BBQ baked chicken legs boast crispy skin and a tender and juicy interior. They are seasoned with a homemade BBQ rub and cook in the oven for 30 minutes, resulting in perfect flavor every time.
WHY YOU’LL LOVE THIS RECIPE
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. I often double or triple the batch to save some for later. BBQ rub keeps for up to 3 months in an airtight container. You can also season the chicken with mustard rib rub or our homemade rib rub recipe. If you prefer store-bought, I recommend combining Montreal Seasoning 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!
- 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
The full recipe with measurements is in the recipe card below.
Step 1: 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.
Step 2: Preheat the oven to 500°F (260°C), then set a wire rack into a rimmed baking sheet; line the drumsticks onto it.
Step 3: Lower the oven temperature to 400°F (204°C); 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°F (73°C).
Step 4: Brush them with bbq sauce and cook for 3 minutes, sauce side down.
Step 5: 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.
Step 6: Remove the drumsticks from heat and allow them to rest before serving.
EXPERT TIPS
For details on how to cook the BEST chicken drumsticks, check out our tips for how to bake chicken legs in the oven.
- Achieve crispy, golden-brown skin on your drumsticks by drying them thoroughly with a cloth before seasoning and roasting them. This step is crucial to remove any excess moisture on the surface of the chicken, which can prevent the skin from crisping up properly.
- Insert your food thermometer into the thickest part of the chicken drumstick. The safe cooking temperature for chicken is 165°F (73°C).
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SERVING SUGGESTIONS
- Corn on the Cob, Grilled Zucchini, Mashed Cauliflower
- Baked Beans with Hamburger
- Mashed Potatoes, Baked Potatoes, Air Fryer Hasselback Potatoes, French Fries, Roasted Potatoes
- Homemade Coleslaw, Vinegar Coleslaw
- Baked Mac and Cheese
- Avocado Cucumber Tomato Salad, Vegetable Chopped Salad
- Seasoned Rice
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How do you know when the chicken drumsticks are done?
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°F (73°C).
Are BBQ chicken legs keto? Are they low-carb?
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 (Serving Size – 2 tablespoons):
• Carbs – 1 Net Carb
Can I freeze chicken legs?
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.
More Chicken Recipes:
BBQ Baked Chicken Legs
- 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
- 8 chicken drumsticks, skin on, and bone-in
- BBQ sauce
- 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°F (260°C), then set a wire rack into a rimmed baking sheet; line the drumsticks onto it.
- Lower the oven temperature to 400°F (204°C); 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°F (73°C).
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- The nutritional information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for professional advice.
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!