There’s no reason why tasty and cheap can’t go together. A delicious and affordable meal can be made by grilling chicken legs. They’re easy to find, can be used in a lot of different ways, and are high in protein, which makes them a great choice for feeding a family or getting together with friends.
This blog is all about Grilling Chicken Legs on a Dime. It gives you ideas, tips, and tricks to make your next cookout better without spending a lot of money.
Why Pick Chicken Legs?
For cheap cooking, chicken legs are great because they have many benefits:
- Cost: Chicken legs are usually the least expensive cut of chicken compared to other parts.
- Flavor: They have a rich, spicy taste that marinades and rubs can easily soak up to give them more depth.
- Flexibility: Chicken legs can be used in a huge range of recipes, from easy-cooked meals to more complex ones.
- Health Benefits: They are good for you because they contain a lot of lean protein, which is needed to build and keep muscle strength.
What You Need to Know About Grilling: Tools and Methods
Before you try the wonderful world of grilled chicken legs, make sure you have these things:
- Grill: Either a charcoal or gas grill will do. If you’ve never grilled before, you might want to start with a simple gas grill because they are usually less expensive.
- Tongs: Get a strong pair of tongs so you can safely flip and move the chicken legs.
- Spatula: A wide spatula can help you move the cooked chicken to a plate.
- Thermometer: Use a good instant-read thermometer to make sure the chicken’s body temperature is 165°F (74°C).
Tips for Grilling:
Direct heat: This is the best way to get a crunchy skin and cook the chicken. But watch out for flare-ups, especially if you use skin-on chicken legs.
Indirect heat is great for cooking bigger cuts or making sure everything cooks evenly. For this method, use a smoker box or put the chicken legs over the cooler side of the grill.
Reverse sear: This method takes the best parts of both others. First, cook the chicken legs slowly over indirect heat. Then, finish cooking them over direct heat to get the skin crispy.
Marinades and rubs give foods a lot of flavor.
Your Grilling Chicken Legs can taste a lot of different ways with marinades and rubs. Here are some general rules:
- The marinade makes the meat soft and adds taste to it. A lot of the time, they have herbs, spices, and other flavorings added to sour foods like vinegar, orange juice, or yogurt. Put the chicken legs in the sauce for at least 30 minutes or up to 8 hours in the fridge.
- Rubs are dry spice mixes that are put on the chicken straight before cooking. They make the base nice and add taste. Make sure the rub covers the whole surface of the chicken legs by using a lot of it.
Ideas for inexpensive marinades:
- In Italian, mix salt, dried oregano, basil, garlic powder, olive oil, and balsamic vinegar.
- Rosemary, thyme, lemon juice, olive oil, and salt should all be mixed to make lemon herb.
- When you mix honey, Dijon mustard, soy sauce, garlic powder, and paprika in a bowl, you get honey mustard.
- To make spicy chipotle, mix lime juice, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, and minced chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, and olive oil.
Budget-Friendly Ideas for Rubs:
- To make smoked paprika, mix paprika, brown sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne pepper (if you want to add it).
- Garlic Herb: Put garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, dried thyme, and rosemary in a bowl.
- Add salt, black pepper, and lemon zest to a bowl and mix them.
- To make Cajun spice, mix oregano, thyme, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, paprika, and cayenne pepper.
- Remember: To save money, buy spices in bulk or choose store brands when you go shopping for sauce and rub ingredients.
It’s time to grill! How to Make the Best Chicken Legs
Now that you know what marinades and rubs are, let’s fire up the grill! Here are some great ways to grill chicken legs:
- Warm up the grill: Before you add the chicken parts, make sure the grill is turned up to medium-high heat (about 400°F/200°C).
- Dry the chicken: If the chicken is too wet, it might not brown as well and the skin won’t be as crispy. Use paper towels to dry the chicken legs before putting them on the grill.
- Oil the grates: To keep food from sticking, lightly oil the grill grates.
- Keep the heat even: To keep the chicken parts from burning or starting a fire, change the temperature of the grill or move them around as needed.
Do not cook it for too long. Check with a thermometer to make sure the core temperature hits 165°F (74°C) before eating. Do not cook the chicken legs for too long, as this can make them dry.
Bonus Tip: If you like smoky flavors, put wood chips or chunks in your charcoal grill to make a tasty smoky mixture.
Creative Chicken Leg Recipes: More Than the Basics
Even though simple grilling chicken legs are tasty on their own, here are some cheap cooking ideas to help you grill something different:
1. Chicken legs with a sticky glaze:
Mix brown sugar, soy sauce, and sriracha and brush it on the chicken parts after cooking. This will make a sweet and spicy glaze.
2. Chicken legs on the grill:
You can use your favorite BBQ sauce or make your own by mixing ketchup, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, and spices. Grill the food until it’s done, and in the last few minutes, brush it with more sauce to make it taste even better.
3. Fajitas with chicken legs:
Cut the grilling chicken legs into thin slices after grilling them. Serve with warm tortillas, salsa, guacamole, sour cream, and the onions, peppers, and cheese that you like to put on your fajitas.
4. Caesar salad made with grilled chicken legs:
After grilling the chicken legs, chop them up and put them on a bed of green leaves. A healthy and filling meal can be made by putting croutons, Parmesan cheese, and your own fresh Caesar sauce on top.
5. Chicken legs jerk:
Use spices, thyme, Scotch bonnet peppers, soy sauce, and lime juice to make a jerk marinade. Put the chicken parts in it. Grill the food until it’s done, and then enjoy the tastes of the Caribbean.
Remember that these are just ideas to get you going. If you want to find your favorite Grilling Chicken Leg recipes, be creative and try out different tastes and ingredients.
Served with main courses
A grill party isn’t complete without tasty sides. Here are some inexpensive things you can eat with your grilled chicken legs:
- Vegetables grilled: To make cooking easy and tasty, skewer bell peppers, onions, zucchini, and mushrooms.
- Potato salad: A basic potato salad is a side food that everyone likes. You can buy them at the store or make them yourself with boiled potatoes, mayonnaise, mustard, and your favorite spices.
- Coleslaw: A creamy or vinegar-based coleslaw makes the meal more interesting and crunchy.
- Corn on the cob: For a simple but filling summer side dish, try corn on the cob. You can grill it in the husk to make it taste even better.
- Rolls for dinner: Warm rolls for dinner are great for soaking up the chicken juices. You can buy them at the store or bake your own to add a handmade touch.
Getting Grilling on a Budget
A great way to enjoy a tasty and inexpensive meal is to grill chicken legs. You can make a great feast for yourself and your loved ones without going broke if you plan, get creative, and follow these tips. Light up the grill, try different tastes, and enjoy the process of making tasty grilling chicken legs meals!