Grilling is a precious activity to me, because Wisconsin winters are long and cold. As soon as the snow melts, I consider it grilling season!
And grilled chicken is one of my absolute favorites. With or without barbecue sauce, there is something so delicious about chicken made on a grill.
My personal preference is chicken leg quarters, which include the thigh and drumstick as one piece. If you’ve ever seen these chicken quarters and wondered how to grill them, you’ve come to the right place. I’ve been grilling chicken legs on my rickety old gas grill for over 25 years (yes, the same grill) and I can tell you exactly how to get perfect results every time. Deliciously moist chicken that you’ll want to make on repeat, for as long as its grilling season for you!
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How to Make Grilled Chicken Legs
I cook with a gas grill, but you can apply these same principles to a charcoal grill. With chicken legs, as with most meat, I like to use a combination of direct and indirect heat. (see FAQ)
First, place the chicken legs over direct heat and cook for about 2 minutes per side, just to sear the meat slightly. Then move the legs to the indirect heat portion of the grill.
Close the grill cover and let the meat cook, undisturbed, for about 20 minutes. If your grill has a thermometer, try to maintain a temperature of about 325-350F.
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.
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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.
How long to Grill Chicken Legs
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!
What to Serve With BBQ Chicken Legs
All the classic sides work great with grilled chicken. My favorites are coleslaw and potato salad. But just about any salad will work. Like Balsamic Cucumber Salad , Broccoli Kale Salad or even Greek Cucumber Salad. Warm sides include grilled broccoli or baked potatoes, slow cooker baked beans, stovetop fritters or microwaved summer squash. And don’t forget the dessert. Something cold, like Kool Aid Pie or Frozen Strawberry Dessert would be the perfect finale. Didn’t plan ahead? You can whip up some Chocolate Mousse in 5 minutes!
How to Store Grilled Chicken Legs
If you’re lucky enough to have some leftovers, storing them properly is key. Refrigerate within two hours in an airtight container; they will last for 3-4 days. Reheat gently to maintain that perfect balance of crispy skin and tender meat.
Recipe FAQs
If you have a gas grill, turn on half of the burners. Once warmed up, the grill will have two distinct heating zones. Logically, the hottest areas are right over the lit burner(s) – this is direct heat. The other area of the grill will be hot, but a lower temperature. This is indirect heat.
Typically, direct heat is used for anything that cooks very quickly or just needs an external “char,” such as a pre-cooked sausage. Indirect heat is “low and slow” – very similar to roasting in an oven. Larger cuts of meat typically benefit from indirect heat in order to fully cook through without completely burning the external surface.
My grill has 3 burners. When I am preheating, I light at least 2 of them. During the direct heat portion of cooking, I use the area over those 2 burners. I turn off the middle burner to cook with indirect heat. The one burner does a great job of maintaining an even temperature within the closed grill for this step.
Every grill is different, please spend a little time figuring out what works best for yours.
Dry rub is a very popular choice for chicken. Add the rub before placing the chicken legs on the grill. There are many great rubs available for purchase, or you can make your own using the same recipe I use for pulled pork. The rub will create a tasty layer of flavor, and you could even add BBQ sauce during cooking in addition to the rub. Think of all that flavor!!
Both drumsticks and thighs are fine. This recipe works with all parts of the leg because we cook to an internal temperature, not a specific time.
I decided to cook whole legs – drumstick with thigh attached because they’re a heartier portion. These are sometimes referred to as chicken quarters.
Pick whichever piece you like. It all works. 😀
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Grilled Chicken Legs
Ingredients
- 3-3.5 pounds chicken legs
- ¼ cup barbeque sauce
Instructions
- Preheat grill for direct and indirect heat by lighting half of the burners. Place chicken legs directly over the heated burners and sear for approximately 2 minutes on each side. Move chicken to the indirect area of the grill, then close cover and allow chicken to cook.
- After about 20 minutes, check the internal temperature of the meat using a meat thermometer. Continue to cook and monitor until the internal temperature reads 155F.
- Open the grill cover and move the chicken back over the burner with direct heat. Add barbeque sauce if desired. Cook the chicken over direct heat, turning every few minutes, until the exterior is crispy and the internal temperature is 165-180F.
- Remove chicken from grill and cover with foil. Let the meat rest, covered, for at least 10 minutes before serving.
Video
Nutrition
Nutrition values are estimates only, using online calculators. Please verify using your own data.
Gwen
Do you need to oil the grill grates and which oil would be best?
Sula
The chicken legs have enough fat that I don't typically need to oil my grates, but then again those grates are super old and have some build up 😁. It's never a bad idea to oil your grates a little, if you think they might need it. I typically use canola oil, but grapeseed oil and avocado oil are also good choices.
Glenda
I'm getting hungry just thinking about this chicken. Looking forward to making it again when the in-laws are here. Thanks for a simple but delicious recipeQ
Sula
You're so welcome, enjoy!
Allie
My husband I made these last weeknight while camping - they turned out great! Perfectly tender and moist
Sula
Fantastic - enjoy!
Sarah
How high should the grill be for direct heat???
Sula
I set the burners to medium-high heat. Hope this helps!
Mihaela | https://theworldisanoyster.com/
Just perfect for the season! Even better to pair them with a Greek salad, as you suggest. Thanks for another great recipe!
Sula
My pleasure, I hope you enjoy some soon!
Cooking with Carbs
Love BBQ chicken, and this is just in time for BBQ season. Thanks for all the tips as well. Looking forward to making this soon, my family will love it!
Sula
Oh yes, the season is here!! Enjoy!
Kalin
I've always been hesitant cooking bone-in chicken and need to get more comfortable with it. The grill is so forgiving so I will have to give this is a shot! They look delicious
Sula
Bone in chicken is so good! I hope you give it a try, you won't be sorry!
Nora
This looks so delicious! I love grilled chicken legs! Thank you for sharing!
Sula
You're very welcome!
Angela
I haven't grilled chicken quarters before. I always thought they would just take too long. They were well worth the try. Thanks for the recipe.
Sula
You're so welcome, thanks for trying my approach!
kim
Yum! This recipe was fabulous! So easy and tasty. I'll definitely be making again.
Sula
Thank you I love it too - I'm so happy you enjoyed as well!