BBQ baked chicken legs are crisp on the outside, and tender and juicy on the inside. I prepare the drumsticks with a homemade rub, and they cook in the oven for 30 minutes for perfect BBQ-flavored drumsticks every time.
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
- 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
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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 and store the rub into an airtight container, like a mason jar, to have some on hand. BBQ rub will keep this way for up to 3 months. 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 out there 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 BBQ BAKED CHICKEN LEGS
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°, then set a wire rack into a rimmed baking sheet; line the drumsticks onto it.
STEP 3
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°
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.
Did you love this recipe?
Try one of these baked chicken recipes from the Jamil Ghar.
COMMON QUESTIONS ABOUT BAKED CHICKEN LEGS
What can I serve with BBQ baked chicken legs?
- Corn on the Cob
- Baked Beans
- Roasted Vegetables
- Cucumber, Avocado, Tomato Salad
- Baked Potatoes
- Seasoned Rice
- Mashed Cauliflower
- French Fries
- Roasted Potatoes
- Chopped Salad
How do you know when the chicken is done?
The most affective way to know for sure whether the chicken in done cooking or not is to use a food thermometer to check the internal temperature; insert the thermometer near the bone, and the safe internal temperature for chicken is 165°.
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. I calculated the macros to make it easy 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
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.