You’ll simply love this grilled barbecue chicken legs and thighs recipe made with my easy three ingredient homemade barbecue sauce.
The amazing taste and tenderness of this family favorite chicken recipe will give your taste buds a flavor burst with every bite.
Let me show you how easy this recipe is to make for dinner tonight.
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This recipe for grilled barbecue chicken legs and thighs is the perfect cookout dish for any summer backyard party you're hosting.
Make sure you check out my favorite Homemade Mac and Cheese Recipe that is our family's favorite side dish for chicken.
I prefer to use thighs and legs for this recipe, but you may use any cut of chicken that you enjoy best for grilling.
Save some of the homemade barbecue sauce for dipping, because I’m confident you won’t be able to get enough of my flavorful barbecue sauce that only has THREE ingredients.
Check out my recipe for Bake Chicken Thighs Recipe with Onions that uses the same cut of meat for a delicious meal for dinner.
Table of Contents
Barbecue Food Safety Tips
- Make sure the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F. Don't guess...use a Digital Meat Thermometer.
- To prevent the risk of cross-contamination, never use the same utensil that you placed the uncooked chicken on the grill with to remove the cooked chicken. Always have a clean set of utensils handy to remove cooked chicken.
- Because the utensil came into contact with raw food, it could harbor bacteria and transfer them to the cooked food. Be sure to use two utensils, one for raw food, and one for cooked food.
- The same for the brush you use to add the barbecue sauce. Never reuse the brush that came in contact with the raw chicken.
- Never re-use barbecue sauce that came in contact with raw chicken. Set aside barbecue sauce that you can use as a dipping sauce later for the cooked grilled chicken.
Homemade BBQ Sauce
The right blend of tangy, sweet, and smoky notes can transform ordinary chicken into a mouthwatering masterpiece. Unlike store-bought sauces, making your own allows you to control the ingredients and tailor the taste to your preferences.
Experiment with different combinations of spices, sweeteners, and vinegars to discover your perfect sauce, and watch your grilled chicken become the star of any barbecue.
Try my easy 3 ingredient Homemade Barbecue Sauce...which is what I used for grilling the chicken.
Helpful Kitchen Tools
Grill Mat - Set ofMore InformationGrill Mat Set of 6More InformationGrill mesh matMore InformationSilicone Basting Pastry Brush SpreadMore InformationEasy Function Grill Scraper -More Information
Ingredients
Here's a quick overview of the ingredients for this recipe. Find the exact amounts and click the Instacart button to easily add them to your cart – all in the printable recipe card below!
- 3-4 pounds chicken - for this recipe I used chicken legs and thighs. Chicken breasts work as well.
- Olive oil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Homemade barbecue sauce or your favorite store-bought barbecue sauce. Sauce
Step-by-Step Directions
Step 1: Preheat your grill to medium-high heat, then arrange chicken legs and thighs in a single layer on a large baking sheet. Drizzle them generously with olive oil and season with a sprinkle of salt and pepper. Now you're ready to cook up some delicious chicken!
Step 2: Start by placing your chicken on the grill, skin side down, and let it sizzle for 10-15 minutes, or until the skin turns a beautiful golden brown.
Step 3: Flip your chicken and repeat the grilling process on the other side for 10-15 minutes until browned. Generously basting it with more barbecue sauce for a flavorful finish.
How Long to Barbecue Chicken?
This recipe uses chicken legs and thighs which should take roughly 35 minutes to cook. Boneless chicken will be ready in less time.
I always use a Digital Meat Thermometer to make sure the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees as per FDA regulations.
When cooking your chicken on the grill, make sure the juices run clear and are not pink. You're going to want to remove the grilled barbecue chicken from the grill and let it rest on a plate, covered with aluminum foil, for a few minutes before serving.
Before You Begin!
If you make this recipe, please leave a review and star rating. This helps my business thrive and continue providing FREE recipes.
Can I make Barbecue Chicken in the Oven?
Yes! If you don't have an outdoor grill or maybe it's raining when you want to prepare this recipe, don't worry! You can still enjoy the taste of grilled barbecue chicken by cooking it in the oven.
Simply place the chicken on a large baking sheet that's been lined with aluminum foil. Bake in a preheated 425 degree oven and bake for at least 30 to 40 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees.
Then brush the chicken with a little of the homemade barbecue sauce and turn the oven up to broil. Cook for an additional five minutes or until the skin is crispy and the sauce is bubbling.
How to Store Leftover Chicken
Refrigerator: Store any leftover chicken in air-tight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Freezer: You can also freeze the leftover chicken in airtight container for up to 3 months.
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Ready for more great barbecue recipes?
Craving that irresistible BBQ chicken flavor but short on time? Look no further than these three convenient and delicious recipes.
For a quick and crispy snack, try the Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Bites wrapped in savory bacon.
If you prefer a slow-cooked, fall-off-the-bone tenderness, the Bacon Wrapped BBQ Crock Pot Chicken is sure to satisfy. And for a hearty and satisfying meal, whip up some Instant Pot BBQ Chicken Sandwiches that are packed with flavor and ready in a flash.
Check out my collection of Summer BBQ Ideas.
Stress-Free Dinners for a Whole Month!
📖 Recipe Card
Grilled Barbecue Chicken Legs and Thighs
Ingredients
- 3-4 pounds chicken cut up, thigh, legs, skin on
- 2-3 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 - 2 cups barbecue sauce homemade or store bought.
Method
- Preheat grill to medium high heat.
- Lay chicken legs and thighs in a single layer on large baking sheet.
- Drizzle with olive oil.
- Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
- Turn chicken over and repeat on other side.
- Place chicken on grill skin side down for 10-15 minutes or until skin is browned.
- Do not brush with barbecue sauce until after the chicken has browned. This helps crisp up the skin and give it those nice grill marks.
- Turn chicken and baste with barbecue sauce.
- Continue cooking an additional 15-20 minutes .
- Turn over and baste with more sauce.
- Cook 5 minutes longer or until internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F .
- Remove from grill and place on clean serving tray.
- Cover with aluminum foil and allow the chicken to rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Nutrition
Notes
- Make sure the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165 degrees F.
- To prevent the risk of cross-contamination, never use the same utensil that you placed the uncooked chicken on the grill with to remove the cooked chicken. Always have a clean set of utensils handy to remove cooked chicken.
- The same is true for the baking tray. Always place cooked chicken on a clean baking tray.
- Because the utensil and original baking tray came into contact with raw food, they could harbor bacteria and transfer them to the cooked food. Be sure to use two utensils and two baking trays, one for raw food, and one for cooked food.
- The same for the brush you use to add the barbecue sauce. Never reuse the brush that came in contact with the raw chicken.
- Never re-use barbecue sauce that came in contact with raw chicken. Set aside barbecue sauce that you can use as a dipping sauce later for the cooked grilled chicken.
Joanne says
That looks so yummy! Pinned.