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–+ servings
grilled barbecue chicken drumsticks.
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5 from 2 votes

Grilled Chicken Legs

Grilled chicken legs on your deck grill is the perfect way to cook chicken drumsticks. This quick and easy cooking method gives a delicious smoky flavor with just the right amount of char.
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time35 minutes
Total Time40 minutes
Course: Main Dishes
Cuisine: American, American Southern
Servings: 6
Calories: 245kcal
Author: Kelly Bloom
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Equipment

Ingredients

  • 2 lb chicken drumsticks rinsed and patted dry
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon pepper
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 cup barbecue sauce your favorite, or one of our recipes
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • Clean and oil your grill grate so the chicken drumsticks don't stick. Preheat your grill to 400°F.
  • Rinse the chicken drumsticks and pat them dry with paper towels so the seasonings will stick.
    2 lb chicken drumsticks
  • Sprinkle salt, pepper, and garlic powder on the raw chicken legs. Other seasonings are delicious also, such as Greek Seasoning blend, or Montreal Steak Seasoning.
    1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon pepper, 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • Baste Carolina Gold BBQ Sauce (Honey Gold BBQ Sauce, made with mustard), or your favorite barbecue sauce, on the chicken drumsticks.
    1 cup barbecue sauce
  • Place the chicken legs on the grill and cook at 400°F for about 5 minutes on each side, or until the skin is crispy.
    PRO TIP: If you don't have a grill, you can bake the chicken drumsticks in the oven at 400°F for about 30 minutes.
  • Remove from grill when internal temperature is 180-185°F. Let the grilled chicken legs rest for 10 to 15 minutes before serving so the juices redistribute, making tender and juicy grilled chicken legs.

Notes

  • Make sure to pat the chicken drumsticks dry before seasoning or coating them with BBQ sauce. This will help the seasonings adhere to the chicken and create a crispy skin.
  • Don't overcook the chicken drumsticks. They should be cooked to an internal temperature of 180-185°F.
  • Let the chicken drumsticks rest for a few minutes before serving. This will allow the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, making them more tender and flavorful.

Nutrition

Calories: 245kcal | Carbohydrates: 20g | Protein: 18g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 0.05g | Cholesterol: 93mg | Sodium: 984mg | Potassium: 345mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 16g | Vitamin A: 154IU | Vitamin C: 0.3mg | Calcium: 27mg | Iron: 1mg