Finger-Licking Sweet Barbecue Chicken Legs Recipe

Juicy sweet barbecue chicken legs promise a mouthwatering adventure for weekend grill enthusiasts.

Backyard cookouts just got more delicious with this simple yet stunning recipe.

Summer barbecues call for something special that makes everyone smile.

Tender chicken transforms into a flavor-packed meal with minimal effort.

Marinating techniques unlock incredible taste sensations you’ll want to master.

Crispy skin and succulent meat combine for an unforgettable dining experience.

Dive into this recipe and become the neighborhood grilling champion.

FAQ For Sweet Barbecue Chicken Legs Lovers

• What ingredients make this BBQ sauce unique?

The homemade sauce combines sweet elements like brown sugar and honey with tangy ingredients like apple cider vinegar and Worcestershire sauce, creating a complex flavor profile that elevates traditional barbecue chicken.

• How does marinating affect the chicken's taste?

Marinating with lemon juice and spices helps tenderize the meat, infuse deeper flavors, and create a more moist and flavorful chicken leg that’s packed with seasoning.

• Why is the grilling technique important for this recipe?

The multi-sided grilling method ensures even cooking, creates beautiful grill marks, and allows the barbecue sauce to caramelize and develop a rich, sticky coating on the chicken legs.

What’s Special About Sweet Barbecue Chicken Legs

• Create Mouthwatering BBQ Magic: Transform ordinary chicken legs into a flavor explosion with a homemade sauce that balances sweet, tangy, and smoky notes.
• Master Grilling Techniques: Learn professional-level grilling skills by perfectly charring chicken while maintaining juicy, tender meat through strategic flipping and basting.
• Customize Your Flavor Adventure: Easily adjust spice blends and BBQ sauce ingredients to match personal taste preferences, making this recipe a versatile crowd-pleaser for family gatherings and backyard parties.
• Impress Without Stress: Achieve restaurant-quality results with simple ingredients and straightforward cooking steps that require minimal culinary expertise.

Sweet Barbecue Chicken Legs Grocery List

• Chicken Legs: Succulent and flavorful base of the barbecue dish.

• Ketchup: Provides a tangy and sweet foundation for the sauce.
• Brown Sugar, Honey: Adds rich sweetness and caramelization to the barbecue sauce.
• Apple Cider Vinegar: Balances the sweetness with a bright, acidic note.
• Soy Sauce, Worcestershire Sauce: Contribute deep umami and complex flavor layers.
• Dijon Mustard, Liquid Smoke: Enhance the sauce with sharp and smoky undertones.

• Onion Powder, Garlic Powder: Provide aromatic and savory depth to the chicken.
• Paprika, Smoked Paprika: Add warm color and smoky flavor to the dish.
• Sea Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance the overall taste.
• Lemon Juice: Adds brightness and helps tenderize the chicken.

Cooking Sweet Barbecue Chicken Legs Made Easy

Step 1: Whip Up Homemade BBQ Sauce

• Ketchup
• Brown sugar
• Honey
• Apple cider vinegar
• Onion powder
• Garlic powder
• Soy sauce
• Worcestershire sauce
• Smoked paprika
• Dijon mustard
• Liquid smoke
• Sea salt
• Black pepper

Simmer the sauce on low heat for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally until it thickens and flavors meld together. Set aside to cool slightly.

Step 2: Season Chicken Legs

• Onion powder
• Garlic powder
• Paprika
• Salt
• Black pepper

Thoroughly coat each chicken leg with the spice mixture, ensuring even coverage.

Step 3: Add Citrus Kick

Squeeze fresh lemon juice over the seasoned chicken legs. Gently massage the juice into the meat, allowing the citrus to tenderize and enhance the flavors.

Let the chicken marinate for 30 minutes at room temperature.

Step 4: Fire Up the Grill

Preheat your grill to a sizzling 400-425°F.

Ensure the grates are clean and lightly oiled to prevent sticking.

Step 5: Grill to Perfection

Place chicken legs directly over the flame.

Grill for 5 minutes on the first side. Flip and cook for another 5 minutes on the second side.

Brush generously with the prepared BBQ sauce. Rotate and continue grilling, basting with sauce on each turn, for a total of about 20 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.

Step 6: Rest and Serve

Remove chicken legs from the grill and tent with aluminum foil. Let rest for 5 minutes to allow juices to redistribute.

Serve hot with extra BBQ sauce on the side for dipping.

Sweet Barbecue Chicken Legs Handy Cooking Tips

• Adjust barbecue sauce sweetness by balancing brown sugar and vinegar according to taste preferences.
• Marinate chicken legs longer than 30 minutes for deeper flavor infusion, ideally up to 2 hours in refrigerator.
• Check internal chicken temperature reaches 165°F using meat thermometer to ensure safe cooking.
• Pat chicken legs completely dry before seasoning to help spices adhere better and create crispy skin.
• Brush barbecue sauce carefully during grilling to prevent burning, using low-medium heat and rotating chicken frequently.

