There it is the simple chicken leg. This cut of meat is flexible and cheap, so it’s great for a casual dinner during the week or a BBQ with friends in the backyard. However, when cooking chicken wings, it can be hard to find the right mix between juicy, soft, and crispy perfection. How long to grill chicken legs is a common question.

Don’t be afraid, grill masters! Take the guesswork out of cooking with this blog. It will show you how to get perfectly cooked chicken legs every time.

How Science Can Help You Grill Perfectly

Before we get into specific grilling times, let’s look at how chicken legs should be cooked. The temperature inside is very important. When food reaches the right body temperature, it is safe to eat and has the best taste. The magic temperature for how long to grill chicken legs is 165°F (74°C), which can be found by sticking a food thermometer into the biggest part of the thigh and making sure it doesn’t touch the bone.

But the time it takes to get to that right temperature can be changed by things like the temperature of the grill, the temperature at which the chicken legs start, and their size. So, let’s look at how these things affect the time you spend grilling:

1. Temperature of the grill:

Hot (400°F to 450°F): This gives the outside a nice sear and cooks the inside quickly. But be extra careful not to burn your skin. With this method, cook each side for 12 to 15 minutes, but check the internal temperature often.

Medium heat, between 350°F and 400°F, is a good level of heat for both burning and even cooking. By using this setting, you can cook for 15 to 20 minutes on each side.

Low Heat (300°F to 350°F): This way keeps the chicken from burning, but it can make it tough and dry. This way works best for indirect cooking, which we’ll talk about later. Each side can take 25 to 30 minutes.

2. How hot the chicken legs were when they started:

At room temperature, chicken legs will cook faster and more evenly than ones that are still cold from being in the fridge. Before cooking, let your chicken legs warm up at room temperature for 30 minutes.

If the chicken legs are cold, they will take longer to cook all the way through, so plan to add 5 to 10 minutes per side to the cooking time compared to legs that are room temperature.

3. Measurements of the chicken legs:

When you cook something with the bone and skin on, it takes longer because the bone and skin keep the heat in. It will take about 15 to 20 minutes per side on medium heat or 20 to 25 minutes per side on low heat so plan accordingly.

Without bones or skin: These cook much faster because they are smaller and don’t have any protection. Do each side for 8 to 12 minutes on medium heat or 10 to 15 minutes on low heat.

Do not forget that these are only projections. To be sure of how long to grill chicken legs until they are done, you should always use an internal food thermometer.

How to Make Perfect Chicken Legs on the Grill

Now that you understand the science, let’s look at some real-world ways to improve the quality of your grilled chicken legs:

1. Getting ready to succeed:

Marinade or salt the chicken. This gives it taste and helps it stay fresh while it’s on the grill. Put the meat in the fridge for at least 30 minutes to marinate or for two to four hours to salt.

Pat the chicken dry with paper towels before putting it on the grill to make sure it’s completely dry. This keeps the food from sticking and helps it cook evenly.

Grates: Lightly brush the grates on your grill with oil to keep food from sticking.

2. Grilling Directly vs. Indirectly:

When you cook chicken this way, you put it right over the heat source for a quick roast and spicy taste. Perfect for making crispy skin.

When cooking indirectly, you move the chicken away from the main heat source and usually use a two-zone grilled setting. This is great for slow-cooking bigger pieces of meat, like chicken wings, and keeps them from burning.

3. Rest is very important:

How long to grill chicken legs should be left out of the grill for 5 to 10 minutes before being cut up. By moving the juices around, the experience becomes more soft and delicious.

Fixing Common Problems with Grills:

• This can happen if you cook the chicken too long, on low heat, or without soaking or bringing it. Make sure your chicken is at room temperature, marinate or salt it, and cook it until the right temperature inside.
• If the grill isn’t heated up right or the chicken parts aren’t all the same size, the cooking might not be even. To get even cooking, heat the grill well and use pieces of the same size.
• Stuck chicken: Before putting the chicken on the grill, make sure the grates are well-oiled and the chicken is completely dry. You can move the chicken around gently with a grill spatula if you need to.

Going Beyond the Basics: Finishing touches and ideas for serving

After your how long to grill chicken legs are cooked to perfection, add these finishing touches to make them even better:

• Brush on your favorite glaze or sauce in the last few minutes of cooking to make it taste even better.
• For a nice touch, sprinkle chopped fresh herbs like parsley, cilantro, or thyme on top.
• Drizzle with fresh lemon or lime juice for a bright taste.

 

For a full and filling lunch, serve your fried chicken legs with several sides:

• Grilled vegetables: corn, onions, bell peppers, and zucchini are all great choices.
• A popular picnic side dish, potato salad goes well with the spicy tastes of the chicken.
• Coleslaw is a nice side dish that is both creamy and crunchy.
• A fresh salad is a light and delicious side dish that is great for cooking in the summer.

Now that you know the tips and information in this blog, you can easily answer the question “How Long to Grill Chicken Legs?” Practice makes perfect, so fire up your grill, try out different tastes and ways, and have fun as you get better at cooking!