How Long to Cook Chicken Legs on a Gas Grill (So They’re Juicy and Delicious!)
How Long to Cook Chicken Legs on a Gas Grill
Chicken legs are a popular grilling option, but they can be tricky to cook perfectly. If you cook them too long, they’ll be dry and tough. But if you cook them too little, they’ll be undercooked and unsafe to eat.
The best way to cook chicken legs on a gas grill is to use indirect heat. This means that you’ll cook the chicken legs on the side of the grill that’s not directly over the heat source. This will help to prevent the chicken from burning, and it will also help to keep the chicken moist.
In this article, we’ll show you how to cook chicken legs on a gas grill so that they’re perfectly cooked every time. We’ll provide you with detailed instructions, tips, and tricks, so you can be confident in your ability to grill delicious chicken legs.
| Time | Temperature | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 30 minutes | 350 degrees Fahrenheit | For bone-in, skin-on chicken legs |
| 20 minutes | 400 degrees Fahrenheit | For boneless, skinless chicken legs |
| 15 minutes | 450 degrees Fahrenheit | For grilled chicken legs with a char |
Chicken legs are a popular grilling item, and for good reason. They’re flavorful, juicy, and easy to cook. But how long do you cook chicken legs on a gas grill? The answer depends on a few factors, including the size of the chicken legs, the temperature of the grill, and whether the chicken legs are bone-in or boneless.
In this article, we’ll discuss all of the factors that affect cooking time, and we’ll provide recommended cooking times for different types of chicken legs. We’ll also share some tips for grilling chicken legs that will help you get perfectly cooked, juicy chicken every time.
Factors Affecting Cooking Time
There are a few factors that affect how long it takes to cook chicken legs on a gas grill. These factors include:
- Size of the chicken legs: Smaller chicken legs will cook faster than larger chicken legs.
- Temperature of the grill: The hotter the grill, the faster the chicken legs will cook.
- Whether the chicken legs are bone-in or boneless: Bone-in chicken legs will take longer to cook than boneless chicken legs.
- Whether the chicken legs are marinated or not: Marinated chicken legs will take longer to cook than unmarinated chicken legs.
- Whether the chicken legs are grilled directly over the heat or on a rack: Chicken legs grilled directly over the heat will cook faster than chicken legs grilled on a rack.
Recommended Cooking Times
The following are recommended cooking times for different types of chicken legs:
- Bone-in, skin-on chicken legs: 25-30 minutes per pound
- Boneless, skinless chicken legs: 20-25 minutes per pound
- Marinated chicken legs: 15-20 minutes per pound
- Chicken legs grilled directly over the heat: 10-15 minutes per side
- Chicken legs grilled on a rack: 15-20 minutes total
Tips for Grilling Chicken Legs
Here are a few tips for grilling chicken legs that will help you get perfectly cooked, juicy chicken every time:
- Preheat your grill to medium heat. This will help to prevent the chicken from burning.
- Oil the chicken legs before grilling. This will help to prevent them from sticking to the grill.
- Grill the chicken legs for 5-10 minutes per side, or until they reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Let the chicken legs rest for 5 minutes before serving. This will allow the juices to redistribute and the chicken to become more tender.
Grilling chicken legs is a great way to cook a delicious and healthy meal. By following the tips in this article, you can be sure to get perfectly cooked, juicy chicken every time.
Additional Resources
- [How to Grill Chicken Legs](https://www.thespruceeats.com/how-to-grill-chicken-legs-4156790)
- [Grilled Chicken Legs Recipe](https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/220422/grilled-chicken-legs/)
- [Tips for Grilling Chicken Legs](https://www.grilling.com/grilling-chicken-legs/)
How Long to Cook Chicken Legs on a Gas Grill?
Chicken legs are a popular grilling option, but it can be tricky to know how long to cook them. The cooking time will vary depending on the size of the chicken legs, the temperature of the grill, and your desired level of doneness.
To ensure that your chicken legs are cooked properly, it is important to use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature. The internal temperature of the chicken should reach 165 degrees Fahrenheit before it is safe to eat.
