The summer is a great time to get together outside, and a BBQ is the best way to do that. There are many tasty choices, but the grilled chicken legs are one of the best. With their juicy, tasty meat and crispy skin, they’re a hit at any BBQ. If you want to make sure your summer BBQ is a hit, this guide will show you how to grill chicken legs to perfection.

How to Start Grilling Chicken Legs

The art and science of grilling chicken legs. The chicken is marinated, seasoned, and cooked over an open flame to get a great mix of tastes and textures. Learn how to grill chicken legs, and your BBQ game will get better whether you’re a beginner or a pro.

Why Chicken Legs?

A lot of people like to grill chicken legs because they are:

• Rich in flavor: Dark meat keeps more of its wetness and tastes better than white meat.
• Cheap: Chicken legs are usually less expensive than other chicken cuts.
• Flexible: They can be prepared and seasoned in many different ways to please everyone.

Getting your chicken legs ready

It’s important to do the right things before you start cooking. Here’s how to get your chicken legs ready:

How to Choose the Right Chicken

Pick chicken parts that are fresh and of good quality. Look for legs that are full and the color stays the same. Stay away from chicken that smells bad or feels slimy.

Marinating to Get the Most Flavor

Marinating your chicken legs is the only way to give them a taste and make the meat soft. Here is an easy recipe for a marinade:

Things used:

• 1 tablespoon of olive oil
• 1/2 cup of soy sauce
• 1/4 cup of lemon juice
• Cut up 4 cloves of garlic
• 1 teaspoon of pepper
• 1 small amount of black pepper

One teaspoon of salt

How to Do It:

• Put all the ingredients in a bowl or a plastic bag that can be closed again.
• Make sure the chicken legs are fully covered before adding them.
• Put it in the fridge for at least two hours, or overnight for the best effects.

Adding spices to the chicken

If you like dry rubs better than marinades, this is a simple mix of spices:

• 2 sticks of brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon of pepper
• 1 tablespoon of garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon of onion powder
• One teaspoon of salt
• 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (the heat is up to you)

Make sure to cover all sides of the chicken legs with the spice mix as you rub it on.

Getting your grill ready

Setting up the grill correctly is important for even cooking and getting that perfect char.

Gas A grill set up

To heat up the grill, turn all of the flames up to high and cover it. Warm up for 10 to 15 minutes.

Add oil to the grates. To do this, use tongs and a paper towel that has been dipped in oil. This keeps it from sticking.

Setting up a charcoal grill

Get the charcoal ready by lighting it and letting it burn until white ash covers it. On one side of the grill, spread the coals out evenly to make zones of direct and secondary heat.

Make sure the grates are clean and oiled. Use a grill brush to clean the grates and oil them as shown above.

Putting the chicken legs on the grill

This is the time to cook! The chicken legs have been marinating, and the grill is ready.

Instructions for Cooking

• Cook the chicken: Put the chicken legs on the grill’s hot side. For two to three minutes on each side, sear until you get a nice char.
• Change the Heat Source: Once the chicken parts are browned, move them to the lower side of the fire. This keeps the meat from burning and makes sure it cooks properly.
• Close the lid: Put the lid back on the grill and cook the chicken for 20 to 25 minutes, turning it every now and then. The temperature inside should hit 74°F (165°C).

Make sure it’s done

Check the temperature inside with a meat thermometer. Avoid the bone and put it into the thickest part of the leg. “Done” means the chicken has reached 165°F (74°C).

Putting in Sauce

Use BBQ sauce in the last five minutes of cooking if you’re using it. This keeps the sauce’s sugar from getting too hot.

Putting your grilled chicken legs on a plate

The way your food is presented and the sides you serve can make your BBQ even more fun.

Setting the Chicken Aside

After cooking, let the chicken legs rest for 5 to 10 minutes. This moves the juices around, which keeps the meat juicy and tasty.

Dishes to Go

• Great BBQ sides to go with grilled chicken legs are coleslaw and potato salad.
• Corn on the cob
• Potato salad
• Veggies on the grill
• Beans baked
• Adding decorations
• For a pop of color and extra taste, sprinkle fresh herbs like parsley or cilantro on top.

How to Make the Best Grilled Chicken Legs

Stay away from flare-ups

Flare-ups can change the way your chicken is cooked and make the legs char. Get rid of any extra fat to prevent them, and always have a spray bottle of water on hand to put out any sudden fires.

Put something in a grill basket.

A grill basket can help keep chicken legs that aren’t very long from going through the grates and make it easy to turn them over.

Try out different flavors

Don’t be afraid to try out different rubs and marinades. You can make it hot or sweet, there are lots of options.

Close the lid.

Keeping the lid on the grill closed helps keep the temperature even and cooks the chicken properly.

How to Fix Common Problems

Dry chicken

It may be too dry if your chicken turns out dry. Make sure you don’t cook past 165°F (74°C) with a meat thermometer.

Not cooked enough chicken

When the chicken is almost done, move it back to the indirect heat zone and cook it until it gets the right temperature inside.

Not Even Cooking

Hot spots on your grill can make the food cook unevenly. To make sure the chicken cooks evenly, turn and move the legs as needed.

In conclusion

A fun summertime BBQ activity is grilling chicken legs. You can always get perfectly cooked chicken legs if you plan, set up your grill correctly, and cook them the right way. Put your chicken in a marinade or season it, make sure your grill is set up right, and cook it until it’s done. Serve with tasty sides, and enjoy hearing how great it is from your guests. Have fun grilling!