Want a meal that is cheap, tasty, and juicy but also easy on the wallet and the cook? Chicken legs on the grill are the best thing you can eat. This cut is very flexible and can be marinated, rubbed, or grilled in a lot of different ways. To achieve truly juicy perfection, however, you must master grilled chicken legs time.
Here, we’ll go over everything you need to know about grilled chicken legs, from picking the right cut and making sure they’re ready to go to learning how to use different grilling methods and getting safe and delicious results. It’s grilled chicken legs time, so fire up the grill!
How to Choose the Best Chicken Legs
Get ready for grilled chicken legs time by picking out the right cut. A chicken leg with the bone in and the skin on will taste the best and be the juiciest. Bone-in cuts keep more wetness during grilled chicken legs time, and the skin adds a great taste and texture when it’s perfectly crisped.
Look for chicken parts that are fresh, full, a healthy pink color, and don’t smell bad. Stay away from legs that have a lot of bruises or redness on them, as this could mean they are going bad.
Tip: If you want chicken without bones, choose legs instead of breasts. Thighs are great for cooking because of their naturally higher fat content, which prevents them from drying out during grilled chicken legs time.
Getting your chicken legs ready to grill
It’s grilled chicken legs time once you’ve found the right chicken legs. How to do it:
- Use paper towels to wipe off any extra water from the chicken legs’ skin. During the grilled chicken legs time, this encourages even cooking and crispier skin.
- Remove any big, free pieces of fat to avoid flare-ups during grilled chicken legs time, even though some fat adds flavor.
- Use a lot of seasoning: Use a lot of your favorite rubs or marinades on the chicken legs. You can buy ready-made ones at the store or use herbs, spices, and oils to make your own.
- Marinate (not required): Marinating the chicken makes it soft and gives it a taste. Marinate your chicken legs for at least 30 minutes, or better yet, two to four hours in the fridge. This will give the taste time to develop before you grill the chicken legs.
Different Ways to Get Good at Grilled Chicken Legs Time
Grilled chicken legs time has arrived. You can grill in two main ways, depending on how much smoke you want and how fast you want to cook:
1. Heat from the direct:
- The chicken legs get a rich taste and a beautiful sear when cooked this way over direct heat.
- Get the grill ready by setting it to medium-high heat (about 400°F).
- Put the chicken legs on the grill with the skin side down. Cook for 5 to 7 minutes on each side, or until the skin is golden brown and crispy. During the grilled chicken legs time, this first sear helps keep the juices in.
- If you stick a meat thermometer into the deepest part of the thigh and put it into the chicken leg, the internal temperature should reach 165°F after another 15 to 20 minutes. At the end of grilled chicken legs time, the chicken will be safe and cooked just right.
2. Heat from the Side:
- This way of cooking is slower and more even, which is great for getting meat that falls off the bone soft.
- Set your grill on medium heat, which is about 350°F.
- Turn off the flames in the middle of the grill and place the chicken legs over the cooler area to set it up for indirect heat. This makes the cooking process more gentle during the grilled chicken legs time.
- Put the lid back on and cook for 30 to 40 minutes, or until the meat hits 165°F on the inside.
Tip: Use your marinade or melted butter to baste the chicken legs halfway through grilling time to add flavor and keep them moist.
Time for Grilled Chicken Legs: Important Tips
- Make sure to always heat your grill. This keeps the chicken from sticking at the start of grilled chicken legs time and makes sure that it cooks evenly.
- Do not put too many things on the grill at once. This can cause uneven cooking and keep the skin from getting crispy when it’s grilled chicken legs time.
- Don’t depend on time alone: To make sure the chicken gets the safe core temperature of 165°F after the grilled chicken legs time, use a meat thermometer.
- Rest the chicken. Take the chicken legs off the grill after cooking and let them rest for 5 to 10 minutes before serving. After grilled chicken legs time, the chicken will be even more juicy and delicious because the juices will have been redistributed.
Time for Grilled Chicken Legs: Recipe Ideas
Now that you’ve mastered grilled chicken legs, let your imagination run wild! Here are some beautiful cooking ideas:
- Smokey Chipotle Chicken Legs: For a smoky and zesty marinade that gives grilled chicken legs time to shine, mix chipotle peppers in adobo sauce with lime juice, olive oil, and garlic powder.
- Honey Garlic Glazed Chicken Legs: For a sweet and spicy combination during grilled chicken legs time, mix honey, soy sauce, garlic, and ginger.
- Chicken Legs with Lemon and Herbs: For flavorful grilled chicken legs time, marinate your chicken in lemon juice, olive oil, fresh herbs like oregano and thyme, and a pinch of garlic.
- BBQ Chicken Legs: Use a standard BBQ sauce, either from the store or from scratch. For a spicy and tangy taste, brush the sauce onto the chicken legs as they are being grilled.
Remember these important tips to master grilled chicken legs time after time, regardless of the method you choose:
- Pick the right cut: For the best taste and wetness, choose chicken legs with the skin still on.
- Getting ready is important: Dry the meat well, season it well, and if you want a stronger taste, marinate it.
- Get used to the heat: Depending on how fast and smokey you want to cook, you can use direct or indirect heat.
- Use a temperature gauge: Make sure the meat is safe and fully cooked by letting it hit 165°F.
- Take a break: If you want the chicken to be juicy and delicious, let it rest.
With these ideas and tips, you should be able to grill chicken legs that are always tasty and enjoyable. Get your grill going, try out some new tastes, and enjoy the magic of grilled chicken legs time!