When it comes to my favorite chicken recipes, chicken legs quickly come to mind because they are so delicious and oh so versatile. No matter which recipe or cooking method you choose, juicy chicken drumsticks make for an easy weeknight dinner the whole family will love.
A couple of minutes of prep time, fast cook time, and then Presto! You have an incredibly satisfying sustainable protein on your plate that complements just about any side dish.
Why You’ll Love Chicken Leg Recipes
My favorite part of eating a chicken drumstick? The crisp skin. It gets me every time after that first juicy bite of dark meat. In the meantime, the explosion of flavors from the seasoning blends adds more depth and endless excitement.
With some simple ingredients, you can achieve a deliciously flavorful recipe with super tasty crispy skin. I’m thinking olive oil, lemon juice, onion powder, red pepper flakes, garlic powder, black pepper, and then some kosher salt (or your favorite spice mix to add as much flavor as possible).
Or, you can kick up the textures and flavors Over the Fire Cooking style. If that’s of any interest, keep on scrolling to the Chicken Legs Recipes roundup below.
The best method for cooking chicken legs is entirely up to you. Each option brings something unique to the table. For bright flavor and the best results, buy the highest quality chicken and best ingredients possible.
If you’re a fan of these chicken recipes, you’ll probably also love my take on chicken wings. Check out Double Fried Chicken Wings, Garlic Parmesan Wings, and Grilled Buffalo Chicken Wings with Melted Cheese.
ways to make the best chicken drumsticks
- Grilled Chicken Drumsticks – These recipes represent the most classic preparation of chicken drumsticks. Every juicy bite explodes with flavor! So freakin’ delicious, no matter which recipe you choose.
- Butterflied – First, let me say that I didn’t know just how good chicken legs could get until I butterflied them. To butterfly a drumstick, during the preparation a sharp knife cuts one side of the bone, exposing the meat. The meat is then pushed down toward the base of the drumstick to flatten it out. It’s perfect for grilling because it leaves out the bone.
- Chicken Lollipops & Poppers – A chicken lollipop or popper is my idea of a perfectly fun and insanely tasty appetizer or snack. The dish is prepared by cutting and then shaping the chicken wing meat to resemble a lollipop, with the meat pushed down to expose the bone at one end, creating a handle.
- Skewered Drumstick Recipes – Skewers are an easy recipe preparation that yields an insanely juicy bite and beautiful char. The chicken drumsticks are typically marinated, seasoned, and then threaded onto skewers before being cooked, rotisserie-style, over the fire.
Chicken Leg Recipes Roundup
Buffalo Chicken Legs
Butterflied Peruvian Chicken Drumsticks with Green Sauce
Grilled Mojo Chicken
Butterflied Chicken Drumsticks with Jalapeño Lime White Sauce
Grilled Butterflied Chicken Drumsticks with Alabama White Sauce
Jalapeño Chicken Drumstick Poppers
Honey Bacon BBQ Chicken Lollipops
Smoked Chicken Lollipops
Flamin’ Hot Chicken Lollipops
Maple Hot Chicken Lollipops
Cherry Coke Chicken Skewers
Mojo Chicken Drumstick Skewers Recipe
Spicy Mezcal Drumstick Skewers
Whether you prefer sweet and smoky, tangy and spicy, these recipes in this Chicken Leg Recipes Roundup offer a diverse flavor profile to suit every taste. Try them out and then go out and take your outdoor dining experiences to the next level. Your taste buds (and your friends and family!) will thank you!
As for the very best way to make a chicken drumsticks recipe, I leave that up to you!
Some tips for cooking chicken legs
- Make sure to have a sheet pan on hand for letting the drumsticks rest at room temperature in a single layer before you cook them.
- Paper towels are great to have around for picking up excess moisture off raw chicken.
- For easy clean-up, use a good quality cooking spray on the grill.
- If you’re not sure about your seasoning mix, then check out my spice rubs in iconic beer cans. My obsession with the best flavor combos will make life easier for you!
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What to Serve with Chicken Legs
A good, easy meal is some chicken legs with some sweet potatoes on the side, either fried or mashed. Other side dishes that would work well with any of these chicken leg recipes would be tater tots, French fries, green beans, roasted carrots, or maybe a fresh garden salad. Honey buttermilk cornbread, anyone?
Leftovers & Reheating
The best and easiest way to save leftover chicken is to wrap each leftover drumstick in aluminum foil and then place the sticks in an airtight container for 3-5 days.
Cold chicken happens to be a favorite of mine, however, if you’re looking to reheat them, pop them directly on the grill grates over the high heat, turning them frequently until the chicken skin is hot and the tender meat is ready to eat.
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FAQs for the Chicken Leg Recipes Roundup
Since cooking times vary depending on the cooking method, I suggest using an instant-read thermometer. Stick it into the thickest part of the chicken meat and look for an internal temperature of 165 degrees F.
This is becoming an age-old question and open for debate. While some swear by classic vegetable oil or peanut oil, I like to use canola oil. Avocado oil is another great choice because of its high smoke point.
Yes, you sure can! If you want to experiment with other cuts, the flavors will still be insanely delicious.
We hope you enjoyed this Over the Fire Cooking Chicken Legs Recipes Roundup. We’d love to hear what you think. Drop us a comment below!
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