Here is a general guide for how long to cook chicken legs on a gas grill:
- Small chicken legs (less than 1 pound): 15-20 minutes per side
- Medium chicken legs (1-1.5 pounds): 20-25 minutes per side
- Large chicken legs (1.5-2 pounds): 25-30 minutes per side
Keep in mind that these are just general guidelines. The actual cooking time may vary depending on the factors mentioned above.
If you are unsure about how long to cook your chicken legs, it is always better to err on the side of caution and cook them for a longer period of time.
Tips for Cooking Chicken Legs on a Gas Grill
- Preheat the grill to medium heat.
- Oil the chicken legs before grilling to prevent them from sticking.
- Grill the chicken legs skin-side down first to get a crispy skin.
- Turn the chicken legs halfway through cooking.
- Baste the chicken legs with barbecue sauce or marinade during cooking, if desired.
- Allow the chicken legs to rest for a few minutes before serving.
Safety Tips
- Make sure the chicken legs are cooked to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit before eating.
- Use a food thermometer to check the temperature of the chicken legs.
- Do not eat chicken legs that are undercooked or pink in the middle.
Cooking chicken legs on a gas grill is a great way to enjoy a delicious and healthy meal. By following these tips, you can ensure that your chicken legs are cooked perfectly every time.
How long do you cook chicken legs on a gas grill?
The cooking time for chicken legs on a gas grill will vary depending on the size of the legs and the desired doneness. For bone-in, skin-on chicken legs, cook for 8-10 minutes per side over medium heat, or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit. For boneless, skinless chicken legs, cook for 6-8 minutes per side over medium heat, or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
What temperature should I cook chicken legs on a gas grill?
The ideal temperature for cooking chicken legs on a gas grill is 350-400 degrees Fahrenheit. This will ensure that the chicken cooks evenly and reaches the desired doneness.
What is the best way to grill chicken legs?
There are a few different ways to grill chicken legs, but the most common method is to cook them directly on the grill grates. To do this, preheat your grill to 350-400 degrees Fahrenheit and lightly oil the grill grates. Season the chicken legs with salt, pepper, and any other desired seasonings. Place the chicken legs on the grill grates and cook for 8-10 minutes per side, or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
Can I cook chicken legs on a gas grill without skin?
Yes, you can cook chicken legs on a gas grill without skin. However, the cooking time will be shorter, as the chicken will cook more quickly without the skin. For bone-in, skinless chicken legs, cook for 6-8 minutes per side over medium heat, or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit. For boneless, skinless chicken legs, cook for 4-6 minutes per side over medium heat, or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
How do I prevent chicken legs from sticking to the grill?
To prevent chicken legs from sticking to the grill, lightly oil the grill grates before cooking. You can also use a non-stick cooking spray.
What are some tips for grilling chicken legs?
Here are a few tips for grilling chicken legs:
- Marinate the chicken legs in a flavorful marinade before grilling. This will help to keep the chicken moist and flavorful.
- Cook the chicken legs over indirect heat for the first half of the cooking time. This will help to prevent the chicken from burning.
- Baste the chicken legs with marinade or melted butter halfway through the cooking time. This will help to keep the chicken moist and flavorful.
- Let the chicken legs rest for a few minutes before serving. This will allow the juices to redistribute and the chicken to be more tender.
In this blog post, we have discussed how to cook chicken legs on a gas grill. We covered the different methods for grilling chicken legs, as well as the best temperature and cooking time for each method. We also provided tips for grilling chicken legs that will help you achieve perfectly cooked, juicy, and flavorful chicken every time.
Here are the key takeaways from this blog post:
- The best temperature for grilling chicken legs is between 350F and 400F.
- The cooking time for chicken legs will vary depending on the size of the legs and the cooking method.
- To ensure that your chicken legs are cooked through, use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature. The internal temperature of chicken legs should reach 165F.
- Grilling chicken legs is a great way to cook a delicious and healthy meal. Chicken legs are a good source of protein and nutrients, and they are relatively low in fat.
With these tips, you can grill chicken legs that are sure to please everyone at your next cookout.
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With over 30 years experience, Lucks Caterers is a second generation family owned and operated business. We are committed to maintaining our family tradition of outstanding quality, excellence and reliability.
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