Easy to make, these grilled chicken leg quarters use a simple homemade dry rub. The skin is perfectly crisp and the they turn out delicious every time! Show
Leg quarters are always great because they are often pretty cheap and they are always delicious. There are so many things you can use them for from boiling them down to make soup to making cast iron chicken quarters - seared and then baked to perfection. But chicken leg quarters on the grill is one of our favorite ways to cook them. You can get the skin as crispy as you want very easily and they are very easy to cook on the grill. Jump to:
IngredientsThe ingredients are simple ingredients, the spices are common spices but if there is one that you do not like you can substitute it or leave it out. I know the skin on our chicken here looks like it has a pattern on it, it's from our food saver bags. I vacuum seal all the meats I freeze.
Other great grilled dishesIf you love our grilled chicken leg quarters, you will love these other great dishes!
How to season the leg quarters for the grillWe do not use any marinades on leg quarters. They turn out best with a simple dry rub. Mix together the salt, paprika, garlic, thyme and pepper in a small prep bowl. Set aside until ready to put on the chicken. Take the chicken out of the package and remove any large pieces of fat. Sometimes on the bone side you will find large pieces of fat. Pat the chicken dry with a paper towel - this is best for flavor and texture. Take the dry rub and sprinkle it all over the chicken leg quarters, then rub it all over so it is evenly coating the chicken. Set aside for about 10 minutes before putting the chicken leg quarters on grill. How long to grill chicken leg quarters on gas grillAll together it will take about 35-40 minutes depending on the thickness of your leg quarters. You need to cook the chicken to at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit before eating so please go by temperature and not just the cook times. First heat the grill to between 400 and 450 degrees Fahrenheit. You will be cooking the grilled chicken leg quarters over direct heat for this recipe. If you do indirect heat, you may need to adjust the times slightly. Start with the chicken skin side up. Place the chicken leg quarters on grill and close the lid, cook for 10 minutes. Open the grill and flip so the skin side is now down, close the lid and cook for 15 minutes. Flip the leg quarters one more time so the skin side is up. Close the lid and cook about 10 minutes, until they reach at least 165 degrees. If they are higher then 165 when you check the temperature, it's ok! They will still be delicious. We think grilled chicken leg quarters are best at 170-175 degrees personally. They do not dry out easily like chicken breasts do so don't sweat it if they are over in temperature. Allow them to rest for about 5 minutes before serving. We like to serve them with loaded potato foil packs or potato wedges cooked along side them on the grill. Frequently asked questionsCan I use a charcoal grill for chicken leg quarters? Yes you can! The cook times here are for how long to grill chicken leg quarters on a gas grill so they may need to be adjusted for charcoal, depending on the temperature you have your charcoal grill heated to. Cook until they reach at least 165 degrees. Is it better to parboil chicken before grilling? No, we never parbroil chicken before grilling it. You lose some flavor when you boil it and the skin doesn't get the perfectly crisp texture. I do not recommend doing it. What to do with any leftover chicken? If you have any leftover leg quarters, refrigerate them promptly. I use the meat for various things, depending on how many pieces are left (usually only 1 if we have any.) Taking the chicken off the bones and adding it to the top of a salad is always a great lunch! You can also put the chicken on bread with some mayo for a quick and easy chicken sandwich. Sometimes I add it to some broth, noodles and veggies for a quick chicken soup. RecipeThese are the best chicken leg quarters! They are easy to make with a simple homemade dry rub and are delicious with a perfectly crispy skin. Prep Time 10 mins Cook Time 35 mins Total Time 45 mins Course Dinner, Grilled dishes Cuisine American Servings 4 Calories 319 kcal
Dry rub
Nutritional values are estimated and will vary depending on the size of the leg quarters. For the paprika - We have made these many times and we have tried them with smoked and regular paprika. They are both good, we prefer the smoked here. Important safety note - It is best to stay close to your grill while cooking on it, there is always a risk of a flare up. Do not leave it unattended. For the temperature - We prefer the temperature of our leg quarters to be between 170-175 degrees for best texture, but some people prefer it at 165. It does need to cook to at least 165, but do not worry if it goes over. They do not dry out easily like chicken breasts do. Calories: 319kcalCarbohydrates: 1gProtein: 24gFat: 24gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 5gMonounsaturated Fat: 10gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 142mgSodium: 402mgPotassium: 310mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 248IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 14mgIron: 1mg How long does it take to grill leg quarters at 350 degrees?At 350 degrees over direct heat, the Leg Quarters will take 35-45 minutes to cook. The key is to bring them to 165 degrees. One of the most common concerns is when you cut it open and you see a bit of pink, especially around the bone, but as long as the temperature is 165, you are fine.
How do you grill leg quarters on a gas grill?Grill. Put the seasoned chicken leg quarters on the hot grill over direct heat, skin-side-up. Grill for 7-10 minutes, then flip and grill for 4-5 minutes on the opposite side (bone-side-up). Return the chicken so the skin side is facing up, until your chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
How long does it take to cook chicken leg quarters on a charcoal grill?Heat charcoal grill to 300-degrees F. Place leg quarters skin side up on the grill. Cooked covered for 15-18 minutes. Flip chicken and continue cooking another 15-18 minutes or until internal temperature reaches at least 165-degrees F.
How long does it take for chicken to grill?How long do I grill chicken breast? Grill chicken breasts for around 9 to 10 minutes total, flipping halfway through. How long do you grill chicken on each side? Grill chicken breasts around 5 minutes on each side.
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