indirect heat. This will help the skin stay crispy.

In Conclusion

A tasty and satisfying dish can be made by grilling chicken legs, which is a fulfilling process. If you plan, know how to cook, and are patient, you can make chicken legs that are crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, and full of flavor. You will love this meal at your BBQs, whether you’ve never grilled before or are a pro. Start the grill and enjoy the only chicken leg meal you’ll ever need!