BBQ baked chicken legs have crisp skin with a tender and juicy inside. Prepared in a homemade rub and cooked in the oven for 30 minutes, our drumsticks have a perfect BBQ flavor every time.
We love get-togethers with family and friends, and these BBQ-baked chicken legs are a perfect addition to any cookout, picnic, or backyard gathering.
WHAT YOU NEED TO MAKE THIS RECIPE
- BBQ Rub: I use a homemade rub for this recipe, and I often double or triple the batch to save some for later. BBQ rub keeps for up to 3 months in an air-tight container, like a mason jar. If you prefer store-bought, I recommend Montreal’s mixed with a bit of brown sugar, about two tablespoons.
- Chicken: You can bake any part of the chicken- breast, thighs, or legs but I love cooking drumsticks! They are easy to eat and universally well-liked.
- BBQ Sauce: I am sure there are many tasty BBQ sauces I don’t know about, but our family go-to is Sweet Baby Ray’s. This brand is always delicious, and they offer sugar-free, which makes everyone in the family happy.
HOW TO MAKE BAKED CHICKEN LEGS
DRY AND COAT- Dry the chicken legs thoroughly with a cloth. Then, in a mixing bowl, add the spices for the rub and massage them into the drumsticks. Cover and marinate in the fridge for 6 hours.
PREPARE THE CHICKEN- Preheat the oven to 500°, then set a wire rack into a rimmed baking sheet; line the drumsticks onto it.
BAKE– Lower the oven temperature to 400°; cook for 25-30 minutes, flipping the drumsticks halfway through. Check the meat’s temperature using a food thermometer; depending on the size of the legs, continue cooking until the legs have reached an internal temperature of 165°.
BRUSH AND BAKE- Brush them with bbq sauce and cook for 3 minutes, sauce side down.
FLIP AND BAKE – Brush the other side with bbq sauce, and cook for another 2 minutes. Adjust the oven to broil and cook for another 1-2 minutes.
SERVE– Remove the drumsticks from heat and allow them to rest before serving.
COOKING TIPS
- For more details on how to cook the BEST chicken drumsticks, check out our cooking tips for how to bake chicken legs in the oven.
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SERVING SUGGESTIONS
- Corn on the Cob
- Baked Beans
- Mashed Potatoes
- Grilled Zucchini
- Roasted Vegetables
- Homemade Coleslaw
- Baked Mac and Cheese
- Cucumber, Avocado, Tomato Salad
- Baked Potatoes
- Vinegar Coleslaw
- Seasoned Rice
- Baked Beans
- Mashed Cauliflower
- French Fries
- Roasted Potatoes
- Chopped Salad
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Use a food thermometer to know when the chicken is done cooking. Insert the thermometer near the bone; the safe internal temperature for the chicken is 165°.
BBQ baked chicken legs are a great addition to a keto or low-carb-oriented diet. Use BBQ sauce of your choice and replace the brown sugar in the rub with Swerve or Golden Monkfruit. I calculated the macros for you; the serving size for this recipe is two drumsticks.
For the Chicken Legs with Rub (Swerve Included):
• Carbs – 1 Net Carb
• Protein – 55g
•Fat – 13g
For the BBQ Sauce- two tablespoons:
• Carbs – 1 Net Carb
You sure can. First, allow the drumsticks to cool completely. Then, wrap them in foil, and add them to a freezer-safe container or bag. Chicken legs will freeze for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to eat, defrost them in the fridge overnight. To serve, warm the chicken legs in the oven and then broil for 2-3 minutes at the ends for the perfect crisp.
YOU SHOULD ALSO TRY:
BBQ Baked Chicken Legs
Ingredients
For the BBQ Rub:
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 1 tablespoon red pepper flakes
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper, coarse ground
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
For the Chicken:
- 8 chicken drumsticks, skin on, and bone-in
- BBQ sauce
Instructions
- Dry the chicken legs thoroughly with a cloth. Then, in a mixing bowl, add the spices for the rub and massage them into the drumsticks. Cover and marinate in the fridge for 6 hours.
- Preheat the oven to 500°, then set a wire rack into a rimmed baking sheet; line the drumsticks onto it.
- Lower the oven temperature to 400°; cook for 25-30 minutes, flipping the drumsticks halfway through. Check the meat's temperature using a food thermometer; depending on the size of the legs, continue cooking until the legs have reached an internal temperature of 165°
- Brush them with bbq sauce and cook for 3 minutes, sauce side down.
- Brush the other side with bbq sauce, and cook for another 2 minutes.
- Adjust the oven to broil and cook for another 1-2 minutes.
- Remove the drumsticks from heat and allow them to rest before serving.
Notes
- Crisp Chicken Skin: If you want to end up with crisp skin on your chicken legs, be sure to thoroughly dry the chicken legs before coating them in the rub or baking them.
- Nutrition Disclosure: The nutritional information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for professional advice.
- Web Story: Check out our web story for BBQ baked chicken legs!
Matt W.
Tuesday 12th of July 2022
Seriously love this recipe, perfect for a grilling kind of dinner. I specifically like the combination of the garlic and cayenne pepper in the rub. Recipe flows nicely, my fiancé and kids loved it. My son had 3 helpings and my daughter had 2.
Tressa Jamil
Tuesday 12th of July 2022
Our kids love this meal too; I am so happy you all enjoyed it!