Ah, BBQ chicken legs—classic! Here’s a simple, flavorful way to make them juicy and smoky, whether on a grill or in the oven:
Ingredients (for 4–6 legs)
- 4–6 chicken legs (drumsticks)
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 tsp smoked paprika (optional, for smoky flavor)
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp chili powder or cayenne (optional, for a little heat)
- ½ cup BBQ sauce (your favorite store-bought or homemade)
Instructions
1. Prep the chicken
- Pat the chicken legs dry with paper towels.
- Rub with olive oil.
- Season evenly with salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and chili powder.
2. Grill method
- Preheat grill to medium heat (~350°F / 175°C).
- Place chicken on the grill, skin-side down. Cook 20–25 minutes, turning occasionally.
- Brush with BBQ sauce during the last 5–10 minutes of cooking, flipping once so sauce caramelizes but doesn’t burn.
- Chicken is done when internal temp reaches 165°F (74°C).
3. Oven method
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Line a baking sheet with foil and place a wire rack on top (optional, keeps skin crispy).
- Bake chicken for 35–40 minutes.
- Brush with BBQ sauce during the last 10 minutes.
- Finish under broiler for 2–3 minutes for extra caramelization, if desired.
Tips for Juicy BBQ Chicken
- Let chicken rest 5 minutes after cooking—keeps juices inside.
- Don’t apply sauce too early—sugar in BBQ sauce can burn.
- For extra flavor, marinate chicken 2–4 hours before cooking in a little olive oil, garlic, and spices.
If you want, I can also give a quick homemade BBQ sauce recipe that will make the chicken taste next-level! Do you want me to do that?
