This recipe for Easy Baked BBQ Chicken Legs is the best way to grill chicken without using a grill. Using simple ingredients for the rub and your favorite bbq sauce, this chicken recipe is ideal for weeknight dinners to game day.
Oven-baked bbq chicken drumsticks is one of our most loved chicken drumstick recipes alongside Hawaiian Baked Chicken Legs and Air Fryer Fried Chicken.
It’s delicious barbecue chicken that makes me long for summer days and grilling in the warm sun.
Yet we all know this isn’t feasible whenever the craving strikes. That’s why i love making this comfort food inside the home as well. No, really!.
The secret to the best bbq chicken is in the rub! A perfect blend of spices and seasoning sure does give the best results!.
Our simple recipe allows the rubbed flavours to infused into the chicken while baking. Bbq sauce is then added at the end to allow the skin to crisp up and thicken.
BBQ chicken legs are a classic summertime favorite. The sweet, sticky barbecue sauce coating the crispy skin and juicy meat is hard to resist! But knowing exactly how long to bake bbq chicken legs can be tricky. You want the chicken fully cooked but not dried out. Follow this guide to learn how long to bake bbq chicken legs at various oven temperatures for ideal doneness.
Why Baking is a Great Cooking Method for BBQ Chicken Legs
One easy way to make BBQ chicken at home is to bake chicken legs. It gives the chicken even, steady heat that cooks it slowly. Baking gives the outside a nice char and crispiness while keeping the inside juicy and tender.
Compared to grilling or broiling baking bbq chicken legs requires less effort. Once the legs are in the oven you can sit back and let the oven do the work! No need to constantly flip and move the chicken like you would on the grill.
Baking also allows you to cook up a large batch of bbq chicken drumsticks or thighs all at once. Perfect for feeding a hungry crowd!
Factors that Determine BBQ Chicken Leg Bake Times
Several factors impact how long bbq chicken legs need to bake:
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Oven temperature – Higher heat means shorter cooking times. Lower oven temps lengthen the baking time.
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Chicken size – Larger chicken legs or thighs take longer than smaller drumsticks.
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Chicken with or without bones: Chicken cooked on the bone takes longer to cook all the way through.
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Amount of chicken – The more chicken you bake, the longer the baking time.
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Doneness preference – Baked just until no longer pink? Or until crispy and caramelized?
Keep these factors in mind as you determine the best baking timeline for your bbq chicken legs.
How Long to Bake Bone-In Chicken Legs
For bone-in chicken legs (drumsticks and thighs), use these oven times as a guide:
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400°F oven – Bake for approximately 40-50 minutes
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375°F oven – Bake for 50-60 minutes
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350°F oven – Bake for 60-75 minutes
For food safety, always cook until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. The juices will run clear and the meat should not be pink when pierced with a fork.
Tips for Baked BBQ Boneless Chicken Legs and Thighs
Boneless chicken thighs and legs cook faster since the bone is removed. Follow these tips:
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Bake at 400°F for 25-35 minutes
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Brush bbq sauce on during last 10 minutes only to avoid burning
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Cook to an internal temperature of 165°F
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Monitor closely near end of baking time
Baked BBQ Chicken Drumsticks Step-By-Step
Follow these simple steps for juicy, flavorful baked bbq chicken drumsticks:
1. Prep the drumsticks
- Pat dry drumsticks
- Season with salt, pepper, spices
- Allow to sit at room temperature for 30 minutes
2. Make the bbq sauce
- Whisk together sauce ingredients (ketchup, brown sugar, spices, etc)
- Reserve half of the bbq sauce for basting later
3. Preheat the oven
- Preheat oven to 375°F-400°F
4. Arrange drumsticks on baking sheet
- Line sheet with foil or parchment for easy cleanup
- Place drumsticks skin-side up, spaced apart
5. Bake the chicken
- Bake for 30 minutes at 375°F or 400°F
- Remove from oven and brush chicken with bbq sauce
- Bake for 15-20 more minutes until cooked through
6. Apply more bbq sauce
- Remove drumsticks from oven and coat again with bbq sauce
- Broil 2-3 minutes to caramelize sauce
7. Allow to rest 5 minutes before serving
Enjoy your tender, saucy baked bbq chicken drumsticks!
