BBQ Chicken Legs Recipe
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BBQ chicken legs bring back memories of my childhood for sure. They were the star attraction in one of my Granddaddy’s favorite meals. So, you know my Grandmother prepared them fairly often for him. And even more recently, I’ve learned that they are one of my husband’s favorites, too.
I knew grilled chicken legs were my one of my son’s favorites, but I didn’t know they were my husband’s, too.
Although I’m still wondering how I could have been married to my husband nearly 19 years and not have known how much he loved BBQ chicken legs.
How is that possible?
It truly makes me wonder what else I don’t know about his likes and dislikes.
For instance, just last summer after we had a bumper crop of cilantro that I put in just about every dish possible and then some, my husband casually mentioned to me that he doesn’t like cilantro.
You could have knocked me over with a feather.
Here I’d thought he absolutely loved cilantro since he didn’t say a word when I planted five cilantro plants during the spring and then filled his plate with it all summer long.
I guess he loves me more than he hates cilantro.
Anyway, these BBQ chicken legs really couldn’t be simpler to make.
You can either begin with my simple recipe for grilled chicken legs or just toss them into a skillet and bake them in the oven. When they are almost done, I coat them with a generous bit of Mama’s Coca Cola BBQ Sauce and pop them back into the oven to finish baking.
They should also be done when the juices run clear when the chicken has been pierced with a sharp knife.
Here’s my recipe for BBQ Chicken Legs that I hope you love as much as my husband does.
BBQ Chicken Legs Recipe
Ingredients
- 12 chicken legs
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 2 cloves garlic, chopped
- 3 tablespoons chopped onion
- 1 cup BBQ sauce
Instructions
- Place chicken legs into a large zip top plastic bag. In a liquid measuring cup or small bowl, mix together olive oil, salt, pepper, paprika, cumin, cayenne pepper, garlic, and onion. Pour over chicken and seal zip top bag, taking care to remove as much air as possible.
- Move chicken around in the zip top bag to ensure all chicken is well coated. Place on a small, rimmed baking sheet or inside of a casserole dish and into the refrigerator to marinate for at least one hour to overnight.
- To bake chicken, preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Place chicken onto rimmed baking sheet or a skillet coated with a bit of olive oil. Bake until the internal temperature registers 160 degrees F with an instant read thermometer, about 30-35 minutes. Remove chicken from oven and coat with BBQ sauce. Return to oven until the chicken registers 165 degrees F with an instant read thermometer.
- Remove from oven and allow to rest about 3 minutes before serving.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Enjoy!
Robyn xoxo
Skin on or off? I know skin keeps it juicy but I don’t want to eat it or fit it to block the spices and sauce…
That’s up to you based on your personal preference.
Hello. Do u remove the onions and garlic or you baked the chicken with onions and garlic on it?
Thanks!
I made this recipe for diner and it was soooooo goood
The chicken was well seasoned, juicy and bursting with flavor. I love this recipe because it was os so easy and it came with great results. I did have to cook my chicken about 5 or so minutes longer but thats because I like mines dripping off the bone. I can’t wait to make it again.
This was amazing. The flavors just melded together so nicely! I will make this recipe time and time again and it will definitely be one of my top 10 favorites!! Thank you so much!
Beth, Magnolia Delaware
I’m 15 and I do the cooking in my house. My Dad thought this was great! Thanks a lot
These are DELICIOUS!!! I cooked them tonight and my husband loved them! they are so balanced and moreish- Perfect! Sweet with the BBQ sauce but still savory and spicy. I must admit I did put a pinch more salt and doubled the Cayenne Pepper and we could have pretended we didn’t have dinner yet and eat it all again 🙂 Definitely a staple chicken recipe, thank you x
Thanks for the recipe. I used this technique with Trader Joe’s Sriracha and Garlic BBQ sauce. They turned out great.
Sorry I forgot to rate it.
This might be the best thing i have ever eaten. THANK YOU!!!
I’m so glad you love them!!! Thank YOU!!!
Thanks for a simple and tasty oven BBQ chicken. I actually added a cup of beer to the marinade – like you do for your outdoor recipe and it was so good! 🙂
M.~
I made these and my family of six absolutely loved them. Thank you!!! Have a blessed day:)