In many families, grilling chicken legs is a beloved practice that brings people together for tasty meals and fun times. Chicken legs are versatile and great for any event, from a summer barbecue to a family gathering to a casual weeknight dinner. This blog post will talk about the best ways to grill chicken legs and the best marinades and tips to use.
The Beginning
Grilling chicken legs is more than just a way to cook; it’s a way to spend time with family and enjoy good food. People often choose chicken wings because they’re cheap, easy to cook, and when grilled to perfection, they taste great and are very juicy. Because there are many marinades and ways to cook it, you can change the taste to fit any occasion. Find out how to cook chicken legs the right way and get some family-favorite recipes and tips.
How to Start Grilling Chicken Legs
How to Pick the Right Chicken Legs
When buying chicken legs, ensure you get fresh, good cuts. Foods that are organic or free-range usually taste and feel better. Check to see if the skin is still on and the meat feels hard.
Getting the chicken ready
Making sure the chicken legs are ready to go on the grill is important. Use cold water to rinse them and paper towels to dry them. Getting rid of extra water helps the skin get crispy when cooking.
Seasoning and letting food sit
Seasoning is very important for taste. It’s fine to just mix salt, pepper, and garlic powder, but simmering gives the food more flavor. Here are three well-known marinate recipes:
Traditional BBQ sauce:
- 1 tablespoon of BBQ sauce
- A quarter cup of apple cider vinegar
- 2 sticks of brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon of Worcestershire sauce
Herb and lemon marinade:
- 1/4 cup of olive oil
- Two lemons’ worth of juice
- 3 garlic cloves, chopped up
- 2 tablespoons of fresh rosemary, chopped
Asian marinade with a kick:
- 1/4 cup of soy sauce
- 2 teaspoons of honey
- 1 teaspoon of sriracha
- 1 teaspoon of ginger, grated
For the best taste, marinate the chicken legs for at least two hours, but better overnight.
Tips for Grilling Perfect Chicken Legs
Heat That Comes From Directly
You can use direct or indirect heat to grill chicken legs. If you use direct heat, you put the chicken right on top of the flames. If you use indirect heat, you move the chicken away from the flames and cook it more slowly and evenly.
Putting the grill together Gas grill:
Warm up the grill over medium-high heat.
Use the stoves right under the chicken for direct heat.
To use indirect heat, turn off one or two heaters and put the chicken on the side that isn’t lit.
Grill with charcoal:
Charcoal should be lit and left to burn until it turns white ash.
Spread out the coals so they get direct heat.
Move the fire to one side and put the chicken on the cooler side. This will give it indirect heat.
How long and how hot to cook
It usually takes 30 to 40 minutes to grill chicken legs. The temperature inside should hit 74°F (165°C). To be sure of the temperature, use a meat thermometer. For even cooking, start with indirect heat and finish with direct heat to make the skin crispy.
Grilled chicken leg recipes that everyone loves
Classic BBQ Chicken Legs What You Need:
Classic BBQ sauce for 8 chicken legs (see above)
How to Do It:
- To marinate the chicken legs in the BBQ sauce for at least two hours.
- Warm up the grill over medium-high heat.
- For 20 to 25 minutes, flip the chicken legs over the grill over indirect heat.
- For another 5 to 10 minutes, bast the chicken with more BBQ sauce and move it to direct heat.
- Leave to rest for 5 minutes after taking off the grill.
Lemon Herb Chicken Legs What You Need:
8 chicken legs Marinated in lemon and herbs (see above)
How to Do It:
- For at least two hours, put the chicken legs in the lemon herb marinating.
- Warm up the grill over medium-high heat.
- For 20 to 25 minutes, flip the chicken legs over the grill over indirect heat.
- Place the chicken directly on the grill for another 5 to 10 minutes.
- Leave to rest for 5 minutes after taking off the grill.
Asian Spicy Chicken Legs What You Need:
A mixture of spicy Asian spices (see above)
How to Do It:
- For at least two hours, put the chicken legs in the hot Asian marinade.
- Warm up the grill over medium-high heat.
- For 20 to 25 minutes, flip the chicken legs over the grill over indirect heat.
- Place the chicken directly on the grill for another 5 to 10 minutes.
- Leave to rest for 5 minutes after taking off the grill.
How to Grill Chicken Legs
Don’t flare up -Ups: Flare-ups can burn the chicken and make it taste bad. Have a spray bottle of water on hand in case there are any fires.
Adding Basting for More Flavour
Adding a sauce or marinade to the chicken in the last few minutes of cooking makes it taste better and keeps it moist. To keep from burning, be careful not to baste too early.
Giving the chicken a break
After grilling, letting the chicken rest for a few minutes helps the juices spread, making sure that every bite is juicy and full of flavor.
Ideas for Serving
A lot of different sides go well with grilled chicken legs. These are some great family songs:
Corn on the Cob:
For a full meal, grill corn along with the chicken.
Potato salad:
A standard side dish that goes well with grilled chicken that tastes smoky.
Coleslaw:
It gives the chicken a nice crunch and levels out its richness.
Veggies on the grill:
Asparagus, zucchini, and bell pepper are all great food to add to your meal.
In conclusion
Grilling chicken legs is a tasty and flexible way to get family and friends together for any event. You can make chicken legs that everyone will love if you follow the right steps for preparation, marinades, and cooking. These tips and recipes will make sure that your grilled chicken legs are always a hit, whether you like traditional BBQ flavors, lemon herb flavors, or spicy Asian flavors.
So turn on the grill, get your family and friends together, and enjoy the fun of cooking chicken legs. Have fun grilling!