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The Ultimate Guide to Perfect Grilled BBQ Chicken Legs

This recipe creates juicy, smoky grilled BBQ chicken legs with perfect char marks and tender, flavorful meat. With a simple marinade and expert grilling techniques, you'll achieve restaurant-quality results right in your backyard.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 320
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Ingredients
  • 8-10 chicken legs (drumsticks)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 cup your favorite BBQ sauce
  • 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for heat)
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar

Method
 

Instructions
  1. Pat the chicken legs dry with paper towels. This helps the seasoning stick better and promotes better browning. Place the chicken in a large bowl or zip-top bag.
  2. In a small bowl, mix together olive oil, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, cayenne pepper (if using), and brown sugar. Rub this mixture evenly over all the chicken legs, making sure to coat every surface.
  3. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or seal the bag, then refrigerate for at least 30 minutes (or up to 4 hours for deeper flavor). Remove from refrigerator 15 minutes before grilling to bring to room temperature.
  4. Preheat your grill to medium-high heat (about 375-400°F). Clean the grates thoroughly and oil them to prevent sticking.
  5. Place chicken legs on the grill and cook for 6-8 minutes per side. Look for those beautiful grill marks to form before flipping. Continue cooking until internal temperature reaches 165°F, about 20-25 minutes total.
  6. During the last 5 minutes of cooking, brush BBQ sauce generously over the chicken legs. Flip and sauce the other side. Be careful not to add sauce too early as the sugar can burn.
  7. Remove chicken from grill and let rest for 5 minutes before serving. This allows juices to redistribute throughout the meat.

Notes

Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken reaches 165°F internally. Apply BBQ sauce only during the last few minutes to prevent burning. Let chicken rest before serving for maximum juiciness.