This is the best grilled chicken legs with easy bbq seasoning recipe ever! Cooked on a gas grill, over charcoal, or even in an oven these barbecued drumsticks are perfect for any meal.
With a simple and delicious blend of herbs and spices, grilled chicken has never been so easy to make. It is so good you can enjoy it just the way it is or drizzle it with your favorite barbecue sauce.
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Not quite a rub and not quite a marinade, the seasonings are mixed with olive oil and left to season the chicken for several hours (up to overnight). It is so easy to make!
Grilled to perfection, these drumsticks are great for backyard barbecues, small gatherings, parties, game days, or even just a quick weeknight meal. However you cook it, you can’t go wrong!
Ingredients
In addition to chicken legs, you will need several herbs and spices that are in your cupboard already. You will need the following:
- Chicken legs (8 legs or about 2.5 pounds)
- Garlic powder
- Chili powder (medium or mild is best unless you like your chicken very spicy)
- Oregano
- Salt
- Pepper
- Fresh chopped thyme (if you use dried thyme, reduce the amount to 1 teaspoon)
- Cayenne pepper
- Olive oil (this helps the chicken from sticking from the grill and drying out too much)
Instructions (Gas Grill)
- To make the best grilled chicken legs with easy bbq seasoning remove the chicken skin by holding the chicken legs under cold running water as you pull the skin off.
- Pat the chicken legs dry with a paper towel.
- Mix the garlic powder, chili powder, oregano, salt, pepper, thyme, cayenne pepper, and olive oil together.
- Coat the chicken with the seasoning paste and let rest in the refrigerator for 2 hours up to overnight.
- When you are ready to cook preheat your gas grill for 5 or 10 minutes or until it reaches about 350 degrees.
- Place the chicken legs on the grill and cover. Reduce the grill temperature to low to maintain a temperature of about 350 degrees.
- Cook for about 20 minutes on each side or until the internal temperature is 165°. They should be well-cooked on the outside and pull apart easily with no pink on the inside.
Charcoal Grill Instructions
Follow the preparation instructions above and then grill over charcoal as follows:
- Ignite and preheat your charcoal with a chimney starter, lighter fluid, electric starter, or use instant lighting charcoal. Leave the grill open while doing this so it gets plenty of air.
- Allow the charcoal to become completely hot and covered in ash before cooking, this will take about 10 to 15 minutes.
- Once the coals are hot, place the chicken legs on the grill and cover.
- Cook for about 20 minutes on each side or until the internal temperature is 165°.
- The drumsticks should be well-cooked on the outside and pull apart easily with no pink on the inside.
Oven Instructions
Follow the preparation instructions above and then cook in the oven as follows:
- Preheat your oven to 350°. Place your chicken legs on a silicone or parchment paper-lined cookie sheet.
- Bake for 30 minutes, turning over after 15 minutes.
- Then turn on the oven broiler and position your oven rack a few inches under the broiler in the oven.
- Broil your chicken for 4 to 7 minutes on each side until you start to see dark brown charred spots.
Substitutions and Variations
You can easily substitute chicken thighs for the legs in this recipe. Increase the cooking time by 5 to 10 minutes because thighs are larger and will need more cooking time.
If desired, substitute a different type of meat with this same spice rub and olive oil mix.
You could try beef or pork ribs, sweet and sour ribs, pork carnitas, or thinly sliced beef carne asada. Be aware that the cooking time will vary for different cuts and types of meat.
Varying the seasonings slightly is another option if you like. Instead of chili powder, you could use 4 teaspoons of paprika plus 2 teaspoons of cumin. Fresh chopped rosemary could be added instead of the thyme.
For more spice increase the cayenne to ¼ teaspoon or use hot chili powder. For less spice omit the cayenne.
Onion powder can be submitted for the garlic powder although this will alter the flavor slightly. 2 cloves of fresh garlic could also be substituted for the dried garlic powder.
Storage and Reheating
Store chicken legs in an airtight container in the fridge up to four days.
Reheat by placing in a non-stick skillet with a few tablespoons of water on medium heat. Cover with a lid and steam until thoroughly warmed, about ten to fifteen minutes.
