Topped with your favorite BBQ rub and sauce, these Easy BBQ Grilled Chicken Leg Quarters turn an easy chicken dinner into something fabulous. Budget-friendly chicken leg quarters are juicy, tender and packed with flavor. Pair that with the crispy skin and flavorful sauce for a BBQ chicken recipe that is sure to delight.
BBQ restaurants have certainly made their mark in recent years and have become a multi-billion dollar industry serving everything from pulled pork and chicken wings to artisan meats with specialty rubs and sauces.
While I love the unique flavors and selections that are available, I also love simplicity. This BBQ chicken recipe is the epitome of back-to-basic goodness.
And let me tell you a little secret. My husband is the griller in the family but this recipe is easy enough for me to make by myself. That said, anyone can grill this juicy chicken!
BBQ chicken leg quarters are juicy and delicious but also budget-friendly so you can feed a crowd without spending a fortune. With just four ingredients, this recipe is also simple to prepare without sacrificing on flavor.
Whether you enjoy a summer grilling season or prefer to grill all year long, this chicken leg quarters recipe smothered with your favorite barbecue sauce is a great way to enjoy a wonderful meal.
If you prefer to roast your chicken leg quarters inside, try my Brick Chicken Leg Quarters Recipe. You will lov ethe crispy skin!
Ingredients
- Chicken Leg Quarters – Chicken leg quarters have both the drumstick and the chicken thigh.
- BBQ Seasoning – Look for a seasoning blend that is low in sugar to help prevent excess charring of the chicken while it cooks.
- Apple Juice – Basting with apple juice will keep the chicken moist and add a slightly sweet flavor. You can also use apple cider.
- Barbecue Sauce – Baste the chicken with your favorite sauce. Serve extra sauce for dipping. Homemade bbq sauce is delicious however there are many great bottled brands found in your grocery store.
See recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
- Rub the chicken leg quarters generously with BBQ seasoning.
2. Place the chicken onto a grill that has been prepared for indirect grilling.
3. Baste and flip the chicken quarters every 15 minutes until the desired temperature has been reached. Check temperature with a meat thermometer used in the thickest part of the meat.
4. Brush the chicken with BBQ sauce and cook for 5 more minutes on medium heat before resting and serving.
Hint: To prevent excess charring, use a low-sugar BBQ seasoning rub.
Variations/ Substitutions
- Spice Rub – Use your favorite storebought BBQ spice rub or make your own. I have a homemade beef seasoning that I also love on chicken.
- Spicy - Add chili pepper flakes or cayenne pepper to the spice rub mixture. You can also use a spicy BBQ sauce.
- Other Chicken Cuts - This BBQ chicken recipe works well with any bone in chicken pieces such as chicken breasts, chicken thighs or drumsticks. Adjust the cook time accordingly.
Equipment
A gas grill is preferred for this recipe as it is much easier to control the grill temperature. On a gas grill you can lower the temperature and have areas for indirect cooking. Placing the meat on the cooler side of grill will reduce flareups and allow the skin to get crispy without burning. If using charcoal grill, keep heat on low by only placing coals on half of grill. Have an instant read meat thermometer to use at all times. Chicken cooking time will vary.
Leftovers/ Storage
Leftover BBQ chicken leg quarters can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Freeze leftovers in an airtight container or heavy-duty freezer bag for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Leftover chicken can be reheated, enjoyed cold or sliced or shredded for use in other recipes. Remove the skin before using the chicken in other recipes. Some of my favorite recipes for using the leftovers include:
- Buffalo Chicken Flatbread with Bacon
- Southwest Chicken Tortilla Soup
- Avocado Eggrolls with BBQ Chicken from Food Fanatic
Chicken Grilling Tips
- Make sure the chicken quarters are fully defrosted and not frozen.
- For crispy skin, dry the chicken with paper towels to remove excess moisture before adding the BBQ seasoning.
- Trim of any loose bits of skin or fat.
- The seasoning will draw moisture out of the chicken so place it on the grill immediately after adding the rub so the meat doesn't dry out.
- For crispy skin, position chicken skin side down at a moderate grill temperature.
- Oil the grates of the grill before you turn it on. This will prevent the chicken leg and thigh skin from sticking.
- Turn chicken often (about every 15 minutes) and brush or lightly spray with apple juice/water mixture to keep the meat juicy and tender.
- Keep the grilled chicken covered while cooking. If you do not have a cover, use some loosely placed aluminum foil on it.
