Baked Bbq Chicken Legs: Cover Or Not?

Whether or not you should cover your BBQ chicken legs in the oven depends on the result you want. Covering your chicken legs with foil while baking will result in tender, juicy meat. However, if you want crispy skin on your chicken, you should bake them uncovered. You can also cover the chicken for most of the baking time and then uncover it for the last few minutes to let the skin crisp up.

Should you cover BBQ chicken legs in the oven?

The benefits of covering BBQ chicken legs in the oven

Covering your chicken legs with foil while they bake in the oven can help to keep them juicy and tender. This is because the foil will trap the moisture released from the chicken, ensuring that it doesn't escape and keeping the meat moist. This is particularly beneficial if you are cooking a larger number of chicken legs, as they will take longer to cook and are therefore more likely to dry out. Covering the chicken legs with foil will also help to distribute the heat more evenly, ensuring that they cook through without drying out.

The benefits of not covering BBQ chicken legs in the oven

Not covering your chicken legs with foil while they bake in the oven will allow the skin to crisp up. This is because the dry heat of the oven will cause the skin to dehydrate and become crispy. If you cover the chicken legs with foil, the steam trapped underneath may make the skin soggy. Not covering the chicken legs with foil will also allow any barbecue sauce you have applied to caramelise and form a sticky, flavoursome coating.

So, should you cover BBQ chicken legs in the oven?

Whether or not you cover your BBQ chicken legs in the oven depends on the result you want to achieve. If you want your chicken legs to be juicy and tender, then covering them with foil is a good idea. However, if you want the skin to be crispy and the barbecue sauce to caramelise, then it is best not to cover them. Ultimately, it is a matter of personal preference, and you may need to experiment to find the method that works best for you.

What temperature should the oven be?

The oven temperature depends on the type of BBQ chicken legs you want to make. For a quick, easy, and crispy dish, set the oven to 400°F. However, if you're looking for a slow-roasted, fall-off-the-bone meal, a lower temperature of 275°F is ideal.

For the former, you'll be baking the chicken legs for around 50 minutes, flipping them halfway through. This method yields a crispy skin and juicy meat.

On the other hand, the slow-roasted method takes around 3 hours. The low and slow approach ensures the chicken is cooked perfectly without drying out, resulting in succulent and tender meat.

Regardless of the method, always ensure your chicken is cooked to a safe internal temperature of 165°F. You can use a meat thermometer to check this.

How long should you cook BBQ chicken legs for?

The cooking time for BBQ chicken legs depends on the method you use, the cut of the meat, and your oven temperature.

Baking

If you are baking your chicken legs in the oven, the cooking time will vary depending on the size of the drumsticks. A general rule of thumb is to bake them for a minimum of 40-50 minutes at 350-400°F (180-200°C). You can tell they are done when they look crispy and are tender when poked with a fork. Another way to check is by using a meat thermometer—chicken is cooked when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).

Broiling/Grilling

If you are broiling or grilling your chicken legs, the cooking time will be shorter. You can expect them to be done in around 10-15 minutes, depending on the thickness of the meat. As with baking, you can use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature has reached 165°F (74°C).

Slow-Roasting

Slow-roasting your chicken legs will take longer than other methods, as the lower temperature of 275°F (135°C) ensures the chicken is cooked evenly without drying out. For this method, you will need to roast the chicken legs for a total of 3 hours.

How do you get crispy skin?

How to get crispy skin on BBQ chicken legs

There are several ways to ensure your BBQ chicken legs have crispy skin. Firstly, it is important to pat the chicken dry before cooking, as moisture is the enemy of crispiness. You can also place the chicken skin side up from the beginning of the cooking process, which will help to elevate it so it's not sitting in its juices, resulting in more crispiness.

Another tip is to cook the chicken on a baking rack nestled into your rimmed baking sheet. This will elevate the chicken and cause air to circulate around the whole piece, rather than having it sit in the juices. If you do this, just keep it skin-side up the whole time—no need to flip!

You can also try broiling the chicken at the end. If, once it's cooked, the skin isn't as crisp as you like, move the oven rack up and turn on your broiler. Keep an eye on it—just a few minutes should do the trick!

Finally, brushing the chicken with a little butter or olive oil before roasting can help achieve a crispy finish.

What can you serve with BBQ chicken legs?

BBQ chicken legs are a versatile dish that can be served with a variety of side dishes to create a delicious and satisfying meal. Here are some mouth-watering options to consider:

Classic BBQ Sides

The perfect BBQ classics to accompany your chicken legs include sweet baked beans, creamy coleslaw, and fluffy cornbread. You can also opt for a potato salad, either with a creamy mayo base or a tangy vinegar dressing. For a heartier option, why not try mac and cheese? It's a crowd-pleaser that pairs perfectly with the smoky flavours of BBQ chicken. Don't forget the butter or honey to top off your cornbread!

Vegetable Sides

If you're looking for some vegetable sides to balance out the meal, grilled eggplant, asparagus, and tomatoes served warm over raw endive make for a delicious option. You can also keep it simple with a crisp green salad and fruit, or grill some hearts of romaine for a slightly smoky twist. Grilled okra is another unique choice that eliminates the vegetable's natural sliminess and gives it a nice char.

Starch Sides

Starches are always a good idea to soak up all that delicious BBQ sauce. Consider serving your chicken legs with white rice or, for a healthier option, brown rice or quinoa. If you're feeling indulgent, roasted parsnip fries, panko-baked cauliflower bites, or sweet potato fries will surely impress. And of course, you can never go wrong with some classic, crispy French fries.

Salads

Salads are a refreshing addition to any BBQ spread. A Greek pasta salad filled with fusilli, tomatoes, cucumbers, olives, and feta cheese is a tasty option. If you want to feature more grilled elements, try a grilled corn and zucchini salad. For something a little different, a black bean and couscous salad or a halloumi three-bean salad with pomegranate-harissa vinaigrette will surely impress.

Desserts

Don't forget to end your meal on a sweet note! Strawberry shortcake is a classic summer dessert that's sure to be a hit. Or, for something simpler, serve up some freshly cut watermelon wedges—you can even grill the fruit for a smoky twist.

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