To reheat in a microwave place a single drumstick on a plate add about a tablespoon of water and cover with another plate or bowl. Heat for about 30 to 60 seconds or until hot.
Enjoy as is or pull the meat off the bone and add to a quick quesadilla, stir-fried rice, healthy veggie soup, or any other meal.
Freezing
You can easily freeze these chicken legs to enjoy later. Place in an airtight container and freeze for up to a month or two.
Defrost by placing in the refrigerator overnight and then reheat following the directions above.
What to Serve With
Mouth-watering with almost any side dish, this chicken is perfect with traditional barbecue foods like potato salad and baked beans, or fresh crunchy summer salads.
For the Fourth of July try it with these red, white, and blue cookies and refreshing ginger sparklers.
It is also great with other non-traditional treats like foods like baked sweet potato fries, grilled zucchini, or cauliflower with caramelized onions.
Don't forget to pair it with your favorite beer or crack open a chilled bottle of wine for some backyard fun.
Tips
- Enjoy the drumsticks as they are or serve with your favorite bbq sauce.
- Make sure that the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165 degrees.
- You can season this ahead of time and then take it to the beach, camping, or wherever you want to grill.
Recipe
Best Grilled Chicken Legs with Easy BBQ Seasoning
Ingredients
- 8 Legs Chicken about 2.25 pounds
- 1 Tablespoon Olive oil
- 2 Tablespoons Chili powder
- 2 Tablespoons Garlic powder
- 1 Teaspoon Oregano
- ½ Teaspoon Salt
- 2 Teaspoons Fresh chopped thyme or 1 teaspoon dried
- ½ Teaspoon Black pepper
- ⅛ Teaspoon Cayenne pepper
Instructions
Gas Grill Instructions
- Remove the chicken skin by holding the chicken legs under cold running water as you pull the skin off.
- Pat the chicken legs dry with a paper towel.
- Mix the garlic powder, chili powder, oregano, salt, pepper, thyme, cayenne pepper, and olive oil together.
- Coat the chicken with the seasoning paste and let rest in the refrigerator for 2 hours up to overnight.
- When you are ready to cook preheat your gas grill for 5 or 10 minutes or until it reaches about 350 degrees.
- Place the chicken legs on the grill and cover. Reduce the grill temperature to low to maintain a temperature of about 350 degrees.
- Cook for about 20 minutes on each side or until the internal temperature is 165°. They should be well-cooked on the outside and pull apart easily with no pink on the inside.
Charcoal Grill Cooking Instructions
- Ignite and preheat your charcoal with a chimney starter, lighter fluid, electric starter, or use instant lighting charcoal. Leave the grill open while doing this so it gets plenty of air.
- Allow the charcoal to become completely hot and covered in ash before cooking, this will take about 10 to 15 minutes.
- Once the coals are hot, place the chicken legs on the grill and cover.
- Cook for about 20 minutes on each side or until the internal temperature is 165°.
- The drumsticks should be well-cooked on the outside and pull apart easily with no pink on the inside.
Oven Cooking Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°. Place your chicken legs on a silicone or parchment paper-lined cookie sheet.
- Bake for 30 minutes, turning over after 15 minutes.
- Then turn on the oven broiler and position your oven rack a few inches under the broiler in the oven.
- Broil your chicken for 4 to 7 minutes on each side until you start to see dark brown charred spots.
Notes
Frequently Asked Questions
On a grill that is approximately 350 degrees cook chicken legs for about 20 minutes on each side or until the internal temperature is 165°. They should be well-cooked on the outside and pull apart easily with no pink on the inside.
Not quite a rub and not quite a marinade, mix garlic powder, chili powder, oregano, salt, pepper, thyme, cayenne pepper, and olive oil. Cover the chicken with this seasoning mix for several hours (up to overnight) before cooking or grilling.
Store leftover barbecue chicken legs in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days.
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Please leave your questions, comments, and ratings below.
Mateo
Really easy and good bbq chicken. My buddies loved it too. Next time I will try this seasoning on ribs.