Grilled Butterflied Chicken Legs

Grilled butterflied chicken legs aren’t new to the grilling scene but they have really grown in popularity since the price of wings has skyrocketed over the last few years. Even though wing prices are starting to come back down, I’ve found these legs to be a great (dare I say better?) main dish no matter what. They cook quickly and very evenly. They eat like thighs but are usually much cheaper. I sauced mine with an OG BBQ sauce. The sauce and skin got a nice little char on them, making this some of the best chicken I’ve had. Over charcoal or gas, this is a winner.

Grilled Butterflied Chicken Legs

It’s Really Easy. And Delicious.

Don’t be intimidated by the prospect of making grilled butterflied chicken legs. Butterflying the legs is super-easy, specially after you finish the first one. Just cut down the bone first, then along side the bone, pulling the meat flat around it. I thought they looked a little odd at first, kind of ‘bat-like’ but the (minimal) amount of time it takes to do is worth it in the end. Butterflying also gives you a ‘peak inside’ as it were, allowing you to trim out any tough pieces before cooking. That’s a win.

I don’t mess around when it comes time to sauce my legs. I like a good bit of sauce and that means I need a good brush. And one with a long handle. The grill gets hot and saucing (in particular, heavy saucing) takes a bit of time. No reason to sacrifice some arm hair saucing dinner, I’ve always said.

Grilled Butterflied Chicken Legs

My quick fix BBQ beans are a great side for these legs.

Grilled Butterflied Chicken Legs
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5 from 1 vote

Grilled Butterflied Chicken Legs

Over charcoal or gas, these legs are a winner.
Course Main
Cuisine American
Keyword chicken legs
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Servings 4
Calories 551kcal

Instructions

  • Set up your grill for cooking at 400 F. I prefer to use a charcoal grill set up for indirect and direct cooking, but you can use any grill you want. You can also cook the chicken over direct heat entirely but the cook time will be shorter and you'll have to watch out that you don't burn them.
  • Place the legs onto a cutting board. Working one at a time, hold the legs so that the least-meaty part of the drumstick (known as the shallow side) is on top. Using a sharp knife (I prefer to use a paring knife), make a cut down from the top of each leg down to the bottom, cutting all the way to the bone right down the center.
  • Push the meat down and away from the bone while cutting along the sides of the bone from top to bottom. I use my thumb to slide between the meat and bone, pushing the meat down and away from the bone. Make sure you don't cut all the way through the meat. You'll end up with a relatively flat piece of meat on each side of the bone, with the mostly detached bone in the middle. I take this opportunity to trim out and tough bits, like tendons, that might be present on the legs so they are more tender.
  • Season both sides of the butterflied legs. Don't be shy. For extra flavor, refrigerate the wings for 1 hour before grilling.
  • Place legs onto the grill bone-side down. Grill for 25-30 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 145 F.
  • Flip the legs and cook until they reach 165 F, another 5-10 minutes. The legs are now bone-side up.
  • Sauce the butterflied legs liberally with BBQ sauce, flip and with move to direct heat. Cook for 5 minutes.
  • Sauce the tops of the legs and flip. Cook another 5 minutes over direct heat to get the meat-side of the legs a little char.

Nutrition

Calories: 551kcal | Carbohydrates: 0.4g | Protein: 42g | Fat: 41g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 9g | Monounsaturated Fat: 17g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 240mg | Sodium: 216mg | Potassium: 523mg | Vitamin A: 237IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 23mg | Iron: 2mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Kick’N Chicken Legs on the Char-Broil Big Easy

It just occurred to me the other day. I have never cooked chicken legs by themselves on my Char-Broil Big Easy. I’ve done plenty of whole chickens, and tons of wings and breasts, but never legs. What the heck was I thinking? I immediately set out to remedy that situation. These Kick’N chicken legs on the Char-Broil Big Easy came out fantastic, just like all the other poultry I’ve ever cooked on the Big Easy. Super moist and tender, and thanks to Weber’s Kick’N seasoning, nice and spicy!

KickN Chicken Legs on the Char-Broil Big Easy

Not Crispy, But Mighty Delicious!

You won’t end up with crispy skin when you make these Kick’N chicken legs, but you will end up with delicious meat bite after bite. I’d say I used the right amount of the seasoning because I do prefer a little kick to my chicken, but not so much that I’m balled up on the floor crying. These legs were fantastic and spiced perfectly.

The bunk bed basket lets you double the amount of cooking space you have on your Big Easy. And it’s easy to take in and out of the cooker too!

Also try my spicy roasted chicken legs and my garlic Parmesan drumsticks ready in no time on the Big Easy!

Love your Big Easy as much I love mine? Check out my Big Easy Add-Ons page and my free Big Easy eCookbook!

Note: This recipe was developed using the Char-Broil Big Easy Oil-Less Fryer. If you are cooking using the Char-Broil Smoker-Roaster Grill you should cook with the lid open and the temperature set to High. You might also need to adjust the cooking time.

Kick'N Chicken Legs on the Char-Broil Big Easy
Print Pin
5 from 1 vote

Kick’N Chicken Legs on the Char-Broil Big Easy

These Kick’N chicken legs on the Char-Broil Big Easy came out fantastic, just like all the other poultry I’ve ever cooked on the Big Easy. Super moist and tender.
Course Main
Cuisine American
Keyword Big Easy, Char-Broil, chicken
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings 4 servings
Calories 551kcal
Author Mike

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Fire up your Big Easy.
  • Lightly brush the chicken legs with oil and season, to taste, with the Kick’N chicken seasoning.
  • Transfer legs to the Big Easy.
  • Lower the basket into the Big Easy and cook for approximately 20 minutes per pound, or until the legs reach 165-175 F as measured in several spots.
  • Remove and let rest 10 minutes before serving.

Notes

I used a bunk bed basket because it makes for easier cleaning. You ‘ll need a basket to cook 8 legs at a time.

Nutrition

Calories: 551kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 42g | Fat: 41g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 240mg | Sodium: 216mg | Potassium: 523mg | Vitamin A: 237IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 23mg | Iron: 2mg

Nutritional values are approximate.