- Add the BBQ sauce at the end of grilling. If you add it too early, the sugar in the sauce will cause the chicken to burn.
- Use a BBQ or meat thermometer to test the chicken before taking it off the grill. I love my Lavatools instant read thermometer.
- Tent the chicken with aluminum foil and allow it to rest for at least 5 minutes before serving.
FAQ
It takes approximately 50-55 minutes to grill chicken leg quarters. Always test for doneness with a instant-read thermometer used for meat. Chicken should be cooked to a minimum temperature of 165 degrees F.
Always place the chicken skin side down for at least the first 10 minutes of grilling. Flip the chicken approximately every 15 minutes until it is cooked all the way through.
Grilling with indirect heat means that the meat is placed beside the heat source rather than directly over it. For a gas grill with multiple burners, preheat the grill then turn off a burner and place chicken on the cooler side of the grill. When using a charcoal grill, push the hot coals to one side of the grill and cook the meat on the cooler side.
Chicken quarters are a dark meat portion of chicken that contains the whole chicken leg. Leq quarters include the thigh and the drumstick which are still attached.
Food Safety Tips
- Defrost chicken in a refrigerator. Never thaw on the counter.
- For crispy skin, position chicken skin side down at a moderate grill temperature.
- Cook to a minimum temperature of 165 degrees F when checked with a meat thermometer when checked with a meat thermometer in the thickest part of the thigh.
- Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat.
- Wash hands after touching raw meat.
Serving Suggestions
From greens and french fried to roasted veggies and potato salad BBQ grilled chicken leg quarters can be served with almost anything for a delicious and complete meal.
- Air Fried Cauliflower
- 5-Ingredient Stove Top Mac and Cheese
- Braised Collard Greens with Turkey Bacon
- Caprese Pasta Salad with Pesto
- Fresh Corn and Tomato Salad
Try my Homemade Pineapple BBQ Sauce on this chicken.
If you like this BBQ Chicken Recipe, please leave a 5-star rating.
RECIPE
BBQ Grilled Chicken Leg Quarters
Equipment
- Gas grill
Ingredients
- 4 chicken leg quarters
- 2 - 3 tablespoons BBQ seasoning (low sugar)
- ½ cup apple juice
- ½ cup barbecue sauce
Instructions
- Remove wll visible fat from chicken quarters. Rub them generously with the BBQ seasoning.
- Heat a gas grill to 400 degrees. If it has three burners, turn off the center burner and place chicken in center so it is on the grill with indirect heat.
- Cover chicken and grill for 10 -15 minutes. Spray or baste with apple juice mixed with ½ cup water. Turn chicken. Cover and repeat this step every 10 - 15 minutes. Cook for about 50 minutes total or until internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165 degrees F.
- Baste both sides of the chicken with BBQ sauce and coook for about 5 more minutes or until skin gets a bit crispy. Let chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Nutrition
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Marta
I LOVE BBQ'd chicken, but even more so when it's an economical cut like leg quarters. I made this recipe on Sunday for our family dinner and it was a hit with everyone!
Bernice
We eat a lot of chicken quarters in our house. They are a surprisingly good value and are so easy to cook. I am always looking for new ways to cook them and this grilling recipe worked perfectly. I can't wait to make it again.
Jacqueline Debono
I love chicken quarters for grilling and this was the perfect way to cook them. So easy too!
Jenny
Dark meat chicken is my favorite. Thanks for sharing this BBQ Grilled Chicken Leg Quarters recipe. Just in time for summer. Yum!
Valentina Ottah
I love BBQ grilled chicken and I can’t wait to try out this amazing recipe. Thanks for sharing!
Ann
This BBQ chicken was super delicious! We made it while camping, and it was the perfect meal to make. Thanks for the recipe share!
Claire
This BBQ chicken looks so good! Bookmarking and pinning this for all our BBQ needs this summer
Loreto and Nicoletta
Barbecue season has definitely hit here, and We are craving your BBQ chicken. Love the spices and the way you cooked then on indirect heat on the grill. A great way to get that beautiful color, crispness, and keeping those chicken legs so moist! Love this! 😋
Erin
These quarters were so easy! I normally burn the skin, but not this time. Yay! Thanks so much. They were incredible.
Hayley Dhanecha
Lovely idea of using apple juice for this recipe, thanks for sharing your useful tips for moist and flvaourful chicken.
Jessica
My family and I really enjoyed this recipe.