It’s impossible to deny that chicken legs cooked just right are delicious. It’s a summertime favorite that never lets you down. The smoke smell, the crispy skin, and the juicy, soft meat. But getting the cooking just right can be scary, especially for people who are just starting. Do not be afraid! It’s surprisingly easy to grill chicken legs, and once you get the hang of it, you’ll be able to make food that looks like it came from a restaurant in no time.

This guide will teach you How to Grill Chicken Legs, from how to prepare the perfect bird to how to get that smoke-kissed taste that everyone loves.

How to Pick the Right Chicken Legs

The food shop is the first stop on the way to tasty grilled chicken legs. Look for these things:

• Frischheit: Always choose fresh chicken legs, never frozen. Find legs that are full and have bright pink skin that isn’t slimy or off-color.
• Size: Think about how many people you’re serving. Usually, drumsticks are bigger than thighs, so pick the right size.
• Skin-on, bone-in: If you want to cook chicken legs that taste great, choose flesh-on, bone-in legs. The skin makes the meat taste better and helps keep the moisture in while it cooks. The bones make the meat more flavorful.

Tip: If you can find chicken legs that have already been prepared, that will save you a lot of time. But keep in mind that these may have a lot of sodium in them.

Getting your chicken legs ready to grill

For How to Grill Chicken Legs, getting ready right is very important. To get your legs ready for cooking, do the following:

 

Pat them dry. If the chicken skin has too much water on it, it won’t crisp upright. Dry all parts of the legs with paper towels.

Use a lot of seasoning:  Make up your own stories here! A simple salt and pepper rub is always a winner, but you can also try your favorite herbs and spices. These are some ideas:

• Cumin, smoked paprika, and chili powder make it smokey.
• Dried oregano, thyme, basil, and garlic powder from Italy
• Lemon juice, rosemary, and thyme from the Mediterranean
• Cayenne pepper, chili flakes, and paprika make it spicy.
• Five-spice powder, ginger, and soy sauce make it Asian-style.

Marinate (not required):  Marinating your chicken parts is a great way to give them more taste. Most marinades have vinegar, herbs, spices, oil, and meat. For the best taste, let it sit for at least 30 minutes or up to 24 hours.

 

Tip: If you don’t have much time, a 30-minute simmer will still work wonders.

How to Grill to Get the Best Results

The fun part now is turning on the grill! How to Grill Chicken Legs: Two Effective Methods

Method 1: Use direct heat to cook quickly.

• Get the grill ready by setting it to medium-high heat (400°F to 450°F).
• Lightly oil the grill grates to keep food from sticking.
• Lay the chicken legs on the grill with the skin side down.
• It should be seared for 5 to 7 minutes on each side, or until the skin is crispy and golden brown.
• Lower the heat to medium-low, and cook for another 15 to 20 minutes, or until the thickest part of the thigh hits 165°F on the inside.
• During this time, flip the chicken legs every so often to make sure they cook evenly.

Method 2: Direct heat for extra-crispy skin

• This method takes a little longer, but the skin and meat are very crispy and juicy.
• Set your grill on medium heat, which is between 350°F and 400°F.
• Set up your grill so that the heat doesn’t come straight at it. In other words, keep the chicken legs away from the heat. On a gas grill, put the chicken legs over the burners that aren’t lit and turn off the flames in the middle. Place the chicken legs on the other side of a fire grill from where the coals are stacked on one side.
• If you want to, heat a grill pan and put it over the indirect heat source.
• A little water or soup added to the pan will make it moist for the chicken.
• Put the chicken legs in the pan with the skin side down.
• Put it on the grill for 30 to 40 minutes, or until the skin is crispy and golden brown.
• Once you flip the chicken legs over, cook them for another 20 to 30 minutes, or until the internal temperature hits 165°F.

As promised in the last tip, get a good instant-read thermometer no matter what way you use to know How to Grill Chicken Legs. This is the most effective way to make sure that your chicken is cooked all the way through to 165°F, which is a safe temperature.

 

How to Grill: Tips and Tricks

Here are some more tips and tricks to make your fried chicken legs taste better:

• Sear to Add Taste: A good sear gives food a smoky taste and nice grill lines. To get a nice golden brown color on the skin, use indirect heat or turn down the heat.
• Basting (optional): Adding sauce or seasoning to the meat during the last few minutes of cooking makes it taste better and keeps it moist. But be careful not to use too much sauce, because it’s easy for it to burn.
• The Key is Resting: When the chicken legs are done, take them off the grill and let them rest for 10 to 15 minutes. Then serves them. So the juices can move around in the meat again, making the chicken juicier and more delicious.

How to Make Your Grilled Chicken Legs Better

Now that you know How to Grill Chicken Legs, here are some ways to make the dish even better:

• Spicy Buffalo Chicken Legs: For a spicy kick, coat cooked chicken legs in your favorite buffalo sauce. For a standard game day snack, serve with blue cheese sauce and celery sticks.
• Lemon Herb Chicken Legs: Marinade your chicken legs in garlic, fresh herbs like oregano and thyme, olive oil, and lemon juice for a bright and tasty twist.
• Chicken Leg Tacos on the Grill: Shred cooked chicken legs and put them on warm tortillas. Top with salsa, guacamole, shredded cheese, and sour cream, or any other taco toppings you like.
• BBQ Chicken Legs: For the last few minutes of cooking, baste your chicken legs with your best BBQ sauce. For a full summer BBQ meal, serve with grilled veggies and corn on the cob.

First, safety

When cooking chicken legs, keep these important safety tips in mind:

• Make sure your grill is always hot enough to use.
• Don’t leave your grill alone while it’s cooking.
• To turn the chicken legs, use tongs with long handles and stay away from the raw meat.
• Plates and other tools that have been used on raw chicken should not be used again.
• To keep germs from building up, clean your grill every time you use it.

After reading these easy tips and tricks, you’ll be well on your way to cooking tasty chicken legs that your family and friends will love. Turn on the grill, grab your favorite spices, and get ready to enjoy chicken that has been cooked just right.