Common Questions on Baking BBQ Chicken Legs
Still have questions about how to bake BBQ chicken legs the best way? Here are some answers:
Should I bake chicken legs with the skin on or off?
Bake with the skin on for added flavor and moisture. Simply remove skin prior to eating if desired.
What temperature should I bake bbq chicken legs?
375°F to 400°F works well. Higher heat crisps the skin.
How long does it take to bake frozen chicken legs?
Increase bake time 5-10 minutes if legs are frozen. Defrost first for best results.
Can I use chicken thighs instead of drumsticks?
Yes, chicken thighs can be used. Follow the same oven bake times.
Should I flip the chicken legs during baking?
No flipping required! Place them skin-side up the entire time.
What if my bbq chicken legs aren’t done after recommended bake time?
Check the internal temp. If not 165°F, continue baking until fully cooked through.
More Tips for Juicy Baked BBQ Chicken Legs
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Apply bbq sauce during last 15-20 minutes only to avoid burning
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Let chicken legs sit at room temp 30 mins before baking for more even cooking
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Make shallow cuts along the legs to help sauce seep into meat
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Use a meat thermometer to confirm doneness
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Bake at higher heat if you want crispy, caramelized skin
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Brush on another layer of sauce right when chicken comes out of the oven
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Let chicken rest 5-10 minutes before serving for juicier meat
With the right oven bake time and temperature, you’ll be rewarded with irresistibly delicious bbq chicken legs every time. Now that you know exactly how long to bake bbq chicken legs to perfection, get ready to enjoy this classic American dish!
How to Make BBQ Chicken Legs in the Oven
- Preheat the oven to 400 f. After that, line a baking sheet with a lip with parchment paper or aluminum foil. Set it aside.
- Mix the BBQ rub ingredients into a small bowl. Set this aside as well.
- Pat chicken dry using a paper towel. You should not skip this step if you want the drumsticks to be crispy.
- Once patted dry, coat the chicken pieces with olive oil. Then, spread BBQ rub over the chicken pieces. Toss to coat. If needed, you can add more flour or spices. You’ll want evenly coated, dry chicken.
- Once the baking dish is ready, put the chicken pieces in it and bake for 40 to 45 minutes. A meat thermometer will tell you when the chicken is done. Take it out of the oven and cover it in BBQ sauce. So it tastes even better, bake it for five more minutes.
- Serve warm with your favorite dipping sauce and sides.
Delicious Oven BBQ Chicken Drumsticks
Our Baked chicken drumsticks are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. Seasoned then baked to perfection, then smothered with tangy BBQ sauce.
Easily made in the oven, they can be made all year round and for any occasion.
These sticky bbq chicken drumsticks are great with almost any side dish. The whole family will be reaching for seconds.
Why You’ll Love Our BBQ Chicken
- QUICK AND EASY: All you need is chicken, some basic spices, and your favorite barbecue sauce.
- EASY RECIPE: This oven-baked recipe works every time and only takes 50 minutes to cook!
- TASTY: All year long, the best way to make barbecue chicken that will make your fingers lick your lips is to bake it. Tender chicken with a bbq crispy skin.
Need another baked chicken recipe to try? You’ll love our Baked Panko Chicken!
- Chicken Drumsticks: For this recipe, use chicken drumsticks with the skin still on. You can also use chicken thighs, chicken breasts, or chicken wings.
- You can use vegetable oil or avocado oil instead of olive oil if you want to.
- BBQ Sauce—For this recipe, use any kind of BBQ sauce you like. I like sweet baby rays, myself. You can even make your own BBQ sauce or our Easy Keto BBQ Sauce.
- Paprika, smoked paprika, regular paprika, salt, ground black pepper, dried thyme, garlic powder, and onion powder are all mixed together in our chicken rub.