Fresh Twists On Sweet Barbecue Chicken Legs

• Honey Mustard Chicken Legs: Replace the BBQ sauce with a homemade honey mustard by mixing Dijon mustard, honey, apple cider vinegar, and a pinch of cayenne pepper for a tangy kick.
• Spicy Caribbean Chicken Legs: Swap the spice mix with a blend of jerk seasoning, allspice, thyme, and brown sugar. Use a rum-infused sauce for marinating to add authentic Caribbean flavor.
• Asian-Inspired Soy Glaze Chicken Legs: Create a glaze using soy sauce, ginger, garlic, sesame oil, and brown sugar. Sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds and green onions after grilling for added texture and flavor.

Yummy Pairings For Sweet Barbecue Chicken Legs

• Pair with Crisp Coleslaw: Fresh, tangy cabbage salad cuts through the sweet and smoky chicken, balancing rich flavors with crunchy texture.
• Match with Chilled Amber Ale: Hoppy beer complements the barbecue sauce's sweetness, providing a refreshing contrast to the grilled meat's intensity.
• Serve alongside Cornbread Muffins: Soft, slightly sweet corn-based bread soaks up extra barbecue sauce, creating a perfect side that enhances the chicken's flavor profile.
• Pour Sparkling Sweet Tea: Southern-style cold tea with a hint of sweetness mirrors the barbecue sauce's caramelized notes, creating a harmonious summer meal experience.

Sweet Barbecue Chicken Legs Storage Tips

• Refrigerate: Store leftover chicken legs in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keep refrigerated for 3-4 days maximum.
• Freeze: Wrap individual chicken legs tightly in plastic wrap, then place in freezer bags. Freeze for up to 3 months. Label with date and contents.
• Microwave Reheat: Place chicken on microwave-safe plate. Cover with damp paper towel. Heat at 50% power for 1-2 minutes, checking temperature reaches 165°F.
• Oven Reheat: Preheat oven to 350°F. Place chicken in baking dish, add splash of water or extra barbecue sauce. Cover with foil. Warm for 10-15 minutes until heated through.

Sweet Barbecue Chicken Legs Recipe

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4.7 from 24 reviews

• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 4-5 1x

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Description

Juicy barbecue chicken legs sizzle with tangy Mexican-inspired flavors, promising a mouthwatering culinary journey. Crispy skin and tender meat blend perfectly, inviting you to savor each delectable bite of this irresistible summer classic.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Primary Protein:

• 4–5 pounds chicken legs

Spice Rub Components:

• 2 teaspoons (10 grams) onion powder
• 2 teaspoons (10 grams) garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon (5 grams) paprika
• 1 teaspoon (6 grams) coarse sea salt
• 0.5 teaspoon (1 gram) fresh cracked black pepper
• 1.5 tablespoons (22 milliliters) lemon juice

Sweet Barbecue Sauce Ingredients:

• 2 cups (480 milliliters) ketchup
• 1 cup (200 grams) brown sugar
• 0.75 cup (180 milliliters) honey
• 0.5 cup (120 milliliters) apple cider vinegar
• 1 tablespoon (15 grams) onion powder
• 1 tablespoon (15 grams) garlic powder
• 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) Worcestershire sauce
• 0.5 tablespoon (7.5 grams) smoked paprika
• 2 teaspoons (10 grams) Dijon mustard
• 0.5 teaspoon (2.5 milliliters) liquid smoke
• 0.5 teaspoon (3 grams) coarse sea salt
• 0.25 teaspoon (0.5 grams) fresh cracked black pepper
• 0.5 tablespoon (7.5 g

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Instructions

1. Craft a robust barbecue sauce by blending ketchup, brown sugar, honey, apple cider vinegar, onion powder, garlic powder, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, Dijon mustard, liquid smoke, sea salt, and black pepper in a saucepan. Simmer gently for 10-15 minutes, stirring periodically, then set aside to cool and intensify flavors.
2. Thoroughly pat chicken legs dry with paper towels to ensure optimal seasoning adherence. Create a spice blend combining onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Generously coat each chicken leg with the spice mixture, ensuring even coverage.
3. Drizzle fresh lemon juice over seasoned chicken legs, massaging the citrus into the spices. Allow the chicken to marinate for 30 minutes at room temperature, enabling the flavors to penetrate the meat.
4. Prepare the grill, heating it to a precise 400-425°F. Clean and oil the grates to prevent sticking and promote beautiful grill marks.
5. Position chicken legs directly over the flame. Grill for 5 minutes on the first side, then rotate and cook for another 5 minutes. Brush generously with prepared barbecue sauce, turning and basting for an additional 10 minutes to create a caramelized, glossy exterior.
6. Remove chicken from the grill and tent with aluminum foil for 5 minutes, allowing juices to redistribute. Plate with extra barbecue sauce on the side for dipping, creating a mouthwatering presentation.

Notes

• Marinate longer for deeper flavor absorption, ideally 2-4 hours or overnight in the refrigerator.
• Adjust cooking time based on chicken leg size, ensuring internal temperature reaches 165°F for food safety.
• For crispy skin, pat chicken legs completely dry before seasoning and grill over direct high heat.
• Alternative cooking methods include oven baking at 425°F or using a cast-iron skillet for indoor preparation.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Grilling
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 45752
• Calories: 380
• Sugar: 28 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 12 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 48 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 24 g
• Cholesterol: 120 mg