How to get crispy skin on grilled chicken legs

Today I’m eating crispy skin BBQ chicken drumsticks on the Big Green Egg. This is an easy recipe that can be done on any gas or charcoal grill as long as you can set your grill up for indirect cooking.

Cooking the meat at a higher temperature is the secret to getting crispy skin. The fat in the skin will fry and you’ll have juicy, tender meat underneath.

Prepare the BBQ Chicken Drumsticks

First, get your grill set up for medium-high indirect cooking at 450 degrees. On a Kamado-style cooker, use a grate extender to get the chicken higher in the dome. If you don’t have a grate extender, use the same temperature guide, but turn chicken every 10 minutes until done.

Next, season the chicken on all sides with your favorite BBQ rub. I like to use one with only a little sugar in it due to the high-heat cooking. Today, that means Fox Bros. BBQ rub.

The Cook for Crispy Skin BBQ Chicken

Then, once the grill is up to temp, place the chicken on the grates with the skin side up, close the lid and cook untouched for 20 minutes.

After 20 minutes, flip the chicken and rotate if there are any obvious hot spots. Continue cooking for 20 more minutes, or until the internal temperature of the chicken is 165-170 degrees using an instant-read thermometer.

The skin will be lightly charred and crisp. If you want, brush your favorite BBQ sauce onto the drumsticks in the final 5 minutes.

The Eat

Finally, remove the drumsticks to a platter and let rest 10 minutes before serving.

This is a classic BBQ preparation for chicken. Use whatever rubs you have, or a combination of salt, pepper, granulated garlic and paprika.

I like to serve the chicken with grilled asparagus and mac and cheese. It also goes well with grilled corn.

Enjoy!

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Description

This BBQ chicken drumsticks recipe gets you all the flavors of BBQ with the crispy skin of oven-baked. It’s is a real crowd pleaser. It’s perfect for cookouts and backyard BBQ parties.

• 3 pounds chicken drumsticks
• 1/4 cup your favorite BBQ rub. I used Fox Bros. BBQ rub.

1. Prepare grill for indirect medium-high heat cooking at 450 degrees.
2. Season chicken liberally on all sides 30 minutes prior to cooking.
3. Place chicken on the grill and cook, close the lid and cook for 20 minutes.
4. Flip chicken and continue cooking for 20 more minutes.
5. Use an internal food thermometer to check the temperature of the chicken drumsticks. They are done when they reach 165-170 degrees.
6. Remove chicken to a platter and let rest 10 minutes before serving.

Notes

• If using a Kamado-style cooking (Big Green Egg) Use a grate extender to get the chicken high in the dome.

• Category: Chicken
• Method: Grilling
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 2 drumsticks
• Calories: 350

Keywords: Drumsticks, BBQ, Big Green Egg

Need a simple grilled dinner that that whole family will love? Then you need to make a batch of Grilled Chicken Legs with perfectly crispy, seasoned skin! They are so easy. Simply toss them in oil, seasonings and grill them. The results is a finger-lickin’ good chicken leg.

Serve them as is or dunk them in Alabama White BBQ Sauce. Whichever you choose, these are the best grilled chicken legs! You need to grill up a big batch and everyone will love them.

There’s something that just screams summer when you serve up hot, juicy Grilled Chicken Legs for dinner! I love all kinds of grilled chicken recipes and these chicken legs are so good!

What is better than that? Add some grilled corn on the cob and everyone will beg for seconds!

This chicken drumsticks recipe is so simple – the spice rub is all basic pantry ingredients! When you mix them together it gives this chicken a burst of flavor in every bite.

• This is one of my go-to easy dinner recipes that my kids love. They are so easy to make, they are off the grill in 30 minutes.
• They are an inexpensive recipe to make that’s always a hit!
• Perfectly crispy skin! Don’t forget to pat the legs to dry them before putting the rub on. This gets you that crispy skin.

• Chicken legs: I buy a two pound package that has about eight legs.
• Olive oil: This adds flavor and keeps them from sticking to the grill
• Seasoning dry rub: Sea salt, black pepper, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and chili powder

See that right there. That’s all you need for this recipe. I love that I have everything on hand and just have to grab some chicken legs! 

You don’t have to – the seasoning adds lots of flavor without waiting around for the legs to marinate. That said, feel free to coat them in the rub and then keep them in refrigerator – they’ll just absorb more flavor! You can do this up to 24 hours in advance.

Mix Seasoning – In a small bowl mix together all of the seasoning in ingredients and place aside.

Prep Chicken Legs – Pat chicken legs off with a paper towel and then place in a resealable plastic bag. Add olive oil to bag and toss to coat. Pour in seasoning mixture into bag and toss chicken legs until completely coated. 

Grill – Place chicken legs on grill over direct heat that’s been preheated to 350 degrees F. Grill for 30 minutes, rotating every 10 minutes, or until they reach an internal temperature 165 degrees F.  I actually prefer my chicken legs about 180-190 degrees so they fall off the bone and there’s no bloody spots around the bone. 

These chicken legs take about 30 minutes on the grill over direct heat.

They need to reach an internal temperature of 165°F, but we prefer them at 185 – 190°F otherwise you sometimes end up with a little blood around the bone.

Cooking to a higher temperature will give you crispy chicken legs that are juicy and delicious!

We love pairing these healthy chicken legs with grilled vegetables. It’s the perfect way to use up the random assortment of vegetables in your refrigerator!

Since we have vegetables and chicken on the grill why not pair these baked potatoes on the grill too. They will take a little longer than the chicken so start them first!

Another great healthy option is this delicious grilled corn salad that’s packed with flavor!

Got a sweet tooth? Finish the perfect summer dinner with Lemon Blueberry Crisp!

Expert Tips!

• Keep the grill temperature around 350 degrees F. This allows the meat to perfectly cook but does not cause the skin to burn or torch. 
• Grill for about 10 minutes per side, flip over with a tongs and continue grilling. Do this for about 30 minutes. 
• When rotating the chicken legs gently lift off the grill grates with a pair of tongs to make sure the skin is not sticking to the grill grates. 
• Keep the lid closed as much as possible. This helps to cook the legs evenly.
• Got a flare-up? This can happen since chicken legs are somewhat greasy. If this happens simply turn down the heat to low and move the chicken away from the flames.
• Cook the legs over direct heat when you are grilling. You can cook them over to the indirect heat side of the grill, but I think the skin is a lot crispier when you cook over direct heat.
• We recommend cooking until the chicken is about 185 – 190°F. It’s safe to eat at 165°F, but the higher temperature is better for darker meat. The chicken will fall off the bone and be so tender. Use a meat thermometer to measure the internal temperature of the chicken – it takes away the guesswork!

More Grilling Recipes You Have to Try

• BBQ Chicken Drumsticks are another easy dinner idea!
• We love making Greek Marinated Chicken – you can use fresh or frozen chicken breasts! It’s one of our favorite marinades.
• A favorite BBQ sauce is our Sassy and Sweet BBQ Sauce – it’s easy to make and goes with all kinds of meat!

Did you make this? If you snap a photo, please be sure tag me on Instagram at @gimmesomegrilling or #gimmesomegrilling so I can see your grilling masterpieces!