Introducing Butterflied Chicken Legs: A delectable and versatile dish that is sure to impress! These succulent chicken legs are expertly prepared by butterflying them, resulting in tender meat with crispy skin. Perfect for grilling, baking, or frying, these flavorful chicken legs will elevate any meal. Whether you’re hosting a barbecue or craving a hearty dinner, our butterflied chicken legs are the ultimate crowd-pleaser. Get ready to savor every bite of this mouthwatering culinary delight!
BUTTERFLIED CHICKEN LEGS
Butterflied Chicken Legs are a fantastic choice for grilling chicken legs, offering several advantages. By splitting the meat, the cooking time is significantly reduced, and there is also more surface area available for applying the dry rub and BBQ sauce. This method allows for a quicker and more flavorful cooking process, resulting in deliciously tender and juicy chicken legs.
To prepare Butterflied Chicken Legs, start by removing the chicken from its packaging and patting it dry with paper towels. Next, use a sharp knife to make a cut down the length of the chicken leg against the bone, cutting through the tendons. This will allow you to pull the meat away from the bone and flatten it out, creating a butterfly shape.
Once butterflied, spray both sides of the chicken with olive oil and sprinkle it with your preferred dry rub. Prepare a grill fire to 350°F using hickory or pecan wood for added smoky flavor. Grill the chicken over indirect heat with the grill closed for approximately 8-10 minutes. Flip the chicken and baste it with BBQ sauce, then continue cooking for another 5 minutes with the grill closed. Repeat this process once more, flipping and basting with BBQ sauce until the internal temperature reaches 175-180°F as measured by a digital meat thermometer.
INGREDIENTS NEEDED
To make Butterflied BBQ Chicken Legs, you will need the following ingredients:
- Chicken drumsticks – as many as desired
- Olive oil – for brushing the chicken
- Dry rub – for seasoning the chicken (garlic and onion rub recommended)
- BBQ sauce – for basting and flavoring the chicken
Note: The quantities of olive oil, dry rub, and BBQ sauce will depend on the number of chicken drumsticks being prepared.
STEP BY STEP DIRECTIONS
1. Remove the chicken legs from the packaging and pat them dry with paper towels.
2. Butterfly the drumsticks by making a cut down the length of each chicken leg against the bone, cutting through the tendons. Pull the meat away from the bone and flatten it out.
3. Spray or brush both sides of the chicken legs with olive oil and sprinkle them with garlic and onion rub.
4. Prepare a grill fire to 350° using hickory or pecan for smoke flavor.
5. Place the chicken legs on the grill over indirect fire, with the grill closed, and cook for about 8-10 minutes.
6. Flip the chicken legs and baste them with BBQ sauce. Continue cooking for another 5 minutes with the grill closed.
7. Flip the chicken legs again, basting them with BBQ sauce in a thick layer. Cook for another 5-10 minutes until they reach an internal temperature of 175-180°, as measured by a digital meat thermometer.
8. Store any leftover BBQ drumsticks wrapped in plastic wrap or in a zip-top bag in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
9. To reheat, place the drumsticks on a lined baking pan in a preheated oven at 350° for 10-12 minutes or until heated through. Brush with additional sauce if desired.
Note: Nutritional information is estimated and may not be accurate.
HOW TO STORE AND REHEAT
After grilling, store any leftover BBQ chicken drumsticks by wrapping them in plastic wrap or placing them in a zip top bag. Keep them refrigerated for up to 3 days.
To reheat the drumsticks, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking pan with parchment paper. Place the drumsticks on the lined pan and bake for 10-12 minutes, or until heated through. If desired, brush the drumsticks with additional BBQ sauce before reheating for added flavor.
MORE GRILLED CHICKEN RECIPES TO TRY
If you’re looking for more delicious grilled chicken recipes to try, we’ve got you covered. Here are a few suggestions to add variety to your grilling menu:
1. Grilled Lemon Herb Chicken Thighs: Marinate chicken thighs in a mixture of lemon juice, garlic, and fresh herbs like rosemary and thyme. Grill until cooked through and enjoy the bright and refreshing flavors.
2. Teriyaki Grilled Chicken Skewers: Thread cubes of chicken onto skewers and brush with a homemade teriyaki sauce. Grill until caramelized and serve with steamed rice or a side of grilled vegetables.
3. Spicy Buffalo Grilled Chicken Wings: For those who love some heat, toss chicken wings in a spicy buffalo sauce before grilling. The smoky flavor from the grill adds an extra dimension to this classic appetizer.
4. Mediterranean Grilled Chicken Salad: Create a healthy and flavorful salad by marinating chicken breasts in lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, and Mediterranean spices like oregano and cumin. Grill the chicken and serve it over a bed of mixed greens with cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, feta cheese, and olives.
These are just a few ideas to get you started on your grilling adventures with chicken. Whether you prefer drumsticks or chicken legs, there’s no shortage of delicious recipes to try out on the grill!
