Grilled chicken legs and thighs are a versatile and flavorful dish that can be enjoyed as a main course or as part of a larger meal. They are relatively easy to make and can be cooked on a grill, in the oven, or even in a skillet. This article provides three different recipes for grilled chicken legs and thighs, each with its own unique flavor profile. The first recipe is for a simple grilled chicken with a lemon-herb marinade. The second recipe is for a more flavorful grilled chicken with a spicy chili-lime marinade. The third recipe is for a grilled chicken with a sweet and tangy barbecue sauce. All three recipes are easy to follow and can be tailored to your own taste preferences. Whether you are a grilling novice or a seasoned pro, you are sure to find a recipe in this article that you will enjoy.
Let's cook with our recipes!
GRILLED CHICKEN LEGS AND THIGHS
I love the fact that you can buy chicken legs and thighs for next to nothing. I always have a lot of them in the chest freezer, three to a freezer bag. This is the best way I know how to cook them on the grill. Everyone loves the crispy skin and the process requires no watching at all.
Provided by Dave Mathews
Categories Chicken
Time 50m
Number Of Ingredients 4
Steps:
- 1. Make sure chicken legs and thighs are thawed all the way through. Start the grill and let it get to 500 degrees. Charcoal users just let it get as hot as it will get. You can't do this on a grill without a cover. It can be done in the oven but the results are just not the same. For an extra touch soak wood chips in water and put them in a smoking box and place over one of the burners that you leave on. That will give enough smoke flavor to the chicken to make it really good.
- 2. Sprinkle blackening seasoning and jerk chicken spice evenly on the skin side of the legs and thighs only. Spray with non stick spray so all skin parts are covered. You can do this with oil too just not extra virgin olive oil.
- 3. Turn off one burner of the grill. This should reduce the temperature in the grill to around 360. If it doesn't adjust the remaining burners to get to 350 or 360. If you are using charcoal move the charcoal to one side of the grill. Place the chicken legs and thighs, skin side up, on the grill over the part where the fire is turned off. Close the lid and cook for 45 minutes. Don't turn over. The skin will roast nicely and get a beautiful golden crispy. You will have to watch them if you are using charcoal.
GRILLED LEMON-GARLIC CHICKEN THIGHS WITH HERBS
With these grilled lemon-garlic chicken thighs, you can call yourself a superstar.
Provided by Burning Glove
Categories Meat and Poultry Recipes Chicken Chicken Thigh Recipes
Time 8h30m
Yield 8
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Zest and juice 4 lemons; reserve remaining 2 whole.
- Combine olive oil, lemon zest and juice, rosemary, sage, garlic, and crushed red pepper for marinade in a small bowl. Whisk to combine.
- Place chicken thighs in a single layer in a wide, flat dish. Add the herb mixture and massage to coat. Cover and refrigerate, 8 hours to overnight.
- Preheat an outdoor grill for medium heat and lightly oil the grate.
- Remove the chicken from the marinade and brush off any excess herbs and oil. Season generously with salt and drizzle with olive oil.
- Cut the 2 whole lemons in half and cut the tips off of the ends; this will allow the lemons to stand up without rolling around.
- Place the chicken, skin side-down, on the preheated grill. Grill chicken for 3 to 4 minutes, then rotate 90 degrees to create a crosshatch pattern. Grill another 3 to 4 minutes, then turn and grill until no longer pink in the center and juices run clear, 4 to 5 minutes more. An instant-read thermometer inserted near the bone should read 165 degrees F (74 degrees C).
- At the same time, grill the lemons, flesh-side down, alongside the chicken, until caramelized. Flip over to grill on the bottom, 2 to 3 minutes. Serve with grilled chicken.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 393.5 calories, Carbohydrate 8.6 g, Cholesterol 88.2 mg, Fat 30.7 g, Fiber 3.6 g, Protein 24.8 g, SaturatedFat 6.4 g, Sodium 82.3 mg
THAI-STYLE GRILLED CHICKEN THIGHS
This is my first recipe - please be kind! My kids love it and when I take it to a BBQ everyone wants the recipe. It is a variation on one I found in epicurious a while ago. It is very easy and very yummy!!
Provided by barb63
Categories Chicken Thigh & Leg
Time 25m
Yield 4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Combine all ingredients except chicken in a bowl.
- Mix thoroughly.
- Add chicken and leave to marinate at least one hour, preferably longer.
- Grill chicken on the BBQ, hotplate or in the griller until golden brown and cooked through.
- Ususlly you would expect 12 thigh fillets to feed 4 to 6 people- in my family the kids eat 4 each so this recipe serves 3.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 327.1, Fat 13.4, SaturatedFat 2.9, Cholesterol 172.5, Sodium 1108.8, Carbohydrate 7.3, Fiber 0.4, Sugar 5.5, Protein 42.3
Tips:
- Choose the right chicken: Look for chicken legs and thighs that are plump and have a good amount of meat on them. Avoid any pieces that are bruised or have freezer burn.
- Marinate the chicken: Marinating the chicken in a flavorful mixture of herbs, spices, and liquids will help to tenderize the meat and add flavor. You can use a simple marinade made with olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, and herbs, or you can get more creative with your ingredients.
- Grill the chicken over medium heat: This will help to prevent the chicken from burning on the outside while still cooking thoroughly on the inside. If your grill is too hot, the chicken will cook too quickly and become dry.
- Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the chicken: The chicken is done cooking when it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the chicken, making sure not to touch any bones.
- Let the chicken rest before serving: This will help to keep the juices in the chicken and make it more tender.
Conclusion:
Grilled chicken legs and thighs are a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed in a variety of ways. They can be served as a main course with your favorite sides, or they can be used in salads, sandwiches, and wraps. No matter how you choose to serve them, grilled chicken legs and thighs are sure to be a hit with your family and friends.
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