BUTTERFLIED CHICKEN LEGS
Butterflied Chicken Legs are a fantastic option for grilling chicken legs. By splitting the meat, you not only reduce the cooking time but also increase the surface area for the dry rub and BBQ sauce to adhere to. This technique provides a win-win situation for flavorful and succulent chicken legs.
To prepare butterflied chicken legs, start by removing the chicken from its packaging and patting it dry with paper towels. Then, using a sharp knife, make a cut along the length of the chicken leg against the bone, cutting through the tendons. This will allow you to pull the meat away from the bone and flatten it out.
Once you have butterflied the drumsticks, spray or brush both sides with olive oil and sprinkle them with your desired rub. Prepare a grill fire to 350°F using hickory or pecan wood for added smoke flavor. Grill the chicken over indirect heat with the grill closed for about 8-10 minutes.
INGREDIENTS
– Chicken drumsticks
– Olive oil
– Dry rub (garlic and onion)
– BBQ sauce
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Remove the chicken legs from their packaging and pat them dry with paper towels.
2. Using a sharp knife, butterfly the drumsticks by making a cut down the length of the chicken leg against the bone, cutting through the tendons. Pull the meat away from the bone and flatten it out.
3. Spray or brush both sides of the chicken legs with olive oil and sprinkle them with garlic and onion rub.
4. Prepare a grill fire to 350°F using hickory or pecan for smoke flavor.
5. Place the chicken legs on the grill over indirect fire and close the grill. Cook for about 8-10 minutes.
6. Flip the chicken legs and baste them with BBQ sauce. Close the grill again and continue to cook for another 5 minutes.
7. Flip the chicken legs once more and baste them with another thick layer of BBQ sauce. Cook for an additional 5-10 minutes until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 175-180°F, as measured by a digital meat thermometer.
8. If there are any leftover BBQ drumsticks, wrap them in plastic wrap or place them in a zip-top bag in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
9. To reheat leftover drumsticks, preheat an oven to 350°F and place them on a lined baking pan. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until heated through. Brush with additional sauce if desired.
Note: Nutritional information provided is estimated and may not be accurate.
NOTES
– Butterflied chicken legs are a great option for grilling as they allow for quicker cooking times and more surface area for the dry rub and BBQ sauce to adhere to.
– When butterflying the drumsticks, make sure to use a sharp knife and cut against the bone, through the tendons. This will help flatten out the meat and make it easier to cook evenly.
– It is recommended to spray or brush both sides of the butterflied chicken legs with olive oil before seasoning them with garlic and onion rub. This will help prevent sticking and add flavor.
– The grill should be prepared with a fire temperature of 350°F and hickory or pecan wood for added smoke flavor.
– Cook the butterflied chicken legs over indirect fire with the grill closed for approximately 8-10 minutes on each side. Flip the chicken and baste it with BBQ sauce during cooking to enhance flavor.
– Use a digital meat thermometer to ensure that the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 175-180°F, which indicates that it is cooked through.
– Leftover BBQ drumsticks can be stored in the refrigerator wrapped in plastic wrap or in a zip-top bag for up to three days. To reheat, place them on a lined baking pan in a preheated oven at 350°F for 10-12 minutes or until heated through. Additional sauce can be brushed on if desired.
– Nutritional information provided is estimated and may not be completely accurate.
NUTRITION INFORMATION:
The nutritional information provided is an estimate and may not be entirely accurate. It is important to note that individual serving sizes and ingredients used may vary, which can affect the overall nutritional content of the dish. Additionally, cooking methods and preparation techniques can also impact the final nutritional values.
For specific dietary concerns or restrictions, it is recommended to consult with a healthcare professional or registered dietitian for personalized advice. They can provide guidance on how to modify recipes or make substitutions to meet specific dietary needs.
YIELD:
This recipe yields approximately 4 servings of BBQ Butterflied Chicken Legs.
The butterflied chicken legs are split and flattened, resulting in quicker cooking times and a larger surface area for the dry rub and BBQ sauce to adhere to. This method creates deliciously smoky drumsticks coated in a sweet and tangy BBQ sauce. It’s a winning combination that makes for a great dinner any night of the week.
SERVING SIZE:
The serving size for this recipe of BBQ Butterflied Chicken Legs will depend on the appetite of those eating. Generally, one chicken leg or drumstick is considered a serving. However, if you have larger appetites or are serving this as part of a meal with other dishes, you may want to plan for two drumsticks per person.
This recipe can easily be scaled up or down depending on the number of people you are serving. If you have leftovers, they can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven for 10-12 minutes at 350°F until heated through.
In conclusion, butterflied chicken legs are a delicious and versatile option for any meal. Their unique preparation allows for even cooking and a crispy texture. Whether grilled, roasted, or fried, butterflied chicken legs are sure to please any palate. So, why not give them a try and elevate your next culinary experience?
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